" But mumma! It's too early! " My son whined as I tried to wake him for the morning.

" Come on Abhi, " I said, " You need to wake up soon. You're becoming a big boy now.. Learn to wake up early like your papa. " I hauled him out of the bed as he staggered towards the baths.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

Today was the day.. When we'd be deciding the day we begin the anhilation.

While I sat in the sabha, dealing with the daily proceedings, my mind kept travelling to the chaos and destruction this war would bring.

Do I really want to do this?

So many innocents dead?

" Samragyi? " Krishn said. I looked up, startled.

"Y-yes? " I cleared my throat, "Speak Dwarkadheesh. "

" Samragyi. The Samrat and I, along with your council of ministers would like to know, if you approve of a peace treaty. You have your land, the cries for this war began with your... Insult. With Rajkumaari Saudamini's insult. She is amenable. Are you? " He said, eyes sharp.

I was... Confunded.

Did I want the peace treaty to be sent?

No.

Was it necessary?

No.

Was the task dharm?

..... yes.

"Y-yes." I cleared my throat and felt Yudhishthir's hand softly envelope mine.

" Yes. Send the peace treaty. But who will go? "

" Krishn will go. " Yudhishthir said and I looked at him in surprise.

" As you say Samrat. I am sure we'll barter a reasonable peace, " He said when I looked at both of them in confusion.

" But why him? " Sulo voiced my question.

" Because Madhav's the one who suggested the idea Devi, " Arjun answered.

" Alright then.. Off you go Sakha, " I said and he smiled at me, whistling away.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" Do you think it's wise to extend truce? " AJ asked as we sat at the corner of the pond, with our feet in it.

"No, it's not. But it's the dharm. It's the right thing to do. " I sighed, placing my head on his shoulder.

" Why... Why do you have to do the right thing? Why don't you and Devi and all of you just burn it to the ground? " He groused and I laughed.

" Loki... "

" What? "

" You sound like Loki AJ, " I said
"And as much as I want to do that... It's Yudhishthir's legacy... I don't want to hurt him." I sighed, rubbing at my nose to swat an itch.

" But you're hurting the lives of so many... Don't you think it's... Selfish? Just to protect your husband's heart you're willing to let so many people die? " He said.

" I thought so too... But. .. Then Krishn saw me thinking that way... And he said. War is inevitable now. He would know. He's Narayan anyways. And... If I'm being honest.... Won't he be the one dying and he be the one killing. Yudhishthir is also Krishn. Duryodhan is also Krishn. " I said and AJ laughed softly.

" Just because we know the truth doesn't make it easy to accept Saag, we'll be seeing rivers of blood... Can you handle that? " He said and I scowled.

" Can you mister history student? " I said and he laughed.

" I can... I watched Devi give birth... I think I can handle anything- ahh! " He screamed as I slapped his shoulder repeatedly.

" Don't make fun of that! It hurts! " I yelled and he held up his hands in defense before smirking.

" Oh I know... I had bruised fingers for a week. My ministers were concerned. " He said and I hit him again, this time he grabbed my hands.

" Alright alright. " He said.. Then sighed.

" Saag... Do you think we'll have to go back after the war is over? " He asked and my breath caught in my chest.

It's a question I've been asking myself.

Time always corrects itself. Will I have to leave my husband and children behind?

" I don't know, " I whispered, " But I don't want to go. Do you? "

" No, " He said solemnly, " I don't think I could. Twelve years here. Life has taught me more than twelve years in school there... Imagine.. We didn't even experience college.... And then get the opportunity to say... Ahh... The good old days... " He said, shaking with nervous laughter.

" Other than cars... And wifi... This place is great! Oh and phones. Otherwise, we can still say... The good old golden age. " I said and he snapped his head to me.

" Then make it. " He said seriously and I burst out laughing... Before I realized he was being serious.

" Me? I don't know the E of engineering and you want me to make a car? Phone! " I said and he nodded.

" Saag.. We still have the knowledge that they gave us... The knowledge that we gained in Kaliyug. We know how things work. Engines. Motor. Simple motors... You would know that.. You have studied it. "

" Yes! Eleven years ago! "

" Then try and remember Saag. I'll help you. After the war. . If we manage to stay here.. Fund this goal. Start it. Aim for a quicker development. Don't wait for some Wright Brothers to say they made the air plane.. These people have flying chariots... Start... Think. The first step is the hardest -"

" Okay AJ... You're getting ahead of yourself. Good night. " I said, walking out when he stopped me.

" Think about it Saag.. Do what you aspired to be.. We're both political tools... And for how long? We will hand over the throne and then what? You and I both know we're not cut out for that meditation stuff. Let's devote our lives to this. "

I looked at him and saw no traces of a joke. No traces of the Bazinga reference. No mirth. Genuine desire and honesty.

" Okay, " I whispered and he smiled, " I'll think about it. "

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" Sagarika? " I heard Yudhishthir call as I entered the room.

" Where were you priye? " He whispered and I smiled.

" With AJ. He wanted to talk to me.. It's been months since we met . " I flopped onto the vanity stool to remove my jewelry.

" I see, " He said, " Do you want help? " He asked, resting his hands on my shoulder, massaging them softly.

" No. I think I can manage, what about you? Tired? Today was a hectic day. I haven't had a chance to talk to you properly. "

I stood up and he smiled, holding my hands as he pulled us into the balcony.

" I'm fine priye. I agree. It's been so long since I looked at you. " He whispered and I laughed softly.

" You see me all the time, " I whispered and he smiled.

" I said I haven't looked at you. Really looked at you. " He said, then raised his hands to my face..

" You have wrinkles now, " He observed and I frowned.

" Is that what you wanted to say to me? That I'm aging? " I asked and he shook his head, a flash of worry crossing his eyes.

" No. No no, " He said, " I meant. You're growing wiser. Older. Smarter. Sagarika.. I've seen you with our children. I will never think of you as ugly... Didn't you sing that song some day? " He asked, then began humming.

" Come on, " I giggled and he shook his head.

" Come on.. I don't know the lyrics, just the tune, " He began and I smiled.

"Will you still love me when I'm no longer young and beautiful? " I asked and he nodded.

" I will. I will. I hope the same is for me... I heard women look more beautiful as they age. " He smirked and I laughed, hitting his chest.

" Idiot. Didn't you know. I'm just here for your money. The Samrat's money, " I smirked and he mock frowned.

" I'm wounded... " He said, grasping his heart, when we heard a throat being cleared by the door.

" Who's it? " I asked, shoving him away when he tightened his arms around me.

" We're behind the curtains Sagarika, " He whispered.

" Bhabhishree. I admire your singing... But we have some... Matters to attend. " Sahdev called and I blushed red.

" I'm going to paint this later. " He whispered and I put my head in my hands.

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

So... What's the matter..

Also.. This is one of my favourite songs.

Tell me how it was
.

Much love.

Radhekrishn ♥