Ashoka apologizes to Kaurvaki. I have hurt you a lot. You have been through too much. Forgive your Ashoka. Devi is shocked. You knew it from before that she is Kaurvaki? Yes or no? He accepts it. I was unaware of her pains, her struggles but not from her love. He makes Kaurvaki lie down. I knew she is the Kaurvaki who I love, who I have always loved. I too have waited for years to see her once. I too was equally eager / worried to catch a glimpse of her like she was. Devi asks him why he acted innocent and behaved like a stranger to Kaurvaki then. She has been yearning for you since years. Sadly, she isn’t in the condition today to hear you finally taking her name. What has she done to you? I want answer today. Don’t be quiet! What held you back from your love? What turned you into a stone? Your Kaurvaki was yearning before you but you dint melt? Did you really into CHand?
He angrily gets up. Yes, I am Chand! I am Chand for the enemies of my motherland. But I am Ashoka for the people I love. He is sympathetic and loves his people. I don’t have a right to hurt Kaurvaki but I intentionally avoided accepting it. I have no right to give her pain instead of happiness so I kept her away from me even after knowing her truth. I want every person who loves me, cares for me to go away from me, including you! You too must stay away from me. Everything would have destroyed if I had let it come near me. I have decided to stay away from any kind of boundation. She tells him against it but he insists. Everyone who supported me, has been with me has been through a lot. You too have been through a lot. You lost your house. My brother had to go away from his father and home because of me. My mother’s life was ruined. she had to be away from her husband for so many years. When she got everything back, she again had to stay away from her family for another 10 years. I know how she spent those years. So many people, who tried to help me in my journey, lost their lives.
They dint even think once if I did something for them or gave something to their family. I dint give them a better state but I was busy running away. I wanted to help them but I dint do anything! Acharya Chanakya, Acharya Raghavendra and my brother Drupad have gone far from me. My life is full of obstacles. I have decided to go ahead alone in my life. I have lost enough already, not anymore. I don’t have the courage to lose anything now. I cannot push my mother away from my life. He looks at Kaurvaki. I pushed away the one I could. I just distanced Kaurvaki from me. I dint want to put her life in risk. I dint want her to pay a heavy amount for loving me. See, that only happened. Devi reasons that Kaurvaki wont be able to live without him. He reasons that he wont let anything happen to Kaurvaki till he is alive. He steps back
Kaurvaki takes Ashoka’s name in her unconscious state. Devi sits down next to her. Kaurvaki mutters that he recognized her. He said Kaurvaki. Devi nods. Kaurvaki falls unconscious again. Devi cries.
Charu comes to Bindu’s room and closes the door from inside. Bindu says it is good you are here. I was about to come to you. I am not feeling mentally well after what happened in the courtroom. Charu thinks I understand everything. You don’t get happy seeing me. Her presence doesn’t make things good for him. She massages his head. Bindu asks her to talk to Sushim. Make him understand. He should keep a control on his anger. Charu agrees to do so. You fulfilled my wish today on Vat Savitri Day. I am lucky to be with you tonight. Let us forget everything tonight. He tries to say something but she leans in romantically, keeping a hand on his lips. He pushes her hand away and gets up. Pardon me. She looks startled. He says I feel really tired and low. She says I am not a fool. I cannot understand why there is this distance. Am I only a wife for namesake? Why do you stay away from me? Why do you feel it to be a sin? I never stopped you from anything or objected to anything you did. Why then? It doesn’t mean I gave up all my hopes and desires.
What do I lack that you disrespect me like this? He wipes her tears. You lack nothing. I have always looked at you as the mother of my son. we have always spoken about that matter only. We never spoke about ourselves. She asks him if it is a mother’s mistake that she speaks and worries for her son. He denies. Give me some more time. He wipes her tears. She holds his hands. She extends her hands for a hug but doesn’t get any. Ashoka knocks at the door just then calling out for his mother. Charu angrily opens the door. you and your mother are not at all peace! Go to your mother’s room if you want to find her. bindu asks Charu why Ashoka came here at this hour. Charu says he was looking for his mother. Bindu senses worry in Ashoka’s voice. I will check on her. Charu suggests him to rest as he is not feeling good. Bindu still wonders what it could be.
