Adrika's POV

         I was home..

         I never thought in million years I would say these words in my life again. I never thought I would see those familiar lanes of my home. Those well ran corridors and those memory filled rooms. But here I was standing just there. While my whole group was mesmerized by the beautiful castle.. The thing I was seeing was just home.

       I was having a trip down the memory lane when I felt Emma's hand on my upper arm.

"Who's that man?" She asked pointing to a picture of my Dad.

"That's .. That's my Dad." I said not looking at her. But I felt her jaw dropping.

"How old is that picture... And why the fuck everyone related you are so devilishly good looking?" She said and on the queue I heard my Dad's voice.

"The picture isn't very old Emerald.. Just... I don't age. Not in centuries.."

       We all turned towards him. I always viewed my Dad as a hardcore business man, a traditional royal and a disciplined father. But I just found out that he wasn't just that. Heck! I didn't know if he was the man I know or not. Was he my Dad or just Adrika's. But looking into his eyes I could tell he possessed powers that I never saw. His smiling eyes were on me. I was following his every move but for some reason I could not see him rising his arms and the next second I was engulfed by them. He was a big big man. I hated that except for Leo all men around me were super tall and me with my petite frame look so tiny in front of them. Now even Aadi seemed a lot taller than me. I was lost in my thoughts when he said,

"Last time we talked you made me cancelled my tickets. For ages I wished I should have taken that flight to Philadelphia."

        I looked at him. That was happened between me and my Dad. He wanted to come to my graduation but I didn't let him. I didn't wanted him to see I had tons of friends. They were all common people. So that means this was my father. So many questions were bubbling inside me.

"Dad?"

"Yes... Yes.. My baby.. My doll.. I'm your Dad. Please don't leave me alone for ages like this. I would... I don't know what I would do.. Just don't.." He said.

        Although he wasn't crying but you could feel his emotions in his voice. And me.. I felt like I was in the safest place in this world. In my Dad's arms. The only man who can never betray me. Only man that I can trust blind. Maybe for all daughters it's their fathers who are the only male species that they trust. I was so relaxed that I never felt before. But I also could feel the power inside him.

"But Dad... How.. Bhrata Krishn.. I don't understand." I could not decide what to ask first.

"That's a long story Sweetheart. I will tell you everything. But first let me meet everyone... Alright." I nodded to him to which he held my face in his both hand before turning to Bhrata Krishn.

"Pranipat Kakasa! Ek samay pashchaat aap se milna ho raha hai." Bhrata Krishn said.

(Greetings Uncle! We are meeting after ages.)

"Kalyaan ho Krishn. Aap se milke samajh nai aata ki prakriti ki niyomo ko manyen ya riston ki bandhanon ko.."

(Be blessed Krishn. I always get confused, what should I follow the rules of nature or obligation of relations upon meeting you.)

"Apne to mujhe Kalyaan kia hai Kakasa. Iss se to yehi siddh hota hai, apne niyamon ko nai bandhanon ko chuna hai."

(You just blessed me Uncle. That proves that you choose obligations over rules.)

         They both smiled mysteriously. I didn't understand what rules were they talking about but choose not to ask. I could see Emma tucking Aadi behind her. She was always a protective person but as her motherly instinct was charged, she may have forgotten that in case of any danger of magical nature she will need Aadi's protection. Dad then turned to Sky.

"Jamai sa.. "

"Pranam Baba sa" Sky said stepping next to me I fight the urge to just step away by looking towards Mads. He gave me a understanding nod.

"I always wish we could spend more time as family... But what can we do. We both have our respective responsibility towards people." Dad said giving me a suspicious look.

"I understand Baba sa.."

        Sky said noticing my awkwardness as a queue to not to elongate the conversation. Dad gave me another look before moving to Mads. Mads gave him a submissive warriors bow. And he lifted him up.

"You need not bow to anyone anymore. The motive for which I took you in as a baby, gave you a capable mother, teach you, trained you, made you the man I would put my life in, is fulfilled Maddie. Adri is my forever daughter. But you.. I took you as my son. Now that I'm no longer your master. I'm ready to embrace my son." Dad hugged Mads. I felt proud for both of them.

"The motive may have fulfilled your highness.. But.. You are still the man who took me in as a baby, gave me my mother, taught me, trained me, made me the man, the warrior I am. No one can change that. I know I'm nothing without you and I can never be anything without you. You think of me as a son but you are always bigger than a father. You are my deity..." Dad stopped Mads.

"No Maddie.. Don't. I'll not stop you from your form of respect if that's your desire. But do not make me one that I am born to serve." Dad said.

