Dwarka , 4 years after Vajra's Birth

The city of Dwarka was bathed in the golden light of the early morning sun, its gleaming walls reflecting the brilliance of the Yadava dynasty's might. Inside the grand palace, nestled in a garden surrounded by fragrant jasmine and marigolds, a small boy ran behind the butterflies with the energy and excitement only the very young possess. Vajra was no ordinary child. Even at the tender age of four, there was something about his presence that made him stand out—something beyond his royal birthright.

Yet, to his family, he was simply Vajra, the mischievous boy who loved to play endless pranks on unsuspecting palace attendants , steal sweets from the kitchen and play with his friends all day. His laughter echoed through the palace halls like a melody, filling every corner with joy. 

On the other side - within the quiet warmth of her private chambers, Suthanu, daughter of the Pandavas, stood before the mirror. A soft smile played on her lips as her reflection revealed the image of Bhanu, her husband, standing behind her. His strong arms wrapped lovingly around her, and though years had passed since their wedding, his gaze remained as playful and full of affection as it had been in their early days. Time had only deepened their bond.

"Pranesha, I need to go," Suthanu whispered, her voice tinged with the shyness that still caught her by surprise. Even after all these years, Bhanu's presence made her heart race.

Bhanu pouted, pulling her closer with a playful frown. "Again? Off to dote on your one true love, are you?"

Suthanu's eyes widened in mock indignation as she turned to face him. "Adi!" she exclaimed, playfully glaring at him. "Lal is our son! He's just a little boy. Are you seriously jealous of your own child?"

Bhanu shook his head in amusement, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Look at you," he said, his voice teasing but filled with warmth. "All your love and protection go to him."

Suthanu's smile softened as she cupped his face in her hands, her fingers tracing the familiar lines of his cheeks. "And my life," she whispered, her voice tender, "my life is for you, Adi."

At that, Bhanu's playful mask cracked, and a genuine smile lit up his face. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, savoring the closeness between them. "You, my wife, are the sweetest of all," he murmured against her ear. "I was only teasing, Aaru. You're an incredible mother, and the best wife a man could ask for. With every passing day, I find myself loving you more."

Suthanu couldn't help but laugh as she gently pushed him away, realizing he was up to his usual morning antics. "My husband, the mischief monger," she teased, shaking her head as her own laughter bubbled up. But Bhanu was quick, catching her hand and pulling her close once more.

With a tender smile, he tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek. Then, without warning, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, leaving Suthanu breathless.

Her wide eyes, filled with a mixture of surprise and affection, made Bhanu's heart swell. He adored her like this, caught off guard, with her cheeks turning a delicate shade of rose.

"You..." Suthanu began, her voice playful but laced with warmth, as she watched him walk toward the chamber doors. Just before he stepped out, Bhanu turned to her, his eyes twinkling with the same mischief that she found in Vajra's one eyes. She knew her Adi relived his childhood in the form of Vajra. 

He winked at her, a small, cheeky gesture that made her heart flutter despite herself.

Suthanu stood there for a moment longer, her hand still resting where he had kissed her. A soft smile played on her lips as she whispered, "My Adi..."

She watched him disappear through the doorway, the warmth of his presence lingering in the room, and in her heart.

Advisors gathered to discuss matters of state. But amid the political discussions and the clatter of royal duties, there was a ripple of laughter—a sound that had become common ever since the youngest little prince had learned to walk.

In one of the large chambers, Krishna sat with his advisors, a royal scroll in his hand as he pondered its contents. He was deep in thought, his brows furrowed, when suddenly a blur of movement caught his eye. Before anyone could react, a tiny figure darted through the room, snatching the scroll from Krishna's grasp.

It was Vajra but already full of the energy and mischief that had earned him the nickname "Dwarka's Little Tornado." His dark curls bounced as he ran, his small feet pattering across the marble floor, the royal scroll held high above his head as if it were a prize.

Krishna blinked in surprise, momentarily stunned by the audacity of his young grandson. The advisors froze, unsure whether to laugh or express concern. But Krishna's stunned silence quickly gave way to amusement as a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Vajra, come back here with that scroll!" Krishna called, getting up from his seat. Balarama laughed out loud , his little Krishna deserved it. The one who made a crew always run behind him now had someone to make him run. 

