"What? " Prativindhy whispered, turning around to see the beautiful, Charulata.

"Charu? " He mumbled, steps faltering as he stood up to turn to his wife, who's face held a picture of innocence and yet, honest humility.

"Nath." She whispered. The two looked at each other as if they had been waiting for the world to bring them together, when they themselves were unable to.

" I -" He began, when Devika barreled into the room, poorly restricted by a worried Yudhishthir.

"Prati -" She turned her head around to see the beautiful girl next to her, standing with a pretty lady on her hip.

" Who are you? " She asked, grounding her voice, reentering the epistome of grace as the Samragyi.

"Ch-charulata Samragyi. " She answered, her voice just as soft and beautiful as he remembered.

"My wife, mata. Charulata. " Prativindhy spoke up, finally steeling his spine as he stood next to her.

"And is that my grandchild? " She asked the girl softly, holding her hands.

"Ji -ji Samragyi -"

"Not Samragyi, mata. I am your mata child, even if my son didn't deign if necessary to tell his mother he was married, you are my daughter. " She told her and Prativindhy sighed.

"Mata." He warned and she looked up at him in contempt.

"What? The fact that you didn't tell me is not her fault. Narayan knows what state he left you in... Stupid man! Do you leave a pregnant woman alone like so! Is that what I've taught you? " She asked, as the child, sensing the atmosphere whimpered.

"Shh. Quiet down mt dear, shh. " Charu mumbled, rocking her daughter in her hands, when Yudhishthir finally walked up next to his wife.

"May I? " He asked softly and Chary reluctantly gave him her daughter.

"What's her name? " He asked, as he gently swayed the child in his hands.

" Sanchita. " She answered, softly as her worry didn't let her take her eyes off her daughter.

As if sensing her trepidation, Devika held Charu by her shoulders, " He is extremely experienced in the art of caring for children, his own brother, your husband, our Jiji's two children and now his own granddaughter. I can't thank you enough for coming here. " She cried, holding her hands to her forehead.

"Nahi mata! " She cried, pulling her hands out to join her own, resistance from the woman in front futile as she slowly sat everyone down, finally, with slow breaths sitting next to her husband.

She then proceeded to tell everyone the truth.

Devika's eyes teared up, her impatience costing her dearly as she looked up to her son with apologetic eyes.

He, just like his father smiled at her, nodding his head as if in understanding.

"Putri - I -" Devika held her tongue, in awe of her sacrifice and resilience.

"I can't thank you enough putri. You took such, wonderful care of yourself and our granddaughter. I cannot be more grateful-" Yudhishthir began, when Charu walked up to him, smiling.

" Pitashree, I can never thank your son for his understanding and patience. It is truly visible that he is your son, a picture of peace. " She muttered softly, as she took her sleeping daughter out, walking back to her husband.

"It's time you held her. I hope she doesn't-" He held a hand against her lips, softly taking his daughter into his hands.

If Prativindhy recieved diamonds all the times when his heart stopped, he would be rich, well, richer.

His beautiful daughter sat in his arms,smiling up at him with innocence.

" Sanchita, I'm your father. Prativundhy. " He mumbled to her, kissing her forehead as he held her over his head, smiling as she giggled in delight.

"Aha! You're enjoying it aren't you! " He smiled wide, laughing as she too raised her grubby hands to slap his face.

Devika and Yudhishthir laughed, " See putr, your daughter is mad at you. " Devika chortled.

He smiled at her, pulling her little fists into his hands, holding them against his cheek.

"Come rest Yuvrani, you have a lot to hear." Panchali said, taking her away.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Prativindhy sat in his room, playing with his daughter when he heard his wife's anklets welcome her.

He turned around to see her, worried.

"Charu? What's wrong? " He asked, picking his daughter up in his arms as he walked towards her.

"I am sorry. I didn't know that your mother would -"

" It's alright, even her anger is justified, any mother would be if she knew her son was married and he didn't tell her. What is it, did she say something to you? " He asked her softly, placing a hand on her cheek in comfort.

" I-no. She didn't say anything.... " She smiled, but pulled her daughter back into her arms.

"Then what is it? "

"I can't live here. " She said with finality.

"What? Why? "

"This palace, it isn't meant for a Potter like me. " She mumbled, moving away step by step.

"Wait! What about Sanchita, will I never see her? " He asked desperately trying to hold her hand.

"You can, I hope you do. Come to us in the city and you can meet us. But I can't live here. "

"I told you! This doesn't matter to us! To me! Why don't you understand! " He cried, falling to his knees.

"Because I cannot imagine myself next to a Yuvraj! "

" But I'm not one! Not when I'm with you! With you I'm only your husband and the father of our daughter! "

"No. I -" She walked out, as Prativindhy followed her, stumbling out of urgency.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

Tell me how it was...

Do vote

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