While we may have killed both the monsters, there lay a bigger issue in front of us.

Saag had just returned back with us, she sat in one corner with her child.

The vaidy had said that he, being Saag's son was inherently protected because Saag would never allow the flames to harm him. So he was, in a word just shocked.

Yudhishthir stood next to the two of them, a soft smile on his face as he watched the two of them.

" Hiding? " Devi asked as Krishn nodded, eyes moving over all seven of them, landing on Saag.

" Why- why do we have to hide? " I asked, when Bheem grunted.

" Ajatshatru, such a loud explosion, the light of the flames combined enough makes it a tourist attraction for many, most of all those who we had been avoiding, " He answered, looking at his wife with worry.

" But where would we go? As far as we know, Mamashree would already be on his way here, " Arjun put in when Yudhishthir sighed.

" Have something to share with the class Yudhi? " I asked and he nodded, running a hand over his face.

" I, have been trying to avoid this scenario ever since we have been in this exile, but this seems to be the only option. We need to go into the forests, " Saag's head snapped up at that, eyes widening.

" Even if that is fine jijashree, what guarantee do we have that we won't be hunted into the forests. We have survived far better in the palace than we could have in the forests, " Devi asked, while Sudhuma nodded.

" Even if we were to go, only the three of us, the ones they never met could live in the forest without fear. We have enough magic to mask our true faces, but what about all of you? " She said.

" Well, what if we go back to Pragjyotishpur? " Sulo asked and was met with a chorus of no's, before she raised her hand, " Hear me out! It's a risk, but a smart one. I am one hundred percent sure that the first thing they must have done was search for us in kingdoms where we have family. It's been three years, I told you, I've been keeping tabs, they have practically looked through Pragjyotishpur once every year, same as in Hastinapur, Dwarka, Panchal and all our relations, " She exclaimed.

" Why there then, why not just go to Hastinapur only, " Sudhuma scolded her and Sulo frowned.

" Please, if you've gotten any smart ideas do put up instead of criticising the ones being put, "

" All of you shut up! " Vishwa roared, her eyes blazing as she surveyed the room.

" Gently Vishwa, " Saag murmured, holding Abhi close to her as he slept peacefully.

" Kaali, what do you suggest? " Devi Sphulingini asked and she looked up surprised.

" Well, you could all just come and live with us in Mayavan. No human dares to enter there, not even the fear but the pact created. Also, since putr Ghatotkach is the king, he has supreme rights over the Mayavan and no one will dare to look for us there, " She added with the grace of a swan, her eyes sharp.

" I agree, it seems to be the smartest option, " Bheem answered and the others agreed...

" Govind, is there something amiss? " Devi Sphulingini asked and Krishn looked up suddenly, his eyes surprised.

" What, oh, no. I'm just busy with something else, you need not worry sakhi," He smiled, but as rare as the blue moon, it didn't reach our eyes today.

" So it is settled, we leave for Mayavan. Tonight. " Devi agreed.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

"

Sagarika? " A soft voice called, I turned around to see Yudhishthir stride into the room.

" I - " My voice caught in my throat as I looked at him.

If not guilt for hurting him, now, my guilt for abandoning him was for too large. I couldn't meet his eyes, one would assume for anger in them, but despite all this, all I saw was love.

" You don't need to say anything, " He whispered and I shook my head.

" No, I -I need to apologize —"

" You're a bonehead. " He said smartly, effectively making me chuckle.

He walked close, I could see his feet, his strides strong, yet they held the grace of his love.

I felt one hand raise my face to his. He looked ethereal bathed in the moonlight.

" Sagarika, I am glad you're safe," He whispered and I looked at him, concerned.

" You're -you're not angry at me? " I asked and he smiled, the winds tousled his hair.

" I was, I was extremely enraged when you left me like that, I was so confused, but then I had no time to reflect on that. My son needed me and by the time Ajatshatru brought you back, I had wanted nothing more to pull you into my arms and keep you there. Nothing else mattered, " He said and I felt a droplet fall on my own face, eyes snapping up to see him in tears.

" Yudhishthir-"

" Just, please. No more words. I know what you want to say, you know my answer. Let's just skip all that. Please, " He pleaded, before pulling me into a warm embrace, one hand firmly holding my head while the other pulled me closer.
I was sure it would hurt tomorrow, but it didn't matter anymore.

I was flabbergasted, expecting to be very near exiled from our room, but pulled into one of the most needed hugs in my life.

