If someone ever tells you.....

Being a mom is easy.... They're idiots.

Being a wife is easy.... They've had the most picture perfect life... Which even physics can't give you. So they're obviously delusional.

Being a wife who was injured in battle and is now not allowed to even move on her own, simply sleeping all day is easy?

Well... Coming from someone who loves to sleep.

It's very. Freaking. Hard.

"Come on Yudhishthir! It's been nearly three weeks! " I whined as he sat me back down in the bed, helping me lay myself down. I suppressed a wince as my back reached the bed, not giving my husband any chance to prove me wrong.

"Absolutely not. You are not moving...and if you do not stop now... I will make sure you will not move from here for another three months and believe me I can do that, " He scowled, sitting by my side in the middle of the bed, " Slashed nearly half of her muscle off and she wants to move around. Absolute idiot of a wide I have. Why did I put myself through this. " He mumbled.

He gently moved my saree off, unwrapping the bandages off my hip. The sharp stench of herbs and potions filled my nose. As did what I assumed to be dry blood.

"Dasi, please have a pail of warm water and some cloth brought over, along with the medicines the vaidy advised for the Samragyi, " He said gently as he inspected my wound.

"Still as gaping? " I asked, moaning in soft pain as he slightly adjusted me around.

" No, " He whispered, " It seems to have healed considerably. The muscle seems to be intact now... The thread removal last week was a success. I can see new patches of skin growing. " He reassured me.

Another mark... My mother was right. I am collecting marks wherever and whenever I go.
Even as I child... I had random injuries which I didn't even notice unless they began to bleed or accidentally became infected.

"Mumma! Didi is back! " Abhi came barelling in, then slapped a hand to his eyes, "Atleast tell me when you're doing this! " He screeched and Yudhishthir frowned, his fatherly tone natural as he crouched to our son's height.

"My dear son Abhivart, I understand that it surprised you when you mother was undressed, for her healing. But this is no way to speak to my wife. You must understand, you were the one who came in without asking permission. Moreover, she is your mother. She has seen you through countless nights of her own pain, prioritising you and caring for you, be it by feeding you, sitting hours as she undresses you to apply cold cloths to your body to cool you down and cleaning your wastes as a baby. I think accidentally seeing her, when she is healing is not so much of an issue. Now, you will apologize to my wife and your mother. And promise me, you'll always knock before you enter anyone's room. Alright? " He said gently,yet fitmly. His tone left no room for argument. He brushed Abhi's hair back, kissing his forehead.

" I'm sorry papa, " He whispered, then climbed up to me. I held a blanket over my body, straining to keep it away from the wound when Yudhishthir gently took it from me and held it aloft.

" I'm so sorry mumma. I promise to always knock before entering the room. " He said and I smiled.

" It's alright Abhi... Now, what were you saying? " I asked, holding his small face in my hand.

So quickly had time passed... Madhu was about to be fourteen. Abhi nearly nine...

"Mumma, papa, didi is back! " He squealed and Yudhishthir's face lit up in joy.

"My princess is home? " He whispered, his eyes flitting between me and the door.

I laughed, " Go. I'll ask a healer to help me, " I said, " You've been dying to see her ever since she left... You should go welcome her. "

As Abhi and Yudhishthir left, I had a healer called who gently wound my wounds again.

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Madhu... Cause I'm sure all if us want to see what she thinks.

Mumma got hurt? Why didn't mama Krishn tell me? Mumma says he knows everything...

"Will she be alright papa? " I asked him as we sat in our room.

I could see mumma sleeping nearby, she looked pale and tired.

He pulled me into a hug, pressing a kiss to my forehead, " Of course she will be. When she has children like you and Abhivart, she will automatically be fine. That... And, " He smirked... Uh oh... Whenever that happens... Papa is upto some mischief.

" Well, who'll rescue you from me if she doesn't get well soon, " He said slyly, but before I had anything to say about it, I felt to of his fingers beeline to me, tickling me.

"Stop -" I yelled, mid laughs, "- papa! Stop! I'll go back to Dwarika! " He stopped immediately, pulling me back into a hug.

"Don't go anywhere. You'll stay with me. You leave me alone... Now tell me, isn't a daughter a father's most beautiful gift? You hold a huge part of my hear Madhumita, don't talk about leaving again. " He said sternly, when I saw two small tears make their way down his eyes..

Uhhh.... What's up with him.

"Papa? " I asked softly, turning in his hug to wipe his tears, " Silly papa. As long as I'm here, you won't cry. Especially not for me. I won't let you... Now come! I want to play chess with you! It's been so long! "

" How eager are you to be defeated by papa didi? " Abhi asked as he peeked into the room, a hand on his eyes, before he walked in, sighing..

"I could lose to him all my life. Because, " I said, looking at him,
" Papa says loss teaches you more than wins... The more I lose, the more I prepare myself to win... Plus... I learnt chess from mamishree Satyabhama herself... She's a wonderful player... She can even defeat mama Krishn! " I said and papa smiled.

" Then I'm sure you'll defeat me today putri. " He held my face softly, pressing another kiss to my forehead.

"Do you know papa, you're the best in the world! " Abhi yelled, climbing on his back as papa stood up.

"Come on Madhumita. We shall play." He offered me his hand and I greedily took it, walking over to the chess table.

When we began playing, I saw my father trying his hardest to defeat me.

This is why my papa is the best. He will never let me think that I won because of him. And also... He cannot lie... Or bluff. It's hilarious watching him even try.

Eventually though, I could see he made a mistake and attacked.

"Sheh, aur maat, " ( checkmate)

He looked at the board in surprise... Ohh... He didn't know?

"I'm so proud of you my dear, " He fluffed my head around..

"Papa! " I said, squealing as I moved his hand off, running to tame the style.

" Would you like to go to court with me today? " He asked and I snapped my head around.

"Yes! Yes! Yes yes! A hundred times yes! " I shouted when he looked at me with stern eyes, putting a finger to his lips and I slapped my hand to my mouth.

Mumma stirred a little then went back to sleep.

"Come, we should go soon then, " He said and waited, holding his crown.

"I'll do it, " I said. I rushed to look for the stepping stool and stood up, nearly falling in excitement and he held my arms to, stabilise me.

"Carefully Madhumita." He chided.

He bent his head low and I smiled, placing his crown on his head.

" Samrat Yudhishthir? " I said and he looked at me intrigued, " Raajkumari Madhumita, reporting for duty. " I raised my hand in an army salute mumma taught me and he smiled, blessing me.

"Come on. "

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Why is Yudhishthir taking Madhu to court... Also.. Saag being adamant knowing she got hurt is just Saag behaviour.

What do we think of Yudhishthir's parenting?

Anyways, tell me how it was and do vote please.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