A few days later ....

Vatsala was slowly adapting to their environment. The duties of the next queen were hard for her little body, Draupadi and Yudhishthir expected great things from Prathi and her...She didn't want to let them down but she wasn't used to,too so much work.... She didn't tell anyone.... But at the end of the day...

She missed home.... Specifically Rudra...
How were they? Should she write them? Would her Pitashree like it?

All these questions were running through her mind. It was midnight, she wanted to talk to Prathi, but his face was at peace. She went out for a walk.... Just then she heard, Draupadi and Pragti. They seemed to be talking.

Draupadi-" Not sleepy? Hmm Pragti?"
Pragti-"I don't know maa but these nights sleep is like a enemy."
Draupadi-" It's okay dear! Here let me oil your hair it will make you feel better and hopefully sleepy!"

She playfully bumped her head, Pragti giggled. Draupadi slowly massaged her head and oiled her hair. In her melodious voice Draupadi sang Pragti her favourite song..

Pragti loved the song, she sang along with her. Soon she was dozing to sleep. Draupadi waked her up and hugged her. She placed a kiss on her forehead.

Pragti-" Maa I love you and even Pitashree..."
Draupadi-" Ohh putri we both love you too, go to sleep now! I am sure you hate dark circles.!"
Pragti went and Vatsala was about to leave...

Draupadi-" Putri Vatsala you don't need to stand there alone! Come here!"

Vatsala froze. Did she know that she was here all the time? She slowly stepped out. Draupadi gestured her to sit near her feet.. She untied Vatsala's messy hair.. And gave her a head massage.

Draupadi-" Putri,Can I ask you something?"
Vatsala-"Ji Mata and please don't ask for my permission! It will be a sin for me!"
Draupadi (chuckles)-" Okay okay! So now tell me..... Do you have good relations with your father?"
Vatsala (tensed)-" J-Ji we do..."
Draupadi-" Putri don't lie to me!"
Vatsala-" Pitashree hates me!He never wanted a third child! And I was born that too a daughter! According to him I was a killer, criminal who had killed his sweet wife and my maa. He wanted to disown me but I don't know what changed his mind... maa I didn't want a swayamwar yet! I wasn't ready but Pitashree insisted! I am sure he wanted to get RID of Me!"

She broke down, Draupadi understood how she felt. She cupped her face and wiped her tears, she gave Vatsala the most loving hug. She stopped crying...

Draupadi-" Putri never say that you don't have a maa! I am here for you! Always.."

Vatsala wiped her eyes and looked at her.

She hugged Draupadi and smiled.
Draupadi-" Do you better now? After letting everything out?"
Vatsala nodded indeed she felt better now... They talked for a while and then both decided to go to their chambers....

Time skip of four months...

It was a usual day in Indraprastha. The Darbar was filled. In the past four months, Vatsala came to know everyone even more. According to her observation, Yudhishthir was the wise one, Bheem and Sutsom lived for food, Arjun was kind and loving Though he was more inclined towards Abhimanyu it always broke Shrutakarm's heart, Nakul and Shrutakrit were more concious about their looks, Sahadev was silent but if they talked about something he loves, he won't get up till bed time.

As for Draupadi she had a special place for her, she gave Vatsala the love of a mother which she never got. Pragti was the cheerful little one they both were the same age hence Pragti shared everything with her. Vatsala helped her to write letters to Sushen.
Suthanu was the one who never let her dignity down. She was older then Vatsala but gave her more respect. Nitya was the cute and the family favourite she was a dreamy girl...

While the Darbar was going on ,she was sitting beside Prativindhya. He played with her soft fingers. When no one was looking he would place his hand on hers. Vatsala struggled not to smile...

Just then a senapati came.

Senapati-" Maharaj Ki Jai ho! Maharaj Rajkumar Vrishasen has given you a special invitation to come to his putra's naming ceremony!"

Shrutakarm-" Oh the one whose life was saved by Pitashree Nakul and Pitashree Sahadev!"

Suthanu-" Ohh yes! The invitation is here!"

Yudhishthir-" Putri did you know that they would send us a invitation?"

Suthanu was caught. Shatrunjay had wrote her that they were soon naming the little one. She tried to make up.

Suthanu-" I mean Pitashree I assumed so , since Pitashree Sahadev and Pitashree Nakul had saved his life so I thought they would call us."

It was a pretty convincing answer. Yudhishthir thought for a while. Nakul agreed that they should go since the invitation was from Vrishasen...

They all left by afternoon, Nitya tried controlling her heartbeats as they came closer to Anga. Pragti fixed her makeup with the help of Suthanu. It had been quite a long time since Vatsala met Chitrasen, she wondered if he was okay.

They arrived at the boundary, suprisingly Vrishasen and Chitrasen were there to welcome them.

