Shatasringa

11 years later

Arjun's POV

"What happened? Didn't you spot them yet?!"

I swiftly encircled my fingers around the calloused branch, grabbing the cool vines extending from them. Wrapping them around my waist firmly, I tied the knot and checked whether it was tense or not.

"Bhrata Bheem, please be a bit more patient." I flapped my lashes, gazing down at the huge figurine of thirteen, waving his mace like arms at me and frolicking. I let out an intentional sigh and proceeded towards the hanging branches, crawling and balancing my weight. Though roughly a year older than me, the son of Vayu was enormous, making me appear like two fourth of his self. 

I guess the only thing we resembled in was his dark black hair, and the pimples we both had developed due to teenage hormones.

"Aye Phalgun!"

"Oh my goodness, give me a few moments more!" I mentally smiled at myself, catering to his cravings can be a bit tedious at times. But what to do? I sprinkle my life on this brother of mine a lot.

Sensing my position, my eyes dashed around to rest on the tiny berries which were already ripe, just ready to be plucked. Bhrata is going to have a treat I guess, since it was untouched by the birds and especially the monkeys, who didn't let him have his treat the last time.

Typical summer afternoon things.

I reached out my fingers towards the nearest branch and grabbed them, victorious. Red and ripe, just how Bhrata Bheem loves them but-

I had depleted a lot of sweat too regarding this task so yes, a light tease won't let the mice in his stomach increase their dance I believe.

"Arjun?! Did you get them?"

I bit my lips, grinning at him as I plucked a berry and tossed it in my mouth. Sighing deeply and deliberately, I closed my eyes to portray him the relish. I waggled my eyebrows at him and popped in another berry, witnessing his stance receiving a massive blow as I did so. His jaw dropped real hard, as he mumbled something and glared signaling his palm.

I impishly rolled my eyes, lying down casually on the branch now, displaying how juicy the berries were.

"Bhrata Vrikodar?" I raised my eyebrows in a mocking tone, "This is utterly delicious!" I closed my eyes and pretending to relish it, exhaling deeply, "Wish you could taste them too...."

"Phalgun! Come down, little nuisance, those are mine!" He growled, squinting his eyes narrowly and shaking his palms. I completely ignored his demands, and rested my leg over the other and munching on the berries.

"Ha! Now they are mine, Bhrata. You can rest your rumbling stomach for sometime." I winked, riling him further. I spotted him looking around and jerking his head, which he does often when he is dying to do something but circumstances obstruct him.

Now the obstruction is me. Well yeah, I know he would be chasing me around for quite some time but since it is going to occur, why not enjoy it to the fullest?

"Arjun, come down asap! Or else--"

I displayed my tongue at him, and refused to pay any heed and began to jiggle berries from one finger to another, occasionally letting him have a glance at how his meal was now under my control, "Come over here Bhrata, if you really want to taste them or else-"

"Or else the result won't be appropriate!"

"Damn, Bhrata Bheem. For that you need to come over here, right now." I kept my stance cool, swinging my arm with the berry, watching his mouth watering as I pretended to drop them towards him but swiftly tossed it in my mouth.

Ah, this is what life looks li-

I felt the tree being manhandled, resulting in it to feel like an earthquake had graced the area. The branches began to quiver as I fluttered open my eyes and gazed down, witnessing Bhrata Bheem stomping his foot on the trunk and glaring at me at intervals, "Arjun, if you don't come down then you know what is going to happen." He kept his voice low, only in the attempt to intimidate me.

Do something Arjun, do something-

I curled my lips wondering about the impending disaster when a wicked idea crossed my mind. Bhrata Bheem pounded on the trunk this time, light enough but I decided to just take it to the next step. So I deliberately allowed myself to slip from the branch where I was comfortably settled, and just held the offshoot firmly, pretending to fall and began to whine, "Bhr-Bhrata!"

Just as I thought, he let out a sudden gasp and stepped behind, his pupils widening witnessing the 'so called horrifying' sight in front of his eyes, "Crap---Phalgun!"

"Aye Phalgun, hold on!"

I shut my eyes firmly, gulping hard and pretending to be haunted enough, only to peek at him grabbing his jet black curls in tension. Well, I had already calculated. If Bhrata Bheem fails to catch me, I would be leaping myself on the other branch which was safe and sound but I don't think such calamity would rise so I better carry on with my pretense.

"Bhrata, I-I am feeling extremely scared! I'll fall down!" I shrieked, hanging my limbs and  whining.

"Ph-Phalgun!" He cupped his mouth, glancing around, "Alright, calm down calm down!"

"Calm down?" I sniffled purposely and peeked down, "Here I am in my life and death situation, and you are asking me to calm down?"

"Al-alright, you do one thing--" He paced forward and backward, rubbing his palms, "Just leave the branch, did you understand?"

"Just leave that thing and jump! I'll catch you instantly!"

"Are you sure?" I whimpered, biting my lips and pretending to be nervous.

"Very sure and now you will leave that branch when I ask you to do that, fine?!" He cupped his palms near his mouth and screamed loud enough to be heard around, but his only attempt was to let me hear it.

"Al-alright, just as you say...."

"Fine." He stepped back, positioning right below me and spreading his massive arms. I blinked, yeah, that appeared like a safe landing to me and no need to pull off the stunt which I had earlier thought about.

"Now jump!"

"Alright!" Screaming so, I instantly left my hold on the rough branch and threw my limbs in the air in such a stance that I directly landed in Bhrata Bheem's arms. He bit his lips hard and pounced upon my hanging figure and air, immediately wrapping his palms around my waist as I descended down.

He exhaled real hard, his breath causing my curls to fly straight in the direction of the wind. I snaked my arms around his neck and dipped my head in his crook, bluffing to shiver, "Bhrata...."

"Arjun, it's fine, it's fine." He slowly wrapped my legs around his waist, and rubbed his palm on my back, soothing me, "It's over, you're safe." His fingers crawled up to my curls as he smothered it lovingly, holding me close as if his life would've been lost.

"It's fine, it's just fine."

I sighed in relief in his crook, rejoicing that I was saved  but was loving the manner I was being caressed in his safe embrace. I rested my cheek on his shoulder and simply laid there, enjoying the love that was being showered upon. Finally after I was satisfied, I turned my head and faced Bhrata, who was still looking at me with slight awe and reassurance, "You fine?"

I exhaled deeply and nodded with lips curled out, and then instantly placed a huge kiss on his cheek, "I love you Bhrata Bheem, but you aren't getting this soon!"

Without giving him a chance to ponder upon, I leaped from his arms and tumbled on the ground, discarding the berries that were hanging on my waist and began to judder it in front of him, making a mocking face.

"You little actor!" He drew in a sharp breath, his golden pupils dilating as he stomped menacingly towards me, while I laughed and sprung away from there with him following me.

**********

A/N

Bhrata Bheem and Arjun, my favorite brother duo. 😍❤

Signing off for today~

Kiritija Nushkie