"I don't understand... What.. What are you?" I asked my father.

"There is history in his memories Adrike. Something beyond your thoughts can go. From the origin of time. You better hear it from them." Bhrata Krishn said.

"In a mood for history lesson are you Krishn... Can it wait till I see my daughter.."

       My thoughts stopped. I heard my mother's voice. My Maa.. The one relation I missed the most. I had a lot of father figures. Pitashri Drupad, mahamahim bhishma, Kakashri Vidur and in some senses Baldau as well. Sure Mata Kunti and Devki maa loved me as their own. But mother's love wasn't something replaceable. I always longed for my mother. My sharp spoken, tough as nail mother. I always thought even if Dad seemed to possess a lot of power, I was more like my mother. As my eyes met her I broke down. I didn't cry meeting my Dad but Maa brings out the vulnerable little girl in me.

"Oh.. Adrika.. Don't cry my baccha.. Mumma's here. Everything will be alright." She said hugging me.

"Im.. I'm.. So.. I'm so sorry Mumma.. I'm... I'm." I could not speak.

"Why are you apologizing bacha.. What happened.. Oh that measly fight. Don't worry about it. But yah, if I knew it was going to be our last conversation for such a long time I would have talked you a little longer my princess." She said made me cry louder. "Shhhh... Did you find happiness as we talked?"

"Yes... And I brought him here.." I said broke the hug. I wipe my face as her eyes were twinkling with excitement.

"Come here baby.. "

      I said turning to Aadi. He was looking like a dear in headlights. But as Dean gave him a little doze he started walking towards us. I never saw my Mumma so excited and emotional. But as he was coming closer, her face became serious as if she was thinking something. Aadi stopped a few steps away to let her come to him. She went ahead and cupped his face.

"Rana sa.. Apne hamare nati ko dekha... Bilkul meri Adri ki chhabi hai."  Mumma said.

(King(her husband) did you see our grandchild.. Just like my Adri)

"Par Nani sab kehte hain ki main baba ki tarha dikhta hun." Aadi said innocently. I smiled at my Son's naivety.

(But grandma.. Everyone says I look like my father.)

"Haye... Nani teri vaari jae... Mera baccha... Mera rajkumaar... I was talking about your soul. We have spent ages but never had you.. Adri... Main kya karu itni khusi ka?" Mumma said with a grandma voice that I didn't know my mother had it in her. And Aadi laughed. He actually laughed. It was the greatest sight I could have seen.

(Oh.. Your grandma dotes on you.. My child.. My prince..

Adri what should I do with so much happiness?)

"Our kid had soften himself Kakisa.. Otherwise he was your shadow. Right Adrike. " Bhrata Krishn said coming to my side and holding me by my shoulders.

"Apni beti tumhe soumpne ka bachan tha Krishn... Ise nai dungi." Mumma said holding Aadi by his right arms. Although she said it as if she was jocking, I felt a little desperation in her voice. I thought Dad noticed that too.

(I promised my daughter to you Krishn... I won't give him too.)

"Nivedita ji... Badhaai ho Nati ke ane ki par ye na bhule apne atithion ko dwar pe khada kar rakha hai." Dad said.

(Nivedita, congratulations upon arrival of your grandson but you are holding our guests at door...)

"Giriji...!" Mumma yelled for her hand-maiden. "Thal var moti to le aie. Najar utar lun apne bacche ki."

(Get me a plate full of pearls. I must break the evil eye off of my child.)

       We knew she wasn't going to stop until she did her wish. After the ritual she turned to us keeping Aadi to her side. I didn't know if I had this 'mama bear' behavior towards my children but I was very happy.

"I'm extremely sorry that I ignored everyone. But I hope you can understand. Jamai sa... Kshama karen." Mumma said to Sky. Who was just awkwardly standing next to me. I was leaning towards Bhrata Krishn to avoid him.

(Forgive me Son in law.)

"No.. Maa sa.. It's completely understandable." Sky said. She then turned to Girija who handed her some chili and mustard seed for evil eye ritual. "Wahan kya khadi hai yaha aa na.. Har bat batani padegi tujhe Adri. Kab akal ayegi iss ladki ko kya jane." She scolded me. Bhrata Krishn slightly pushed me towards Sky.

(Why are you standing there, come here. Do you need to reminded of these customs always? When this girl will start behaving properly?)

"Maa rehne do... We are here for some reason." I said.

(Maa it's enough)

"Tumhare karano ke wajah se riwazo ko andekha nai kia jaega. Ye tumhara maika hai, aur yaha tumhara swagat ek byahta ladki ki tarha pure riti riwazo ke sath hoga. Apne pati ke sath. Mujhe aur koi tark nai sun na hai Adrika. Chup chap jamai sa ke bagal main khadi reh." She said silencing me.

