Mahishmati Palace

He could hear the leaves shashaying around as he alighted from his horse, Adhira, who now pawed the ground. They had just returned from a royal expedition from the Matsya Rajya, after meeting the King and his Council of Ministers there. The journey had been hot and exhausting and both horse and Master now craved for the cool silkiness of the night, and rest.

The meeting with the King's Generals had been fruitful, though time consuming. Striking up an alliance with any Kingdom took efforts, bravery and lots of mutual initiatives and beliefs. It was never easy, and Amarendra Bahubali knew it so well. Trust between Kingdoms were always a sore issue and it took time and efforts from both sides to reach an equilibrium.

This was his second visit to the Matsya Rajya, which was situated far ahead of Mahishmati, near the Sea. One of the Ministers had taken him for a visit to the sea, and Amarendra had been enthralled as he marvelled and wondered at Nature's creation, as he stood there on the seashore, the surf from the sea nudging his feet every now and then.

He knew at that very instant that he had to bring Devsena with him, during his next visit. She would love the vast expanse of the sea, as much as she loved the Northern Mountains guarding Kunthala.

He had travelled alone this time; Katappa Mama had been busy with dealers from foreign lands, bearing swords and other weaponries. Bhallaladeva, the King of Mahishmati was busy with the King of an allied Kingdom from down south, and he had ordered Baahu to visit Matsya Rajya instead. Rajmata Sivagami Devi had also acquiesced.

A strong Kingdom should have strong allies and an intelligent and effective army - that's what Mahishmati believed and professed. This alliance would stop the plunderers/ looters coming in from the sea, and then travelling up the course of the rivers. Both Kingdoms would gain immensely from this alliance - Mahishmati in terms of a strong and faithful ally by the sea, and the Matsya Rajya in terms of getting protection from internal attacks. Both Kingdoms were renowned for their brave and skilful warriors and astounding spy networks; the land in between would be guarded by soldiers from both.

It was pleasant outside as Amarendra patted his horse and spoke words of appreciation and love. He was bone tired now, all sweaty and exhausted. As the stable hand led Adhira away, Amarendra looked up to that part of the Palace where he knew his wife would be waiting for him.

He smiled as he quickened pace. It was midnight, his reporting to the King would have to wait for time being.

...

Inside the Chamber

The gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she stood on the balcony, peering up at the night sky. She sighed as she spied the half moon and millions of stars strewn up, like unruly pieces of broken diamond.

The Gods seems to be rolling the dice and upping their stakes ... she smiled impishly at the thought.

In her thought of thoughts, Devsena's sixth sense missed the moment when her husband stepped inside their chamber. This had never happened earlier. but then today was different - it was special; it was just not any other day for them.

They were now married for a year and despite everything, their love for each other had flourished. And now they were being doubly blessed.

Devsena jumped out of her skin as she felt a pair of arms go around her; she then relaxed on realising that her husband was back.

"Amara" she wrinkled her nose. "You smell of sweat ... and dust"

The arms tightened as she chuckled

"...But all in a good way"

"I couldn't stay away from you any more. These three days were such a torture" his voice was deep with emotions, as he kissed her ear.

He turned her around in his arms, his palms cupping her face. Her eyes were sparkling with an intensity that he had not seen earlier; he bent down to graze her lips. Her hands going around his neck as she pulled him closer.

She had missed him equally, if not more.

After a few moments, she stirred in his arms.

"I think you should really go and take a bath. I will arrange for some food ..."

Amarendra laughed as he watched Devsena going all wifey on him. This was a part of her that captivated him to no ends.

To everybody, she easily fitted into the roles of Warrior Princess, the could-be Queen and a force to reckon with. But to him, she was the love of his life, his soulmate, his wife.

Often he wondered whether their association has clipped her wings, but then again Devsena would do something utterly brilliant that would convince him that he needed her, Mahishmati needed her.

And in his heart of hearts, he knew that one day everything would be alright. 

Like that one instance, when she put forward the idea of training all females inside the Palace, in the basics of warfare, mainly for the purpose of defence.

Amarendra walked on eggshells everyday. In Kunthala, she was a key player in the governance of the Kingdom, and ably so. Here, in Mahishmati, she was an uncut diamond, hidden under the charcoal ash. 

But he also knew he would not survive without her.

....

The cool long soak invigorated him as he padded over to the balcony. Devsena was nowhere to be seen.

She must have gone down to the kitchen, he thought as he rubbed his wet hair vigorously. He was not hungry, but he knew Devsena would not let him go to bed without eating in front of her. Amarendra smiled; he loved it when she babied him this much.

...

Pre dawn

He sneezed a couple of times before he was fully awake. It was her hair tickling his nostrils, her head resting on his chest. He inhaled deeply, she smelled uniquely of lavender and jasmine. 

She was still asleep, her body soft and relaxed against his. He moved slightly, careful not to wake her. It was still dark outside; he pulled her in his arms to snuggle some more.

"Amara ...." she nestled into his chest.

"My love .." he loosened his arms slightly, giving her space to shift.

"Let me sleep some more please" her voice was sleep laden and relaxed.

....

A while later

"Amara, Amara" she whispered "Please wake up, I have something to share"

Amara sat up, disillusioned for a moment as he rubbed his eyes.

"What is it? Not fair ... you woke me up" His voice is now a bit gruff and accusatory. He noticed Devsena getting down from the bed and walking towards the balcony. A split second later, he joined her there, as he wraped the silk stole around his bare torso.

It was chilly outside; he could see the pink blush of the early dawn spread across the sky. Nature in her own splendour. 

Reaching her, he wrapped the stole around themselves as he pulled her to himself, her back resting on his chest, their hands intertwined, his jaw resting on her shoulder. He knew he would have to wait till she was ready.

She seemed thoughtful and a bit elusive, not unhappy though.

"What is it Deva?" he asked gently.

In response, she moved their hands around to rest on her bare stomach, pressing gently.

"Can you feel anything?" she asked simply.

Amarendra took a moment or two; he was now excited

"You have the stomach bug? We have to call Vaidji ..."

Devsena sighed in resignation.She half turned in his arms and smacked him lightly on his forehead

"Really Amara? A stomach bug? Would I wake you up for that?"

In response, he kissed her cheek

"You know Deva, your husband is such a simple soul"

Devsena smirked; Amarendra Bahubali was the naughtiest of all the simple souls that she had met this lifetime. Definitely.

She pulled his cheek.

"Parents. Thats's what we are going to be Amara. A part of you is growing inside me. I can't wait ... "

Amarendra stared at her dumbfounded, letting her words sink in. And then he twirled her around, unmindful of the the stole flying away some direction, whooping in glee. His grin was infectious and Devsena could not help but laugh out wildly, her hair flowing in the wind.

Their eyes sparkled in happiness as he put Devsena back on the floor. He knelt down in front of her, a little bit breathless, as he pressed his ear to her stomach

"Hello there Champion. Your Father here. You must have met your Mother already. Welcome to the Family ... We can't wait to hold you in our arms. We promise to love you forever."

Tears streamed down his eyes, as he looked up at his wife. She was crying too, as her fingers clutched onto his shoulders.

...

From another balcony, situated at the topmost realm of the Palace, a lone figure looked down at the couple celebrating, laughing and kissing away, without a care in the world.

The figure realised something - the heir to the throne of Mahishmati had just taken form.

Nine months would be too long a wait, the person sighed heavily

The End

NOTE : Inaayat is an Urdu word which means Blessing. Source : Rekhta.org