Not in Blood, but in Bond

Confrontation with a God

"BHAGWAN PARSHURAM?!"

"Ssshh!" Vrishasen shushed him, his eyes darting around nervously. "Don't be so loud! He will hear you!" He whispered.

"Okay- but what is he doing here?!" He hissed back, his mind already dreading about the ways and weapons the Great man could slay him with. "Is he angry with us? Oh shit, Vrishasen, what did you do while I was passed out?! Whatever it is, I hope he doesn't think I have done it- it won't take him a second thought to plunge his axe in my chest- how is it even healed? Oh right, you said that you will answer that later- but now I wonder, will we even be alive for that? I just hope he makes it quick-"

"Abhimanyu." The older man gripped his shoulders and Abhimanyu took many deep breaths, trying to ease his racing heart and control his brain from formulating dangerous thoughts. Vrishasen's presence helped him in that. He made him sit on the stone slab and Abhimanyu's gaze fell to his own legs, his chest heaving.

Vrishasen put his hand on Abhimanyu's forehead, taking his temperature. "You are a bit feverish. But it will be okay. And don't worry, though I don't think Bhagwan Parshuram is here to slay us. He said that he wanted to talk to both of us, together as he said, and I quote, 'does not like repeating himself twice.' He would not have waited for you to wake up if he wanted to do so." A frown found its way on Vrishasen's handsome face and he spoke in a teasing manner. "But on second thought, it might also be that he did not want to kill you while you were sleeping."

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes. "Thank you very much Vrishasen, that was really helpful in easing my fear. But- hold on a second- has he been waiting for us for long?"

"He arrived in the morning, while you slept like a baby."

"Okay....how much time have I spent in this....Cave?"

"Three days."

Subhadraye bit his lip. Three days. He had not felt it pass, but his family must have. They must be worried about him and Mata must be crying her heart out since he had disappeared without a trace three days ago. A sharp pain shot out from his heart, caging his soul with guilt of not being there to wipe those pearls away from his mother's cheek.

His uncles must be feeling guilty too, for it was on their insistence that he had entered the Chakravyuh.

And his father. Hey Mahadev. He did not want to think what state his absence had reduced his father to. The man he had always looked up to, was inspired by must be shedding tears in ekaant for not being there for his son.

"Do not think about that." Vrishasen's voice was gentle, caring. Understanding. As if he knew what was going in Abhimanyu's mind. A hand came to his shoulder, squeezing it.

Subhadra Nandan blinked his watery eyes at Karnputra, who smiled softly. "We will go back to Kurukshetra after talking to Bhagwan Parshuram."

Smiling softly, Abhimanyu nodded. Then, noticing a red cloth, probably holding something inside, tied to Vrishasen's waist, motioned towards it curiously, as if trying to say 'what is that?'.

Understanding his question, Vrishasen took it off his waist. "They are-" But he did not say, instead opened it, revealing- blueberries?

"Vrishasen- what?"

"Pitashree said that Bhagwan Parshuram is very fond of blueberries. So while you were sleeping and Bhagwan Parshuram polishing his axe, I went out to the forest to look for some and luckily I found them."

"I don't want to know why he was polishing his axe but I hope it is not to murder us but, wait, how did Angaraj know that Bhagwan Parshuram likes blueberries?" At that, Vrshasen just grinned at him and realization dawned upon him.