After a few days , Dwarka 

The room was filled with the soft rustling of fabric and the warm glow of late afternoon sunlight streaming through the intricately carved wooden windows. The soft fragrance of marigold flowers, sandalwood, and incense filled the air, giving the room a sacred warmth. The cool breeze from the open courtyard carried the faint sound of temple bells from a distance, and the rhythmic chanting of mantras echoed faintly, adding a divine aura to the peaceful surroundings.

Vajra and Bhanu, were decorating the room for Suthanu, whose pregnancy had seeped deeper. It was Bhanu's idea, born out of love and care, to transform their chamber into a haven of warmth and beauty for her and their unborn child. Vajra, filled with excitement, had eagerly joined his father, his small hands working tirelessly to help.

The room was decorated with simplicity. Bright yellow and orange marigold garlands were strung across the ceiling, creating a canopy of flowers that radiated joy and prosperity. The marigolds, plucked fresh from the palace gardens, were strung together by Vajra with Rumavati's help with his own small hands, their vibrant colors symbolizing life and energy.

"Careful, Lal," Bhanu murmured as he adjusted one of the garlands Vajra had tied. His voice was filled with patience and affection, the warmth of a father deeply connected to his son. Vajra beamed, watching intently as Bhanu carefully secured the garland above the doorframe, the scent of marigolds filling the air.

The floor was adorned with a large, intricate rangoli that Bhanu and Vajra had drawn earlier in the day. Made of colored powders—red, yellow, green, and blue—it depicted a lotus, a symbol of purity and divine birth, blooming in the center of the room. Vajra had insisted on adding small designs around the edges, making sure that every corner was filled with vibrant colors. Bhanu had smiled, guiding his son's hands as they carefully crafted the patterns together, their laughter mingling with the soft rustle of the wind.

"Maiya will love this," Vajra said confidently, stepping back to admire the rangoli. His eyes shone with pride, his heart full of love for his mother.

Bhanu smiled, brushing a curl of hair from his son's forehead. "She will, Lal. But more than the flowers or the colors, she'll love the effort and care you've put into this."

Together, they had also placed small earthen lamps, diyas, around the room, their warm flames flickering gently in the breeze. The soft glow of the diyas cast a golden hue over the walls, creating an intimate, sacred atmosphere. Each lamp symbolized the light of hope, a prayer for the safety of the mother and child.

As they worked, Vajra's attention was drawn to a wooden chest tucked away in the corner of the room. It was an old chest, carved with delicate patterns of lotus petals and peacocks, symbols of beauty and protection. He opened it slowly, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw what lay inside.

"Pita!" he exclaimed, pulling out a small wooden horse, its once-bright colors now faded with time. "What is this?"

Bhanu turned, his eyes softening as he saw the toy in Vajra's hands. He walked over, kneeling beside his son as he took the toy gently. "This, Lal, was your mother's favorite toy when she was your age. She would spend hours playing with this little horse, running around the palace grounds, imagining grand adventures."

Vajra's face lit up with wonder. "Maiya played with this?" he asked, his small fingers tracing the worn edges of the horse.

Bhanu nodded, his voice filled with joy at the memory of a little Suthanu. "Yes. And just like you, she would often sneak into the royal courtyard and play long after everyone else had gone to rest."

Vajra giggled, imagining his mother as a child, running around with the toy horse in her hands. "Can we put it here for the baby, Pita?" he asked, his eyes bright with excitement. "Maybe the baby will want to play with it too."

Bhanu's heart warmed at his son's thoughtfulness. "Of course, Lal. Your mother's toy will now become a part of your sibling's world. It carries her love, just like everything else in this room."

They found a special place for the toy horse beside a small carved elephant, one of Bhanu's own childhood toys. It had been with him through countless adventures, and now, it too would be passed down to the next generation.

As they continued their work, Vajra and Bhanu spread soft cotton mattresses and silk cushions along the floor. The cushions were embroidered with delicate patterns of flowers and birds.