Vajra giggled, glancing back at his grandfather with eyes that sparkled with mischief. "Catch me, Pitamaha!" he squealed, running faster, his tiny legs pumping with all the strength he could muster.

The palace staff, watching from a distance, stifled their laughter as they witnessed the sight of the great Krishna, the ruler of Dwarka and hero of countless battles, now chasing after a small boy through the halls of the palace.

Krishna's laughter rang out as he followed his grandson. " You , mischief boy! Give that back or you'll be in trouble!"

But Vajra was quick, weaving between columns and ducking behind curtains, always just out of reach. His joyous laughter echoed through the halls, filling the palace with a sense of life and lightness. His small feet slipped on the polished floor for a moment, and Krishna almost caught him, but the little prince darted away again, his giggles growing louder.

Suthanu, hearing the commotion from across the palace, appeared in the doorway. Her eyes widened when she saw what was happening. "Vajra!" she exclaimed, moving forward to stop him. 

But before she could take another step, Bhanu, who had been watching from a distance with a wide grin, gently placed a hand on her arm. "Let them be, Suthanu," he said with a chuckle.

Suthanu looked at her husband in exasperation. "He's causing trouble!"

Bhanu smiled and shook his head. "It's good for us , a sight we might not often get. Also , Pita can handle it."

Suthanu hesitated, her motherly instincts urging her to intervene, but seeing the joy in Bhanu's eyes, she relented with a sigh. "All right," she said. 

Meanwhile, Krishna, now slightly out of breath, paused in his steps. He exactly knew what he had to do. He sat by the steps of the courtyard acting tired. 

Vajra stood in the middle of the courtyard, his tiny chest heaving with exertion, still clutching the scroll. But instead of running again, he suddenly stopped and looked up at his grandfather, his expression softening. For all his mischief, there was no malice in him. His heart was as tender as it was playful. He ran towards his grandfather before he turned to look for attendants. 

" Fetch Pitamaha , water please " , Vajra requested. 

"I've got you now!" Krishna declared, though his voice was more playful than stern.

"Here, Pitamaha," he said, holding out the scroll with both hands, his voice small but sincere. "I was only playing. You can have it back and sorry for the trouble"

Krishna, his chest swelling with affection, bent down and took the scroll from the little prince. "You little one," he said, shaking his head with a grin. "You could've gotten yourself into big trouble."

Vajra looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "But I know you wouldn't get mad at me, Pitamaha," he said with the kind of pure confidence that only a child could have. "You love me too much."

Krishna's heart melted at those words. He knelt down to the boy's level, placing a hand on his grandson's head. "You're right, dulhara. I do love you. But you must learn that there are times for play and times for seriousness."

But Krishna in reality did not want him to face the seriousness early in life atleast not before relishing his own childhood.

Vajra nodded, his mischief fading as he felt the love in his grandfather's words. "I understand, Pitamaha. I'll be more careful."

Krishna smiled, pulling his grandson into a warm embrace. "Good boy."

As they stood there, surrounded by the grandeur of the palace, there was a sense of timelessness in the moment. It was a moment that would be remembered by Vajra even years later—Krishna holding him close to the former's heart. 

From a distance, Bhanu and Suthanu watched, their hearts full. Suthanu, though she had initially been worried, now smiled softly, her eyes shining with relief.

"I told you," Bhanu said quietly, "Pita will get him."

Suthanu laughed gently, leaning her head against Bhanu's shoulder. "He's going to grow up to be just like you, you know."

Bhanu looked at his son, then back at his wife, his eyes full of warmth. "No," he said, "he's going to be even better."

Bhanu, having just finished a brief meeting with some ministers, walked into the room. He paused for a moment, observing his father, and a gentle smile crossed his lips. It was rare to see Krishna at rest, and even rarer for Bhanu to have a quiet moment with him. He moved closer, kneeling down beside his father without a word, and began to gently press Krishna's feet. 

Krishna opened his eyes and looked down at his son, his expression both amused and touched. "What are you doing, lal?" he asked, though the question was more affectionate than reproachful.

"Just making sure my father is taken care of , Pita," Bhanu replied with a grin, his hands still working with the same care he had shown since childhood.

