While Saag nearly vibrated with anxiety, I pulled Devi close into a hug, all three of us, together at last.

" I -I don't know how to thank you -" I lightly hit her head.

" You never have to thank me for doing my duty Devi, is he not my son? " I whispered to her as she nodded, her eyes glassy.

While I sat there with her and Rudra in my arms, I felt like the world had ended, nothing more was necessary or required when I had the two of them by my side.

" Priye -" Yudhishthir began, his eyes wide as she sat on the floor.

" Saag, if you keep crying we cannot help you -"

" Monsters! " She exclaimed, wiping her tears, " Unusual, disgusting creeps! The-they came pretendin-pretending to be you -" her voice caught in her throat as she held Yudhishthir's hand, " They came looking as you. Mini, you and AJ, my sisters, Krishna, but worst of all, they came as ma and papa, " She cried, her world looked as if it had been destroyed.

" Oh Saag -"

" It's why I had to ask those questions, stupid creatures didn't even realise that they were coming in the guise of those who they had already sent to me. I saw you thrice, Mini twice and every break was with ma and papa. " She said, drying her tears as she stared ahead, as if she would burn the ground right there.

Yudhishthir pulled her into a hug, running one hand up and down her arms as she calmed down, her eyes blazing, " But you defeated them all, that's all that matters Dharmaa, you fought relentlessly and you won. What more could one ask for? " He said to her.

" Obviously Saag. Have you not realised how cool you are! " I said and she sniffled, " Saag, you kept your son and my wife safe, despite all that you faced. That's one of the bravest things you've ever done. Just relax. We'll be in the Mayavan soon, " I said, when she looked at me in surprise.

" How would you know? "

" Other than the day I followed you? " I asked wincing and she nodded, now eyes sharp with mock suspicion.

" Me and Devi came to the waterfalls each year to celebrate our anniversary, " I mumbled and Devi laughed, while Saag scowled.

" Anyways, we should move. It's not safe to stay here for long. " She said, picking her son up as we continued our journey.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

The next two days passed swiftly as we left the forest, entering the Mayavan.

When we finally crossed the border, I was very surprised to see it vastly different from how it was earlier.

The tapering canopies remained, but now they were selectively cut and grown to allow more light to enter. From my earlier stay, I remembered how the one central banyan tree had housed the whole rakshas community. It's central trunk was where all rituals were held, from marriages to birth and all festivities.

It was truly refreshing to see they cut rocks to allow a fresh river to meander it's way into the forest.

Ghatotkach had truly done wonders to this place, with a seclusion that was it's charm yet the development that was necessary.

We were greeted at the door by the King himself. Maharaj Vrikodar's son, Ghatotkach. To his right stood his wife Mauravi stood by him, flanked by her three children.

" Pranipat Tatshree Taishree, Yuvraj, Yuvrani and your young ones, " He greeted, coming to take my blessings.

Eleven years and I was still not used to this.

" Aayushman Bhav putr, putri, " I blessed, pulling them both into a hug.

Part of the unusual conditions of rakshas babies... They grew at rapid speed.

His sons too grew faster than I anticipated, as introduced, Anjparv, Meghvarn and the one we had met, Barbarik.

" Taishree, I am glad to have you here, I assure you, no one can lay a hand on my mata and her sisters as long as we are here, " He reassured me, standing just as tall as his father.

" And I am sure you will Ghatotkach, I am so proud to see you in this role. You are a true king. The wonders you have made with the forest are exemplary. It is like coming to a different home, but a home all the same. " I said, watching as he stood with gratitude and pride.

" My husband has truly made all efforts for your comfort taishree, come, I shall guide you to your rooms. You may meet the rest of your siblings tomorrow morning. Everyone has just hit the hay after the festival, " He said and I frowned.

" Festival? "

" It's Choti Deepavali Taishree, " He said and I snapped my head up.

" Tomorrow is Deepavali! " I shrieked and Yudhishthir chuckled behind me.

" It might be priye, the unusual chill of the river now has a stronger explanation, " He said, nodding to AJ.

" Come, we should rest. " Devi said, her eyes drowsy just like her son. My son slept soundly in his father's arms, a line of drool on Yudhishthir's arms told me how soundly he was sleeping.

As we entered our room, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. They had coincidentally given us the same room we stayed in before.

I watched near the diwan, a wave of nostalgia hitting me.

" My darling bacha. We cannot sing right now, please go to sleep, papa is tired, "  I whispered to a fussing nearly fourteen moth old Madhu.