"Pita," Vajra said softly, placing a small peacock feather by the cushions, something his Pitamaha Krishna loved and somewhere in his tiny heart the thought was rooted that his grandfather was a protector unparalled, "do you think the baby will love maiya as much as I do?"

Bhanu smiled gently, his heart swelling with love  as he placed a hand on Vajra's shoulder. "Of course, Lal. Your sibling will love your mother just as deeply. But do you know why?"

Vajra shook his head, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"Because your maiya's heart is full of so much love that it reaches everyone around her. Just like it reached you, it will reach the baby too." Bhanu's voice was tender, filled with the depth of a father's wisdom and care.

Vajra grinned, his small face glowing with happiness. "Then I can't wait for the baby to come. I'll love the baby just as much."

Bhanu's heart melted at his son's innocent words. He ruffled Vajra's hair, pulling him close into a warm embrace. "And the baby will be lucky to have you as an older brother, Lal."

Together, they stepped back to admire their work. The room was now filled with the essence of their love—marigold garlands hanging from the ceiling, the soft glow of diyas lighting up the space, a fragrant rangoli blooming in the center, and toys from their childhood placed carefully on the shelves. The air was filled with warmth and peace, a room ready to welcome not just Suthanu, but the new life that was about to enter their world.

Just as they finished, the door creaked softly, and Suthanu appeared in the doorway, her eyes widening in surprise. She took in the room, her hand resting gently on her growing belly. Her face softened, tears brimming in her eyes, not from sadness, but from the overwhelming love she felt in that moment.

"Maiya!" Vajra rushed to her side, his voice filled with excitement. "Do you like it?"

Suthanu knelt slowly, her hands cradling Vajra's face as she kissed his forehead. "I love it, my Lal," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "It's perfect. You and your Pita have made this room beautiful."

Bhanu walked over, his eyes filled with nothing but love as he gazed at Suthanu. "Did you like it?," he said softly, his hand gently caressing her cheek.

Suthanu smiled through her tears, her heart overflowing with gratitude as she nodded. "I can feel all the love you've put into this. Thank you, both of you."

As the sun dipped lower, casting a soft amber glow over the room, the three of them sat together, wrapped in each other's love. This room, filled with memories, laughter, and hope, would soon cradle their newest joy—a space where the love they shared would only grow, much like the flowers blooming in the palace gardens outside.

Vajra had been unusually quiet that afternoon, pacing around Suthanu with a gentle excitement simmering in his eyes. Suthanu noticed the soft flicker of anticipation but said nothing, allowing her son to lead her through the palace with his small hand firmly wrapped around hers. Her steps, heavy with the weight of her pregnancy, felt lighter under Vajra's soft tug, her heart already warmed by the love and care that emanated from him.

"Maiya," Vajra whispered, his voice brimming with excitement, "I have a surprise for you. But you must promise not to peek until I say so!"

Suthanu raised a curious brow, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "A surprise, Lal? And where is it?"

"In our family chambers," he replied, his little face lighting up as he guided her closer. The chambers were just around the corner now, and Suthanu could sense something extraordinary awaiting her.

Vajra stopped at the entrance, his small body standing between her and the door. "Now, close your eyes, Maiya!" His voice was a mix of childlike excitement and authority, and Suthanu complied, chuckling softly at his enthusiasm.

As she closed her eyes, she felt Bhanu's familiar presence beside her. "Come, Lal," Bhanu's deep voice rumbled gently as he lifted Vajra into his strong arms who placed his tiny palms over Suthanu's eyes. "Let's show her together."

Suthanu could hear the faint shuffle of footsteps as they entered the chambers, her heart beating a little faster in the anticipation. The air was fragrant with sandalwood, and she could feel the warmth of the room enveloping her even with her eyes shut.

"Don't peek yet, Maiya!" Vajra's eager voice warned, his little hands covering her eyes as she stood at the center of the room.

"We're here," Bhanu murmured softly, his breath close to her ear, laced with love.

