Phase 2 - Hiding.

We had been moving in the tunnel for the past three days. After meeting Vishva, she too had moved towards the South to find Sudhuma. It was incredibly annoying to watch people come and go, but it was all in hopes of being with them once it was all over.

" Do you want to sit? " Yudhishthir asked as I huffed up the mountain side. Never did I think that I would get this much exercise when I was pregnant.

" No, I'm good. " I rasped, throat dry.

" Ajatshatru, we need to stop. " Yudhishthir called and I looked at him incredulously, before letting out a yelp as I was picked up by two strong arms.

" Just because we're all working hard doesn't mean you have to force yourself to be alright. Breaks are fine Priye. " He said, head bending low to my ears as I raised my hands to lock them around his neck.

" Where to Yudhi? " AJ asked, as Devika looked back at us, a little Rudra in her arms..

" We should leave towards the palace. We'll work there as part of the kingdom. You and Devi Mano can introduce yourself and Rudra as a family, hoping to find work. Maybe as cooks, cleaners. Painters and poets if you manage to impress the King. Maybe he'll let you be a part of his sabha as a court entertainer. " Yudhishthir told them, as we sat inside a cave.

" And what about you two? " Devika asked, one hand on my shoulder, " She's pregnant jijashree. Even in her first she had to endure more physical torture than required. Allow her a proper rest this time please? " She said and although I'm completely sure she meant it as a simple act of care for my wellbeing, it was not received as that.

A flash of hurt crossed his features as I looked up at him. It took him a moment to refocus and when he did, he avoided my eyes entirely.

Great.

" It's alright. We're all tried. We should sleep. I'll take first watch -"

" No, you should sleep Ajatshatru. I'll take first watch. " Yudhishthir said, eyes betraying the hurt he masked with his ever calm voice as he stood up an walked out, without even looking at me.

" Devi! " I mumbled, putting my head in my hands.

" But it's true. You have suffered more by marrying into this family than anyone. " She exclaimed.

" Devi, calm down. You must understand, this isn't the moment to say all this. Saag chose her path. Trust her to know that she's chosen right. " AJ said to her, but the damage had been done.

" You don't understand because you don't know! You don't know how broken she was when Dharmendr was to be engaged to Agnidev's daughter. She was quite ready to quit, if not for Agnidev's daughter's stern refusal, saying that she couldn't give her heart to someone who's soul already belonged to another. You do not know the relentless torment that soul has brought with it in her life. " She said, eyes tearing up.

" But Mano, you must know. I had every chance to leave. I could have, but I wanted my daughter to have the love of her father. To know how good of a man he was. Wouldn't you want Rudra to know about AJ? " I asked and she sighed, nodding.

" I'm sorry, I'm just trying to look out for you. " She muttered.

I stood up to pull her into a hug.

" I know that, but your mouth runs faster than your mind. It's alright, calm down. Go rest. I love you. " I told her and she smiled.

Next stop.... Husband.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

"

You should sleep. It's too late. " I heard him say as I walked out of the cave, where he stood, watching over the cliff, eyes surveying the entire valley.

I knew he wouldn't listen to me right away, so I did the next best thing.

" Sagarika? I told you, go sleep. " He muttered as I put my arms around his waist, my face resting against his strong shoulders, ones which held too much weight upon themselves.

" No. " I answered, when he dropped his head back, the curls nearly tickling my eyes.

" Sagarika? What childishness is this, go sleep my love. " He answered, extricating my hands from around him.

" No. " I answered trying to sound petulant as I held on tighter.

" Sagarika please, " He whispered, his voice pleading.

" Tell me what's troubling you and I'll leave. I promise I will leave the moment you tell me, no questions asked. " I asked, raising my head over his shoulder.

" Sagarika. Please go to sleep. " He asked and I sighed.

" I'm, not leaving until you -"

" What is it you want me to say? That I feel like I failed you and my children? That I couldn't be strong enough to survive a sword to the stomach to fight for my own wife? That I couldn't gather the courage to leave the forests when it wasn't right? " He burst out, heaving.

