The city of Dwarka woke with a soft golden glow as the first rays of the sun stretched across the horizon. The salty breeze from the sea carried the scent of blooming flowers from the palace gardens, mixing with the distant chatter of merchants setting up their stalls in the market. Birds flitted from one carved balcony to another, singing their morning songs, and the rhythmic crash of the waves against the shore provided a soothing background melody.

Inside one of the grand chambers of the palace, Subhadra’s morning had just begun.

The young princess stand still, stretching her arms lazily as her two maids, Sanjana and Tanvi, bustled around her, preparing her for the day. Though they had only been assigned to her a few months ago, they already shared an easy camaraderie, their playful banter filling the room every morning.

“Rajkumari, you must stand still, or this pleat will never fall properly!” Sanjana scolded, trying to adjust the drape of the light blue saree she had chosen for Subhadra.

“But why must it take so long?” Subhadra sighed dramatically, making a face at Tanvi, who was fastening delicate silver bangles around her wrists.

“Beauty takes time,” Tanvi replied with a grin. “Besides, if we let you dress yourself, you would simply throw on the first thing you see!”

“That is not true,” Subhadra protested, but the knowing looks from both maids made her burst into laughter. “Fine, maybe a little true. But I still don’t see why I need all these pearls when I’m just going to the beach.”

Sanjana gasped, feigning offense. “Rajkumari, what if a divine being happens to see you today? Do you want them to think you are not a proper princess of Dwarka?”

“Maybe I do,” Subhadra teased. “Perhaps they will let me live in the sea with them so I don’t have to sit through any more lessons on royal etiquette.”

Tanvi giggled as she secured the last pearl earring. “You say that now, but the moment you get hungry, you’ll be running back to the palace for sweets.”

Subhadra huffed, knowing they were right. “Well, at least let me tie my own waist chain!” She grabbed the silver chain before they could protest and looped it around her waist, fumbling slightly before managing to secure it.

Sanjana stepped back, admiring their handiwork. “You look just like Devi Yamuna, Rajkumari. If you stood by the river, the waters themselves would rise to greet you.”

Tanvi nodded in agreement. “Truly! If the sea god saw you today, he might just offer you a kingdom under the waves.”

Subhadra rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t help but smile. “If that happens, I will take you both with me!”

They all laughed before Tanvi suddenly gasped. “Oh, no! I forgot—your anklets! How can you go anywhere without them?”

She hurried to grab a pair of silver anklets adorned with tiny bells.

“I think I can survive without jingling,” Subhadra said dryly.

“Impossible,” Sanjana insisted. “You must be heard before you are seen.”

As the maids fastened the anklets around her ankles, Subhadra let out an exaggerated sigh. “If only my bhabhis were here—they would at least let me dress simply for the beach.”

Sanjana smirked. “No, they would add even more jewels and call it ‘playing dress-up’ with their favorite little sister.”

That was true. Her bhabhis loved dressing her up like their personal doll. But this morning, it was just her and her two maids, and as much as she teased them, she enjoyed their company.

Finally, after much fussing, Subhadra was ready. With her saree neatly draped, her jewelry gleaming, and her long dark hair cascading down her back in soft waves, she looked every bit the royal princess she was.

Today was a special day. There were no lessons, no royal duties—just freedom. Subhadra had already made plans with her dearest friends, Sharvani, Vedika, and Ishani, to spend the day at the beach.

As soon as she stepped outside, the crisp morning air wrapped around her, carrying the scent of salt and flowers. The palace was already alive with movement—guards stood at attention, ministers whispered among themselves, and servants rushed about, preparing for the day’s work.

At the palace gates, her friends were waiting impatiently.

“You’re late!” Sharvani declared, arms crossed.

Subhadra raised an eyebrow. “I am not late. You all just arrived too early.”

Vedika grinned. “Sharvani has been here for at least an hour, pacing like a restless horse.”

Sharvani gasped. “I do not pace like a horse!”

Ishani smirked. “You do. And you neigh too.”

The girls burst into laughter, ignoring Sharvani’s dramatic protests.