Krishna chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You don't need to do this, Bhanu. I'm not as old and fragile as you think."

Bhanu laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You may not be fragile, but after chasing Vajra all day, even you must be a little tired."

Krishna raised an eyebrow, though the smile never left his face. "Speaking of which, why did you stop Suthanu from interfering earlier? Do you enjoy watching your son cause trouble to your Pita?"

Bhanu's hands paused for a moment, and he looked up at his father with an earnest smile. "I wasn't stopping her because I enjoy seeing Vajra make mischief, Pita. I was stopping her because I enjoy seeing the smile on your face. It's rare to see you so carefree, so full of joy." He laughed softly, his voice filled with affection. "In those moments, when you were chasing Vajra, it was as if all the burdens of the world had melted away, and you were just...happy. How could I bring an end to that?"

Krishna looked at his son for a long moment, his eyes softening. He reached down and, with the playful ease he had always carried, tugged lightly on Bhanu's ear. "You think you're clever, don't you?" he teased.

Bhanu grinned, rubbing his ear. "Not clever, just observant. I've seen you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders for so long, Pita even you never spoke about it. Today, for just a little while, you were free. And seeing you laugh with Vajra... it reminded me of when I was his age."

Krishna's smile deepened, and a flicker of nostalgia passed through his eyes. "You were just as much of a naughty boy as he is, maybe even worse but you had to turn responsible in the absence of Pradyumna causing you to lose your childhood sooner then it should have. You once had a knack for turning the palace upside down, and yet..." he paused, his voice softening, "those were the best years of my life. Watching you and your brother's grow, seeing you all laugh, even when you all made mischief... it was a kind of joy I can never describe."

Bhanu's hands stilled for a moment, his heart full. "And now, seeing Vajra with you, it's as if that joy has returned—through him. I live my lost childhood through him , Pita"

Krishna's expression became thoughtful. "Vajra is a gift, just as you were. He has the heart of a lion, yet he's gentle. I see so much of you and Suthanu in him—your mischief, your kindness, your stability , Thanu's strength , her wisdom and both your love for the family. But you must be careful, lal. He will grow up in a world that's more complicated than the one you did. The rise of new yuga is nearing, and with it comes challenges even greater than the ones we faced."

Bhanu nodded, his gaze lowering. "I know, Pita. The world is changing, and sometimes I worry about the future he'll inherit. But then, I see how much love surrounds him—how much wisdom you and the others share with him—and I know he'll be strong enough"

Krishna smiled, a sense of pride washing over him. "He will be strong, Bhanu. But that strength will come from the love and guidance you give him. You are his protector, as I was yours."

Bhanu's heart swelled with emotion. "Everything I am, I owe to you, Pita. And I want Vajra to know that too. I want him to grow up with the same love, the same wisdom that you've given me."

Krishna reached out, resting a hand on Bhanu's shoulder. "And he will. He already has. You are a good father, Bhanu, just as you've always been a good son."

For a moment, there was silence between them, filled only with the warmth of their bond—a father and son, bound by love, respect, and the shared joy of watching a new generation rise. After so many years , the acknowledgement from Krishna meant the world to Bhanu.

Krishna's eyes twinkled again with that familiar mischief. "But next time, maybe give me a little more warning before your son runs off with state documents."

Bhanu laughed, shaking his head breaking out from his emotions. "No promises, Pita. I think he enjoys keeping you on your toes."

Krishna sighed with exaggerated exasperation, though his heart was light. "I suppose I deserve it after all the trouble I gave my own elders."

"And they loved you for it," Bhanu said softly, his hands returning to their work.

Krishna's smile lingered as he closed his eyes once more, the gentle press of his son's hands soothing not just his tired feet, but his soul.

In moments like this, the weight of the past, present, and future seemed to vanish, leaving only the simple, unshakable bond between a father and his son—timeless, enduring, and full of love.

To be continued...

Okay , writing a kid's childhood is the best part. Something I dearly loved even during Suthanu's own childhood. 

I can't wait to cherish Vajra's childhood too , his relationship with his close circle and his life thereafter at the same time exploring SuBhanu's own journey in the process too. 

Please let me know what you think about it. 

Please do leave your votes and comments !