Vatsala peeked outside to take a look of Chitra, too her suprise Chitrasen was already looking at her, both of them looked away shyly.

Vrishasen greeted everyone and lead them to the palace. It was the first time they were visiting Anga. It was a green land, and decorated in Yellow.

The sun rays fell straight on karna's throne. Vrushali and Karna welcomed them at the gates. Just when Yudhishthir saw him they started talking about the daily political stuff.

The women talked about the daily matters. Vrushali was delighted to see Vatsala. Sushen and Pragti were giving eachother looks.... Suthanu and with Draupadi hence she didn't give Shatrunjay much eye contact.

To Nitya's disappointment Dvipat wasn't there. Just then Snigdha came out with a cute little bundle of joy with her.

Nakul and Sahadev were the first ones who melted in his cuteness. Snigdha handed him to Nakul who later refused to give him anyone's hands.

Sahadev noticed that the boy had made quick recovery. Though he was slightly thin it was okay.

Karna-" Everyone please take some rest! Once Duryodhana and everyone else comes we will Start the naming ceremony."

Vrushali and Draupadi went in the main hall and chatted for a while. Nitya was with Snigdha, and Sutsom was making a good heist in the kitchen... Vrishasen was busy with the arrangements...

Sushen takes Pragti to his favorite place. The garden, he would practice archery there though now it was like a hide and seek spot for his twin anuj. She rests her head on his shoulder and tells him how much she missed him.

Pragti-" I heard Pitashree talking to mata about my marriage... Pitashree said that Vatsala is the same age as me and she is married.... So Shall I."
Sushen-" But.... I mean isn't it still too early? Can't your Pitashree wait for a few more years?"
Pragti-" I don't know... But Sushen( tightens grip) I don't want to be seperated from you..."
Sushen-" Don't worry dear! No power in the world can separate us two!And if anyone tries too I promise they will fail miserably "

Pragti smiled and hugged him again. Sushen kissed her delicate palms. He knew he had to be good enough in terms of war skills. He didn't want to lose her at any cost, even if it was his life.

Vatsala came to call them. They both immediately broke part.

Sushen-" Bha-bhabhi I was just showing her our garden."
Vatsala and Pragti chuckle..
Pragti-" Don't worry Sushen she knows about it!"
Sushen-" Hush! I got so worried for a moment!"
Vatsala-" I assumed you were here that's why I came to call you."
Sushen-" Thankyou so much bhabhi!"

They reach in time. The naming ceremony was about to start. Lakshman gave Sushen a warm hug. Vatsala went beside Prativindhya. She saw Chitrasen standing close to Vrish. Lakshmana and Suthanu were talking about the usual girly stuff. Bhanumati hushed them.

Duryodhana and Ashwatthama were doing the last minute checks. Arjun had to agree the arrangements were elegant.

Snigdha brought the baby boy and kept him in a flower filled crib.

Vrishasen-" Thankyou all for gathering here on the occasion of naming our first child!"

Public speeches was something Vrishasen dreaded. Chitrasen prompted him from behind, Vatsala caught him and he gestured her not to tell anyone.

Snigdha-" Well Arya and I would love it if Kumar Nakula and Kumar Sahadev name our child afterall they are his life savers. "

Nakul and Sahadev thought for a while and came up with a beautiful name.

Nakul-" He shall be named as Aahuk meaning God's gift! After all he could only SURVIVE if it was god's will with him he is purely God's gift."

On Vrishasen's request they both became the God fathers to the little one. It was a very good naming ceremony.

The folks had decided to stay for the night and leave the next day... Everyone loved the name alot and the meaning behind it...

With Vrishasen and Snigdha...

Vrishasen came out after taking a good bath. He rubbed his wet hair and saw Snigdha was Aahuk on her lap. She was putting him to sleep. He had his eyes half open.

Vrishasen chuckled, he tried getting his attention by snapping his fingers.

Vrishasen-" Aakuh baby! Don't you want to sleep?"
Snigdha-" He isn't as usual. He is a night owl like you!"
Vrishasen-"I became a night owl after I married you!"
Snigdha-" hoh so I am the one too blame? Aakuh is such a nice name isn't it?'
Vrishasen-" Yes I love it! Oh look he asleep now!"

Aahuk fell asleep, his tiny fingers grabbing Snigdha's index finger. Vrishasen slowly placed him on the bed. He placed his forehead near the baby's and promised himself.

Vrishasen-" Welcome to this world Aakuh! I promise whatever happens I will always protect you! No matter what!"

He placed a good night sleep on his forehead...

[ HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I HOPE YOU HAVE THE BEST YEAR AHEAD! I HOPE YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER! STAY TUNED AND HAPPY!"] ~author.