Vatsala slowly opened her eyes.. She observed her surroundings, it was her and Chitrasen's chamber..Raakhi sat on her right side with Aahuk on her lap.. He had a worried expression.. Chitrasen stood beside her and was anxiously waiting as his mother talked to a vaidya who came to check on Vatsala..

Sushen stood slightly away from Chitra, he had Pradyumna in his arms and was trying his best to shush him.. Vatsala tried to get up but she was still feeling little weak, Chitrasen gently laid her back on the bed and gestured to take rest.. After sometime Vrushali entered the room and she looked happy..

Aahuk-" Dadi! Why is kaki Vatsala sick? Is it because she played with me?"

Everyone couldn't help but chuckle,by the karna came..

Vrushali-" No putra that's not the case.. Infact it's something else.."
Sushen-" Mata please cut the suspense! What did the vaidya say?"

Vrushali-" Well Vatsala, you are going to be a mother again!!"

Vatsala's eyes widened..She was pregnant again? She looked down at her stomach and smiled.. She was happy.. Aahuk gave her a gentle hug and kissed her cheek.. Raakhi immediately congratulated her.. Vatsala looked at Chitrasen..

He looked more shocked than her.. He slowly tried to absorb the news while he received many congratulations.. Karna shook him to bring him back to earth.. Chitra looked at Vatsala who gave him a bright smile..

Karna-" How long has it been?"
Vrushali-" The vaidya said it been barley 2 or 3 days!"

Aahuk-" Will it be a baby boy or a baby girl?"
Raakhi-" We don't know it yet! We will only know when it's born!"
Aahuk-" When will it be born?"
Raakhi-" After 9 months."
Aahuk-" But- like I have another question?! How did the baby get in kaki Vatsala's stomach?"

Raakhi didn't understand how to answer this question.. Vatsala slightly blushed.. Chitrasen covered his face and tried to act like he didn't hear the question.. Vrushali chuckled at her Children's hilarious reactions..

Sushen-" Mata! If you find it so funny! Please answer it for Aahuk!"

Aahuk looked at Vrushali with hopeful eyes.. Vrushali had a smirk..

Vrushali-" My dear grandson! I think more than me your dada can answer it better! After all it's because of him, you have 5 kakas!"

Aahuk giggled, karna immediately got up to leave, Sushen quickly handed Pradyumna to Chitrasen and whispered Aahuk to ask karna.. Aahuk followed his grandfather everywhere while others laughed..

Vrushali asked everyone to leave and give Chitrasen and Vatsala sometime alone...

With Chitrasen and Vatsala..

Chitrasen kept Pradyumna on the bed.. He immediately hugged Vatsala.. He always wanted a kid of his own.. Even though he loved Pradyumna alot, he still wanted another child.. His own..

Chitrasen-" I.. I am so happy.. Vatsu thank you.. It's because of you I can experience fatherhood..."
Vatsala-" Arya.. Please don't thank me.."

Chitrasen chuckled.. He had decided he would spoil his kid, just like he was doing for Pradyumna.. Vatsala felt someone pull her saree.. She turned around and saw Pradyumna,he was gesturing her to pick him up..

She picked him up, it had barely been few days so it was alright of her to pick him.. She gave his nose a quick kiss..

Vatsala-" Pradyu, you will soon have a sibling!"

Pradyumna had a slight odd look, he was licking his finger, Chitra immediately pulled his hand away.. After listening the word "sibling" he clapped his hands and giggled..

Chitrasen-" Maybe he understands!"
Vatsala-" Yes!"
Chitrasen-" Now than, should I write this to Prativindhya?"
Vatsala-" No no! We will tell him in person when he comes to visit Pradyu!"

It was time for lunch, Vatsala gestured Chitrasen to come.. He looked at her as she went out..

Chitrasen- thought-" I hope it's a daughter.. I have always wished for one! Moreover Bhagwan, please let my baby be healthy! And I hope these 9 months go easily for Vatsala!"

He smiled to himself and joined everyone for lunch.. In Evening the palace would go silent.. Snigdha and Vatsala were putting their sons to sleep. As for Madhura she was walking in the garden with Vrishasen.. Chitrasen and Sushen went on a routine round with Karna.. Vrushali was writing a letter to Bhanumati..

Raakhi untied her long hair, she yawned as she made her way to her chamber.. She slowly opened the door.. Shatrunjay was sleeping on a sofa.. The room was burning hot, the window was open and hot wind circulated.. The sunrays were directly falling on Shatrunjay's face..

Raakhi went slightly close, she noticed sweat on his forehead.. She immediately and cautiously pulled his blanket and shut the curtains of the room.. Moreover she started fanning him.. Her thoughts drifted to his injured arm..

Earlier that day..

Shatrunjay was slightly struggling with his kurta.. Raakhi was getting ready, she quickly applied a bindi, and went to help him.. Shatrunjay felt stuck and groaned in frustration.. Raakhi pulled his kurta down, and her hand accidentally touched his chest in the process..

It enraged him, he pulled the kurta down and glared at Raakhi.. It sent shivers down her spine..

