The morning after AJ's wedding was chaotic to say the least.

There were tearful goodbyes, questioning glances and sneaking secrets.

"But putri, why must you leave! Such a delicate condition of both you and your child. " Mata tried telling me as I trudged along the room with slow steps to pack a few clothes for Gudu, along with a few necessities like water, food.

Yudhishthir had gone outside to talk to AJ and my father.

"Mata, I must go. I promised mata Kunti, besides, they are just as much my family as I am yours. They need my support too. " I held her palms into mine as she stood in front of me, distraught.

" But -"

"Mata, I promise, we'll figure a way out of this problem. Mata Kunti was under the impression that there is no point in going back to Hastinapur when all it has done for us is take away our lives. So we went into hiding for so many months. We will leave there, soon, but not yet. Not when there is so much to do. " I soothed her worries.

" Alright putri, I understand, but please-come back soon, even if you live somewhere else. Please! " She murmured.

" I understand Mata and I won't be too far away. " I answered as she pulled me into a hug.

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That day as I was getting ready to leave by wearing the cream coloured simple cotton saree, I felt the stare of two piercing eyes in the back of my head.

"What is it? " I asked my husband who sat on the bed holding our daughter.

I couldn't hear his answer but I did hear quiet steps approaching me. I looked up to see a veil of serenity when the eyes were storms of concern and a fair share of anger.

Silently, he rearranged the entire pallu, re-draping it across my shoulder as it hung against my shoulder.

"What is it? " I asked again, turning his eyes to mine..

"You don't deserve this. Our daughter doesn't deserve this. Living in the shadows, hiding from the world. I don't want to go against mata but this isn't the life I wanted for you. " He whispered, joining our foreheads and closing his eyes.

What brought this on?

" But we accepted it didn't we? Mata-"

"I know what Mata said my love, but I can't imagine you two living like this. Our daughter is a beautiful girl who deserves all the comforts and happiness of life. I am raising my child just like how we were raised. In the forests. " He said, jaws set hard.

"But look at what a fine young man you've turned out to be. I wouldn't have married you if I didn't know that. Even if Krishn forced me, which I know he never will, I would never have married you if I wasnt sure. Our daughter will learn the most important of lessons in life -"

"Don't you understand! I know she will! But at the cost of lack of comfort, basic amenities. We lived in a hut in a forest near a village Sagarika, we were well accessed to amenities. But she won't be! " He cried out and I looked at him.

"I don't understand? You're asking that of me? I understand more than you could ever hope! I didn't want to travel in the forest, after having a baby at nineteen, with no physical hygiene! I never wanted to have to go through such physical attrocities after birth that I cry each night when we finally have sleep. She finds solace in your arms and not mine! Each night I have to wake up, tired from the day but I do it! Because I love her! I also want her to have all the comforts and happiness of the world! But comfort and happiness don't always go hand in hand! We will ensure her comfort anyways, what I ensure by staying with you is her happiness! If I wanted to I would have left for Dwarika long back, it's not as if I would be unwelcome there! " I shouted. We were both panting, anger and worry visible on both our faces, when the sound of my daughter crying broke my heart.

I rushed towards the bed, and for once, it didn't take long for me to figure out why she was crying.

"Oh no! Poor you, you're soiled. Come, I'll change. " I cooed to her as I took one look at my husband and moved towards the bathing chambers in the room.

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As if realising that today was not the day to annoy me, my daughter had been incredibly patient, even as she watched me with wide eyes, moving around the room for water and a fresh change.

" Aha! Now we're all clean. " I said, nuzzling her face and I saw an attempt to smile.

"You like that? Don't you! " I did it again, warning another smile, gummy yet one of the most beautiful ones I had seen.

"Mata is right! You do have a sweet smile. What about a name like that! What would we call you? " I asked as she gurgled.

"No? You don't know? It's alright. We'll ask papa to find a name worthy of the princess of our hearts. Won't we? Won't? " I rocked her in my arms.

"Sagarika, you must leave. " I heard AJ say from the door. He looked just as disheartened to see me go as I was to leave him here.

