Prakriti P.O.V
We thought our Agyatvasa would be the hardest but due to the kindness of King Virata and its people we were happy and occupied with our work, its been four months since I entered in the city as Manha, I have spent most of my time here in the chamber and sometimes went with the Princess to Dancing hall where my Arya teach her dancing, That is the only time I can see my Arya and that too in Brihannala form. He looked happy when he was surrounded with music, it is clearly shown on his face and Chitrasena taught him very well, now he can even dance better than any celestial nymph. Its been months since I last saw twins as they work outside the Castle and I can't go outside without any valid reason. Elder Brother has become close to King Virata, I saw couple of days ago when I went to tell Princess message to her Father, Elder Brother was standing close beside King throne and he looked content with the situation. Meeting Brother Bheem was nearly impossible as I didn't get the opportunity to visit kitchen. I wanted to meet Brother Bheem and eat the dishes he made in the kitchen from his hand. I saw Krishne many time during the past months because she is Queen's maid and Queen adored her very much so she stays beside her most of the time and whenever Princess Uttara went to meet her mother, I tagged along every time to see Krishne, she didn't look happy but she wasn't sad either so that was relief for me.
Now it was Festival time when Siva was worshiped in the city. There was a tournament of wrestling and contestants came from all over Bharatavarsha to show their prowess. King Virata's wrestlers were renowned for their skill and strength and one of them had never failed to take the prize. King Virata was sitting on his throne in the arena, Elder Brother was standing beside him looking around, other than that there was no member of our family available in the arena. I was standing beside Princess Uttara throne staring at the vast ring for wrestling competition. "Do you like wrestling, Princess?" I asked Uttara curiously, she doesn't seem like a person who would like war and fights. She looked at me and gave a soft chuckle "I am not least bit interested in war" she responded, I was confused, then why is she here? "I am here because I want to see the dance performance by dancer after our Kingdom win the game" she continued and looked at the arena where wrestler started filling for the game. I smiled and turned my face to watch the game. Virata Kingdom's wrestler were winning the game until one person came and started gaining victory over our wrestler. "I am Jimuta and know that I am the greatest wrestler in the world and none of your puny fighters can face me. I am as strong as ten lions, so let every wrestler in Virata beware!" he declared standing in the middle of arena after defeating his opponent, he looked straight in the eyes of Virata King and smirked.
"That's why I don't like this game, see this person is so conceited" Princess Uttara muttered in dislike. I stared at Jimuta blankly, he is a good wrestler but he is too full of himself. If he was in Indraprastha then Brother Bheem would have thrown him out after defeating him in seconds. But here we can't showcase our ability. Right now the greatest wrestler is cooking food for the feast, I sighed and stand there looking in the arena. Then I looked towards King Virata, he was whispering to Elder Brother, his eyes shining with anger. After the discussion between them for couple of minutes, King Virata sent a man inside the Castle and the man came back with Brother Bheem, my breath hitched in my throat as I saw Brother Bheem walking towards King Virata. My eyes met Elder Brother and he blinked his eyes in reassurance, I gave him a quick nod back believing in his decision, he won't make any mistake that will expose us, I trust him. I stared at Brother Bheem, my eyes shining with tears, its been months since I last saw him, I missed the banter and teasing between us, I missed him. I quickly moved my eyes away so that no one would suspect anything.
"Why did Father call Ballava here, is he going to fight?" Princess Uttara asked, "But is he cook, isn't he?" she further added, I bowed my head a little before speaking "Princess, I saw Ballava fighting in Indraprastha, he is great wrestler" I praised saying the truth, she looked at me surprised "If you are saying then he must be" she smiled.
Brother Bheem stand in front of King Virata with hesitation in his eyes, "You mustn't refuse the king today, Ballava. He has been so kind to you that no price should be too high to pay in return" Elder Brother said seeing the look on his face, Brother Bheem eyes flickered to me and I nodded my head subtly. Finally he bowed his head "I will fight for the honor of the Matsyas today and may Siva bless me" he said and walked towards the arena with head held high.
Now it is going to be entertaining watching Brother Bheem fight once again. When Jimuta saw Brother Bheem entering in the ring, he started laughing "You have another goat for me to slaughter" he said arrogantly and turned his gaze at Brother Bheem "Fool, go back to your place or I will break your neck for you!" he roared, Brother Bheem didn't acknowledge his harsh words and he bent at the waist taking his position, Jimuta scoffed and took his position as well, they started circling each other and suddenly Jimuta charged at Brother Bheem like a bison. I smiled already knowing the fate of this wrestler, In a flash, Bheema seized him and lifted him over his head. He whirled the giant around thrice and flung him down, head first, like a thunderbolt, driving his neck into his thick body, crushing his skull, killing him instantly. Everyone was silent as they stared at the scene and suddenly the crowd started cheering and started running in the arena to embrace Brother Bheem. "Let me go, friends. I have fifty dishes on the fire and they will all burn!" Brother Bheem cried trying to free himself from the embrace, I chuckled. Finally I saw a smile on his face.
