Karunika and Adam welcomed her brothers wives and her brothers children, other than Yudhishthir and Devika who couldn't leave the kingdom.

The brothers saw her and by default first took her blessings and then embraced her in a bone crushing hug. The hug was what serenity meant to Karunika.

The younger generations too mimicKed their parents, by huddling around Aahana. But since they were nine men and one girl, they choose to be a bit more risqué. They lifted her up on their shoulders and carried her around the garden, all the while she laughed. Being the youngest of all, despite her mother being the eldest was ironic, yet it never let her stop from becoming the boss of all her brothers.

As they sat down that day, preparing for the mehendi. .....

" Bhrata Nirmay! Where are the elephants we invited to be part of my leaving procession? I want to go atop an elephant with my husband. Where is he? " She whined, as she sat, hands open to allow her mother and her mamishree Vrushali to apply her mehendi.

" Aahana. I told you. Animals need to be dealt with patience. They'll come soon. " He insisted, running around the palace.

" Bhrata Satanik! Where is my poori and sabji? I told you I was hungry! " She yelled out after an hour, as the brother in question ran out, face paling at his forgetfulness.

On one side sat Suthanu, on the other, Shrutkarm as they fanned the bride with their angvastr, while her Bharata Prativindhy held her glass of water.

Now, some would say that she was using her brothers as slaves, but she wasn't. They had volunteered to do it. Afterall, she was their only sister. 

    ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Neelansh, Sutsom and Moksh were in the armory, sharpening their weapons.

Not a joke. They truly were doing so. All because their was an oncoming war in Kuntibhoj and they had to leave.  Bheem , Adam, Karunika and Karn did tell them that they would go fight, but the children refused, saying ," If you or matashree leave the kingdom now, there is a greater threat to our people. We are competent to handle this. Don't worry."

So they left, but before Moksh could go, he was met by a very annoyed Alatakshi. 

" You are the worst sakha I ever made. Who goes to a war before their own sister's wedding? Do you not imagine how disheartened she would be ? " She said, looking at him with anger.

" You are my sakhi Alata. You must understand, this is my karm. I must do it, you may try to stop me but I won't ." 

" Alright, but at least wear this raksha kavach I made.  It will keep you safe." She said, tying it on his arm. 

"Why? Do you not trust my competence ? " He asked her as she looked at him with anger yet again.

" Valour holds no power over Niyati."

" So this kavach will ? " 

" Yes! "

"How are you so sure? What if I arrive wrapped in whi-"   

Alata held her hands against his mouth. her eyes widening in anger and fear as he uttered the ominous words.

" Don't you dare say something like this again. Why can't you simply accept that it is meant to protect you? Must you always be that cruel and uncaring? " She said.

he looked at her confused. Since when did she care so much? Did he too? NO! That is to say, No, he can't. He has a battle to win.

"Go on! Answer me !" She urged as he pointed at her hand on his mouth.

She backed off, embarrassed beyond measure.

"I'm sorry- I mis stepped-I didn't mean to-" 

This time, she was interrupted by a hand on hers.

"Never apologize for being or trying to be a friend. I was just teasing. I'll wear this. The whole time. Someone protected by his friend can never be harmed."

"But-"

"I'll be back soon,. Then I will annoy you to your heart's content. But right now I must leave." 

" I will be waiting. Come back by Holi Yuvraj"

"I'll try to come soon. Don't worry." He walked away, while his friend questioned her reaction to him dying. It was normal to worry about your own friend's death, but why did this feel so different ?

    ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

" Arya. I am very worried. How will they fight. They are so young." Karunika said, walking into her husband's office area in their room. It was scattered with scrolls and so many more important documents. Wheat shipments, daily wage count of the workers, peace treaty with the kingdoms and so much more. Even he looked tired, a hand in his head, trying to figure out a solution to their problem of the daily vegetables used. They had to take out so much money from the rajkosh each  day for the food itself. Now, they would have to take more for Aahana's wedding.

She kept her head in his lap, as his hands immediately sought out the comfort of running his hands through her hair. It was therapeutic for them, as a couple.

"They fought in the mahabharat Priye. They will surely manage.After all, even Neelansh has gone with them. I'm sure they will be fine. You shouldn't worry so."

" But they had us in the war. Even then that vile Ashwathamma managed to hurt my poor daughter. How can a mother's heart be at peace then Arya? " He asked, looking up at him.

"We must then keep our trust in Narayan then Priye right? He will show us the way."

" We lost one child Arya. I don't want to loose another." She said, eyes moist at her sweet Madirakshi's memories, when

"Buashree! Maharaj! Come quickly. There is a woman on the palace gates with a child in her hands." Prativindhy said, crashing into a flower vase as he frantically ran into the room.

Karunika and Adam ran towards the mainhall,where Nakul looked after the mother with Arjun, while Sahdev tended to the baby with Bheem.

"Who is she? Do we know where she is from? " Karunika asked, skidding to the mother.

"We don't know Jyeshtha. But we cannot cure her. Her child may live. But she has had the snake venom in her body for too long. All we can do is grant her a painless death. " Nakul told her, as she watched the lady .She was caked in mud, green veins around the mark where the fangs marred her beautiful body. Suddenly, she gasped and grabbed Karunika's hand saying, "Pleas-please.Look aft-loof after my daugh-daughter.I beg of you, keep her alive." She rasped out, before losing her breath as her eyes rolled back into her head, death welcoming her with open hands. 

Karunika just looked at the lady with tearful eyes. A mother had made her dying wish to her. A promise she had demanded. She wished to have her daughter be able to live and so the daughter would be able to be happy.

She looked up at her husband, who met her glassy eyes. The same thoughts shared. The same love, the same feelings.

Karunika approached the crying baby, holding her in her arms as she rocked the baby, years of practice from her own children reinstating the mother's heart in her.

She shushed the child, as her cries quietened, the child falling into deep slumber, unaware of the chaos she left in her wake.

"Mata, are you sure ?" Aahana asked, not jealous but worried. Her mother had grown old and needed her own peace as well. Even now the stress of the kingdom would affect her so.How would a child help?   

"A mother has made a request putri. The last wish. I can't deny her that." Karunika answered as Adam approached her. He held the little girl is his arms. A promise of care through him as well, for after all, were Karunika and Adam really different ?

As long as they had each other, life would never be hard, or something they could not fight, for their love would always prevail.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

So, who's the child?  What will her name be ?

Share your opinions through votes and comments.

Much love 

Radhekrishn