Holi aayi re piya ji re des re
Holi aayi re piya ji re des re..

Mhaaro Shyam hathilo Kanho
Kesar khelat hori re
Mhaaro Shyam hathilo Kanho
Kesar khelat hori re

Aa..

Holi toh khele Mahadev khele
Holi toh khele Mahadev khele
Khelat Ganapat Gori
Khelat Ganapat Gori

Holi aayi re piya ji re des re
Holi aayi re piya ji re des re

Aa..

Colors danced in the air, as Holi enveloped the town in its joyful embrace. Amidst the vibrant festivities, a woman adorned in a flowing white lehenga delicately carried a thali of colorful powders. Her face was partly obscured by the gentle mist that enveloped the surroundings.

Inside a grand room, a man reclined on a golden peacock swing, his features hidden in the mist. As the woman approached, she aimed to apply a streak of red color to his feet, but with a playful twist, he playfully swung the seat back, evading her touch. A mischievous gleam danced in his unseen eyes as he playfully tugged at her hand, causing laughter to ripple through the room.

Undeterred, the woman swiftly retaliated by splashing a vibrant burst of color across his face, her laughter mingling with his. "Holikāparvasubhakāmanāh, Aryaputr," she exclaimed, wishing him a joyful Holi. "My Holi isn't complete without you, priye," he replied warmly, beckoning her to sit beside him.

"It's my great fortune to be with you," the woman replied affectionately as she settled beside him on the swing. Passing him the plate of colors, she watched as he tenderly adorned the parting of her hair with hues of red and yellow. A playful sprinkle of color tickled her nose, prompting her to close her eyes and revel in the delightful sensation, a radiant smile gracing her lips.

As the couple stood together on the balcony, overlooking the town awash in colors, their serene moment was interrupted by an unexpected arrow shooting into their midst, landing at the man's feet with a scroll attached. A fleeting moment of concern flashed across the woman's face as she picked up the scroll and scanned its contents, her emotions a blend of worry and a subdued smile.

"What is it, priye?" the man inquired gently, the mist around him slowly dissipating to reveal his face.

"It's a message," she replied softly, her gaze flickering between the scroll and his face. "A reminder of our duty and a call to action."

Understanding washed over the man's expression as he nodded solemnly. "We knew this day would come," he murmured, his eyes reflecting a mixture of resolve and tenderness as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We will face it together, as we have always done."

Their embrace tightened, reaffirming a bond that transcended the festivities and the challenges that lay ahead. With the echoes of joyous revelry drifting through the air, they stood united against the trials that awaited, drawing strength from each other's presence amidst the colorful tapestry of Holi.

                  Suhasini woke with a start, her senses attuned to the quiet stillness of her assigned room. The first rays of dawn painted the sky outside her balcony, casting a soft glow over Hastinapura. She rose gracefully and made her way to the bathing area, preferring the simplicity of applying sandalwood paste for purification before taking a quick bath. Dressed in her favorite red attire, a symbol of her vibrant spirit and strength, she headed to the breakfast room.

The bustling sounds of morning activities had already settled as Suhasini grabbed two puris and a bit of pumpkin curry. Her simple yet hearty meal reflected her preference for practicality despite her royal status. Intent on honing her swordsmanship skills, she headed to the practice grounds, but her plans were interrupted by Nakul's familiar voice.

"Hey beautiful, what are you doing here?" Nakul's flirtatious smile greeted her, but Suhasini responded with a playful roll of her eyes. "Hoping to practice my swordsmanship skills," she replied, keeping her tone light.

Nakul's smile widened as he brought up their recent interaction. "How did you like my small friendship gift?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Suhasini couldn't help but tease him. "Well, I didn't like it..." she began, noticing Nakul's expression falter slightly. "...I loved it," she finished with a mischievous grin. "It was cute. I love plants."

Relief flooded Nakul's face as he pulled her into a sudden hug, surprising Suhasini but warming her heart nonetheless.

Sahadev's arrival interrupted their moment, his smile masking a hint of jealousy in his eyes as he observed them. "Well, what's going on here, Kul?" he queried, using Nakul's nickname.

Before Nakul could respond, Sahadev interjected, taking Suhasini's other hand. "I was thinking of escorting you, gracious and beautiful Princess Suhasini, on a tour around Hastinapura—perhaps the royal library and my personal laboratory," Sahadev suggested with a charming smile.

Nakul countered swiftly, his competitive spirit evident. "And I was thinking of showing you, gracious, intelligent, and beautiful Princess Suhasini, the Greek silk bazaar and my personal zoo. I'm sure you'd love to meet my pet mouse 'Mingle'."

Caught between their playful rivalry, Suhasini couldn't help but laugh. "No, she is coming with me," Sahadev declared, pulling Suhasini towards him.

"Not at all, she's coming with me," Nakul insisted, tugging her towards himself.

"Me!!"

"Me!!!!!!"

Exasperated by their antics, Suhasini extricated herself from their grasp, holding her head which was spinning from their tug-of-war over her. "Well, as you wish, my lady. Now we must head to the courtroom to witness the Yuvraj's announcement. See you soon," they said in unison, glaring at each other as they departed.

Left alone, Suhasini shook her head with a bemused smile. "Boys," she muttered fondly, continuing down the corridor until she came across a door with golden lettering: "Room of Kurukul Vadhus and Kumari Memorial."

Intrigued, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room was a sanctuary of memories, adorned with intricate tapestries and softly lit by flickering oil lamps. Portraits and statues of legendary figures from Hastinapura's history adorned the walls, each one a testament to their courage, wisdom, and grace.

Suhasini approached the first portrait of Satyavati, the revered queen who had sacrificed so much for Hastinapura. The solemnity in her expression resonated with Suhasini, reminding her of the sacrifices inherent in leadership.

Moving along, she saw the figures of Ambalika and Ambika, princesses of Kashi, portrayed with elegance and regality. Their statues exuded a quiet strength that spoke volumes about their contributions to the kingdom.

Further down the hall, Queen Madri's portrait exuded warmth and compassion, a poignant reminder of her role as a nurturing mother to Nakul and Sahadev. Suhasini felt a pang of empathy, imagining the challenges Madri must have faced in raising her sons amidst the complexities of royal life.

As Suhasini explored deeper into the memorial room, she encountered a newer addition—a portrait of Charumati. The inscription beneath simply read, "Beloved Sister." Suhasini studied the portrait, noticing the sadness etched in Charumati's eyes, prompting a wave of curiosity about her story.

Lost in contemplation, Suhasini felt a presence behind her and turned to see who was standing behind her.

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Words : 1200
Date : 17/07/2024