Ten years later.....

Time flows without waiting for anyone or anything. Just like the flow of the river Shubra. Who was flowing from yugas. The Goddess who for the greater good came down on earth in her purest form. Who witnessed the changes kaal Chakra (cycle of time) brought. Who witnessed the beginning. Who also became the witness of the end of endless stories. And who also provided the eternal salvation to all her children without discrimination.

The rays of Suryadev fell on one of his devotee and descendent like each morning as he stood in the calming waters of Shubra and prayed to him closing his eyes. Beside him another figure could be seen. Following his example, the boy prayed to lord Surya too.

Rajkumar Jayaditya opened his eyes with a last plea to Suryadev to watch over his lost son no matter wherever he was. His eyes then fell on the boy who was beside him. Rajkumar Dharmesth opened his eyes too and followed his Jyesth Tatshree (eldest uncle) out of the water.

There at the riverbank stood some brahmins who had come in the hope of getting some alms. It was known to all that in spite of the events of the past, Rajkumar Jayaditya had not stopped giving donations. Dharmesth handed him the donations standing just beside him as he distributed those among them. The brahmins being happy with the donations, blessed the teenaged boy by keeping their hands on his head. And he took those with a polite smile and folded hands.

On the other hand, inside the palace of Amvasthapuram, Rajkumar Prabal was sleeping on his back being unaware of the two pairs of eyes that were fixed on him.

Those eyes that were fixed on the loud noise Rajkumar Prabal was making while in his sleep belonged to the little devils of Maharani Nivedita.

"Don't!"

Rajkumar Sarvaay cautioned his twin. He was known to be the less troublesome one between the duo.

"Kyu nehi? Jaab inke kharato se puri raat hum nehi soo paye, toh aab inhe kyu soone de bhala?

(Why not? When we couldn't sleep because of his snores last night, why should we let him sleep now?)"

Rajkumar Nirmay asked, frowning at his brother.

"Agar tumne hamare kaksh mei mushako ko na chode hote toh hame inke kaksh mei rehna hi na padta.

(If you haven't released those mice in our chamber, we wouldn't need to stay in his room.)"

Sarvaay replied making a sour face remembering how those mice had destroyed all his books.

"Goushala se unhe pakadke to tum laye the! Maine to kebal isliye choda taki mushako ko koyi kast na ho.

(But you're the one who caught those from the cowbarn and brought inside! I only released them so the mice don't feel uncomfortable.)"

Nirmay said defensively.

"Aur hum jo kast mei pad gaye hai uska kya?

(And now we're uncomfortable, what about that?)"

Sarvaay commented looking back at Prabal.

"Haan! (Yeah!)" Nirmay followed his gaze and agreed with a sigh.

"Bhrata Prabal ka itna sukh mujhse dekha nehi jaa raha hai.

(I'm unable to watch bhrata Prabal in so much peace.)"

Sarvaay said after watching the sleeping beauty for sometime.

"Toh pher kar de inke sukho ka anth?

(Then should we end his peace?)"

Nirmay asked giving a side glance to his brother. Sarvaay also glanced at him before a slow smirk appeared on their faces simultaneously. 

The both of them went nearer to Prabal and Nirmay took out a laddu that he had attached with a long stick. He put the mouthwatering dessert close to Prabal's nose and Rajkumar Prabal's mouth watered even at his sleep as the sweet smell of his favorite dessert reached his nostrils.

"Uthiye bhrata Prabal! Aapke liye ladduo ka bhog pratiksha kar rahe hai!

(Wake up bhrata Prabal! The offering of laadus are waiting for you!)"

Sarvaay whispered in his ear slowly.

"Laddu!" Prabal opened his mouth slightly and forwarded his face following the smell. But Nirmay maintained a short distance between his mouth and the laddu and started backing away. Prabal's eyes remained closed only as he started following the trail of the sweet smell. And Sarvaay kept encouraging him. They brought him out of his chamber in his half conscious state only. There was a pool a few yards away and according to the plan Nirmay and Sarvaay kept up the act until Prabal fell into the waters.