Ashoka comes to his mother’s room. He takes her with him to check Kaurvaki. She has lost a lot of blood.
Kaurvaki asks for water in her unconscious state. Devi gives her water. Kaurvaki takes Ashoka’s name. Ashoka and Dharma come in just then. Dharma checks her. How did it happen? Devi shares that Kaurvaki got weak because of the fast. She dint eat anything. She fell down from the stairs of temple. Dharma doubts it but Ashoka says we don’t have time for this. Dharma makes him bring some medicinal herbs from her room. Dharma tries feeding it to Kaurvaki but in vain. Devi asks Ashoka to do so. He gets teary eyed while doing so. He walks out of the room.
Ashoka wipes his tears in the corridor. You will be fine soon kaurvaki. Nothing will happen to you. The one who got you in this condition will be punished such that he will never recover in life. Ashoka asks Dharma if she (Kaurvaki) will get fine. Dharma says I did every possible thing. She needs a friend. You should be with her. She goes to get more herbs.
Devi repeats it to Ashoka. Kaki said Kaurvaki needs a friend. You are her friend. Ashoka denies. I cannot do this. I wont be able to do this. She blocks his way. Why? He tells her to look at Kaurvaki. she is going through so much already just being near me. I am a curse. Devi reasons that every mother would want a son like him if he is a curse. every father would want a son like him. Motherland would also want a son like you. You are not a curse but a great guy. You did so much to protect her. You don’t realise that her life is in you. She cannot live without you. God has joined her life with you. You will look after her, not me. You can decide after that. She needs you right now. I will wait outside. Ashoka looks at Kaurvaki.
Ashoka looks at Kaurvaki. He sits down next to her on the bed and holds her hand. he caresses her head sweetly. She coughs and he wipes her face clean using a part of his clothes. He is about to go when she holds his necklace. He tells her he isn’t going anywhere. I am here only near you. He makes her drink kaadha but she does not drink it. Why don’t you drink now? You were troubling me in the jungle asking for food and water. You are all quiet now. Try again. You have to drink Kaadha. I understand it isn’t the sweetest one but you will have to drink it. It will make you strong to fight with me, to taunt me. Let’s try once again. She drinks it this time. He smiles. You will be fine soon with the medicine given by Ma. He holds her close and caresses her head all the time. He smiles hearing his name from her lips. You’re right. I am your Ashoka, for always!
Next morning, Ashoka and Kaurvaki seem to have fallen asleep in the same position. Devi comes there. She smiles seeing them thus. She thinks to leave when Ashoka wakes up hearing the sound of her anklets. He says Devi. She stops in her tracks but looks down. Ashoka makes Kaurvaki lie back down on the bed. Ashoka thanks Devi. I am indebted to you. She says I wouldn’t have forgiven myself all life if I had kept quiet after knowing everything. He asks for a favour. No one should know that I was here all night with Kaurvaki. It is already difficult for me. Promise me it will be a secret. Dharma is headed to that room. Ashoka says you don’t understand someone’s importance till you are together. You are so generous, loving. Whoever marries you will be really lucky.
They both see Dharma at the door. She is curious to see Ashoka there. Were you here all night? Devi declines. He just came. She asks something to Devi when Ashoka replies to her. Dharma says I ask one of you while the other answers. Devi covers up saying I just told him everything. Ashoka asks about Padmavati’s (Kaurvaki’s) recovery. She replies that the situation hints at positive recovery only. Ashoka is relieved. Dharma asks Ashoka why she feels he is hiding something from her. Who is Rajkumari Padmavati? Why are you so concerned for her? He lies that it is his duty. All the princesses kept fast for the prince’s only. Acharya RG tells Ashoka that he did the way he wanted him to. Ashoka goes with him. Dharma is sure Ashoka, Padmavati and Devi are hiding something from her. What is it?
