The day was unusually humid. The scorching rays of the sun had almost rendered the gardeners breathless. Pitamahi Subhadra had asked all the daasis and other helpers to take shelter inside the south wing of the palace. Hence, no people were allowed to roam around freely. The soil was parched, no chirps were heard from the birds.

Elders were talking about something called 'drought'. It was quite a serious topic as what it seemed from their brooding demeanor. I had to admit it was the hotttest and driest day I had ever witnessed in the past four years of my life.

This idle self of mine was drinking coconut water as Pragati Bua had long dozed off. Her attempts of making me sleep were an absolute failure. I lied beside Bua for a while after gulping down the liquid.

It was hell boring. So, I thought to have a quick stroll across the palace chambers in the hope of finding something interesting. I quickly took out my secret box. That's a wealthy possession of mine. Collections of glittery stones by The Great Rajkumar Parikshit. I admired myself for a short while. No one knew this, except one.

Out of the blue, the drums rolled...

I ran towards the Singha Dwar.

I could hear the numerous footsteps following me. Alas! Neither one of them could even touch a single thread of my cloth.

"Pitamah Krishna.." I gasped in delight as I jumped into his welcoming arms. He
flew me high up as my feet dangled in the air.

Jyeshth Pitamahi Draupadi, Pitamah Yudhishthir and others too were present as they laughed along with us. My joy knew no bounds.

Pitamah Sahadev often discussed about the greatness of Pitamah Krishna. His political diplomacy, and tactics. Those hard words and their meanings, how do I learn them ?

Still to me, Shree Krishna was an auspicious hymn. His enchanting smile and his charming words were enough to break all miseries of man.

"What are you thinking Putra?" He enquired.

I nodded still blinking at him. Speechless. I could never know why, after seeing him, I get tongue-locked.
I had a lot to say but at that very moment I felt I had received all my answers through his eyes.

"Putra?" He creased his eyebrows.

"Hmm.." I was broken from my temporary trance.

"Oh, Pranipaat Pitamah." I hurried my pleasantries earning a glare from Mata.
I know exactly how she would be scolding me, as I hadn't been a good at manners these days.

Pitamah replied me with his ever-enchanting smile.

"Putri Uttara," He said, "Pari has inherited a lot from his mother, too. Specially, his mischievous being, isn't it ?"

"Mamashree." Mata giggled and stooped to seek his blessings.

"Kalyan ho, Putri." He caressed Mata's head.

Jyeshth Pitamahi and other elders held a quick discussion along with pleasantries and sweet exchanges.

As everyone retired inside the palace, I walked along with Pitamah Krishna holding his forefinger.

"Pitamah, what is happening? The earth is parched. Its so dry everywhere." I asked with a worried gesture.

"Don't you worry, Putra. It's the phenomenon of nature. Time will heal all wounds." He said.

"How so?"

"You have to wait."

It was almost evening, the sun was on his last lap. The sky turned red a while.

A mischievous yet enticing grin danced on Pitamah's lips. I tried to interpret them but in vain.

Suddenly, a number of daasis ran towards the south wing of the palace.
We were on our way to Mata's chamber.
As we reached there, she wasn't present. I asked the guards, they told that she rushed towards Suthanu Bua's chamber.
Pitamah Krishna left me in my chamber under the care of Pragati Bua.

My thoughts spiraled how to explain Bua of my escape in the afternoon. As I neared her, anger was nowhere to be seen. Instead a sheet of worry and concern washed her doe-eyes.

"Come here." She said in stern tone.

I quickly held my ears to apologise. "Sorry".

"Pragati..." Mata barged in and grabbed Bua's hand to lead her.

"What happened bhabishree..wait breathe first."

Mata was heavily panting. "I think it's time." She said unable to grasp the air.

"Oh," Bua seemed thoughtful, "Suthanu jiji..."

I don't understand why do they speak in riddles. Something is deeply mysterious.
I scratched my head. Did they say something about Suthanu Bua?

"Take me there too!!!" I ran behind them.

"Pari...pari..oh, my boy." Pitamah Nakul grabbed me within his sturdy arms before I could go inside with Mata.

There were so many people outside Suthanu Bua's chamber. Each one of them were horridly perturbed. I tried to elucidate each face. I failed in all my attempts.

Daasis ran in and out of the chamber carrying bowls and cloths, and other things which I was unable to learn.

One huge cry and everyone was patting on the other's back.

Who rejoices when one cries? Is this a joke? Someone was crying inside and here my grandparents were distributing sweets and jewels.

Within a moment, a huge thunder stroke and then came the long awaited heavy downpour. I shuddered at the intensity of the thunderbolts. Along with it, the rainstorm soon created a cool ambience.

"Splendid." I heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Rajkumar Bhanu rushed inside, grinning ear to ear.

"I want to go inside." I nudged Pitamah Krishna's knukkles.

Pitamah Nakul and Sahadev were merrily discussing something with Pitamah Krishna.

He looked and laughed at my antics.

"You want to go inside?"

I nodded extensively like a maniac.

"Come here."

I held his fingers and accompanied inside the chamber.

Mata was crying one moment and giggling the other. Pragati Bua, Jyeshth Pitamahi, Pitamahi Karenumathi, Pitamahi Subhadra... all were overwhelmed and were crying tears of joy.

Suthanu Bua lied in the centre. She looked terribly exhausted. But her firm eyes rested somewhere else.

Rajkumar Bhanu was craddling a little baby in his arms. The tiny baby slept snuggling in the delicate blanket. It was a sight to behold. A sweet bundle of joy.

"Sakha, did you think of a name for your grandson?" Jyeshth Pitamahi asked.

Pitamah Krishna lifted the child in his arms. He placed a loving kiss on the baby's forehead.

"The child will shine like a diamond adorning the crown of the Yadava clan." Pitamah's enchanting eyes were brimming with joy and satisfaction. "His birth ushered thunderbolts and rain on the soil. Hence, he will be called as Vajra."

"Vajra.." Everyone repeated as if it was a chant. We could here the peacocks cry in unison as the parched Earth was getting showered in the rains.The aroma of the freshly drenched soil blinded my senses.

"Vajra." I said in a whisper, "One who heralds thunderbolt and epitomizes diamonds."

Singha Dwar -- It is the front gate of a palace. This custom can still be found in old temples. It means the gate guarded by the lions ( Singha).

So, sorry for the late update.
Actually, I had three classes one after another. I couldn't complete this chapter that day. This chapter took a lot of time to get manufactured *laughs*.