"How are you Abhijishya? Are you feeling well?"asked Satyabhama.

"Yes, Bhabishree. I am fine," Abhijishya smiled. They just finished having lunch. Nakul once again had gone off somewhere after telling her that his discussion with Yuyudhana was not complete.

"Good," Satyabhama took her hand and pulled her along. "Because we are having the contest now."

Abhijishya asked in confusion," Contest?"

"Don't tell us you forgot. It was decided that you and jiji would have a contest of your aiming skills. You with your dagger throwing and jiji with her archery," Jambavati said.

"Maybe she forgot, Jambavati. Afterall, last few days were not easy on her," Rukmini said.

"Oh, right. I did forget. But I don't mind having the contest now," Abhijishya said. "Where are Bhabishree Revati and Mata Rohini? They were not at lunch today."

"Revati is feeling under the weather. Rohini didi decided to stay with her," Mata Devaki said. "You all be careful," she cautioned them.

"Yes, Mata. Don't worry. It is not like we are sparring. Arya should be waiting for us near the arena. You all proceed. I must go fetch my bow," Satyabhama said and took leave.

They walked through the corridors. Now that Abhijishya had the leisure to properly look around, she found herself awed at the splendour. Everything was constructed with silver and crystals. Emeralds, pearls and sapphires were embedded into the sculptures of figurines into the wall. There were scenes from the tales of the previous incarnations of Lord Narayan,of Adi Shesha and Yogmaya, of Shakti as Sati, Parvati and Kali, of Mahadev and other Gods and Goddesseses.

"All of this was built in one day?" Abhijishya couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, Dev Vishwakarman himself built this in one day mentally. Praise be to him that he graced us with a home," Maa Devaki said joining her hands.

'And all of this will be lost to sea,' she thought sadly.

They came out in the courtyard. The sun was shining brightly in the sky but the sea breeze kept the atmosphere pleasant.

Krishna was standing a little distance away. "Yes, that is enough,"he said loudly.

Abhijishya looked at the direction he was facing. Two logs of wood with target circles drawn were set up an estimated 50 feet away.

"Arya, we are here," Rukmini said. Krishna turned towards them and sighed dramatically. "Finally! I've been waiting for all of you so long. You all were taking your own sweet time and here I am doing all the hard work under this hot sun."

Mata Devaki looked concerned. "Are you alright, putra? You should not have stood so long under the sun then. We can have this contest later."

"No need to cancel the contest Mata," he said as he put an arm around Mata Devaki's shoulder. "All my fatigue would be gone if only there was some cool makhan,"he said in a suggestive tone.

Mata Devaki glared at him. "Oh, so this is about makhan again. No, Krishna. I was informed once again that two pots went missing yesterday. I know very well it is your work. I have forbidden everyone to let you have makhan."

"Mataaa," Krishna said with an innocent look. Mata Devaki shook her head trying not to smile. He sighed then looked at Rukmini, Jambavati hopefully.

"Surely my loving wives are on my side. You'll get me makhan, won't you?"he said.

"Not happening Arya. Mata said if we get makhan for you, we will have to make twice the amount we gave to you," said Satyabhama who just arrived with her bow.

Rukmini tried to look apologetic but her eyes twinkled in mirth. "Pardon us, Arya. We are on Mata's side in this."

Jambavati stifled her smile and said the same.

How could an over six foot tall well built man look so darn adorable Abhijishya had no idea. Those sad puppy eyes turned towards her with a slight pout and asked,"Fine. But I know my sister won't deny me." He gave an angelic smile.

Abhijishya was half torn on squealing and agreeing with everything Gopal was saying. She looked at Mata Devaki to find her glare directed at her.

"Bhrata..." she trailed off. Krishna was still looking at her so instead she said,"Contest. Contest. Daggers. Where are my daggers?" She quickly rushed to where the daggers were kept and tried not to look at them.

Rukmini and Jambavati burst into peals of laughter. Satyabhama grinned and said," Looks like Abhijishya has abandoned you too. This time you won't be getting any makhan."

