"Spring is here and so are bees."

It was yet for the sun to rise, hues of red and orange tainted the sky with the cool spring winds swaying blades of grass along with them. The saffron was soon accompanied by the rising sun, whose arrival was announced by the chirping of birds. If it would have been any other day, the palace would have been relatively silent during this time. But today, this was not the case as the conviviality present was unique, it was the day of festivity; the day when bliss was by accompanied a list of never-ending work.

The corridors were ringing with footsteps and everyone was in rush to complete their assigned errands. I strolled in the hallways directing the maids in perfecting the jobs. Every corner of the palace was getting decorated with freshly picked flowers, strings of glass and beads while the sides of the alley were coloured with exquisite designs of rangolis.

The work of servants was remarkable and the glee was flowing in the air where the smile of one person seem to intoxicate the other; smiles that filled them with festive energy. The whole morning passed in a wink with me surveying hallways and occasional meetings with guests. Noon soon arrived and my tired body forced me to take some time off. I was lazing on the swing of my balcony yet again, reading scrolls and occasionally helping maids in small selections regarding decorations as most of the things were already done.

The sun shone brightly above my head, as bright as spring sun could be, but surrounded by hills, Gandhar never faced extreme heat and slow fanning was enough to feel refreshed.

"Rajkumari!" One of the maids came running with two sets of garlands in her hand.

"Sorry to disturb you Rajkumari but could you please tell me what flowers should we hang at the entrance?" She inquired amidst her sporadic breathing, her hands were shivering while presenting the garlands of marigold and roses; perhaps she was tired, sweat on her face was evident under the sun. I focused back on the garlands in her hand, both held their unique beauty but roses were not apt for the situation.

"Use marigold" A husky manly voice interrupted me when I was about to speak. My brother entered the room, his face donned Cheshire grin as if he was planning something yet again, this look, I am quite used to since childhood. Trying not to get in a mess along with him I kept mum and continued reading, talking to him meant inviting trouble. Meanwhile, the maid scurried back to her work trying not to disturb us.

"What is my dearest sister doing all alone?" He probed and almost slumped on the settee nearest to me.

"Nothing, just reading some scripts." I replied without looking at him. A moment of silence prevailed then Bhrata Shakuni chuckled.

"Should I be hurt with such cold welcome? Sister, you truly wound me." He said dramatically making me roll my eyes and sink deeper into the settee, he was rubbing something in his palm while his eyes wandered around my room. Adjusting the cushions, I sat straighter and signalled the maids to bring snacks.

"Leave it I won't stay here long." He stopped the maid and looked at me with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Pardon me but talking about leave just as you arrived here is perplexing me." I raised an eyebrow. His previous smile and sudden statement to leave made me dubious regarding his intention to be here. He could be a handful when he wants to be and I really don't want to be involved in any trouble.

"Well, I came here to take you with me." Considerably confused, I waited for him to continue. "I got to know there is a beautiful fall discovered nearby the capital. Maybe we could give it a visit."

To say I was dumb folded was an understatement. "Brother, you do realize we have a celebration in your honour today evening?" I asked sceptically about their intentions.

"Sister dear we could always sneak out." He whispered, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Brother you must be joking." My eyes widened at his scandalous idea.

While I was thinking about all possible ruckus that would happen if we follow his ideas, he was clearly enjoying me suffering from a notorious smile resting on his face.

"Brother don't you dare to leave the palace before the celebration." I commanded him, instead of nodding and agreeing with me he broke into a string of laughter that resonated in my entire room, subsequently silencing the parrots who were squawking in their cages.

"Oh! my sister is so adorable." He pinched my cheek while I glared at him.

"Like always I am a source of your amusement." I huffed and slapped away his hands.

"What can I say? I love to see fangs of my little kitten." He laughed again at my annoyed face.

"I am not a cat get yourself a pet if you really want one for your entertainment." I huffed while collecting my scrolls.

"Gandhari! Don't be vexed. I was just joking, can't your brother have the pleasure of having an idle chit chat and small pranks here and there?" He held my hand and gave me puppy dog eyes which pacified all my anger but I still feigned annoyance and got up.

