Devi and I had simply been cherishing the last moments we had with mowgli...

Don't scold me. I know we still haven't decided on a name.

The night before Krishn would come to Pragjyotishpur, as we finally settled our son between us, I saw Devi rapidly blinking her eyes.

"Wash them. " I murmured, so as to not wake my sleeping son as she looked up at me with eyes that felt accused.

"What? " She asked, sniffling.

" Go wash your eyes if there is something in them Devi, " I said softly, pushing her hair out of her face.

" N-no. There's nothing in them, " She choked out, clearing her throat.

"Then who is it that has brought tears in your eyes. Is it me? " I asked gently, interlocking our fingers in the air.

" No. Not-not you. I just -I don't want him to go. " She whispered,crossing her eyes to hide the onslaught of emotions that took over her caramel eyes. When she was delighted, as she was when all three of us would be playing in the gardens, her eyes, those beautifully mesmerising caramel eyes would be a true honey trap for all the pessimists to turn over to the other side.

Now, wrought with the pain of leaving her child, they looked earthy brown. Her youthfulness would drown in the pain of separation.

" Devi — "

" No no. I know. Don't tell me I am overreacting, because I know I am -"

" I never said that darling," I said, sitting up as I pulled her up with me.

" Come here. " I whispered to her, as I took her out on the balcony of the room, under the gold inlay swing we got as a present from Sagarika and Yudhishthir as a marriage anniversary gift.

" Why are we here, he'll wake up —"

" He'll be fine. You and I need to talk, " I told her, sitting on the swing before inviting her in.

As I settled her against my chest, I pulled her face close to mine.

" You are not overreacting.  You should never feel that letting your child, one we just had, being taken away won't hurt you. It will. It hurts me too. It's why I have a plan, " I told her, carding my hands through her hair as she looked up with wide and curious eyes.

" What is it? "She whispered, eyes glassy at any chance, grappling for any miracle which may keep her child with her.

" Even Saag and Yudhi would have to take care of their child, theirs hasn't even been born yet. So, I say, that we send ours away when they plan to send theirs.. Never. " I said and she looked up at me in alarm.

" What do you mean? They are going to have to -"

" They won't be. By the time they want to, their child will already be nearly four or five years old. So will ours. We aren't planning to extend this agyatvas (incognito exile) beyond five years anyways. Only Madhu will be going. That too, because as Yudhishthir said, she can simply go to kanyakul. It will be beneficial for her too, " I said to her, looking at her eyes  visibly relaxing in relief as she sighed.

" Have I ever told you that you are the reason for every breath I take? " She asked, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

" Why do you find such creative ways to say 'I love you '  and I am stuck using the same? " I asked her and she tinkled with soft laughter.

" That's because people from Kaliyug cannot romance. Have you seen Karali? Her best response each time is to start singing. Only now that she has started to regain her memories is when she has begun to — "

"Okay! I don't need to know what they do behind closed doors! And neither should you! "

" Not my fault that she's been in love with the man since eons — " She slapped a hand to her mouth, eyes widening in surprise.

(INTIMACY AHEAD. READER DISCRETION ADVISED)

"Devi... What do you mean she loved the man for eons?" I asked, as she smiled, giggling.

" Well that's a story for her to tell. After all it's her love story. " She smirked.

" What have I told you about your smirk —" I broke off, pulling her up to me for a passionate kiss. Every time I pressed my lips against her it felt like a different one altogether, new, exciting, yet still at home.

" And I'll, still continue to do so, until I completely overtake you, mind, body and soul. " She answered, breaking away to trail her kisses down to my neck.

" And I'm still at lost for words. Help me. " I told her and she giggled.

" Well," She whispered, pressing one more near the base of my throat, before resurfacing to look me dead in the eyes.

"You have to think of what you feel from the bottom of your heart. You're a poet aren't you , use that talent. " She whispered, pulling me back into an enchanting kiss. I pulled her closer, one hand in her hair and the other at her back. She looked so beautiful, even more now ever since she had given birth to our son, glowing. And without her fire I might tell you.

" With the radiance of the sun in your beautiful face, I watch you as you walk towards me, carrying the light of a thousand twinkling stars in your eyes." I whispered,

" Very good, you're doing well. What else?" She asked, eyes closing as I ran my hands across her back, pulling her closer, if possible. I'm pretty sure we were about to fall off the swing.

" Your smirk is the Pool of water, as I Tantalus,  drawing me in yet keeping me just as far. One taste of your lips is all this starved man asks, for when you do, I'm sure, my heart will be yours, just as the pearl is nurtured by the sea. " I answered, when she looked at me confused, yet her eyes held appreciation for what I had said, albit amused.

" Who's Tantalus? " She asked.

" After all I say and that is your response?" I pulled back, looking at her with wide eyes.

" Well you have to cater your words for the person you're saying them too -"

" Shh. Not one word more. I tried okay! " I exclaimed softly and she laughed.

" Alright. One pass. " She grinned, before pressing her lips against mine one last time.