I sighed, closing my eyes as I looked down and said, " Thank you, " Before turning around.

" W-where are you going? " He asked, panting as he grabbed onto my wrist.

" I promised you, I wouldn't stay, no questions asked if you tell me what's wrong. I'm going as per my promise, but it seems you've forgotten yours. The one you made to me when Madhu was born." I said and he snarled.

" And what promise was that? " He asked.

" That you would support me when I would stand by you, just as much as I would support you when you would stand by me through thick and thin. I will make you the offer your mother made me when we stepped into the agyatvas eight years ago. Leave, you'll have a better life - "

" How can you think I would abandon you ! You're my wife, I love you. I will not leave you to fend for yourself, no matter who is there with you. "

" Then why is it that this doesn't apply to me! I'm your wife and you my husband! I couldn't leave you to fend for yourself just as you won't leave me! " I heaved, breath catching short as I looked up at him.

"Your sister is right. I have put you through far too much -"

" I wasn't aware you married Devika. Mind telling me when that happened? " I snarled and he looked taken aback.

" Excuse me? What do you mean by that?" He asked, eyes blown wide in surprise and pain.

"You are giving more heed to Devi's comments about my health when I was with you than my promise. I thought you married her. We are in a marriage. Two souls! Not three. No outsider, family member or not should influence the decision we made as a couple. You're married to me, not her. " I said, walking back to him.

" But I do feel like that. It's not her words, it's my own realisation-"

" And I told you already to stop blaming yourself! You're just creating your own weakness! " I exclaimed, then held on to my temple.

All this arguing was giving me a serious migraine.

" Sagarika? Sagarika? H-hold on. " He sprung into action, looking for the nearest stream of freshwater to bring some for me.

As he sat down with the pail of water, I downed it before looking at his worried face.

" How can you think you failed when you wake up at night to make me tea even when you're nearly dead tired yourself, just so that I don't hurt myself? You run from here to there, picking me up even as I gain weight and become heavier -I know I am, don't interrupt me. How can you think you failed when you cared for Mini just as your own child? When you gave more love to, Madhu then I can ever imagine, in fear of you wishing for a first born son and mistreating her being a daughter. I was so scared if your reaction to her being a female and my heart was at peace when I saw you loving that child more than I had seen you cherish anyone in this world! As for the sabha. I asked you to go. I'm sure if I were the one, with roles reversed,you wouldn't let me grieve for being unable to help you. Marriage is never fifty fifty Yudhishthir. It can go from a sixty forty, to a ninety ten if need be, but if we manage to keep that balance we'll be fine. You need to be able to brave your fear of not being enough, like you made me face mine. I never felt that I would fit, a modern girl amongst a whole kingdom of people not from my time Or culture. But you made sure I could make my place, I'm asking you to make yours. Believe that you're enough. Because I know that you are more than. You forget that I married you because of how you are as a man. " I said to him, holding on to his hands and pulling his forehead to rest against mine as he shuddered.

" I understand. I understand. " He muttered, as sobs wracked his body. Poor man, he never had a moment to grieve in his life, his father, his family, the Lakshagrih, our lives in the forest.

" Yudhishthir, I know there are more poetic ways to, say this, but I can't do poetry. You know me. So I'll be honest. I love you. " I told him, as he calmed down.

" You should sleep. " He mumbled.

Really? Again?

But as if tracking my thoughts he pulled me into his side as we settled against the rocks outside the cave, " I meant here. " He whispered, moving my hand to rest against his strong heart, which beat with a greater fervour now that he looked past his fear.

" What will we do in the kingdom? " I asked and he sighed.

" Well, I was hoping to become a part of the ministers council. Should be engaging. I am good at political affairs. This should be the best option. " He said, pulling me closer, a hand over our children as he ran comforting circles on the skin exposed by the saree.

" I agree. We'll figure out what I will do later. I love you. " I mumbled, raising my head to press a kiss to his cheek as I closed my eyes, listening to his heartbeat.

" I love you too. I promise I won't fail you this time. " He muttered.

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

A very feely emotional chapter... And they still haven't reached Vajji

So, tell me how it was.

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