Uttar’s dead body is brought outside. A lot many people from of Magadh are gathered there. Sushim, Siamak and Mahamatya come as well. They are stunned to see Uttar’s dead body hanging openly. Ashoka says this dead man is your culprit. He is Magadh’s culprit. He has cheated you, stolen money from you. He has tried to cheat you and magadh. We have recovered the money. Samrat has freed Magadh this year from taxes for the very same reason. It wasn’t enough though. You had lost trust on Magadh’s security system. It was important to build that trust again in all of you. This is why Magadh’s enemy Gondna is hanging dead before you. It is a sign to tell you that none of you should be scared of anything. Anyone who tries to harm motherland, or insult it will meet the same fate. He will be explained in the same language only. We will answer everyone in the language they understand! A soldier pours kerosene over Uttar’s body shocking Siamak, Mahamatya and Sushim. Uttar’s body is set afire. Ashoka tells everyone not to be scared of anyone after today. Magadh is strong enough to tackle its enemies. Everyone cheers for Ashoka.
Sushim, Siamak and Mahamatya walk up to Ashoka. Sushim compliments his plan. Someone should learnt it from you how to make people cheer for you. Ashoka says you have to learn a lot from your deeds. Siamak seconds SUshim. Ashoka says you are right. You and I know the truth. Truth is,t his person isn’t Gondna but Gondna’s supporter, Uttar. Only we know it, not the citizens. They know what they had to. They don’t have to be scared of any Gondna anymore. Look at them. This was the motive of this drama – to end the fear of Gondna from their faces. Gondna tax wont be required now. Gondna and its supporters should be scared now as their downfall has begun. The day I find that woman, she will be punished for being the biggest enemy of my motherland. She would have never imagined it. My first step towards my Guru’s dream of unsuited India has begun. He leaves. Sushim points out that Ashoka knows Gondna is a woman. Siamak wonders if he came to know who that woman is.
Siamak, Sushim, Charu and Mahamatya come to meet Helena. She angrily hits at something. Sushim asks her what this means. She says it will start now. It will happen when Ashoka will unveil my face as Gondna and you will be proved my supporters. Sushim tells her to calm down. Ashoka only has come to know that Gondna is a woman. Helena doubts that Ashoka would have seen her face. It is destined. He wont spare anyone. Siamak is in disbelief. You say so? You took him down. We have always been successful. Our biggest success was Ashoka’s Guru’s death. We got Ashoka out of Magadh. Helena adds that they never won over Ashoka. He came back like some immortal bird every time. He came back all the more powerful this time. This time he isn’t the Ashoka who we can trap in our moves. Sushim nods. Ashoka isn’t kid anymore and neither is this game between kids. Siamak asks him not to scare them by saying all this. We have to think of our next move. Sushim says I know it already. He tells Helena she will be moved to a safer place soon.
Ashoka has made a list of traitors (Gondna) and the people (Sushim, Mahamatya, Siamak and Charu) who killed his Guru. They are a hindrance in his dream. It is my own family. imagine giving your state a safe status and you have to fight with your own family. Acharya RG calls it his destiny. Ashoka is sure they both cannot operate only. I have to make the family weak to get Gondna. The only link is Nirankush. We have to catch him to catch Gondna.
Sushim tells Helena Ashoka can only think of his connection with Gondna but he can never imagine that the dead Rajmata can be alive. If he cannot reach you then how will he reach us? Helena says he will not take much time if he gets on it. Sushim nods. I know he will do every possible thing to look for Gondna. He will never look for Gondna in our palace and my room.
READD NEXT – Monday Update on Emperor Ashoka