" Shall we sleep? " I asked her as she sat, drawing weird shapes on my arm that held her.

" Alright. Promise me, you won't let him go away —"

" You trust me don't you? " I asked and she nodded.

" Good. "

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" You're not sending him! I'm so glad! " Saag squealed as she ran over to pull Devi into a hug.

" You are? " She asked hesitant, she was worried the others would accuse her of being too attached.

" Of course! I'd like to not be alone while taking care of a child."

" But I'm here — " Her husband began, confused.

" It's different Yudhishthir."  She said offhand. He looked even more befuddled.

" I can't imagine how much it might hurt... Letting Madhu go is a stab in the heart and she's willing to go! " She exclaimed.

" Saavdhan. Dwarikadheesh Shree Krishn, padhar rahe hain! "

" Krishn is here. " Devi said, while Saag visibly became more and more despondent.

" It's alright, you won't be alone. " He whispered to her, as her eyes closed, tears streaming down her face.

"Saag -"

" Let her be. Let her cry. It'll help to be able to fight her fears later. " Devi stopped me, as I had begun to make my way to her.

" Sakhi, don't you worry. Your daughter will be safe. I will make sure she doesn't forget you. " Krishan said to her, walking into the room.

Out of the blue, she say down near his feet, sobs wracking her body.

" Sakhi! "He exclaimed, crouching down by her side, he placed his hand at her head, confusion in his own.

" Thank you. You don't know how grateful I am for you. You've been there for me, as a friend, as my supporter, my brother.  You took Mini's responsibility,  now my daughter's. The dyut sabha, my parents deaths, my grandparents, all my life you've been here. I cannot thank you enough. " She cried, hands joint in front of him.

" Ajatshatru, please bring my shoes. " He ordered all of a sudden.

"What? " I asked confused.

" Krishn?" Yudhishthir asked, eyes hardening in protection of his wife.

" Please, bring my shoes. " He reiterated.

"Alright." I said, walking near the doors to bring them to him.

With one in hand, he gently tapped it over her shoulders.

" The next time you thank your sakha, I will personally run after you with a stick. And on holi, you will be doused in so many colours you won't even be able to recognize yourself. Understand? " He asked her and she nodded, laughing, wiping her tears away.

" Come Madhu, bid your parents goodbye." He called and she walked in, a picture of beauty even at the age of eight.

As she walked up to her father, who tried his level best to be firm and well, himself, she clutched him in a hard goodbye hug and he couldn't resist the singular tear that made it's way down her face. Putting his hands around her, he picked her up, pulling her into a closer hug, as he whispered something in her ears and she snickered.

" Mumma, the floor will drown in your tears. Come on, now smile. You have said haven't you, you shouldn't bid someone adieu in tears. " She giggled, as her mother got up, making their group hug even more special.

Softly, she sat down, pulling her in her lap.

" Be sure to study well, don't play with people who might want to use you, make friends with honest people, do not, go against your guru mata and most of all, have fun. I love you." She said, giving her daughter one last hug.

" Mummy, tell me one last time... Is there really a baby in there? " She asked, giggling as she pointed at Saag's stomach.

I burst into laughter, as did the others, as Madhu blushed.

" Yes there is... And you'll see him or her soon. Now, I'll see you soon. Be well. " She whispered to her daughter, who smiled, finally getting up.

" Mama. " She said, walking up to me.

" Yes Gudu? " I asked and she crossed her arms, looking at me with a stare that could rival Yudhishthir's .

"Where is my parting present. Didn't you promise me one? In exchange of me going without crying? " She asked.

Sly kid... She's definitely Saag's daughter.

" Ha. Your mami has it. Ask her. " I said and she looked at Devi expectantly, who glared at me.

" Your mama may be a forgetful idiot, but I am not. Here is your present. " She said, opening her hand to  reveal a small hairpin, with a golden flame at its end. Along with the flame, there was a pop of colour, with the flame displaying shades of blue, green, red and black as it shined against the light.

" This is beautiful! " She exclaimed pulling us into a hug.

" It is isn't it? The flame's your mumma, and the colours your papa. Now they'll be with you no matter what. " I said to her and Saag sniffled again.

" I love you mama. All the best mami. Rudransh should be well taken care of. I'll be back to snuggle him soon! " She exclaimed.

" Rudransh? Who's that?" Yudhishthir asked, as if on protective dad mode.

" Mama and mami's  son papa!"

" So you named him Rudransh? " Devi chuckled.

" Why not? It's a beautiful name. Mumma says he is like that. Rudransh. Beautiful and pure. " She gushed.

" Alright then. Our son will be Rudransh. " Devi announced when I sighed.

" Well, atleast the nickname won't be weird like Saag. Or Yudhi. Rudra. We can call him Rudra. Seriously, can't you have had better names — " I evaded a slap from Saag, jumping away.

" Shall we Madhu? " Madhusudan asked, as she grinned.

"Ever ready mama Krishn. "

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Sooo... Did you gus like the name?

Tell me how it was in the comments.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