"Ranak!"

Ranakrit screamed loudly in fear and ran to him hurriedly.

After all the hundred and five Rajkumars cleaned and rearranged the dinning hall, they all sat together for dinner. Maharaj Jagadeesan also joined them in a while. It pretty much went unceremoniously.

A few days passed by with the new Rajkumars trying to settle in this unfamiliar and new environment. All of it was a little overwhelming for them. Maharani Nivedita and Raani Tripti tried their best to make them comfortable and happy. Maharani Nivedita even warned her sons not to trouble them. Ranakrit also told his brothers to stay clear from the five Rajkumars.

But this day, Rajkumari Nilasi had brought some of them out in the garden with her brothers and herself after befriending them. As Ranakrit got to know about it, he came in search of his brothers. And as he came, he saw Ranak falling from a tree as Prabal deliberately shook it to make him fall.

Rajkumari Nilasi also came running as she heard the noise. Ranak cried out in pain. He climbed the tree for picking up fruits. When Prabal came demanding, he picked some for him as well. Ranak refused. And so in anger, Prabal shook the tree making him fall.

"Jyesth!" Ranak cried out again as his hand was broken.

"Nirmay, go call the attendees and tell them to bring the Vaiyd immediately." Rajkumari Nilasi ordered as she kneeled down beside Ranak in concern.

"Jyesth, it hurts!" Tears fell from Ranak's eyes as he held his broken hand and whimpered.

Ranakrit's eyes turned red as he saw his brother in pain. Prabal stood at a side feeling a little guilty. Dharmesth and Abhayam were beside him and threw looks of disappointment at his way. They were also feeling guilty on his behalf. Since their mother went to visit their Matamah (grandfather), Prabal had been extra cranky.

"How dare you hurt my brother?!"

Ranakrit shouted angrily suddenly rushing to Prabal and pushing him hard on the chest. Prabal went backwards but was able to stay on his feet. However, Abhayam came between to stop Ranakrit and he pushed him too. Prabal got angry as his brother fell on the ground and came at Ranakrit. Dharmesth unsuccessfully tried to separate them and Nilasi shouted at them to stop. But nothing worked. Soon the two were fighting without heeding to anyone. Prabal was strong by birth whereas the hard days of his childhood and working hours with his father in the workshop had made Ranakrit stronger. Both were no less than each other. Watching the scene, Nilasi told Sarvaay to call one of her uncles.

Luckily, Sarvaay found Tatshree Jayaditya close by and told him about the fight. As Rajkumar Jayaditya reached there, he saw the two still fighting with each other.

"Prabal! Ranakrit! Stop this!"

He ordered loudly. But the boys didn't listen to him and continued fighting. Jayaditya went towards them angrily and pulled both the boys up from the ground by holding their ears. The sharp tag on their ears finally brought them to their senses as they acknowledged the presence of their Tatshree. Both of them flinched in pain as Jayaditya twisted their ears hard, but didn't stop glaring at each other.

"What are you two doing? Why were you fighting like this?"

It was then that Ranakrit noticed that Ranak wasn't there anymore.

"Where is Ranak?" He asked looking at his brothers, ignoring Jayaditya which irked the commander-in-chief more.

"They have taken him into the infirmary." Agamya replied.

Ranakrit ran away towards the direction of the infirmary as Jayaditya had released him from his hold. He narrowed his eyes at the way Ranakrit went before focusing on Dharmesth.

"What the hell happened here exactly?"

***

"Are you angry at me?" Rajkumari Nilasi asked softly so as not to disturb the sleep of Ranak.

"No." Ranakrit replied shortly as his eyes remained fixed on his injured brother. Ranakrit hadn't moved from his brother's side for a moment. After whimpering in pain the whole night, Ranak had finally fallen asleep. Nilasi had come to visit Ranak to see how he was now.

"I am sorry. I should have forbade him to climb up the tree." She said with guilt.

"He wouldn't have listened." Ranakrit replied after glancing at her once.

They fell silent for sometime after that. Rajkumari Nilasi looked at the eldest Kaushava. His one ear was red and swollen. Just like Prabal's was. Maybe it had gotten a little bigger too. Definitely seemed like that. Tatshree had pulled their ears real good.

"Prabal didn't mean to hurt him so badly. It was accidental." She said again.

"Are you here to make excuses on his behalf, Rajkumari?" Ranakrit asked sharply as anger flared up inside him hearing Prabal's name.

"No. And I am not saying he's innocent in all this. Definitely he was at fault. I am just saying that he didn't do it deliberately." Nilasi explained calmly. "And I am Jiji for you, not Rajkumari."

Ranakrit didn't reply and ignored her comment.

"I know you are angry. It's clear to see that you have a lot of frustration and anger bottled up inside. But that is neither good for you nor your brothers, Ranakrit." Nilasi said gently. As he remained silent, she continued.