Suddenly, there was a rustle of cloth, and Suthanu heard the sound of soft footsteps approaching—likely Dhruv's, though she couldn't be sure. "It's time, Lal," Bhanu whispered. Suthanu felt Vajra's fingers slowly remove themselves from her eyes, and she blinked into the warm light of the room.

Before her, standing proud in the middle of the room, was something she never expected to see again. A wooden cradle—carved intricately with delicate patterns of vines and flowers, stars and moon—stood before her, bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. But it wasn't just any cradle. Suthanu's breath caught in her throat as a flood of memories surged through her heart. This cradle was hers—the very one her late brothers - the Uppandavas had lovingly crafted for her when she was just a baby.

Her eyes welled up with tears before she could speak, her heart aching with nostalgia, love, and the bittersweet weight of loss. She walked toward the cradle slowly, almost afraid that if she touched it, the memories would overwhelm her. But they were already there, playing vividly in her mind.

Her brothers had carved this cradle with their own hands, she remember Draupadi's words that each of them insistented that their baby sister should sleep in nothing but the finest creation made by family's love. Draupadi had fondly told her that she could never forget their voices in her mind, teasing and laughing as they worked together, their hands smoothing the wood, their hearts full of care for their Indradhanush.

Her fingers traced the smooth edges of the cradle now, the same way her tiny hands once had as a child, feeling the love imbued in every carved petal and vine , stars and moon. "This... this was mine..." she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Yes, my Priyathama," Bhanu's voice was soft, filled with understanding. "Dhruv found it, tucked away in one of the secluded chambers of Indraprastha's palace. It was his idea to bring it here, to give you this memory."

Suthanu turned, her eyes filled with tears as they met Dhruv's. He stood by, his usual confidence softened into something more tender for his beloved sister. His eyes spoke volumes, offering her the comfort and love she had always known him for.

"And Vajra," Bhanu continued, his hand resting on his son's small back, "he insisted that it be here, for you and the new baby."

Vajra stepped forward, his tiny hands wrapping around her fingers. His voice was soft, filled with the innocence only a child could possess, and yet there was a deep understanding in his words. "Maiya," he said gently, "you miss your brothers, don't you? My Mamashree's?" He looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes. "I can't take their place in your heart, but..." he hesitated for a moment, glancing over at Agastya, who stood nearby, watching with a quiet smile.

"But," Vajra continued, his small hand pressing against her growing belly, "Agastya and I... we will love our little sibling as much as your brothers loved you. And we will love you too, Maiya, just like they did. You'll never be alone. I will always love you, and I will always trust you."

Suthanu's heart broke open in that moment, the love and innocence in Vajra's words pouring into every crevice of her soul. Tears streamed down her face as she knelt before him, pulling him into her arms, cradling his small body against hers. She kissed the top of his head, her heart overflowing with gratitude for the life she had, the family she had built, and the son who loved her so deeply. Bhanu looked on with a gentle smile , his son indeed was very endearing. 

"Lal..." she whispered through her tears, "you surprise me , every day. Your Mamashree's would have been so proud of you. And I... I am so proud of you."

Bhanu knelt beside them, his arms wrapping around both Suthanu and Vajra, pulling them into a warm, protective embrace. "We are a family," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion but a gentle smile. "And this cradle... it will hold not just our child, but the love of generations before us. Our brother's love lives on through this, through Vajra and now our child."

Suthanu nodded, her heart swelling with love as she looked at the cradle once more. It wasn't just a piece of wood; it was a symbol of everything she had lost, everything she had gained, and everything that still lay ahead. A bridge between the past and the future, held together by the love that transcended time.

As they sat there, surrounded by the warmth of the room, Neerja, Agastya, and Dhruv smiled softly as Agastya hugged Neerja tightly as Dhruv wrapped his hands around Neerja, their hearts full as they witnessed this moment.

