A Day of Childlike Rest
After a grueling year spent in the timeless realm of Kaivalya, Devika and the Yojinis finally emerged back into their own space. Exhausted yet fulfilled, the group decided to indulge in a rare moment of leisure. Vidyata, always the organizer, declared, "Today, we rest like royalty. Everyone to the bed!"
Mandini, already yawning, leaped onto the massive bed with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Ah, the sweet embrace of laziness! My second-favorite art form after mischief!" she proclaimed, sprawling across the center.
"Make room!" Charani called, diving in with surprising athleticism and nearly knocking Mandini off the bed. Kaivalya, who maintained her stoic grace even during rest, silently slid onto the corner of the bed, only to be dragged to the center by Mandini.
Sharvani, who initially resisted joining the childish chaos, finally sighed and climbed onto the bed after Devika tugged her arm. Soon, all six of them were tangled in a heap, snuggling together like carefree children.
"Who's hogging the blanket?" Mandini mumbled in her sleep, pulling it forcefully, which sent Vidyata into a laughing fit as Charani clung to her end like her life depended on it.
Morning Laughter and Training
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight peeked through the windows. Sharvani, ever the disciplined warrior, was the first to awaken. Stretching, she glanced at Devika, who was still buried under a pillow. With a sly grin, Sharvani clapped her hands loudly and declared, "Wake up, soldier!"
Devika, startled, rolled off the bed in a tangle of sheets. "I was having such a nice dream!" she grumbled, rubbing her eyes.
Sharvani chuckled, pulling her to her feet. "Dreams won't make you a warrior. Let's train!"
As they stepped outside to begin their session, Mandini, still half-asleep, appeared at the door with a spoon and a bowl of yogurt. "Why must you two be so loud?" she whined. "Some of us are trying to maintain our beauty sleep."
"You'll need more than sleep to fix that face," Sharvani shot back with a smirk, making Devika burst into laughter.
Mandini gasped dramatically. "How dare you insult this masterpiece?" She threw the yogurt spoon like a javelin, only for Sharvani to catch it effortlessly mid-air.
"Nice try," Sharvani teased, tossing the spoon back at Mandini, who ducked and stumbled into a bush.
The Arrival of Shiva, Parvati, and… Nandi?
Just as the chaos was reaching its peak, a brilliant light filled the garden. Everyone turned to see Shiva and Parvati walking toward them, their divine presence radiating peace and power. But it wasn't just the two of them.
Beside them was a towering figure—a man with striking white hair, a calm yet commanding presence, and a physique that could only be described as herculean. His broad shoulders and muscular frame seemed almost otherworldly.
Devika's jaw dropped as the man's sheer size became evident. "Who… is that?" she whispered to Sharvani, who had suddenly frozen in place, her eyes wide with recognition.
The man's deep, rumbling voice broke the silence. "Sharvani. Little sister."
Sharvani's face lit up with an intensity Devika had never seen before. She let out a piercing battle cry and charged toward the man.
"Nandi!" she screamed. "Fight me, big brother!"
Sibling Rivalry That Shook the Realm
The two collided with a thunderous impact that shook the ground beneath them. Nandi's massive arm blocked Sharvani's punch, and a playful grin spread across his face. "You haven't changed," he said, stepping back and countering with a sweeping kick that Sharvani narrowly dodged.
Their exchange of blows was nothing short of epic. Sharvani's agility and technique clashed against Nandi's raw strength and precision. Each strike sent shockwaves through the air, causing the other Yojinis to duck and scatter.
Mandini, hiding behind a tree, peeked out and muttered, "Are they sparring or trying to destroy the garden?"
Vidyata, watching with awe, replied, "Both, I think."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sharvani landed a hit on Nandi's shoulder. He stumbled slightly before laughing heartily. "You've gotten stronger, little one," he said, pulling her into a tight hug.
Sharvani laughed, her earlier intensity replaced with genuine joy. "You're not too bad yourself, big brother."
Devika's Bond with Parvati
As the dust settled, the other Yojinis emerged from their hiding spots, still wary of another sudden sparring match. Devika, meanwhile, ran straight to Parvati, giggling and humming a tune.
"Maa!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms tightly around Parvati.
Parvati smiled warmly, returning the embrace. In that moment, she felt the immense growth in Devika—not just physically but spiritually. There was a clarity and strength in her aura that hadn't been there before.
"You've grown so much, my child," Parvati said softly, brushing a strand of hair from Devika's face. "I'm proud of you."
Devika beamed, her heart swelling with pride and happiness. "It's all thanks to you and the Yojinis, Maa."
A Comic Conclusion
As the group gathered together, Mandini couldn't resist breaking the sentimental moment. "Well, now that everyone's here, can we talk about the real issue? Who's going to clean up the mess these two made?" she said, pointing at the debris from Sharvani and Nandi's sparring match.
Sharvani smirked. "Why don't you handle it, Mandini? Consider it training."
Mandini crossed her arms and pouted. "I'm too delicate for manual labor!"
Kaivalya, with her usual calm demeanor, chimed in. "Then perhaps I should freeze you in time until the mess cleans itself?"
Mandini gasped. "You wouldn't dare!"
Kaivalya raised an eyebrow, and Mandini quickly grabbed a broom, muttering under her breath. "Fine, but I'm doing this under protest."
As laughter echoed through the garden, Shiva and Parvati exchanged a knowing glance. This was their family—a chaotic, comedic, and deeply loving group. And in the heart of it all was Devika, the girl who was becoming something truly extraordinary.