Mata Devaki smiled,"Yes, she is my daughter now, is she not? She won't deny me."

Krishna chuckled and smiled serenely looking at Abhijishya. "Abhijishya will stay with me until the end even if the rest of the world abandons me."

Seeing their confused faces, he perked up. "Do all of you intend to keep standing? Come now. Looks like Abhijishya has finished choosing her daggers."

Abhijishya and Satyabhama got into their positions.

"As the contest is between archery and dagger throwing, the range will not exceed 100 feet. First round, the targets are at 50 feet. Next it will be at 75, then 100. Take aim," Krishna said.

Abhijishya took a calming breath and focused on the red dot ahead.

"Throw," came the command and she let her dagger fly. It landed exactly in the middle. Satyabhama also had scored bullseye.

"Excellent. Next," he called out. The servants set up the targets 75 ft away.

Abhijishya saw the distance and choose a longer and slightly heavier dagger.

"Take aim. Now." Once again her dagger landed in the middle. Same for Satyabhama.

The targets were set up at 100 ft now.
She was not sure if she would be able to throw the dagger that far and still land in the middle.

Abhijishya chose a 12 inch almost 10 ounces dagger for this one.

"Take aim. Throw." She threw it with all her might and it landed in the middle once again. Satyabhama's arrow had also landed in the middle.

"Well done. Abhijishya, your daggers and Satyabhama, your arrows landed in the middle but I must see if they landed in the exact center before I can announce the winner," Krishna said.

The logs were brought for closer inspection. Abhijishya's last dagger had landed a centimetre off to the right of the exact center.

She smiled. "Bhabishree you are wonderful in archery," she proclaimed.

Satyabhama said," Your dagger throwing skills are no less exceptional. Not everyone can throw one as far as a 100 ft that too nearly landing it in the center."

"So it is Satyabhama jiji who won. Then Arya, what reward will you be giving her?" asked Jambavati.

"Me? Why would I give any reward?" Krishna asked. "The contest was between Abhijishya and Satyabhama. Should Abhijishya not give the reward?"

"No, Arya. It was decided that you will be the supervisor so you must be the one to give the reward," Satyabhama said.

"Yes, yes. You all decide and do not even ask for my opinion," he sighed. "How unfair! You won't even bring me a small bowl of makhan,"he mumbled under his breath.

Abhijishya giggled. Krishna gave her a look of mock anger. She shrugged as if to say,' what can I do?'

"Fine, tell me then what reward does my wife want?" Krishna said.

Satyabhama looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Arya, once in my life I'll ask something from you and you cannot deny me. That is what I want," she said with a triumphant grin.

Krishna agreed readily. He had a knowing smile on his face. Abhijishya wondered what Satyabhama would ask for. The she noticed Bhabishree Rukmini leaning against the table holding daggers heavily.

"Bhabishree?" she asked uncertainly.

Krishna immediately was by Rukmini's side. She leaned against him now.

"Priye, are you alright?"he asked softly while holding her.

"I am fine, Arya. Just my head spun a little," she gave a tired smile.

Krishna looked at lovingly and said," I think you should rest now."

"Perhaps call a healer," he added with a knowing smile. The best way to describe Gopal's expression was happy. He looked elated.

Rukmini nodded. Mata Devaki said," Come along, putri." They all accompanied Rukini to her chambers. Krishna said that he would join them soon.

Krishna looked up to the sky and smiled serenely. He was truly happy.

"Pardon us, Vasudev. But we could not take out the daggers from the log," said one servant.

The daggers were fully embedded into the wood. He pulled them out. Abhijishya's powers were gradually manifesting in her physical body.

Krishna wondered when he would get to meet the deity that resided within her.

================================

Abhijishya waited anxiously for Healer Adhrit to say something. Rukmini was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi herself. What could be wrong with her? Krishna had not looked worried.

"What ails putri Rukmini, Vyadji?" Mata Devaki asked.

"It is good news. Devi Rukmini is expecting," Healer Adhrit said with a smile.