"Thank you," Suthanu whispered, her voice full of emotion, as she looked at her family—the one she had now, the one she had lost, and the one she was about to bring into the world.

In the stillness of the afternoon, the soft amber glow of dawn filtered through the palace windows, casting a warm light upon Suthanu's face as she sat quietly in her chamber. Her hands, gentle and steady, rested upon her growing belly, feeling the gentle stir of life within. Beside her, Vajra brimming with innocent excitement, sat cross-legged on the floor, his small face a canvas of joy and anticipation. His wide eyes watched her every movement, sensing that something special was on her mind.

Suthanu smiled down at her son, her heart swelling with both the love of a mother and the happiness of what was to come. "You know, Lal," she began softly, "your Pita has been so devoted to us... always watching over you, always ensuring our happiness. But soon, he will be a father again just like I'll be a mother again, to your little brother or sister."

Vajra's eyes brightened, but they also flickered with a seriousness that reflected the depth of his thoughts. He scooted closer, gently resting his head on Suthanu's lap, feeling the warmth and love that radiated from her. "You want to do something special for him, Maiya?," he whispered, "Something that shows him how much we love him, how much I love him?"

Suthanu's fingers wove through her son's hair as she spoke, her voice tender. "Yes , Lal that was on my mind. But it won't be with grand gestures or feasts. I want us to create something that he can keep in his heart, something that reminds him of the journey we've all taken together."

Vajra looked up at her, curious and eager. "What can we do, Maiya? What can we give him that will be so special?"

Suthanu took a deep breath and placed her hand over Vajra's small one, guiding it to rest on her belly. "We will write him a letter," she said softly, "but not just any letter. You and I will write him something that speaks to the soul, something that will hold our love for him... a letter from both of us to your father"

Vajra's eyes widened, understanding the depth of what his mother was proposing. "A letter?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder. "But... what will we say and I don't know to write fully yet."

Suthanu smiled, her eyes twainking with a gentle smile. "I'll help you , Lal in writing. About what we will write  , we will write to him of our love, Lal. Of the moments he has given us, the sacrifices he has made. We will write of the times he has held us close, the wisdom he has shared, and the laughter we have shared. And we will tell him of the future... of the bond we will build as a family."

She leaned down and kissed Vajra's forehead. "Your words will be the most important, my Lal. Tell him what is in your heart. Tell him what it means to you to have him as a father."

Vajra thought for a moment, his small brow furrowed in concentration before he smiled. "I will ,maiya. I'll tell him , he is my MahaNaayaka"

Suthanu's heart ached with love for her son, her throat tight with emotion. "I am sure, he will cherish every word Lal."

Together, mother and son sat in the quiet of the room, parchment and ink before them. Vajra's hand shook slightly as he wrote his part of the letter though Suthanu's held his palm, carefully forming each word, pouring his heart onto the page. After a while, Suthanu wrote too, her words flowing like a river of love. 

When they finished, Vajra sat back, his heart racing with excitement and pride. "Do you think Pita will like it, maiya?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Suthanu gathered him into her arms, holding him close. "Only your Pita can answer this question , Lal."

My Dearest Pita,

I have been thinking for a long time about what I want to say to you. Maiya said I should write from my heart, so I am trying, but sometimes it is hard to find the right words to tell you just how much I love you.

Pita, you are everything to me. When I wake up in the morning, I look forward to seeing your smile and I dream of you and maiya smiling in my dream world too. You make the world seem so safe and so big at the same time. Even when you are teaching me about weapons and battle, I know you are showing me how to protect, not to harm. You make me strong, but you also make me kind, and I think that is what I love the most about you.

Do you remember the first time you gave me a bow? I was so nervous—I didn't know if I could hold it right, let alone pull the string! But you didn't lose your patience, even though my hands were shaking. You just smiled and told me to try. You believed in me before I even believed in myself. I felt proud that day, because you made me believe that I could be strong. And I know that if you weren't there, I would have never found that courage inside me. And that's the greatest gift you've given me, Pita —you believe in me, even when I don't believe in myself.