" Promise me you'll take care of them." I asked and he nodded stoically, pulling me into a side hug.

"I know. Be careful. If he annoys you too much, punch him in the guts and get out of there. " He whispered as he took one longing look at my daughter.

"Goodbye Gudu. I hope we meet again soon. " He spoke softly, as if to not disturb her sleep.

" Karali? " Devika asked, as I turned around to see her. She had tears in her caramel brown eyes.

"Don't cry so much... People will say my brother has tormented you the first day of your marriage. Come on.. We'll meet soon. Now that we know we have to defeat those two monsters... Won't we? " She and I could only nod silently, her agreement and my reassurance.

As we made our way into the main hall, I saw Yudhishthir talking to my father.

"Pitashree I -"

"I won't question your decision. I know you will choose right. I trust you.. But please. Come back soon. " He whispered.

"I will pitashree. Don't you worry. " I promised him, walking out.

Yudhishthir looked as if he was still upset about the events, however volunteered to take Gudu in his arms.

" Bhrata,please get a chariot ready for me. " I asked him, refuting my husband's request.

"Sagarika. What? " My brother asked confused.

"Putri, you'll hurt yourself, sit in the palki. " Mata said, while I smiled at her.

"Mata, my daughter doesn't like the heat of a palki. It's alright, we'll go on the chariot. " I smiled and before anyone else could say anything, I sent one pleading look at AJ, hoping he'll understand.

"It's alright mata, I'm sure Sagarika understands if she'll injure herself. She's capable enough to know her and her daughter's well being." He answered, finishing the conversation.

'Thank you'. I mouthed to him as I walked out of the main hall and he smiled in understanding.

"Sagarika, please, you'll hurt yourself-"

"If you didn't hear Yudhishthir, my brother did just say that I can look after my physical needs and health. I will be fine. " I told him, hiding my face away.

"I-alright." He muttered, moving away to his horse softly.

I know I'm being stubborn.

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If my face was any indication of my physical pain, you would assume I was being poked with hot knives.

It was true, although the ride was comparatively smotther on the chariot, the bumps were felt harder.

"Aah." I winced as I clutched on to my abdomen , as we crossed another small bump.

My daughter had been sleeping peacefully throughout all this it seemed. A child after my own heart, sleeping during the car rides.

We stopped at a nearby pond for water and foods for the charioteers and the horses.

I slowly made my way down the chariot to find my husband standing there.

"I want to take her for a while. " He asked.

"Alright. Here you go. " I said, gently handing her over.

"Sagarika wait. " He said softly and I turned around to see him, his disheartened face broke my heart.

"I'm sorry. " He said again and I looked at him confused.

"About what? I am glad we were able to clear our difference. You feel a certain way, why would you apologize for that? " I asked, genuinely confused.

Just because I don't agree with what he says doesn't mean he's not entitled to have his own opinion. His worry wasn't baseless, but his obduracy to not listen to a word I said hurt more.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, mor did I ever say that your sacrifices are worthless. I never meant to say that you don't care. " He yearned and I sighed.

" It's fine. " I said, turning around when I tripped on a small rock on my path, about to fall when a hand shot to grab my arm.

"What are you doing! Are you an idiot. Don't you see where you are walking?" I heard being said and I looked up to see a heartbroken husband.

"I'm fine. You don't need to worry so-"

"Don't you dare! Don't you dare tell me not to worry! I am your husband! It's my job to worry. " He exclaimed.

"Look Sagarika. I understand what you said and I'm sure you understood what I said. I know there are some things I didn't mean to say but were interpreted as such. I am sorry for doubting you. " He cried.

My heart melted, not at his apology but his eagerness to make things the way they were before.

"I'm glad. And I'm sorry for not trying to see your way. I never meant to say that you don't help or I am jealous of you for being able to calm her -"

"Oh I know you're jealous. " He said smirking.

Is that how this was going to be? Fine.

"Alright. Anyways, come, we'll all ride on the chariot. " I answered and he finally smiled. And I found myself reciprocating it too.

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The tension.... Could be cut by glass...

Tell me how it wa sin the comments  and do vote.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