The next morning, we woke up to the sounds of the other Rakshasas working to ready for the Deepavali celebration at night.

As I began to rise, I felt myself trapped in arms and legs. I looked up to see a slumbering Yudhishthir, his breath tickling my baby hairs.

" Yudhishthir, let me go, " I whispered, attempting to wxtract my arm when his hand clamped down tighter.

" You idiot, let me go! " I said, voice raising above the whisper and he shook his head, putting one hand on my head.

" Go back to sleep Priye, " He yawned, eyes shut in bliss.

" Mumma? Are you alright? " A voce startled me and I fell out of his hands onto the floor.

" Oh, I am sorry, are you hurt?" Abhi asked, walking over to me as he sat by my hand.

" No bacha, I'm fine. Wh-why don't you go ready for bath. I'll come soon, " I said, wincing at the pain in my back.

We might be having a healthier diet, better lifestyle. But I did have two children... I was being affected... Surprise!

Not really but anyways.

" Stupid Dharma. Doing idiotic stuff, makes me think he remembers everything, " I huffed, pulling myself up.

Maharaj ji was sleeping peacefully, not one movement.

This time I won't wake him. Let him sleep.
And I mean it for vengeance. Not love. Let him be late for an event.

( INTIMACY AHEAD. READER DISCRETION ADVISED)

As I moved to go away, a hand shot out to grab onto my wrist, yanking me back.

" My dear, if you think I remember, then I'm glad. But I don't. Why don't you remind me? " He whispered as he stood behind me, his warmth enveloped me, nearly wiping my annoyance away.

" What is up with you today? " I whispered as he ran one hand down my back, gently turning me to face him.

" Well, it is Deepavali. We are celebrating," He said and I scowled at his travelling fingers, wrenching them away from my saree.

" Really and today of all days Samrat Yudhishthir chooses to love me so much... What have you done! " I asked and he sighed, shaking his head as he bit his lip.

Aha! Caught you.

What I didn't expect was being pulled close to him, my hand balancing itself against his chest as his wrapped around my waist....

" My dear wife, " he pulled me closer, resting his lips on my cheek, " Do I have to be guilty of something to love you? " He whispered into my ears..

Okay. Something is definitely wrong.

I pulled myself apart, staring at his affronted face.

" Oh come on! You know I don't lie Dharmaa, " He chided and I laughed.

Maybe he was right. As he pulled me back into his arms, " Bhabhishree! Jyeshth - I'll just leave, " I heard a sound and jumped back, looking at a flushed Arjun. His fair skin brought out the pink tinge to his cheeks. I understand why Sphulingini finds him adorable.

" Arjun, come, what is is? " Yudhishthir coughed into his hand.

" J-jyeshth, bhrata Bheem is calling all three of you for the morning pujan, " He said, walking out.

" You know if you had blue eyes I had the perfect lyrics for you, " I said, keeping my hands around his neck, and he laughed, " Now what is that? " He asked, amused.

I stood on my tip toes, bringing myself closer to his ears, " Ocean blue eyes, looking in mine, I feel that I might, sink and drown and die.... "

He stared at me confused.

" This was English? " He asked and I nodded.

" I listened to all kinds of songs Dharma. I love listening to music, " I said.

" Well, maybe you could think up another substitute for these lines, " He said, then bent his head closer, " Although I wouldn't mind, anything that my apsara sings is heaven, " He whispered, kissing me softly.

" I'm coming Abhi, " I called my son, walking out and he looked at me and smiled.

That night was one of the best Deepavali's I had ever celebrated. The whole community gathered around the main Banyan bark, with diyas, sweets and festivities.

But it all broke my heart when I looked at Yudhishthir and Abhi playing, missing my sunshine.

" What's wrong bhabhishree? " I heard Arjun ask as he stepped closer.

" Nothing, " I whispered, looking away to discretely wipe my tears away.

" Bhabhishree, you do realise this doesn't work on us right? " Bheem popped in to my left, keeping his head on my shoulder.

" Really, you all should enjoy, I just don't feel well, my head hurts, " I said to them, keeping a warm hand on their cheeks.

" Your head or heart Saag? " AJ asked...

Where were they all coming from?

" Uhh, " I was interrupted by Bheem picking me in his hands.

" Bheem! Put me down! " I laughed as he shook his head, " No bhabhishree, you may be missing Madhu but you have your two other sons to look after! We need our mata here! " He said with glee, seating me on a sofa and sitting at my feet.

I looked at them and couldn't help but cry, softly watching as they picked up the roti and sabji, holding it for me to enjoy.

" Come on bhabhishree, let us feed you, we'll think our mata is here too, " Arjun said and I smiled.

Feeding them a few more bites, I looked around the room.

Arjun and Panchali, Bheem and Kali, my sisters, AJ, Devi and Rudra, Yudhishthir and Abhi.

This is what I was fighting for. And more.
That night, I held them both and slept, even as I wiped my tears away on the pillow while the others slept.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

I

f you assumed our lives were easy this past year.

For once, you'd be right.

It had been the easiest and most uneventful year I had, even with our children growing up and our responsibilities in the Rakshas community.

Ghatotkach wouldn't let us lift one finger in help, despite our better protests.

" But Putr, " Devi began but he shut her down, " No mausishree, you are our elders, you cannot work while we are here. "

" Arre but -"

" Tai, " He began, dropping a basket of flowers on our head and ran away.

" Ghatotkach! " I yelled, looking at him as my husband and Bheem laughed.

" He still remains the young one I held that day, " I said and Yudhishthir kissed my forehead.

" They always are, that's why we are parents and it's why these memories are cherished, "

" Maharaj Vrikodar! " A guard yelled, skidding into the room.

" Guard, what is the problem? " Bheem asked and he looked at Bheem terrified.

" Rajmata Sphulingini -" He began, falling to Bheem's feet.

" What happened to her! " I yelled and I heard a thundering Sudhuma stride into the room. Smoke rose from her very being, black and sooty.

" She's been taken. By Sindhuraj Jaydrath." Her words sent a shockwave in the room. Arjun nearly vibrated with rage while my other sisters joined the room, rage and fear flitting across their faces..

" But how! Why was she so far our of the mayavan! " AJ asked and the guard shook his head.

" She had asked me to follow her, she had been inspecting the best place for Kumar Arjun for his pennance to Mahadev. She wanted the absolute safest and undisturbed spot and then he saw her -" The guard broke down.

" They recognized her? " I asked and he shook his head.

" No, she hid her face, some magical powers she too posseses, but your identity hasn't been revealed Devi, " He said and I sighed momentarily, before I heard the twang of the Gandiv.

" Arjun, we can't rush out like this, we must have patience - " Devi began.

" Patience! He has my wife! "

" And our sister, but you don't see us being reckless do you! We must go with a cool head. If they manage to reach city borders we're doomed. Not all of us can go, Mano, Karali and Sulo are the ones closest to their human nature. They can't help us, rather the similarity in faces will sell us out, only you and I can go. " Vishwa finished.

" But -" I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder and looked around to see Yudhishthir's stern eyes.

" Devi Vishwaruchi is right, go Arjun. Be safe, " He said and I watched in horror as only the two of them left.

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

Okay... Sooo..

Tell me how it was.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