Tanvi and Sanjana exchanged amused glances before Sanjana cleared her throat. “Rajkumari, should we bring anything for the trip?”

“No,” Subhadra said quickly. “If we delay any longer, Sharvani might start kicking the ground like an impatient stallion.”

That sent everyone into another fit of giggles, and before Sharvani could protest further, they set off toward the beach.

*****

The golden sands of the beach shimmered under the sunlight, and the waves rolled in lazily, inviting them to play.

Sharvani was the first to kick off her sandals and dash toward the water. “First one to touch the waves wins!”

“Cheater!” Vedika yelled, chasing after her.

Subhadra and Ishani followed at a more leisurely pace, while Tanvi and Sanjana carried a basket of snacks, laughing at the girls' antics.

As soon as Sharvani’s feet touched the water, she turned triumphantly. “I win!”

Vedika, catching up, splashed a handful of water at her. “No fair!”

That was all it took.

Within moments, a full-blown water fight erupted, with all four girls splashing and shrieking, their sarees soaked at the hems. Even the maids couldn’t escape, as Tanvi let out a startled squeal when a stray splash hit her.

“This is not dignified behavior for a princess,” Ishani said with mock seriousness, just before flinging a handful of water at Subhadra.

Subhadra gasped. “Ishani! Traitor!”

The battle escalated until they were all breathless with laughter. When they finally collapsed onto the sand, panting, Subhadra turned to Tanvi and Sanjana. “You two are too dry. That must be fixed.”

Sanjana’s eyes widened. “No, Rajkumari—”

Too late.

A handful of seawater splashed onto her, courtesy of Vedika and Ishani. Tanvi shrieked as she, too, was dragged into the fun.

At some point, Sanjana and Tanvi found a small rock pool and excitedly called the others over. Tiny fish swam between the rocks, their scales shimmering under the sunlight.

“Should we try to catch some?” Tanvi suggested mischievously.

Vedika gasped. “And do what? Keep them as pets?”

Sharvani smirked. “No, eat them!”

A moment of silence.

Then—

“Sharvani!”

The girls burst into laughter, splashing water at her in mock outrage.

*****

By the time the sun dipped lower in the sky, they were all a glorious mess—damp sarees, tangled hair, and sand stubbornly clinging to their feet. But their laughter hadn’t stopped once.

As they sat on a large, sun-warmed rock near the shore, Tanvi and Sanjana finally unwrapped the snacks they had been carrying since morning.

“I was starting to think you’d never let us eat,” Vedika groaned dramatically as she reached for a handful of sweet ladoos.

“all of you were too busy splashing around like a child,” Sanjana teased, handing Ishani some crispy pakoras. “And now you suddenly remember food?”

“That’s because fun and hunger go hand in hand,” Subhadra chimed in, popping a piece of jaggery-coated sesame into her mouth.

Sharvani nudged her playfully. “Maybe we should bring extra snacks next time—just for you.”

“Oh, definitely.” Vedika grinned. “Because if our Rajkumari Subhadra doesn’t get her snacks, the whole kingdom will know about it.”

Subhadra gasped, pretending to be offended. “I do not throw tantrums over food!”

The girls burst into laughter, and even Tanvi and Sanjana shook their heads fondly.

As they dusted off the last crumbs and shook out their sandy sarees, the sky glowed in soft hues of orange and pink. It was time to head back before the sun fully set.

“We should do this again,” Subhadra mused as they all walked toward the waiting palanquins.

Vedika hooked her arm through hers. “We definitely should. More escapes from our house, more adventures.”

“And more mischief,” Sharvani added with a smirk.

Ishani laughed. “And probably more trouble.”

Tanvi sighed dramatically. “And more sand in your sarees that we have to clean, Rajkumari.”

They all groaned but then burst into laughter again.

As they climbed into their palanquins, the last golden rays of the sun kissing the horizon, Subhadra knew she would cherish this day forever.

To be continued

Note : few things happen, and now my brain is kinda "information overload". I'm still building up my chapter stock. I probably would not be active for a few days so, Please wait for a while, I'll be sure to come back with a better chapter update.

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