Shatrunjay-" HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO TOUCH ME!"
Raakhi-" I.. I am sorry.. I was just trying to help you! It happened by accident I swear-!"

Shatrunjay-" ACCIDENT? HUH? RAAKHI THIS IS MY FINAL CALL! JUST BECAUSE I BROUGHT YOU LUNCH THAT DAY DOESN'T MEAN I AM GETTING CLOSE TO YOU! WE CAN NEVER BE TOGETHER! I LOVE SOMEONE ELSE AND ALWAYS WILL! SO DON'T YOU TRY TO GET NEAR ME!"

Saying so he stormed out of the room.. Raakhi had tearful eyes.. She had good intentions but just one touch ruined it..

Back to present...

Raakhi was lost in her own thoughts.. The room was better than before.. She kept the fan aside, and decided to spend sometime on her favorite hobby...
Painting..

She removed her paints and a special sheet.. She kept a flower pot and a portrait of Shatrunjay infront of her.. She quickly sketched it out.. After around 30 mintues she started painting it..

Raakhi was skillfully applying those strokes just than Shatrunjay woke up.. He was suprised to see Raakhi painting.
He got up and stretched himself, a slight grunt escaped his lips,it caught Raakhi's attention and she turned around...

Raakhi-" Oh! You are awake!"
Shatrunjay-" Yes.."

He was still sleepy, he sat on a chair, and took a better look at Raakhi's painting.. It looked exactly the same as the objects kept infront of her.. He gestured her to continue.. After almost an hour the painting was done and Raakhi was giving finishing touches...

Raakhi-" May I ask something?"
Shatrunjay-" Yes.."

Raakhi looked slightly hesitant..She continued to paint while asking..

Raakhi-" C-Could you describe the appearance of the one you love?"

Shatrunjay looked suprised.. He decided not to reveal Suthanu's name and kingdom.. Just her appearance.. He closed his eyes and automatically a smile came on his face..

Shatrunjay-" I don't really have words to describe her.. Her sharp and slightly thick eyebrows, they look extremely attractive when she gets angry.. Her eyelashes and eyes are symmetrical and it adds to her perfect beauty..(chuckles)Her nose is slightly wide though but when you squeeze it and it makes her chuckle,it gives me peace.. And lastly her rosy lips.. Her slightly chubby cheeks when she smiles.. She is just so perfect.."

Shatrunjay had a pleasant look on his face.. Raakhi was still sketching..

Raakhi-" Her hair?"
Shatrunjay-" It's black.. Thick and long.. She wears something in her hair most of the time.. I don't really know much, but it suits her well.."
Raakhi-" Is it something like this?"

Shatrunjay was shocked.. It looked almost like Suthanu.. It made him nostalgic as he remembered Suthanu and their memories..

Shatrunjay-" How were you able to make this?!"
Raakhi-" I simply sketched it while you narrated.. She... She seems to be really pretty.."

Shatrunjay-" Yes she is.. She is a perfect combination of hard and soft.. Her thinking cannot be matched by anyone.. She is unique in her own way.."

Raakhi felt a pang.. Only if Shatrunjay once spoke like that about her.. The paint hadn't dried and she kept it aside. Shatrunjay went to join his brothers and father in the arena.. Snigdha was having a hard time with Aahuk.. Madhura and Vrushali had arranged a vaidya to check on him next week..

As for Vatsala she was sleeping beside Pradyumna who was exhausted after playing with his older brother earlier.. Raakhi decided not to wake her..

Raakhi had many questions.. If Shatrunjay loved that princess so much, why didn't he marry her? Why did he marry her? Was he pressurised so much that he had to marry her? Or.. Did he and the princess had a fight and they separated? No.. It probably wasn't the case since Shatrunjay made the no touch rule and he always thought about somehow bringing her back in his life..

Lost in her thoughts, she went to eat her before dinner medicines..

The day seemed long for Chitrasen.. He still couldn't believe that he was going to be a father.. Everyone had a hearty dinner and now were sitting in a circle.. Pradyumna was in his cradle and Vatsala was sitting beside Chitra.. His hand was on her abdomen while she rested her head on his shoulder..

Karna shared the thoughts and problems of the common people to his daughter in laws.. Madhura gave some amazing solutions.. There was no harm in putting them to work.. Vrishasen simply adored her.. Just than Aahuk started coughing.. Vrish gave him water but he kept coughing every 10 minutes later..

Vrishasen gestured Snigdha to take him out.. His unsupportive nature always irritated and saddened her.. Nevertheless she took him and went outside.. Sushen was sitting quietly.. He was eagerly waiting for Pragti's letter.. It would be coming soon..

Just than a senapati came and gave Vrushali a letter.. She opened and started reading it.. Everyone were curious.. After reading it Vrushali looked extremely joyous...

Sushen-" Mata what is it!"
Karna-" Yes Vrusha, are you going to share with us too? Or are you planning on smiling alone!"

Vrushali-" Arya! It's a letter from Krishna! Dvipat and Banasen have completed their education! They have nothing more to learn! He said it's time that they come back to us!"

[ Hey ya all! I am back from my vacation! I hope you liked this chapter! Any predictions what will happen in the next chapter?! Stay tuned!]