They stared laughing loudly as Prabal came to his senses and found himself inside the pool. He quickly understood how he reached there as he saw the two laughing at him.

"Nirmay!!! Sarvaay!!! I won't spare you today!!!"

Prabal shouted angrily and started to come out of the water to catch them. But the twins had already taken their cues and started running away. Prabal too started running after them.

As Rajkumar Nirmay & Rajkumar Sarvaay was running, they saw Rajkumar Abhayam coming from front. They passed from his sides without breaking their strides. Abhayam frowned at their back, but turned just at the right time to find his biggest brother coming towards him. His eyes widened just before Rajkumar Prabal collided with him and both of them fell on the floor.

"Bhrata Abhayam, aap thik toh hai?

(Are you alright bhrata Abhayam?)"

Sarvaay asked as the two stopped hearing the loud bang.

"Areey thik nehi, yeh pucho ki jeevit hai ki nehi. Bhrata Prabal ke niche aa gaye hai woh!

(Not alright, ask him if he's alive or not. He has fallen under bhrata Prabal!)"

Nirmay corrected his brother.

"Tum dono banoro ke sakal aab tak dikhai de rahi hai toh abbassya jeevit hi hu. Annyatha Indradev itne bhi kathor nehi ho sakte jo swarg mei bhi mujhe tumhare darshan ho jaye!

(Since I am still watching the faces of you two monkeys, I must be alive. Otherwise, Indradev can't be so cruel that I will see your faces in heaven!)"

Rajkumar Abhayam gasped out from under his brother's weight.

"Aise kaise! Nark mei bhi toh ho sakte ho. Waha yeh dono abbassya milenge!

(How so! You can be in hell too and these two will sure be there!)"

Rajkumar Prabal replied to him instead.

"Mujhpar se uthiye bhrata Prabal! Annyatha thodi der mei sach much nark pohoch jaunga!

(First get up from me bhrata Prabal! Or I will surely reach there in sometime!)"

Rajkumar Abhayam said with difficulty. And finally Prabal got up from above him. He helped Abhayam in standing up who was gasping for air and held his waist.

"Bhrata Prabal, aaj toh aap in dono par beith hi jaiye, taki inhe bhi pata cale, ki aapke niche aana kya saja hoti hai!

(Bhrata Prabal, please do seat on top of these two, so they get to know what punishment it is to fall under you!)"

Abhayam said while massaging his back. The twins giggled hearing him and Prabal frowned.

"What did you say?" He asked and Abhayam realized what he had said in flow.

"Yeahi ki aapke piche padhne ki kya saja hoti hai, bata dijiye inhe.

(I mean tell them, what is the punishment to fall behind you.)"

He corrected himself quickly and directed his brother's attention towards the twins again.

Nirmay and Sarvaay started running again as Prabal chased them.

Here, Rajkumari Nilasi and Rajkumari Jayantika had dragged their eldest sister, Rajkumari Jayitra to the palace garden where her would-be Rajkumar Sattyajit of Pracakra waited.

Maharaj Jagadeesan had decided to honor his father's last wish and give his daughter's hand to Rajkumar Sattyajit who was now the Yuvraj of Pracakra. He had arrived at Amvasthapuram a few days ago and the marriage rituals were going to start soon. But the bride and groom had yet to look at each other properly let alone talk.

So, Rajkumari Nilasi had taken the important task upon herself to give the two a chance to meet and talk before tying the knots forever. She and Rajkumari Jayantika stood in watch while they were supposed to talk.

"Why aren't they saying anything?" Rajkumari Nilasi said in annoyance as the two sisters were trying to eavesdrop. But ruining their hope of teasing their sister later, the couple stood silently.

"Forget about saying anything. They're not even looking at each other directly!" Rajkumari Jayantika pointed out the obvious.

"I can understand about our sister. She's a girl. She's allowed to be shy. But what's up with Jijashree (brother-in-law). Why is he blushing so much?"

