"Father, Who is Brihannala?"

"B..Brihannala?" stutters Arjun turning a deep shade of red. "Brihannala is my dance teacher." answers Uttara. Arjun sends a grateful look to Uttara for saving him but pales as Uttara continues, "She is the most beautiful woman I've seen till now Bhrata. Father is very close to her." "Is it so? I've been hearing a lot of her praises. I really want to meet her father. Can you please call her here?" asks Babhruvahana curious on what the fuss is about not realizing that he is looking at the same person he wishes to meet. Sensing his grandfather's discomfort, Parikshit comes to his rescue letting out a wail and reaching for the great archer. Glaring at his daughter and mumbling about dealing with Nakul later, Arjun rushes to his grandson and caresses him whispering, "That's like a good boy. I will treat you for saving me. Stay away from grandpa Nakul before he manages to spoil you too."

The occupants of the room chuckle at the flustered Gandhivdhari leaving the room with his protegee. Sharing amused smiles, they exit the room leaving poor Babhruvahana more confused than ever. He couldn't bring himself to understand who could have been the lady that got his father, the great Dhanurdhari Arjun, all flustered and reduced to stutters. He calls out to his siblings "Will someone tell me who is Brihannala?" Another round of laughter is heard from the hall, amplifying the young king's frustration. He huffs knowing exactly whom to approach to extract information.

***********************************

Colorful insects fly around trying to decide which flower to collect nectar from. Clouds hover low as they try to linger a few seconds longer to witness the arrangement of various flowers in delicate yet intricate labyrinths. Soft fingers brush through the red flowers surrounding a fountain as a fond smile plays on the lips of the owner. Her deep onyx eyes glimmer with happiness as her mind pulls her to one of her farthest yet fondest memories. The little legs of her toddler running around stumbling in excitement as he observes the beautifully designed garden that looks like a painting. Poking each flower and feeling it's texture, inhaling it's unique aroma and giggling when he takes a liking to a particular aroma.

A touch on her shoulder reels her back from the memories to the present. Caressing the flower, she retraces her finger as the flower springs back to its stem. Slowly tracing her eyes to the strong arm on her shoulder all the way upto his eyes, the queen mother of Manipur, Chitrangada gets lost in the eyes of her husband. The deep eyes that are always filled with emotion, waiting for his loved ones to read it. They waver as they stare back at her, a thin sheet of precious beads forming in them. Her hands involuntarily reach his eyes as they slightly press under the eye lids wiping the tears before they even left the eyelids.

This action of hers only catalyze the tears as they return with double the force. Chitra however does not accept defeat and cups his face wiping his tears with her thumb and shakes her head warning him not to try it again. "You got pulled into our son's childhood memory weren't you?" asks Arjun. Chitra casts her eyes down neither able to bear his forlorn face nor lie to him. Receiving his answer, Arjun sucks in a sharp breath. A long moment later, he lets out in a strained voice, "In a twisted way, I am glad that I was not in contact with Babhru. At least it kept him safe and away from the war. I wish I can say the same for Iravan."

The mention of Iravan brought tears to the mother's eyes. The glee filled shrieks and giggles of the lively child as she played and chased him around still rung in her ears. How she wished she could see him again and tell him just how much she loved him. Diverting herself, she says, "You should meet Uloopi jiji. It has been five days since we came here. She might not seem like it but she too craves for your love." "How do I face her? I have been absent for the whole of Iravan's life and yet the boy gave his life for us Kurus. I am unable to forgive myself. How can I expect her to forgive me?" asks Arjun with tears rolling down his face.

"I think you should leave the decision of forgiving to her. Just meet her once and try to share your hurt. She also lost her son and would be looking for a support." suggests Chitra. Nodding at her gratefully, Arjun leads her through the garden spending the morning with her.

*************************************

Rays of afternoon sun fall on the books amplifying the golden hue of the engraved titles. Tracing his fingers along the spines of few famous books, Babhruvahana finally decides on one of the them and settles himself comfortably in his uncle's study. Too engrossed in the book, he initially fails to notice the footsteps leading to the study. It isn't until the person reaches the entrance that he looks up to find his father standing at the doorstep. Snapping his book close, he places his undivided attention on his father. His eyes follow his father's movements as the son of Pritha joins his son in the study.

"I hope I am not disturbing you." starts Arjun. "No father. Uncle Yudhishtir allowed me to browse through his collections so I am wandering here. Is there anything troubling you?" asks a concerned Babruvahana. "Nothing is troubling me. I.. If you are comfortable, can you share any of your memory with Iravan?"asks Parth worried that he is scraping his son's wounds. True to his doubts, a pained look crosses Babru's face at the mention of Iravan. Before Arjun could take back his words, Babhru starts with an undertone of melancholy and longing, "This is one of my favorite moments shared with Bhrata."