"Brother you are old enough to know such actions are not appreciable now leave my hand." I tried my best to keep a neutral face on looking at his expressions. He looked like a puppy who was kicked by its owner.

"Y-You, are smirking!" My brother noticed the little tug on my lips that I was unable to control. This time it was my turn to laugh at his face for which I received some grumbles from him.

"This isn't fair you know." He squinted his eyes at me.

"Brother since when did you start playing according to rules." I smiled sweetly at him. "Now since we are equal let's not take our squabble any further." I said dismissively.

"If you say so." He muttered and we nodded at each other as a sign of truce.

"What is happening here?" My mother entered the room, her face was lit with joy and energy was brimming out of her. Following her were maids who were carrying plates covered with muslin clothes with their heads bowed.

"Pranipat Mata!" My brother and I greeted her.

"Kalyan ho." (Bless you) She grinned and arranged her veil. "You didn't tell me what were you two talking about?" She asked again.

"Nothing mother it is just sister and I was discussing about newly renovated Shiv temple at the outskirts of-" Before bhrata could complete his sentence my mother signalled him to stop. I was utterly confused when exactly did we talk about Shiv temple but I kept my silence and head bowed slightly looking at scrolls in my hand.

"I would arrange for your journey next month as this whole week would be frenetic and you should concentrate more on state matters than dillydallying here and there." She passed her verdict.

"As you wish, mother." We chorused together.

"Better." She smiled tenderly at our obedience.

"Gandhari, dear did you try those pieces of jewellery again after I gave them back to you after those minor changes?" She asked while her eyes searched for the jewelries that she so generously gifted me. I shook my head and continued to keep my gaze on the scroll, fiddling it occasionally.

She sighed and uncovered those plates brought by her maids, each one of them had jewelries or silk clothes of different colours with golden embroideries on them.

"Mother, what are these for?" I asked, my eyes wandering curiously at the glamour in front of me.

"Finally all your brothers are now ready to enter grihastha ashram hence this celebration is one of the grandest ones ever planned. Hence I prepared everything for you." Mother said signalling the maids to keep the plates on the table.

My brother's abrupt chuckle resonated the place. I elbowed him sneakily, hiding my arms behind the cloth of my veil trying to make it let obvious.

"Pardon me mother but I think my sister would be the only girl who isn't excited about getting clothes and jewelries." My brother blurted between his laughter making me glare at him.

"Shakuni don't tease your sister." My mother said trying to hide her amusement which her voice betrayed. After a very long time, she smiled genuinely, not the stiff one that she always had on her visage.

"Mother you too?" I asked exasperated and stomped my foot in frustration.

"Gandhari mind your bearing." She chided me, her tone was back to normal and the previous smile on her face yet again stiffened. This was my cue that I was crossing my limits or did some mistake, I nodded while cursing myself for forgetting etiquettes. I thought I have mastered those but a little influence from my brother was enough to turn me back into my previous self who acted impulsively.

"I think I should go, Pranipat mata." Brother gave an awkward smile and left me to fend off myself. "Betrayer." I mumbled for which my brother just ignored and left the chamber without looking back if I must add.

"Why are you still standing let's sit down and see what colour would suit you most." My mother said while moving to a seat near to table. I sat next to her, curbing my curiosity I stretched my fingers to the cloth. It was indeed the finest of the silks I had ever touched, almost every part of cloth had splendid thread work of gauzy gold threads and many stones like emeralds and sapphire were stitched at the hem of the skirt.

"Impressive isn't it." My mother smiled noticing my awestruck countenance.

"Indeed but isn't it too much?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"Oh silly!" My mother cupped my cheek. "Flowers need to look pretty after all they have to attract bees." She gave a meaningful smile. Realization dawned upon me, spring is here and so are bees.

"Now that you realized what this event could mean I suggest the best of behaviour from you. Am I clear?" My mother questioned but I stared at the blooming flowers losing my attention wondering all the possible things that could happen.

Sleepy nerdy is happy that her exams are finally over (this happened over a week ago but I was lazy to update) and she could be back to her normal human self... as normal as she could be.