Scant lackadaisical clouds floated high up in the cerulean skies basking in the toasty heat of the noon sun. They were not alone in their leisurely spirit. The occupants of the palace of Indraprastha reciprocated their nature albeit in the rare intervals of their busy schedule.

Although shaded from the sun, the stone walls bore the brunt of the northern zephyrs which encapsulated the beguiling carvings in winter's cold breath. All admiring hands were hastily retracted upon being greeted by an unpleasant chill.
Barefeet shared a similar fate from the unmercifully cold floors yearning to rest on the heated courtyard, run along the freshly mowed grass outside and not leave the cosy carpets indoors.

The privileged ones like Abhijishya herself got to linger under the warm golden rays till the chilled bones could completely soak in the heat. Yet leisure was far from her reach.

"Vindu, come on, open your mouth," Abhijishya held a silver spoonful of mashed rice and pulses waiting for the toddler in her lap to pay attention. The little prince ignored her for the umpteenth time more enamoured with the colourful wooden elephant.

She gently motioned the spoon near his mouth only for him to turn away. "No," he huffed out and rubbed his face on her blouse. Abhijishya raised an unimpressed eyebrow at the cheeky grinning face who had just lovingly made a mushy yellow patch on her garment. A giggle drew out a helpless smile from her before she sighed tiredly.

"I don't understand why he isn't eating today," Abhijishya murmured placing the spoon back into the bowl Charu was holding seated beside her on the plush carpet. They were situated on the eastern balcony overlooking the palace courtyard. Pleasant sunlight poured on them abundantly which allowed them to discard their heavy winter articles and enjoy the warmth.

"Perhaps Rajkumar Prativindya is already full. Should I enquire if he was fed sometime before?" Reva mused, momentarily pausing her busy hands which were sewing a washcloth.

Abhijishya shook her head in denial. "Jiji would have told you so if it were the case," she remarked bouncing Draupadi's first born absentmindedly. Prativindya was only fifteen months old so it wasn't like they would get an answer for his strange behaviour from him.

"Maybe she forgot, Rajkumari. Maharani does look quite frazzled having her hands full with Rajkumar Shatanika. Unlike his elder brother, Rajkumar has been troublesome these two months," Charu replied thoughtfully. Abhijishya considered her words. Afterall, it was true in all aspects. Shatanika was born two months and sixteen days ago. Since then Draupadi hadn't gotten a whole night's sleep. The prospect of letting anyone else take over caring for the two youngest members of their household was out of question. Even with the tight security, one couldn't predict how an enemy would plot wishing harm on the male descendants of the Pandavs. So Abhijishya had stepped up to the role of minding Prativindya, not that she had anything more to occupy her time this year. The relief and gratitude in Draupadi's tired face was something she could sympathise with having faced many a sleepless night during Anvi's early years.

"Vindu doesn't look like he isn't hungry," Abhijishya glanced at the young adolescent's face which rested on a cupped palm, supported by an erect forearm balancing on the elbow. With two braids on either side of her shoulders, her daughter laid on her stomach, parchments strewn around, casually kicking her legs in the air alternatively. The long skirt had bunched around Anvi's knees leaving her gold anklet encircled legs bare. Abhijishya prayed for patience.

"How many times have I told you to sit properly while writing?" Abhijishya glared at Anvi's attempt to protest. "I don't care if these are for your music lessons. Your handwriting is getting worse every passing day."

"But Maa," Anveeksha whined straightening her languid posture. "My back hurts from sitting through your lessons earlier. This was supposed to be my break."

"And whose fault is it for not completing the task beforehand? You should have memorized the music notes by yesterday. It surely was not me who decided to go frolicking along with my friends instead of getting the assignment done," Abhijishya reminded her daughter adjusting Prativindya in her hold. She was about to try feeding Vindu again when she heard familiar mumblings.

Abhijishya narrowed her eyes. "What was that, Rajkumari Anveeksha?"

