Ram

Ram: ABHI!!? (I shouted making him step back in fear.)

Abhi : Mera vo tatparya nahi tha Bhai. I'm sorry. I'm just worried about my Bhabhi. She's like a mother to me. And I couldn't accept another woman as my bhabhi when she was present in front of us. (I didn't mean it that way bhai......) (He said feeling guilty but Ram moved away from there heading out of the room.)

All the elders came towards Ram's room hearing a shout but were shocked to see him angrily walking out of his room. They got inside only to see Abhi crying on the floor like a child.

Subhadra went towards him and hugged him trying to console her son.

Subhadra: Putr! What happened to you? Did you fight with Ram? Why is he angry? And please stop crying, I can't see you in sorrow. (She said with teary eyes making the son of Arjuna hug her tightly hiding his face in her neck.)

After some time of consoling him, Abhi sat down properly and said nervously.

Abhi: I just asked if he doesn't love Bhabhi anymore as he was clearly ignoring Rajkumari Ananya. (He said and looked down as he knew he was at fault.)

Draupadi : Tumhe aisa nahi kahna chahiye tha putr. Hame chodo. Tum to swayam dekha tha tumhari bhai kitna pyar kartha hai Aarna se. Unki prem par shak karna matlab unki saara jeevan par shak karne ki saman hai. Jao jaake kshama maango usse. (You should have never said that son. Leave us. But you saw with your own eyes how much your brother loves Aarna right? Doubting his love for her is equal to doubting his whole life. Go and ask for his forgiveness.)(She said caressing his hair while he just nodded disappointed at himself.)

Arjun sighed looking at his son's acts. He's indeed very childish and Ram spoiled him so much.

Ram

I came out of my room heading towards a secluded place wanting to be alone. I didn't stop even after looking at Dad along with other family members looking at me with worried expressions.

My legs moved automatically towards a familiar place that I and Aru used to visit whenever we go to Dwarka. The place is wholly different now. I was able to identify it only by looking at the temple a few meters away from it.

I sat down on the wet soil while the waves of the sea started hitting my legs making me relaxed.

Maybe my life was meant to be this way. Filled with pain and sorrow. Maybe God thinks I don't deserve happiness. Hearing those harsh words from the kid which he brought up with his own hands made his heart torn into pieces. I loved her so much that when someone questions my genuinity I couldn't control my rage.

My lips wobbled at the uncontrollable pain I was feeling right now. I continued staring at the sky which was now getting devoid of light as the sun was setting.

My chain of thoughts came to an end when I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I didn't turn around and said.

Ram: I want to be alone for some time. Whoever you are go away. (I said in a slow whispery tone not wanting to be harsh but that person ignored my words and sat beside me.)

I looked at my side only to see Ananya sitting on the wet sand clapping her hands signalling towards the servants she brought with her to give her privacy.

Ram: Aap yaha? Raath hone ko hain rajkumari. Aap palace ke bahar kya kar rahe the itni rath. (You here? It's getting dark Rajkumari. What are you doing outside the palace this late?)(I questioned her worriedly.)

Anu: I can ask you the same question, Rajkumar. Bathayiye kya hua. Jo aapne itni udaas expression lekar yaha baitha. Kahi aapko chot tho nahi lagi? (Tell me what happened. What's the reason that you put on this sad expression and sat here? Are you injured by any chance?)(She said worriedly scanning my body to find any.)

Ram : Haan chot lagi hain mujhe. Do you know any medicine for it? (Yes, I got a wound....)(I said looking directly at her eyes not wanting to think of anything as I just need some comfort for now.)

She moved close to me. Her hands touched mine. My breath hitched at the close proximity.

Anu: Dikhayiye. Kaha pe peeda ho raha hain. (Show me. Where are you feeling pain.)(She said holding my wrist and then my biceps.)

I moved closer, held her hand and kept it on my heart.

Ram: Here. It's paining a lot. Do you know any medicine for it? (I said looking into her eyes.)

Her eyes started shedding tears at my miserable state.

Anu: you don't need medicine for it Rajkumar. You just need a person to hu-(I didn't let her complete her sentence and hugged her tightly breaking into sobs.)

My head buried in her neck inhaling her fresh rose fragrance calming my mind.

I clutched her hands tightly still crying and hiccupping. She didn't reciprocate the hug as she was shocked.

I thought she was not comfortable and was about to pull out when I felt her hands wrapping around my body her hand caressing my hair and her other stroking my back. She closed all the gap left between us literally sitting on my lap.

Her face touching mine from the side made it so comfortable for me. This is what I missed these all months. To be held in the arms of the woman I loved. I just want the time to stop.

After some minutes I finally calmed down and broke the hug as I still remember the vow I took. I couldn't get close to her again. But she keeps on finding ways to get close to me.

Ram: I'm sorry Rajkumari, if I made you uncomfortable.

Anu smiled at him and said.

Anu : Aap jo sabhi ko dikhate hain Vo aap hain nahi. Maine sahi kaha na Rajkumar. (You are not what you show to everyone. I'm telling the truth right Rajkumar?)

Ram: Matlab. I didn't get you. (Meaning..)

Anu : Bahar se aap bahut khadoos dikhte hain kintu aapka hriday bilkul bacha jaisa. A cute one who cries for every small thing. (you look grumpy outside but from inside you have a child-like heart....)(She said casually but I felt embarrassed.)

My cheeks heated up at her comment. I bit my lips to control the smile that was about to surface on my face.

After talking for some more time we decided to head back to the palace only to be met with all the royals standing at the entrance waiting for us both.

Rukmini: where were you both? And what took you so long huh? (She questioned keeping her hands on her hips annoyed.)

