It might have worked in our favour when we reached the palace to find the King in a precarious situation just outside the palace doors. His wheel stuck in the mud, as he and his charioteer tried to pull it out.

AJ and Yudhishthir ran up to them, helping them out. After about fifteen minutes of labour, their pain brought its fruit as they released the wheel.

AJ being the opprotunist he was, walked away, mumbling one of his best poetries, the one he wrote for his wife when they caught the king's ears.

" Wait. You have helped me, please tell me your name, I wish to reward you handsomely, " He said, walking over to us.

Yudhishthir, though turned to me initially as I wiped the sweat from his brows turned around, standing strong.

" Maharaj, we're just travvelers here for a few years. If we could get some work to provide for our family, we'd be grateful. " He said, even though he didn't join his hands.

" You are the first person to not join your hands when you ask for work. Why? Do you not respect me? " The Maharaj asked, eyes studying his every move.

" If I were pleading you, I would join my hands. However I am presenting a request to you. You are free to deny it of you so wish and I would be no one to stop you, so why would I join hands? And, well, I hope you aren't hurt by this sentiment, but respect, at any position of success is earned and not demanded. We respect you, does that necessarily have to be shown by our hands joint in pleading? " My husband asked and the King smiled.

" You seem to be a wise man and your friend a classic poet. I invite you both tomorrow, to display your talents. If your wives, I am assuming they are too wish to work, they may meet the queen too. " He said, smiling as he went away before stopping and turning around to face us.

" Whose is the child? " He asked, running his hand over Mowgli's head.

" Mine my king and now that he is blessed by you he is also fortunate. " Devika said, bowing in respect...

" He's a strong child. Bring him with you. I wish to raise him as my own. " He said, horrifying us.

" Your majesty? " AJ asked, eyes wide in worry as Devi held her child closer.

" Not a moment longer. I have work. We shall discuss more tomorrow. " He said, striding away like the lion.

" What was that! " Devika exclaimed, her eyes widening and glistening with tears.

" Devi? Devi calm down. He must have some or the other meaning. Surely he doesn't mean to keep the child. " AJ tried.

" No Ajatshatru. It usually means that as long as the child in under the care of the king, you have your job. The moment you want to take him away, you loose your income. " Yudhishthir said.

" It's alright Mano. We'll figure it out." I said, pulling her into a hug as she clutched on to mowgli.

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" Would he truly take him away Yudhishthir? " I asked as I washed the saree I wore yesterday in the river, he was sitting by, sharpening a spear he was making out of a long stick.

" He could Priye. It's true. " He answered, though he was away in thought.

" What is it? " I asked, panting as I looked up at him. He was looking into the water, eyes focused, yet unfocused.

" Yudhishthir? " I asked and he startled.

" What did you ask my love? "

" Are you alright? What is it? " I said, this time drying my hands on the saree and moving to cup his face.

" What troubles you so Arya? " I asked and he looked at me amused.

" Since when do you call me that? " He asked and I laughed, watching as his face brightened.

" Well, you didn't listen to Yudhishthir. I thought something was amiss, " I said, staring deep into his eyes. They had been a mix of browns recently, maybe that's the effect of stress? I wouldn't know. But they changed colour at every angle I saw them.

His own hand made up my neck, situating itself at the nape of it before sighing.

" I miss Madhu priye," He whispered, eyes soft as he looked at me.

My own softened, emotional tears threatning to break free at his admission.

" Do you remember when she would barge into my office late at night, demanding I go to bed because' Mumma has been waiting for you Papa, she wants you to spend less time away from your second wife'. Me being shocked asked her what she meant and she tinkled with laughter, ' Oh papa. I don't truly know what that means. Mumma said that scrolls and books are your second wife. So spend some time with the first and her child — oh that's me! '. " He said, smiling as I sat next to him on the rock, putting my head on his shoulder to hold his hand.

" I remember. Don't you remember when she woke us up late at night to make matar kulcha for her. You should have seen your face! You looked so scandalised that she was enjoying it, seeing as you don't! " I chuckled and he pressed a kiss to my head.

" That's why this time is so important. I won't fail anyone of you again — no don't interrupt me, it's my way of motivating myself, " He said, standing up as we saw the sun setting.

" Well, I'll only tell you that you don't have to prove yourself to us. Either of us. " I took his hands and put them against our child, now that a very tiny bump was visible.