Rukmini had an amazed look on her face. "I am going to be a mother?" she asked in wonder.

"Yes, Devi," Adhrit replied. "Please take care of yourself and let me know if you need me." Saying that he got up and left.

A brilliant smile appeared on Rukmini's face. "Blessed you are, putri. Blessed be your child," Mata Devaki said with tears of joy in her eyes.

Jambavati sat beside Rukmini and said," I am so happy for you jiji. I can't wait for Arya to find out."

Meanwhile, Satyabhama had a slightly strained smile on her face and congratulated Rukmini.

Abhijishya was on cloud nine. The thought of a small Krishna filled her mind and she laughed in joy.

"You are going to be a mother, Bhabishree," she said grinning widely. "I am so happy for you." She hugged Rukmini.

Krishna chose that moment to enter.

"Putra, you are going to be a father. Putri Rukmini is pregnant," Mata Devaki said joyfully. Rukmini looked beautiful with a slight flush and lovely smile on her face.

Krishna smiled and said," I feel so blessed to have you as my wife, priye." His eyes beheld love and adoration for Rukmini.

Abhijishya couldn't control herself anymore. Taking hold of Krishna's both hands, she spun around and said," Oh Gopal, you are going to be a father. A tiny baby Krishna! A tiny person. I am so happy, Bhrata. I could not be happier."

Krishna chuckled. "And you are going to be a Bua soon, Abhijishya."

She grinned and pulled him along to make him sit beside Rukmini.

Mata Rohini and Bhabishree Revati also came in. "We heard that a healer had come to see Rukmini. What happened? Is she alright?"Revati asked.

Abhijishya rushed to her and said," Bhabishree Rukmini is going to be a mother, Bhabi. She is pregnant. I can't believe I am going to be a Bua soon."

Mata Rohini smiled and said," Then Abhijishya, you have twice the responsibility now."

"Twice?" She asked in confusion.

"Yes, twice. Putri Revati is expecting too. We found out the night before you fell unconscious and didn't get a chance to tell. Putra Balram still doesn't know," Rohini said.

Abhijishya gasped. Two little persons! She was going to be the aunt of two little persons!

She hugged Revati and said," I didn't think my happiness could increase anymore. You just made it possible."

Bhratashree Balram entered and asked,"Mata, you called me here?"

"Yes, putra. Initially, just Revati had something to tell you. But now, it has become twice the good news," Mata Rohini said happily.

"Good news?" He asked puzzled.

"You are going to be a father, Arya," Revati said with a shy smile.

Balram looked at her in amazement.

"And the good news does not end here, putra. You are going to be an uncle too. Putri Rukmini is also expecting," Mata Devaki said.

Balram grinned widely. "Kanha and I are going to be fathers together. I never thought I would see the day Krishna would have to be responsible,"he laughed.

"Dau," Krishna complained.

Abhijishya squealed,"A tiny Gopal and a tiny Bhrata Balram. Two tiny persons."

"Babies, Abhijishya," Rukmini chuckled.

"I am going to be an aunt of a little Gopal and a little Baldau. I feel so happy," she couldn't stop gussing. Her eyes moistened.

This was her family. She missed the Pandavs, Mata Kunti, Draupadi even Subhadra about whose endearing ways she had only heard in passing. If Nakul would be here along with Pitashree Vasudev and everyone she missed, it would be heaven on earth for her.

That was all she wanted.

It's not blood that
makes you family.
It's love.

~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~°•~

A.N. - Hey everyone! First of all I wanted to say thanks to akshayathereader Golden_Cloak sisimaanu PrabirPoddar Ava_2312 for posting 'You have chosen to be showered in love post' on my message board. Love you all back. I was busy writing this chapter so couldn't post on your message boards. Also I think all my readers deserve all the love in the world ❤💗💙💚💛🧡💜💖 so a double update for you 😁🤗

Special mentions to :

DrKanu who put up with my insufferable self as I pestered her. She just update thrice today. Lots of love for that 😍

NISHA260106 who partnered with me in pestering DrKanu.

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Until the next time,

Byeee ;")