Krishna: priye rehne do. Vo bacche hain.(Love! Leave it be. They are kids.)(He said winking at his daughter thinking he successfully made his daughter escape from the punishment.)

Rukmini held Krishna's ear making him wince in pain. While everyone around them chuckled at their adorable relationship.

Rukmini: you are spoiling my daughter with your love. I'll see you soon. And I asked you something Anu. (She said turning towards Anu.)

Anu: Vo hum dono. Hum Aise hi Rajkumar ko dwarka dikhane gayi thi. Haina Rajkumar. (We both just. I just went to show Dwarka around to Rajkumar. Right, Rajkumar!)(She said looking at me making all the attention shift towards me.)

I gulped in nervousness and nodded my head. I couldn't help the blush creeping up on my cheeks remembering our hug on the beach.

Chaitu raised his eyebrows in confusion at his elder brother as he was looking like a reddish tomato.

Chaitu: Bhai, why are you all red? Aap sach mein dwarka dekhne keliye hi gaye na. Ya fir kuch aur-(..you truly went to see Dwarka only right. Or for doing somethi-)(He yelped before completing his sentence as Anu stepped on his foot.)

She signalled with her eyes telling Chaitu to shut up. I chuckled at that making the royals give me a doubtful look.

I cleared my throat and made my way towards my room. I sighed as I found Abhi sleeping on my bed. His mouth drooling and his hands were between his legs. I chuckled at his adorable face. He looks cute when he sleeps like that.

I covered him with a blanket and caressed his hair lovingly. I lay beside him wanting to sleep. My eyes still couldn't close as I didn't take the sleeping medicine.

☴ ☵ ☶ ☷ ☴ ☵ ☶ ☷ ☴ ☵ ☶ ☷

The marriage had been completed without any problems. And it's time for our departure and for us siblings to get separated. I am going to Anga, while Lucky will go to hastinapur and the remaining ones to Indraprastha.

Same family but heading to different homes. I sighed the nth time as the thought of leaving Ananya behind haunted me like anything.

My thoughts broke when I heard Pandavas requesting Dad to go with them to Indraprastha and rule it. Duryodhan kakshree protested and said he's my Jyesth and he'll rule hastinapur not Indraprastha.

Bhishma pitamah sat on the couch holding his head at the argument going on. I went towards them and saw the remaining kids listening to it as well.

Ram: kakshree Duryodhan don't you think if Baba comes with you to hastinapur then he will be tainted with the accusation of not looking after his mother in her old age? (I asked making duryodhan sigh in defeat.)

Duryodhan: Indeed, Ram. I don't know what to do. I don't want mitr karn to stay away from me. Do something na.

Ram: The solution for this is simple. You have to let all my kakashrees along with pitamahi Kunti be with Baba in hastinapur and unite the both kingdoms like before. (I said with a smile while Pitamah's face brightened at that suggestion.)

Bhishma: Indeed. It's a great idea. Even the kids will be together too putron. Yudhishthir make your choice. You all will finally be with your family. (He said his eyes teary as finally, his family would be United.)

Yudhishthir : Are you sure pitamah. Because what happened between us before was -(Duryodhan interrupted in between and said while folding his hands.)

Duryodhan: It won't happen again. I promise. I want Mithr, I mean Jyesth Karn to be with me. And I'll do anything for that. You don't need anyone's permission or invitation to come to your own home. (He said making all the five Pandavas smile at his genuine response.)

They finally looked at his wife for her approval. Draupadi too smiled at their happy faces and nodded her head.

I smiled looking at all the elders happy. Finally, everyone is happy.

All the kids ran towards me and hugged me making me fall on the floor with a thud. While the elders shared a hearty laugh at my predicament.

After some time all the soldiers and servants of their own kingdoms got ready to move towards their homes.

I looked at the Royal Palace of Dwarka with a sad smile wanting to see her for one last time. As I know this is the last time I'm going to see her.

(Author- my brain started playing "Oh Prema" song from Seetharamam.😭)

I turned around with a heavy heart as I didn't find her with the Dwarka royals either.

I was about to hop on the chariot when I heard her call. I turned around immediately masking my emotions into a cold one.

She ran towards me nervously while all the others looked at it with a knowing expression.

Anu : Aap ne ye bhool gaya. (You forgot this.)(She said giving me the bracelet I myself kept in her room.)

I took it back not wanting to reveal it was me who put it in her room.

Ram: Thank you, Rajkumari. (I folded my hands showing my respect to the lady who reciprocated it.)

I turned around immediately not wanting to let anyone see my teary face. After her death, I became a crybaby. Crying for everything and anything.

I hop on the chariot followed by others. While Abhi whom I had forgiven a long time back already looked at me as if I had done a big crime.

Abhi : Bhai jab aap unse itna prem kartha hain. To batate kyun nahi. What if she gets married to someone else? (Bhai when you love her this much, Why don't you just express it....)(He said but quickly got silent when Dad indicated him to.)

Karn: Yes, son. Even Dwarkadhish had no problem with you marrying his daughter. You just need to say yes and I would take care of everything. (He said keeping his hand on my shoulder wanting to comfort me.)

Ram: I don't want to baba. What if because of my bad fate, something happens to her again? I don't have the strength to see her eyes devoid of life again. Even being in hell is more acceptable for me than that pain.

Karn's eyes softened at that. He knew his son. He could never unlove a person who is as important to him as his mother.

Arjun and all the others were shocked at how much love and affection this kid had for Anu. This is really something. Itna pyaar, seriously.

. . . . . . . . A long ass chapter. Took me a while to write and edit it. So sorry if I forgot anything in the middle.

Loved your comments in the last chapter. Expecting more for this one. Always remember your comments are my boost and Horlicks to write the further chapters.

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Lilly.... 💖