" I know. " He whispered, bending low to kiss against it, before standing up to extend the same to me.

" Ahem. Saag, agar teri prem kahani khat ho gayi ho, to khana lag gaya hai. Aaja. " AJ called.

(Saag, if you're done with your romance and love story, come have food, it's ready. )

" Mein aur meri patni kuch bhi karein, tumhein kya? "  I heard my husband reply and I nearly broke my neck at his casual words.

( whatever me and my wife do, what is it to you? )

"Isse hindi, aati hai! " AJ shouted and I laughed, walking up to AJ as I forced him to sit on his knees and jumped onto his shoulders, a piggy back ride.

" Teen mahine mere saath raha hai, last ke do hafton mein to pyaar bhi karne laga tha... Maine to, saare gaane bhi sikha diye hain... Tu kya karega re Kalia? " I said to him as Yudhishthir followed us, shaking his head at our childishness.

( He lived with me for three months, started to love me in the last two weeks too. I've taught him so many songs too. What are you going to do Kalia? {From the movie Kalia})

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Dinner that night was a tense environment, with that man, Mohan living in our house too.

I was eighty percent sure he was Krishn.

The last twenty was afraid mamashree had sent someone to spy on us.

So, when I stood in the garden, watering the plants, I felt a presence behind me.

Immediately, without saying anything, I turned around and threw the matka of water on his face.

Which was the best thing ever, since evidently, Krishn didn't think of supergluing his mustache and fake beard.

" Sakhi! It's so cold! " He rasped, shuddering as he peeled off the fake beard and mustache.

" Idiot. You're an absolute idiot! You followed us here! You'll expose us! " I growled and he smiled, before laughing in soft whispers.

" Sakhi, even if Duryodhan tries he cannot find me. No one can see me till I want them to. " He muttered haughtily.

" Oh really? " I asked, walking up to twist his ears.

" Ow! What is it! You're my friend or enemy? " He exclaimed, jumping away as he rubbed at his ears.

" I will become your greatest nightmare if you don't tell me what you're doing here! " I exclaimed and he sighed, sitting down before inviting me to sit next to him, my back to our room.

" I'm here to help you sakhi. You and your sisters. It's finally time for Mandik and Moshtik to die. " He answered, eyes hard.

" Oh! That! I didn't know you wanted to help. " I answered, unsure. Every time I asked him something about this he was like ' I don't know'. What was I to think.

" Sakhi. Don't worry. I'm here. " He said, resting his hand on mine.

" Shall we sleep? " I asked and he nodded, before crouching down to pick up his fake mustache.

" Really? Why not just tell them? "

" It's more fun this way. " He said chuckling.

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" Yudhishthir! Did you know! Mohan is Krishn only! " I exclaimed as he sat by the window, eyes looking straight ahead.

" Really?" He bit out, jaw tight.

" Oh come on. You're jealous? Of Krishn? " I asked and he laughed, it seemed hollow.

" I thought it was someone else. I was in a complete mind to kidnap you from there. " He said, turning around to face me.

" Haw! My Dharma is jealous? " I asked, running to him as he sighed, opening his arms.

" I was. I admit. I'm sorry I know you love me -"

" Shut up. Just shut up. " I said laughing at him.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" So, what is your decision? Would you give me the child to care for it? " Maharaj Sanjay asked, as he sat at his throne. Me and Yudhishthir stood back while AJ and Devi stood closer to the throne..

" Your majesty, he is our child and we could have no greater honour than have him live with you. But as I said, he is our child. I cannot give him to you, just because he acts as a security for my work here. I cannot let my child be a barter. I'm sorry. " AJ said, eyes strong and clear as he looked at the king.

It took the King a few moments to answer, with each moment making me think we were closer to death.

" You pass, " He muttered at last, before smiling, " You and your family have your jobs. You passed your test. Congratulations, you are now a poet. Every day, you must entertain the court with atleast three poetic masterpieces, while your friend there, he must help me in the affairs of the state. Won't you Mantri Kank? " He asked, looking at Yudhishthir who bowed in respect.

"Thank you your majesty. I'm grateful for this opportunity. " He answered.

And it would have been a wonderful day had I not felt the zipping of an arrow by my ear.

" Yudhishthir! " I shouted in panic, watching in horror the scene before me.

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Hehehehe...

Anyways, tell me how it was...

Much love

Radhekrishn ♥