" Really bhabhishree, all this time we could have just woken you up to light the main stoves in the kitchen when we were busy looking around for stones? " Was Bheem's question once I told them everything.

" Really Bhratashree? Is that truly your only concern? Bhabhishree, why would you and Jyeshth hide this from us? " Arjun asked.

"Well, not only me and Arya, Sahdev and AJ also know. Along with Devika and Sulohita.. Considering they are one too. " I cringed, hiding my face behind my husband's arms.

"Why do you worry so much. They don't blame you... Do you? " He asked, staring at three of his brothers.

"N-no no. Not at all. We're so proud to have bhabhishree. Aren't we Nakul? " Bheem said, smiling nervously as he bumped Nakul's shoulder.

"H-haan. Why not? It's such a blessing to have a goddess in the house. " He smiled, while Mata stood up finally to come to hold me.

"Such a life you had ahead of you. And my one decision-" She said.

"Nahi Mata. Why are you feeling sad? It's alright. I chose to come here didn't I? We'll be fine. " I said, smiling as she finally regained some of the light that shined in her eyes.

" Priye. I want to talk to you. Alone. " Yudhishthir said, suddenly standing up.

"But where? We're in a tunnel. " I said and he sighed, pulling me along.

We moved to a secluded area of the tunnel, where he sat me down on a rock, sitting next to me.

"Look Sagarika, I am sorry. Don't interrupt me. Please, I understand what you're saying and how it's your choice. But I can't help but think it's my fault. So, tell me how I can repay it. " He said, eyes downcast. I just told you it's not your fault... Should I shout that out too?

" Alright, well, you must, as we finally leave this place, bring me either lemons, or imlis, or even raw mangoes. "

"How will I find raw mangoes in this weather priye. " He laughed, pulling me to rest on his shoulder as we sat against the wall.

"It's us against the world Yudhishthir, not against each other. If I ever have a problem with you or you with me, we tell each other. Not fight. Understand?" I said, sighing as he picked up my hand to his face.

"I do. I hope you do too. If you won't tell me of the chasms that form in your heart, then how can I help you? Your pain and sorrow is mine too. " He said, pressing a kiss to the crown of my forehead.

"Bhabhishree! Jyeshth! " We heard and stood up. Slowly, as we came up to them, we saw how they had finally broken out somewhere.

"Where are we? " I asked.

"This is the banks of the river Ganga bhabhishree, the part right behind the  city of Varnavart. " Sahdev said.

" But then we must leave. Shouldn't we? " I asked, moving ahead.

"Yes, but first, we must change. Bheem, Arjun, Nakul, Sahdev, take off your jewelry, we'll travel to a nearby village to buy more clothes. " Yudhishthir said, as they dutifully followed his orders.

"But take mine too. " Mata said, a hand moving to take hers off as well when Sahdev stopped her.

"Mata, there are two reasons not to do that. Firstly, that I don't want you to be without your jewels, it isn't a good omen. Secondly, if we ever need to buy something urgently later, we might have use for these then. " He said, smiling.

"Alright. Let's go. " Bheem said, as Mata and I  sat by the river bed, with Nakul on guard.

" Mata, may I ask you a question. " I said and she looked up at me.

"What is it putri? Feel free. "

"Mata, if you knew Angraj was your son, why wouldn't you say so on the day of the pradarshani itself? Why wait till the time of my judgement? "

"I-putri. I was scared, I could not gather courage to go and say that to him. Even now he hasn't completely forgivwn me for my sin, how could I tell him earlier. " She said with moist eyes.

"But Mata, no child deserves to suffer for the sins if the elder. Similarly, if you had told him sooner, maybe he'd never be friends with Duryodhan at all. It could have been avoided. "

"It could, but putri. I was scared. I couldn't." She said, hiding her face.

But before I could say anything else, the others had returned.

" Alright, we'll change the clothes and move immediately. I am sure someone or the other will send spies, Mamashree won't just rest . " Bheem said.

"Uchit hai. " We said, as Mata and I moved behind a big cavern wall.

It was so unusual. It's hard to tie a saree as it is.. In the dark? It's impossible.

A frustrated sigh left my mouth as I began to reopen the pleats.

Mata looked up at that.

" Putri, aren't you practiced in wearing a saree? " She asked kindly.

"No Mata. We used to wear a different variation of it in Pragjyotishpur. Here they drape it differently. I can do it in the light but in this dark cavern, it's incredibly exhausting.

" I'll help. " She said and meticulously draped the saree, perfect.

We then walked out to see the brothers all changed, ready to move.

" Shall we? " Arjun asked as we began walking. Me and Yudhishthir in the front, Mata and Nakul Sahdev between us and Arjun and Bheem protecting them from behind.

" I brought you something. " Yudhishthir said, as he dug hiw hand into his makeshift dhoti pocket.

" Is it something to eat? " I asked, as he smiled.

"Yes, but this one is for you. I gave the others their share. " He said, fishing out a couple of imlis from his pocket.

" Oh my gosh! This is brilliant.. Yes yes you're forgiven! " I said, snatching the imlis away as I tore open the casings.

"What is so brilliant putri? "

"Mata look! I hot imlis! " I said, smacking my lips at the delicious sourness.

"Imlis? " She asked, smiling.

"Yes, didn't you all get them too? "

"We got something different putri, but imlis. Yes that's nice. " She said smiling.

As we walked a for a few more days, Yudhishthir would deliberately look for imli trees around where we would rest and each time Mata would be smiling secretively.

One such day.....

" Ooh more imlis! " I said, happily as I took in the first bite.

For once the taste was brilliant but I didn't feel that good.

"What? Are they rotten? I'm sure I picked the right one. " Yudhishthir said, borrowing one as he tried one too, eyes squinting in the most adorable way as he tried to digest the sourness.

But I couldn't appreciate the cute man that my husband is, because the next moment, I felt like I would empty my whole bowel out.

So I ran to a nearby bush, hearing the call of two very concerned voices,Mata and Yudhishthir.

"Putri, are you alright? " Mata asked, as she brought a pail of water with her, seating me down.

" I don't know Mata, maybe the imlis were rotten. I love sour food, but this didn't seem nice. " I said, wiping the remains of my disemboweled food off my mouth .

"Or is it something else? " Mata smiled.

Which is when Yudhishthir decided to run up to us, saying, " The imlis are fine. Are you alright? " He asked.

"Oh my dear son. She's more than alright. I just regret that this is taking place in a forest. This beautiful girl deserves the comforts of all the palaces. " Mata smiled, pulling me into a hug.

I reciprocated, looking at Yudhishthir with a questioning gaze .

"What happened Mata? Why will she not be alright. Is there something wrong? " He asked, those tiny wrinkles in the centre of his brow indicated the worry he tried to mask.

" Oh yes putr. I am so happy. You've made me happier than many. I'll tell the rest too. " She smiled, getting up.

As she walked away, I finally asked the question to which I knew the answer too, but I needed outside confirmation.

" Oh, you're with child putri... " She said, smiling as she went towards the others.

Yudhishthir and I looked at each other. Confusion on both our faces.

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I'm pretty sure 99% of you expected this...

Saag finally learns the meaning of 'I didn't plan it..'

Anyways, tell me in the comments... Three guesses Yudhishthir will faint
..

Do vote.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