(Customs can not be ignored for your reasons. This is your maternal home and here you will be welcomed with all the customs and traditions of a married woman. With your husband. I don't want to hear anymore arguments on this Adrika. Now stand next to Sky quietly.)
  
      During the ritual Sky was giving me glances which I assume was of sorry. But I made a note of not looking at him or my mother. When it was time of feeding him doodh pak, a custom made by my Nani, which my mother followed, 'muh mitha aur man mitha' they say. It was a reflection of husband wife relationship. If there is some sourness in between them they should forget it with the doodh pak and enjoy their stay with the wife's family. That helps in reconciliation. It would have been a perfect considering what was happening between me and Sky, IF.. He was my husband and there was any room for reconciliation. I felt it totally unnecessary. So during the ceremony I didn't looked at him.

(Sweet tongue sweetened the heart)

"Bai sa... Kuwar sa ke tarf dekhe toh sahi.. Khilaengi kese?" A young girl said giggling.

(Miss look at your husband at least.. How you are gonna feed him)

"It's fine." Sky said and hold my hand to guide it to his mouth. "Sorry" He murmured.

"Save it." I murmured back.

"You are lucky Bai sa." The same girl said.

"Hmm.. That's why she brought us all these handsome men.. Right bai sa.." Another one said. I head Dean and Sam coughing with snorts of laughter from Leo and Mads.

"The tall one is mine." Another said making Sam cough lowder.

"Chalo bhago abhi. Sabko andar ane do." Mumma shooed them away.

(Run away now. Let them come in.)

"Rana sa.. Why don't you take Krishn to his room... " I stopped my mother.

"Mumma you wanted to do the rituals I didn't stop you.. Now I want my answers. I can not wait and we all can not rest. Just.. Please.." I plead. She sighed.

"Ok.. Let's go to my study." She said.

           I always liked my mother's study. It's old fashioned. Rustic. Kind of remind you of tea and spice shops in Europe. She was also a herbalist. So there are herbs present everywhere. I guess it's my mother from whom I got inspiration to go into medicine. We all sat at different spot. I leaned in to ask my heart out.

"Ok... I know you have a lot of questions sweetheart, but remember one thing my darling, whatever happens I'm still your Dad. What ever you hear from now on. Just remember it. You are my daughter, the best blessing of my existence and nothing can change that." Dad said.

"Why did you said that?" I asked.

"Because you will hear things that are disturbing." He replied looking at my mother. She was giving me a saddened and tensed look.

"Who are you.. What are you?" I asked. He sighed.

"We are an ancient species my dear. In the dawn of time when the nature need to take a physical form. As a woman, a race of powerful beings were created as their protectors. Their job was to protect, nurture and prepared the nature towards her goal. I don't know what name the creator gave us but in common tongue we are known as the Hexenior and Zaubenior." Dad said.

"Wait isn't it German?" Sam said.

"Yes, why I don't know but the females , Hexen it means witches. And Zauber means wizard. But they were also warriors. So Hexenior and Zaubenior. So you see darling.. We are your parents for longer than your existence. You were trusted upon us. And in every birth, every universe we are your parents. We are the constant. Our home is your constant. So remember every time you are in trouble come and find us." Mumma said.

"You didn't birth me mumma... " I wasn't thinking straight. I was shaken to my core.

"No.. Honey.. Listen to me. I'm your mother, what ever things were supposed to be doesn't matter. Only thing matter is what happened. We were made to be savages. To be absolute. Then we got you and... We learned to love, care and cherish. You maybe the whole nature itself but for us.. Darling you are just our little girl." Mumma said sitting down to hold my hands. I hugged her.

"And we have protected you all our lives Darling. Now that threat bigger than anything we ever faced is in front of us we will be your first layar of protection." Dad said.

"But we can't stay here long. We need information. Then we should move on. They are hunting us." Sam said.

"Non sense. You will stay here until you figure it all out." Dad answered.

"But Sir they can attack the city." Sam argued.

" Yah.. They can.."

       Dad said and did something that made all of us jump. He showed us his real face. Or at least the gilmps of it. It made all of us believe that the fairy tales are real. And much more dangerous than the reality.

An
Long overdue this chapter was. Seriously. I'm more frustrated with myself than all of you. Anyways. It's here. It was focused more about the family and it's dynamics than the actual plot but I believe it will increase excitement for the next chapter.

Do tell me how it was...

Love
Pragyna