Anvi's eyes widened knowing she was a wrong answer away from getting an earful. "Vindu, Matashree! I was saying Vindu is chewing on your pearl necklace," Abhijishya followed Anvi's line of sight. Prativindya had a fistful of necklace shoved inside his mouth munching on then with his few baby teeth.

She gently pried out the now saliva covered necklace. "No, Vindu. We don't chew on necklaces." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Prativindya's bottom lip wobbled dangerously.

"Oh dear," Abhijishya immediately wrapped him in her arms and got up hoping to distract him by moving around. Both Reva and Charu followed her cooing at the toddler while waving his toys around him. Thankfully, the colourful bangles caught Prativindya's interest who forgot about his sour mood. As he reached out for Charu, Abhijishya passed him to her taking the bowl of rice, pulses and vegetables puree from her.

Prativindya was not a fussy child. If he was refusing to eat, then it meant something was wrong with the taste of the food. Abhijishya eyed the bowl thoughtfully then   took a spoonful of the puree in her palm. Tasting it gingerly, she grimaced. No wonder her Vindu didn't want to eat his lunch. "Reva, please go get me some salt. And let the chefs know that they forgot to put any in Vindu's meal."

Reva nodded and left immediately. Patting Prativindya's back, Charu intoned, "It is the chefs' good fortune that you were the one who is caring for Rajkumar these days. Otherwise, Maharani would have been terribly cross. Poor Lata, she still pales whenever she encounters Maharani after that incident."

Abhijishya rolled her eyes. That incident was known to everyone in the palace which gave Draupadi a reputation of her fiery temper. "What else can you expect from jiji? She was pregnant with Shatanika at that time as well as looking after Vindu who was suffering from a cold. On top of that, Lata carelessly let Vindu lie on his wet loincloth. She deserved the scolding she got. Lata didn't have to wail as if she were being executed."

Charu pursed her lips before bowing her head, "It is that she can be executed."

Abhijishya had a good guess on what was running through her head. The commoners especially the slaves lived under the constant fear of displeasing the royalty and having their lives cut short without any warning. It was so in most kingdoms of Aryavart but not under the rule of Maharaj Yudhisthir. But the fear was ingrained in the people through generations. It would not disappear suddenly. For the lack of better words, Abhijishya simple placed a reassuring hand on Charu's shoulder, "Never in Indraprastha though."

"Never in Indraprastha," Charu repeated with a smile. Abhijishya returned her smile knowing the faith in Charu's eyes solely belonged for her which she hoped would extend to the Pandavs one day.

Her eyes were drawn to the approaching footsteps. "That was very quick," Abhijishya commented taking the small container of salt from a heavily breathing Reva. Eleven years and still, Reva was a whirlwind. "Don't blame me if one of these days you fall from the stairs and break your back in a hurry."

Reva looked chastised but not guilty enough, "Rajkumar is hungry, Rajkumari. I had to."

"Like you had to when I had asked you for my dried clothes in the evening and you delivered them an hour after I asked for them," Abhijishya deadpanned to which Charu snickered and Reva had the sense to appear slightly mollified retreating to continue her work. She didn't understand why Reva felt the need to complete all her tasks as quickly as humanly possible. Shaking her head in amusement, Abhijishya mixed a pinch of salt in the puree which was barely lukewarm now.

"Here Vindu, have this. Your Kakishree has made your lunch tasty. Say aa," Abhijishya raised a spoonful to Prativindya's mouth who looked at her questionablely and obeyed her request. Smacking his lips delighted at the improved taste, Prativindya voluntarily opened his mouth for the next bite. He bounced in Charu's hold clapping his hands as he swallowed his meal.

"You are such a sweet boy," Abhijishya gushed at her nephew. "Here you go. You must have been so hungry." She affectionately rubbed his tummy. Prativindya giggled, nodding at her words and reached out to be held. Abhijishya gladly took him back in her arms planted a fond kiss on his forehead. Balancing him on her left side, she fed him the puree while Charu dutifully held the bowl.

