We walked into the city of Vajji.. I must say, it was rather beautiful and I understand now why people actually want to go to Sikkim.

There were beautiful fields, full of rice crops and tea leaves, along with rows and rows of rhododendron trees. The slight chill in the air created a mist, which offered the much exciting surprise at every turn we made. There were people outside their houses, wearing their versions of saree and dhoti, with fur like capes.

" This is beautiful. " I mumbled and Devika agreed, holding on to my arm.

"It truly is Karali. I wish we could stay here forever. " She sighed dreamily.

" Come on girls. We need to move urgently, " AJ said, as we made our way through the corridors.

" Sir, excuse me, do you have a place to stay here? " Yudhishthir asked, while we stood behind him.

" We do, so who are you? " The man asked as his wife came out. They were an old couple, grey hairs around their head and a limp in his walk as he moved out to greet us.

" He is Dharma, I'm Dharmapriya, this is my sister, Madhu, and this is her husband and my brother, Alok. " I introduced, quickly interjecting my husband's words of truth.

" I'm sorry. You people appear to be suspicious. How would I know you aren't-"

" Arya, they have a child and the other is pregnant, surely it is adharm to deny them a safe haven. It's not good or honest to deny a pregnant woman shade. Come in please, I'll help you settle. " His wife tried and he sighed, nodding us in.

" Thank you so much, devi. " AJ said and she smiled.

" Not to worry. I've always heard that good deeds always bring peace to life. I am trying my own way of making that statement come true. Please, stay here. You and your child and husband can, go here Devi Madhu, while you and your husband can rest here. " She said, showing us two rooms in their house.

" Once again, we are incredibly grateful for your generosity. " Yudhishthir said to her, before we entered our room.

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" We've found a good place to rest no? " I asked Yudhishthir, before flopping onto the bed.

" We have and it's important we find out what we have to do next, " He answered, mind elsewhere as he paced around the room.

" Dharma, calm down. We'll figure it out. We have to live here for five years —"

" Yes but I need to find a way to support you and our young one. I need to find a job, " He answered, sighing as he hung his head low.

I stood up then, walking up to him, putting my hands around his neck to rest his forehead against mine.

" And you will. I'll help too, don't you worry so much. We're together aren't we? We'll manage. " I said to him, placing one palm against his cheek.

" Yes but, " He began, pulling the hand on his cheek to press a kiss inside the palm, " What if I have no job. How will we find a way to raise him or her? " He asked and I signed, " When did my husband become this pessimistic? The one who professed his love to me, unknowing of my reaction? The one who steps into problems after analysing them well enough? If and I mean this only for you, if we don't find work, well, I can go and clean clothes and houses, it is a good paying job —"

" Absolutely not. Your hands are made to only touch the most beautiful of flowers, the softest of silks and the gentlest of waters in streams. You will not do this. I will make sure you don't have to. " He said, placing one hand over my mouth.

(INTIMACY AHEAD. READER DISCRETION ADVISED)

" You do realise then that I can't touch your face? " I asked and he looked flabbergasted.

" What? " He asked, eyes wide in confusion.

" Well, you have stubble. It's prickly. Didn't you just say -aahe "I laughed as I was tackled over to the nearest wall one palm behind my head to prevent collision.

" Really? I thought you enjoyed it? " He muttered into my shoulders, deliberately rubbing his cheek against the groove in my neck.

" When -aah. When did I say that? " I asked, avoiding his tickling hands as they tried to provoke a laugh from me.

" My dear beloved wife. How dare you say you do not like this when you clearly like how it feels against —"

" Alright! We're in someone else's home! " I exclaimed, pulling his face away from my neck as it had begun to slither down.

" What will you do when I grow it out completely? We can't stay bare faced here can we? " He asked, staring at me with deep eyes, eyes that reflected only pure love and desire.

" I'll, have you know I'll be very sad. I like your clean shaven look. " I said and he laughed, running his hands up and down my arms.

" You do realise we are married don't you? We aren't sneaking around? " He asked, nuzzling his nose against mine.

" I do, but we are still at someone's house!" I said, giggling.

" Oh? So now you're being modest? What about the time we visited Dwarika and were supposed to be outside... Where were we then dear wife? " He whispered, mouth moving to bite my ears.

" We were not —"

" Mahoday Dharma! Please come out. We have something to discuss. " Came the voice of the house patriarch.

" Ahem. Yes he's coming- what are you doing? " I whispered as he flipped me around, trapping my hand between us and resting his head in the nook of my neck.

" Why, I'm being a very comsiderate husband don't you think? Not hurting our child? " He said, pressing one final kiss to my temple before moving away.

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" So we leave for the courts tomorrow. There has to be a way to earn a job in the palace? " Devika said, cradling Rudra in her arms as he smiled up at her.

" We do. If our plan works out correctly, Mantri Kank will become the King's favoured man and AJ will have some or the other trick up his sleeve to impress the king. " I added.

" But if we do land the job, what guarantee is it that they chaotic idiots from Hastinapur won't find us? " AJ asked.

" They'll never look for us below the station of kings and queens. They are quite arrogant. They won't pay attention to background workers. " Yudhishthir said, jaw tight.

" He's right. Our main focus should be to find jobs. Not worry about them. " Devi said.

We were just about to conclude when we heard a knock on the door. Getting up to open the door, I saw a man, dressed in the most unusual set of clothes I had seen.

" Yes? Who are you? " I asked.

" My name is Mohan! I'm a traveller! Come on, let me in now! "He said, barging into the house.

" Mohan? " I asked confused and he turned around with a glint in his eyes.

" You could also call me Manmohan. I go by both names. " He said, smirking and walking away, a spring to his step.

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Ahh? Who's there?

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Much love

Radhakrishn ♥