"You're the one they look up to. And this anger and mistrust of yours are scaring them. I can understand that we all are new to you. But we're family, Ranakrit. At least give us a chance to be here for you."

He turned his eyes to her then. And Nilasi gave a reassuring smile to him. He went back to staring at Ranak. But her words were forcing him to think. Was he really scaring his brothers? They're uncomfortable and unsure of themselves here. Was it because of his behavior? Because he had put them into a tight leash?

Nilasi sighed and was going to leave him alone. But a sound came from the doorway and both looked there to find Sarvaay had fallen on the floor. He and Nirmay were peaking inside through the opening of the door and Sarvaay fell due to inattention.

"What are you doing here, Sarvaay?" Nilasi asked her brother. Ranakrit also narrowed his eyes at him.

"I---I----" Sarvaay tried to say something but gulped nervously as he found Ranakrit looking at him. He glanced behind were Nirmay was hidden from view. The eldest Kaushava made them nervous as he was always grumpy and carried a grave attitude. But after what happened yesterday, they were outright scared. He had beaten bhrata Prabal good. And the one who could not only dare to raise hands on bhrata Prabal, but also deliver as good as he got, should not be messed with.

"We only came to check on bhrata Ranak." He mumbled finally. Ranak had a laid-back, carefree nature. The twins had befriended him soon. And they were worried for him.

"Where's Nirmay?" She asked. The two were never separated.

Sarvaay didn't reply but only kept glancing at his way as Nirmay shook his head not to give his whereabouts.

"Nirmay! Come in front." Nilasi called him loudly. Nirmay huffed before coming into view.

"We only wanted to see if he is alright or not." Nirmay said glancing towards Ranakrit.

"You can come closer and sit beside him for a while. But only if you promise not to disturb his sleep. Right, Ranakrit?" Nilasi said to them. Three pairs of eyes snapped in her direction. Nirmay and Sarvaay then turned their eyes at Ranakrit to see if he would agree. Nilasi also looked at him questioningly.

"Fine." Ranakrit murmured after a moment making the twins grin. They came to sit beside Ranak as Nilasi left.

"What are you doing?" Ranakrit asked as he saw Nirmay quietly trying to keep something under Ranak's pillow.

"Nothing!" He said shaking his head and hiding his hand behind his back.

"Show me your hand." Ranakrit ordered.

Nirmay shared a glance with his brother before bringing his hand in front.

"Cardamon?" Ranakrit frowned at the pieces of cardamon he held. "Why were you putting these under his pillow?"

Nirmay again glanced at his brother. These had been given to him by none other than Prabal who felt guilty for hurting Ranak and wanted to reduce his pain and stress. So he found the twins and handed them the cardamons.

"Actually, cardamon attracts goddess of sleep and helps in relaxing. Its smell also brings relief from stress and pain. That's why I wanted to put it under the pillow." Nirmay replied meekly.

Hearing his explanation, Ranakrit relaxed somewhat and permitted to put those beside Ranak.

As they sat there, they heard the door opening again and this time it was Maharani Nivedita who came in to check on them. She had brought breakfast as Ranakrit didn't leave his brother's side. She checked on Ranak first and caressed his head a little. His face had turned pale in one night and he flinched in pain a little even in his sleep.

"Ranakrit, son I have brought breakfast for you. Why don't you go and freshen up a little? I'll stay beside Ranak till you come back." Maharani Nivedita offered with a smile.

Ranakrit left with hesitation, but returned quickly. Till that time, the twins had already left the chamber. Maharani Nivedita stayed beside Ranak's bed caressing his head as it seemed to reduce his restlessness. Ranakrit finished his breakfast soon and came back to Ranak's side.

"Thank you, Maharani." Ranakrit said softly. He knew that she didn't need to bother herself as she could order one of the attendees to deliver breakfast. He was surprised that she even noticed that he had not eaten.

"You don't need to thank me, putra." Maharani Nivedita replied genuinely. She then called him gently so he would meet her eyes and said,

"Yeh mera durvaggya hai putra, ki main kabhi tumhare Mata se nehi mill payi. Isliye main yeh toh nehi keh sakti, ki main tumse tumhare Mata ke saman hi sneh karti hu. Kintu yeh keh sakti hu, ki tum saab, mujhe mere putra saman hi priye ho. Isiliye yeadhi tumhari eccha ho toh tum mujhe Kakishree bula sakte ho.

(It is my misfortune that I could never meet your mother. That's why I can't say that I am equally affectionate of you just like her. But I can say this, that I am fond of you all equally as my sons. So, if you feel up to it, you can call me Kakishree.)"

Ranakrit lowered his head listening to her words, but not responding. Nivedita left him alone again. And this time Ranakrit really was thinking about what Nilasi said earlier. Probably, indeed he needed to give them a chance.

***

How is it going guys?

Cardamon and garlic actually helps some people who face trouble in sleeping. It's also mentioned in vastu shastra.

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