"Matashree," Abhijishya suppressed a smile at hearing the pout in Anvi's voice. She turned towards her daughter and replied, "Yes?"

"I have finished my assignment. May I play with Vindu now?" Anveeksa implored eyeing Prativindya in her hold. Abhijishya laughed out loud at the cleverly veiled suggestion. She had observed a pattern over the months. Her daughter would conveniently want to play with Prativindya more whenever Abhijishya would be affectionate towards him.

"Is Rajkumari Anveeksa jealous that her mother kissed Vindu's head?" Abhijishya teased enjoying the flushed cheeks of her little Anvi.

"No! It is not so at all," Anveeksha protested but her actions spoke otherwise. She walked upto Abhijishya, planted herself firmly on her right side and hugged her waist as if staking claim over her. "You should be glad you are adorable Vindu or else I wouldn't have let Maa love you so much," Anveeksha gave a half hearted glare at Prativindya who smushed his face against Abhijishya's neck in answer.

"Matashree, did you just see that?" Anveeksha gestured accusingly at Prativindya. "Anvi, what did say about pointing fingers?" Abhijishya lowered her daughter's finger and looked at Anvi expectantly.

"To not do that because it is impolite," Anvi replied apologetically then complained. "It is not fair that you are always busy with either Vindu or your duties. Pitashree also-" she paused midway. Abhijishya found her looking at two familiar figures walking through the courtyard, most probably, headed towards the Royal garden.

"Maa, look it's Pitashree," Anvi shook Abhijishya's hand then plastered herself against the stone railing. "Pitashree!" She called out loudly waving her hands.

"Anveeksha!" Abhijishya rebuked her more sharply than intended and pulled her away from the balcony railing. "Anveeksha," she continued more patiently. "Dear, your father wishes to spend time with your Jyesth Mata. You must not interrupt their time together."

Anveeksha visibly drooped. With teary eyes, she looked up at Abhijishya, "Is he angry with me?"

Her heart broke a little at her words. Abhijishya ushered her into an embrace, "No dear. Your father loves you so much. Your brother Shatanika is just a few months old. That's why he is unable to give you time these days." Anveeksha seemed to mull over her words then glanced uncertainly at her.

Abhijishya gave Prativindya another spoonful of puree. "You know you can always tell me anything and everything, right?" She smiled softly at her young daughter.

Anvi nodded her head uneasily. Hesitantly, she whispered, "Pitashree has not come to meet you for a long time, Maa. Is he angry with you?"

Abhijishya should have expected this question sometime soon but it still caught her off guard. Anvi was growing up and she was becoming more observant. She suddenly felt ineloquent. Charu, always perceptive, easily took Prativindya from her and moved towards Reva to allow them some privacy.

Abhijishya knelt down, rested back on the soles of her feet then took her daughter's hands in hers. "Pitashree is not angry with me, Anvi. He cannot come to me because he is with your Jyesth Mata this year. You know that your Pitashree and his brothers are your Jyesth Mata's five husbands right?"

Anvi nodded, confused what that had to do with anything. Abhijishya continued, "So to ensure the smooth running of their lifestyle and by keeping your Jyesth Mata's comfort in mind, it was decided that she would spend one year with your Tatshree Yudhisthir, then with Pitashree followed by your Tatshree Bheem, Kakashree Sahadev and Tatshree Arjun then again starting with Tatshree Yudhisthir. Therefore, this year is your Pitashree's time with your Jyesth Mata."

"That means he can't come to you?" Anveeksha looked distressed at the very idea. "Is that why he won't come to see me?

Abhijishya gripped her hands shaking her head in denial. "No, my sweet. It is not your Pitashree's choice to stay away from me. Rather it was me who gave my word that the years which he would be with your Jyesth Mata, those years I would not be his wife. That's why, to keep my word, he never comes to meet me."