She clawed at my face, at the stage where her nails grew rapidly, as if trying to gouge my eyes out in retaliation to the lack of songs.

" Please bacha, " I tried again, thinking she might need a feeding, but she refused, her fussing shifted to whimpers as she flailed.

I watched an exhausted Yudhishthir, lying deep in sleep. He had been working so hard lately, helping Bheem in his decisions as the Vrikodar. I could see the way exhaustion set in his eyes, even as he smiled wide for Madhu, welcoming her in his open arms, tossing her in the air for the bubbling giggles she gave even as his back ached.

Singing to her even as his head throbbed. I had hoped to have Madhu sleeping so I could tend to him today, but clearly my daughter had other plans.

" Isevrthingalight? " I heard an incoherent murmur.

" Yes, you sleep, I'll manage, " I answered back, but it was of no use as my daughter finally had her fill of whimpering to move to cries.

" I'll take her, you should sleep, " He began, moving off the bed to stand in front of me, " You must be tired. " He cupped my cheeks in his warm hands.

" So are you, " I whispered and he smiled, " It's's alright. I'm never too tired for the two of you, " He whispered, taking Madhu into his arms despite my better protests.

Evidently it's what she needed, because she began to quiet down within half an hour of Yudhishthir holding her, rocking her in his arms, I could see him wincing as he sat on the bed after putting her to sleep.

I walked up to him, he sat on the bed, watching Madhu.

" Should I get some herbs for you? Nakul might have some painkiller, " I ran my hands through his head, massaging his temples as he raised his hand to keep them on my own.

" No, he must be sleeping, we should sleep too, I'll be fine, " He whispered, pulling me into a soft kiss before laying on the bed.

But even then, I had been roused awake by my daughter's earlier fussing and I saw how he sighed in pain, shifting on the bed to find a comfortable neck alignment.

" Come here, " I whispered, shifting to rest my back against the headboard, pulling him by the shoulders to rest on me.

" No, you'll be hurt -"

" Shut up and sleep bonehead. You're tired. You can make it up to me tomorrow if you want, " I whispered, scowling him when he protested once more.

He then sighed heavily, " Happy wife happy life, "

" Indeed, " I laughed softly, letting him rest his head on my lap, running my hands through his hair.

" I love you, if I don't tell you enough then scold me, okay? " He murmured and I slapped a hand to my mouth to contain my snort of laughter.

" Al-alright, " I said, choking on my own words as they finally slept..

I could have said it was painful the next morning.

And it was. But I couldn't imagine it any other way. This was the life I had never imagined for myself but the life I was given.

Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe have a phone. So many things could be made easier with a phone.

" Sagarika?" Yudhishthir called as I was startled out of my reverie when I felt myself being lifted.

" What are you doing? " I giggled, watching as he smirked at me.

" We have a fair share if memories here don't we?" He said and I tinkled with laughter.

" Oh we do, some which should remain memories only as long as we have a child present, " I said and he bent down to kiss me, softly.

" Two more years Sagarika. Two more years and then I'll make sure you never have to do this again. Our children never have to go through this again, " He said, eyes hardened with resolve.

I peeled one arm away from his neck , moving to frame his cheek.

" I am sure of it, " I whispered to him and he smiled softly.

" Well, what do you want to do?" I asked and he scowled.

"Is this a trick question? Everytime I suggest something you make faces, " He said, eyes sharp with harmless mirth.

" I promise not this time, " I answered and he smiled... But this was different. This was, as I called him, Shaitan Yudhishthir.
( shaitan - naughty)

" Yudhishthir-" I trailed off, watching as he ran towards the other end of the room, settling on the diwan with me on top of him.

" What are you upto! "I slapped his chest and he held my hands.

" We are going to sleep here today, " He said, pulling me close.

" You idiot we'll fall off! " I said, laughing as he hauled me closer.

" Well, then we'll do that together too. It's been far too long that I have held you this close and fallen to bed, " He said, eyes shining with love.

" Swami, Arya, Nath. What are you playing at, we were like this four days ago, "

" That's four days too long my dear Dharmaa, " He whispered, landing a kiss to my neck before I was truly bundled in his arms. The steady beats of his heart brought me closer and closer to sleep, the warmth of his embrace welcoming.

He was right. Four days were too long.

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

Okie.... Well, they've reached. Now two years without any problems. Right?

Ahem....

Also... I saw this on my trip to Goa... And the fact that I never knew entire forests could be made of one banyan tree!

This one wasn't as big as a forest... But I was still  shook.

Anyways, tell me how it was and do vote if you liked it.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