"What are you doing mata?" shriek two young boys at the same time. They abruptly stop all of their moments each sensing the other's presence. Unable to see due to the darkness engulfing them, their ears perk up trying to catch any movement of the other. Both the boys simultaneously pull at their mother's hands which surrounds their eyes. Chuckles fill the room as the two mothers laugh at their unison.  Cautiously, Babhruvahana whispers, "Mata? Who is here with us?"

With a playful smile dangling on her lips, Chitra bends to her son's height making sure not to move her hand and whispers, "Do you remember you have asked me for a gift? This is it." Little Babhruvahana gasps at his mother's words as a wide smile breaks open. Jumping in elation, he screams, "Really?" A second laugh makes him stop short and snuggle into his mother in nervousness. Using both his hands, he attempts to pull his mother's hand down with all his might. "Let me see" he whines. 

The second child, on the other hand is in a similar turmoil of emotions. His mother had not informed him of their destination. He had to curb his curiosity all their way to this mysterious place in the mountains. Reaching here, he started to take in his surroundings before his mother covered his eyes. Where were they? Who was with them? He could sense two other people in the room, an elder female and her son. Prying his mother's hands he squeaks as his mother's second hand grabs hold of both of his little hands. "Have some patience my little one." whispers his mother in his ears.

Frowning he wiggles a bit trying to sneak a look at the boy before him. Nodding at each other, both the mothers step back uncovering their child's eyes. Silence spreads for a while as the mothers watch the scene unfolding before them. Hopeful eyes turn to them asking for confirmation. Receiving the affirmation, the kids take baby steps towards each other and stop at one feet distance between them. Sensing the younger one's nervousness, the elder one initiates the conversation "I am Iravan. I like sweets. Do you like them as well?"

Babruvahana stares at the boy trying to digest that he finally has the sibling that he was pestering his mother for. Surprising everyone in the room, he jumps and captures the elder boy in an embrace, hugging him as far as his little hands can reach. Stumbling back in shock, Iravan stabilizes them both and pats his little brother reveling in the feeling of having a younger one to protect and take care of. He slowly whispers, "I promise to always protect you and care for you." thereby sealing their bond and starting a new brotherhood that is to be cherished forever.

"....He stood true to the promise till the end. He never made me miss anything in the world. He is truly one of a kind." finishes Babruvahana wiping few strays tears that escaped carrying the pain of the young king with them. By now, Suthanu has also perched herself on a nearby chair intently listening to the memory. Sending her a smile, Babru addresses Arjun, "Father, he was very excited to help you in the war. The day he met you, he stated in his letter that he is proud to utilize his knowledge in your aid." Patting his head, Arjun leaves the room overwhelmed with emotion unable to speak anything. He redirects himself to Uloopi's room deciding it to be high time he faced her.

Back in the study, Suthanu looks at Babru and says, "He sounds lovely. I wish I could have met him." "He would love you. I am sure of that." replies Babhruvahana. Trying to cut down the heavy atmosphere in the room, Babhruvahana says, "A little birdie told me that there is a certain prince who caught your attention and maybe your heart..." he trails off assessing her reaction. Redness creeps her neck, as Suthanu struggles to hide it and asks, "Which birdie?" Knowing that he won't let the name out and partly suspecting it to be Uttara, Suthanu continues, "What if I said it is wrong?"

Babru raises an amused brow and counters, "Then I would say that it is unbecoming of Dharmaraj's child to lie." Laughing at his response, Suthanu says, "Hmm. I guess I cannot thwart it then. Yes. A certain prince did capture my attention. Prince Bhanu of Dwaraka." Babruvahana's eyebrows raise in surprise, "Uncle Krishna's son?" he questions. When she confirms it, he continues, "I guess we will be hearing wedding bells soon then." Blushing, Suthanu denies it saying, "No. I have not informed our parents yet though I suspect Uncle Krishna already knows about it."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" asks Babru. Silence follows as Suthanu just shrugs. "Don't tell me the fierce Suthanu is nervous."teases the young king. Suthanu waves him off as he continues to tease her as they walk towards the window facing their back to the door.

"What's going on here?" a voice sounds from the doorway. In the flow of teasing Suthanu, the young king says, "Suthanu's wedding bells" as he turns around only to freeze.

Yudhishtir stands at the doorway surprise covering his face as he stares at the two of them.

Glossary:

Bhrata - brother

Gandhivdhari - The one who carries the bow Gandhiv

Dhanurdhari - One who wields a bow

Jiji - elder sister

Mata - mother

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Hello everyone!

I'm back. Sorry for the delay in updating. Here's the next chapter of our beloved Babru's life. How is it?

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-Golden Cloak