"But this is unfair! Why does Jyesth Mata get to have five husbands and you don't? You are sad when Pitashree isn't there to make you laugh," Abhijishya's smile wilted at Anvi's vehement words. She had thought her feelings were safely locked in her inner thoughts alone but it looks like she didn't succeed entirely.

"I don't love any other man like I love your Pitashree, my sweet. You are too young to understand everything just yet. For now, know for sure that your Pitashree loves you very much. Due to some reasons, he might not be able to give you his time but that doesn't mean he doesn't think of you always. He did take you for gathering herbs a few days ago, didn't he? Now that you have a baby brother, it is only fair that Shatanika gets to spend time with your Pitashree too, right?" Abhijishya carefully looked into her daughter's eyes to convey the firmness behind her words.

Anveeksha stared at the floor unwilling to meet her gaze. She mumbled, "Two weeks. He took me to gather herbs two weeks ago. How is that fair?"

"Anvi," Abhijishya sighed feeling tired all over. "Your Pitashree stuck by your side through your infancy. He would even carry you around when you were a toddler. Now he is doing the same for Shatanika. How is that unfair?"

Anvi stood stubbornly silent. Abhijishya placed a kiss her hands and gently motioned her daughter's face to look at her. "Remember this always, Anvi. More often than not, you must be willing to give away your share in order to be fair. And do you know what happens when love is shared?"

Anvi shook her head remaining mum. Abhijishya curled her lips in a wide smile, "Love only multiplies when it is shared. Now be a good girl and get ready for your music lessons for the afternoon."

Anveeksha was appeased. She nodded eargerly and engulfed her into an embrace. "You are always right, Mata. I was being stupid. See you in the evening," she planted a kiss on Abhijishya's cheek and went to gather up her parchments.

Charu came upto her swaying an asleep Prativindya, "You still haven't decided how would you like to be embellished for tomorrow. Rajkumar Nakul shall be at your door as soon as the sun rises."

Abhijishya stood up gracefully and took Vindu in her arms. "Give me my shawl. The winds have picked up their pace," she simply said.

Charu did as told then proceeded to pick up the toys. Abhijishya covered Prativindya's back and sought comfort from the innocent warmth that rested on her. She watched Anvi leave along with Reva. Abhijishya didn't have the heart to tell her daughter that more often than not, the shares one gave away in order to be fair were always too precious.

A.N. - Welcome back to the continued journey of Abhijishya!!!

After Dhi, we are here beginning a new phase of the series and to be honest, I feel like I am writing my first work.

So, please ignore the lack of graphics and the blurb. Those will come slowly because the most important thing is the story ofcourse.

Let me know in the comments how did you like the beginning.

Also, isn't our Vindu adorable? I was mentally cooing over him as I was writing. He is just so cute. 💓💓😍😍😭😭💓💓💓

And our Anvi!!! Isn't she a lovely girl? I feel like they are my kids after writing this chapter. 💓💓💓

BLOOPER - How Scooby Dooby Doo almost burned down Indraprastha.

Anvi (glaring)

Vindu (baby smirk)

Anvi (glaring intensifies)

Vindu (wobbly lips and teary eyes) : DUBIIIIIII

Abhijishya: Did he just...

Anvi: ...

Abhijishya: OH MY GOD!! HE CALLED ME BY MY NAME!!!

Anvi: HE CALLED YOU DOBBY, MATASHREE!!!

Vindu (giggles mentally singing along Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you) : SUBI DUBI DUU

Abhijishya (confused) : If I am Dubi, then who is Subi and Du?

Subhadra (sneezes in Dwarka. Looks around then goes back to picking the lock of Krishna's makhan storage)

Draupadi (sneezes in the garden and glares at flowers thinking the pollens made her sneeze)

(Flower catches on fire and so does Nakul's dhoti as he was standing near it)

~CUT~

Vote. Comment. Share if you liked my story.

Until the next time,

Byeee.

(Rushes with fire extinguisher. Curses Arjun for being on exile at the wrong time. WHERE IS A VARUNASTRA WHEN YOU NEED ONE?!?!)