" Do you want to rest? " I whispered, moving to rest my hand on his face, cradling it gently in my hands. I wiped his tears, rubbing my thumb gently over his cheeks.

" I feel alright, although the loss of blood did make me hazy for a few moments, " He whispered and I smiled.

Tonight, I made sure that I would never leave him like that again. I blundered the most important rule of marriage,
communication.

" Come Yudhishthir," I said softly and he smiled.

" Do you never feel my name far too long for you to call all the time? I've seen you call everyone by shortened versions of their names, AJ, Devi, Mano, Sulo, Vishwa and more. Even our child, you call them Madhu and Abhi." He sat on the bed and I stood between his legs.

" I did volunteer to call you Arya, you said I don't need to, " I smirked at him, " I could just call you Yudhi, but it doesn't do justice to your name. Yudhishthir. That's your name and it's the strongest of them all. "

" You could call me Dharma, " He whispered.

I couldn't believe my own ears, settling in his lap as I looked at him in surprise..

" I -I can? " I asked, I am, sure he had to strain his ears to hear it.

" I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want you to, " He said softly, allowing me to rest my head on his chest.

" My Dharma, " I whispered and he beamed, his eyes shining.

" You will always be my Priye Sagarika, be it as Karali or as Sagarika, " He breathed, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

" And it doesn't hurt you, calling me Sagarika? " I asked and he laughed out loud.

What was so humorous?

" What is it? " I asked, laughing shakily as he held his hand to muffle his boisterous laughter.

" My dear Sagarika. I call you priye majority of the time anyways. What would I even shorten you name too? Karali can't be shortened and I met Sagarika first, so you'll always be Sagarika to me before anyone in the world. I could just call you Dharmaa, Dharma's Dharmaa, " He said and I hid my furious blush in his chest.

" I have won in life! " He exclaimed and I jumped, eyes snapping up to his.

" I can make my wife blush even after nearly eleven years of marriage. I have won! " He cried and I facepalmed, but he raised his hand to gently take my wrist in his, holding it close to his face.

" When the love remains, no matter how old we are, you will always make me blush. Even if I am old and wrinkly, " I giggled and he kissed my forehead.

I wanted to fall asleep right there, nothing else mattered in those few moments, just the warmth of him against my own as I sighed warmly against him.

I would have fallen asleep had I not felt the knock on the door..

" Who is it? " I asked and the door opened to reveal Krishn.

" Krishn? " Yudhishthir asked, helping me stand as we made our way to him.

" Sagarika, I am sorry, my lies have hurt you far too much, but you must understand I -"

" Sahdev had asked me once, how much I trusted you and I told him confidently, that if you're lying to me, you must have a good reason for it too. My words earlier were born out of fear for my son's life. Rest assured, I believe you, but yes, if you have Mini married without me I'll make sure to tell Devi Satyabhama not to serve you any food again, " I teased and he smiled, but it wasn't the charming one he always gave us.

" I need to talk about something important, something imperative about his life Sakhi, your son's life, " He said and Yudhishthir, although until now was standing behind me calmly moved forward.

" Is he in danger? Is what my wife said a few hours ago true? Have you threatened his life? " He asked, voice hard and I raised my hand to keep it on his arm.

" No Jyeshth, your son is safe, it's more concerning. I didn't want the others to hear this, but it's necessary for you to know. Abhi is..... Well, his body, after exposure to that much heat has, developed it's own way of protection, one which is , well, impermeable to—"

" Stop twisting words Vasudeva! What is it? " Yudhishthir exclaimed and he sighed.

" Your son's body is now made of Vajra." He concluded.

I think it's an appropriate time to tell you that the day's stress finally caught up to me because I bubbled up in laughter.

" Vajra? Really? " I said between giggles.

" Sakhi, I'm not lying. It's the truth. And the less people that know about it, the better. Your collective energies and your will to keep your son safe even amongst all the chaos redirected the energy to his body, which is also why he still hasn't woken up, he needs to rest, " He said and my eyes widedned in disbelief.

" Krishn, even if this is true, why were you so nervous to tell us? " I asked.

" It's complicated Sakhi, I can't tell you that yet, " He said and I sighed..

" Alright , well, thank you for telling us, good night, " I smiled at him, pulling him into a short hug before he left.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Soo.... Why's Krishn so nervous about this?

Tell me how it was and do vote

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