"He must have eaten something wrong."

"Did they not teach them how to talk to girls in Gurukul?"

"Why would they?"

"But they do teach us how to behave in front of men in Kanyakul."

"Point!" Another voice agreed interrupting the convo of the two sisters. They looked down to find Nirmay and Sarvaay beside them.

"What are you two doing here?" Rajkumari Nilasi asked frowning at them.

"Hiding from bhrata Prabal." Sarvaay replied but the twin's eyes were focused on the pair standing a few feet away from them.

"Go away!" Rajkumari Jayantika snapped. This was not something their ten year old eyes needed to witness.

"Bhrata Prabal will catch us." Sarvaay said without moving an inch.

"Suits you!" Nilasi said knowing they must have done something to provoke Prabal again.

"Will it suit you too if we let Pitashree know that you four are here?" Nirmay asked turning his eyes to his sisters.

The threat was clear.

"Watch silently and don't you dare to make a noise!"
Rajkumari Nilasi said gritting her teeth.

"Oh no!" The sudden gasp of Rajkumari Jayantika caught their attention. Jayantika's eyes were focused ahead and when the rest three followed her eyes they understood why.

From one direction, Rajkumar Prabal was coming and from the other, Maharaj Jagadeesan was coming towards where Yuvraj Sattyajit and Rajkumari Jayitra stood. Prabal reached them first as Maharaj Jagadeesan was talking about something with Rajkumar Durdharsh while walking leisurely.

Unaware of the approaching dangers the couple stood there only. But Jayitra's eyes widened as she found Prabal standing behind Yuvraj Sattyajit.

Noticing her pale face and wide eyes, Yuvraj Sattyajit turned to find a frowning Rajkumar Prabal behind him.

"What are you doing here with Jayitra Jiji?" Prabal asked frowning at them.

"Yuvraj Sattyajit?"

Just as he was about to form a reply for Prabal, the voice of his soon to be father-in-law reached his ears and Yuvraj Sattyajit too became pale. Maharaj Jagadeesan looked at Prabal and Yuvraj Sattyajit both standing there motionlessly. Thankfully, the trees covered Rajkumari Jayitra from view and by the time Maharaj Jagadeesan came closer, Rajkumari Nilasi had dragged her sister from there to hide behind a bush and forwarded her brothers there.

"You two are here too?" Maharaj Jagadeesan said questioningly as his eyes fell on the twins.
"What are you all doing here?"

Yuvraj Sattyajit was frozen in his place and only blinked at Maharaj Jagadeesan. Prabal knew not to open his mouth to say he was chasing his sons only. And the twins only glanced at each other.

"Bhrata Prabal!" Nirmay said suddenly. "He wanted to eat guavas! So he dragged Yuvraj here to pick guavas for him."

"Me?" Prabal looked at him in a dumbfounded expression.

"Don't you want guavas now?" Nirmay asked.

"Don't worry bhrata. We will eat then." Sarvaay added with a smile.

"No! I do want guavas too!" Prabal said hurriedly falling right into the trap.

"See! He's admitting it too." Nirmay said smiling at his Pitashree.

"Prabal, one of the attendees can pick the fruits for you. Don't trouble Yuvraj for such matters." Rajkumar Durdharsh said as Maharaj Jagadeesan had fixed his eyes on Yuvraj Sattyajit only.
"And you two, go inside. Before your mother sends an army to find you."

Prabal, Nirmay and Sarvaay went away like the most obedient sons leaving Yuvraj Sattyajit behind.

"Do you like our garden so much Yuvraj that you've made up your mind to stand here all day?" Maharaj Jagadeesan asked after a few moments.

At the taunt, Yuvraj Sattyajit finally came out of his frozen state and hurriedly folded his hands in greeting before leaving as fast as he could without outright breaking into a run.

"Well, he did not faint or run. You've to give him credit for that, bhratashree."

Rajkumar Durdharsh commented with amusement, but only received a glare in return.

***

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