You are my guru, not just in shastra abyaas, but even in life Pita. I would always look upto you. You teach me about balance—how to be firm but not harsh, how to be brave but still soft inside. I have watched how you are with maiya, with me, with the people who look up to you. They all love you, just like I do, because you are never just a warrior. You are a guide, a protector, and a friend. You are strong, but you are gentle and compassionate, and that is the greatest strength of all.

I love how you let me be mischievous sometimes, how you pretend to be serious but then secretly smile when you catch me. You always seem to know when to be my teacher and when to be my partner. I feel so close to you because I know you see me as more than just your son—you treat me like your friend. When we sit together under the stars, you tell me stories of the great battles and the old kings, and I feel like I am part of something bigger, something beyond just us. But at the same time, it feels like it's just you and me in the whole world.

Pita, I want to be just like you when I grow up. Not just in how I fight, but in how I love. You love with so much strength, with so much patience. Even when I make mistakes, you never make me feel small. You show me how to rise, how to learn. You always tell me that a warrior is not someone who wins every battle, but someone who keeps trying, who defeats failure with persistence. Pita , you instilled the root that I can never fail in your and maiya's eyes and I carry those words with me every day.

There's something I want to say, and I hope you can hear it in my heart even if my words aren't enough. You are not just my father—you are my hero Pita. My MahaNaayaka.  Not because of the things you can do with your sword or because of your strength, but because of the way you love me and Maiya and everyone around you. Because of the way you always choose kindness, even when you could choose something else. You make me want to be better, Pita. 

Now that maiya is going to have a baby, I have been thinking a lot about being a brother. I want to be a brother like you are a father to me—kind, strong, always there. I hope I can give the same love you give me to our little one. I will protect them the way you protect me. I will guide them, the way you guide me. I will love them with all my heart, the way you love me.

I dream of being like you, Pita every time. The way you love me is the most precious thing I have, and I will carry it with me always, in everything I do. I will be a good son, and one day, a good brother too.

Pita, you are my strength, my heart, and my MahaNayaaka. I hope that one day I will make you proud, just like you make me proud every single day. I know I am still small, and I have much to learn, but with you beside me, I know I will become able. 

I love you more than the stars in the sky, more than the earth beneath our feet. And , I love you just as much I love my maiya. You both are my world, Pita.

Your Lal,

Vajra Bhanu Yaduvanshi

In Bhanu's hands, Vajra's letter lay unfolded—its words, filled with love and emotion, stirring something deep within him.

Vajra lay asleep on the bed, his small form curled into the soft folds of the blanket. His chest rose and fell with the steady rhythm of sleep, completely unaware of the profound stillness that had settled over his parents.

Suthanu sat beside Bhanu on the swing, her head gently resting on his shoulder, her eyes closed, though she was not asleep. She could feel the weight of his silence, the unspoken emotions that trembled in the space between them.

He was yet to read hers but she could feel his emotions. 

" Has the father forgotten , he has a letter even from his wife? " , Suthanu whispered with a soft smile trying to lighten up the air. 

" From my wife , too? " , Bhanu's voice was barely a whisper. 

" Yes from your wife too , Adi " , Suthanu brought the letter from her side on the swing to hand it over to Bhanu. 

Bhanu held the letter in his hands as if it were the most fragile thing in the world, his heart still racing from the emotions still Vajra's letter stirred in him.

He turned toward Suthanu, who sat beside him on the swing, her presence so calm, so steady, like the quiet center of a storm. She had always been that for him—his anchor, his peace.

He looked at her, studying her face, the soft glow of the moonlight reflecting off her skin. She seemed almost ethereal in the night's embrace, her growing belly a reminder of the life they had created together, of the journey they were on as a family. 

What more surpise was left? 

To be continued...

A little light hearted chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. 

Also , I am thinking of starting a book on Bhima and Draupadi. Would anyone of you be interested?

Please do leave your votes and comments !