***
In the evening I was waiting for Princess Uttara to get ready so that she can go for her dance practice, she was running around the chamber looking for her jewellery. I laughed looking at her hectic self, she is still a child. "Manha, why don't you go in the dancing hall, I will be there in a minute" she said when she saw me looking at her with mirth, "Sure Princess, be there on time" I said and bowed my head, she quickly nodded her head and I walked out of the chamber briskly making my way towards the dining hall. I could hear music from the hall and the sound of anklet bells, I stopped myself at the entrance of the hall, a smile appeared on my face as I saw my Arya dancing, his movements were flawless and he was lost in the art. My eyes moved as his body moves, I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. Suddenly he stopped dancing and directly looked at me, his cheeks tinted with pink, I walked towards him and smiled "Brihannala, you dance very well, better than any nymph" I teased standing before him, he bowed his head dramatically "Thank you Manha, I appreciate it" he chuckled looking at me in adoration. Suddenly smile slip away from his face "How are you, my dear?" he said in low voice, nobody was in the hall beside us, I gave him a small smile "I am fine and now I am better" I responded, he smiled softly at me and moved his hand to touch my cheek but before he could do that Uttara entered in the room "I am ready" she announced, Arya quickly moved his hand back and I moved away from him.
"So Brihannala, what are we learning today?" she asked unaware of the pain that crossed on our face as we moved away from each other. I walked and stand at the corner. Arya eyes flicked at me for a second then he moved his eyes away to his student and they started their training and I was content for the time being in the presence of my Arya, that is enough for me now.
Eleven months went smoothly without any issue, now it was our last month and everyone was anxious because we wanted our Agyatavasa to be complete so that we can fulfill our oath, by now Duryodhana must have been getting restless searching for us all around the Aryavarta. One day in the Castle, everyone were busy in decorating it, I could hear music playing in the city, it appeared to be a festival, I was confused because today was no festival, I stopped a maid who was walking nearby "Why is the Castle being decorated?" I asked her curiously, she raised her eyebrows "You don't know, our Chief Keechaka is getting back home with his legions and ample treasures" she said proudly, her eyes shining with happiness and walked away from there, I stood in the same position staring at the place she was standing a minute ago. I forget about the Keechaka that he is a Chief of this Kingdom, I would have been happy if he didn't come here for one more month but I guess we have to endure him for the time we are here. There was dancing and singing in the streets for his welcome, I spent my time in the Princess Uttara chamber because I didn't want to be in the presence of Keechaka at all. He was arrogant, he was conceited and he think him as the King of this Kingdom.
I just hope I would never encounter him for this month !
I went to Uttara chamber, she was sitting on the bed playing with her dolls, she is so bubbly and innocent, last time when I was here for Raj Surya Yagya she was still in the womb of her mother and now she is sitting in front of me as a young woman. My son must have been a young man now, my eyes started stinging with tears, just couple more months and I will be able to see him.
"Manha, what are you doing standing there?" Uttara asked, I shook my head and put a smile on my face "Nothing Princess, I was just looking at you and your innocence" I responded walked towards her, she chuckled "I was waiting for you, can you bring some ladoos for me?" She asked in hopeful tone, I laughed, she never order me around, always ask me if I am comfortable in doing the work she gave me I nodded my head "Sure Princess, I will just quickly make a trip to the kitchen" I said, I can also see Brother Bheem this way. She nodded her head "And you eat something too, I know you haven't eaten anything since morning" she said giving me a scolding look, I nodded smiling and make my way towards the kitchen giddy to meet Brother Bheem. I reached in the kitchen and saw him making rice pudding, I guess I am on time. I walked towards him "Ballava Maharaj, Princess wants some ladoo" I said standing in front of him, he moved his gaze towards me in surprise then his eyes soften, his eyes started pooling with tears but I slowly shook my head, this is not the time to cry. "Alright, I will gave you some ladoos" he said and went inside to bring ladoo. He came out and gave me the plate, I gave him a smile in return "Well you are here, can you check my rice pudding and taste it to let me know how it is?" he said smiling, he doesn't even has to ask me, I nodded my head happily and sat down on a stool. He quickly put some pudding in bowl and sat infront of me. He looked around to see if someone was watching us, I looked as well, nobody was present at this side, he put pudding in his hand and feed me quickly.
It was delicious!
"How are you my dear sister?" He asked me putting his hand on my head. I gave him a watery smile "I am fine Brother Bheem, I miss you and everyone" I responded, he sighed and lowered his head "There is never a time when I didn't miss you all" he said.
***
After couple of days, I was walking back to Uttara chamber when suddenly I heard screams coming from the corridor, my eyes widened and I quickly changed my direction and walked swiftly towards the voice. I saw Krishne running in the direction of King court with Keechaka behind her, he was running after her with mad look on his face, my jaw clenched in anger and I walked after them with angry stride. When I entered in the court I saw Keechaka kicked her down at the Matsya king's feet and stood raging over her. My eyes widened and my fist clenched, I saw red when he touched my Krishne.
Agyatvasa or not, he is going to die!