Words - once spoken can only be forgiven. The irreversible nature of them have always made the oldest caution the young lest they carry the regret like their ancestors. Alas! No one learns this lesson until it is too late.
(Blurb to be edited)
Vāc i...
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"You have been distant lately," Abhijishya looked up from the piece of parchment she had been pondering over to meet kohl bordered eyes boring into hers. Draupadi sat half reclined against cushions gently patting Shatanik as the little prince slept. On her left was Prativindya, fast asleep, after listening to Dhruvi's bedtime story.
Her sister-in-law was not incorrect. Abhijishya was indeed keeping her distance from Draupadi. However, this was not as unusual as one might believe. The years Draupadi spent as Nakul's wife were also synonymous with Abhijishya avoiding Draupadi and Nakul outside of formal appearances. It wasn't an ideal behaviour but no one complained. Well, Abhijishya surely didn't expect Draupadi to bring up anything about it. On hindsight, she also should have expected it because once Draupadi's year was over, Abhijishya was always quick to warm back into her jiji's life again. This time, a month and some days had passed and Dhruvi was yet to resume her sisterly presence beside Draupadi.
For lack of a better reply, Abhijishya decided to play oblivious. "Have I now?" The lamp near her flickered as if sensing the fire born's annoyance.
The shadow of Draupadi's nose ring emphasised the displeased curl of her lips. Night was already coercing the Queen of Indraprastha in Goddess Nidra's embrace but it seemed Abhijishya was willing to test her patience, "I don't want to go around talking in circles with you. You very well are aware what I am talking about."
"Circles? Jiji, I beg your pardon but I assure you that talent only belongs to my esteemed brother and your friend," Abhijishya intoned, peering back at the finance records of the state. Internally she cursed herself for not rushing back to her chambers after Vindu had fallen asleep. Atleast she would have been spared from an uncomfortable conversation.
"That it does but you are not far behind him on being a master of wordplay. And before you argue, everyone shares the same opinion as me," Draupadi replied carefully moving away from her slumbering children. The upcoming conversation might rouse them which she definitely did not wish to occur. Planting her feet on the carpet, she stood up and sat down on the settee which also accommodated Abhijishya along with the various parchments she was looking over.
"You praise me too much," Abhijishya half smiled already contemplating a strategy of escape.
"It does not necessarily translate to a compliment," Draupadi remarked sharply before softening her tone. "If it weren't for Prativindya stubbornly refusing to go to sleep unless you come here to tell him a story, you wouldn't have stepped in my living quarters for who knows how long. I know it is related to Arya Nakul but I never sensed this distance between us."
Abhijishya watched Draupadi mull over her thoughts and for once kept stubbornly silent. The fire-born queen had not really changed much in the past decade. Rather motherhood added more mature feminine touches to her physical appearance. Her face looked more full compared to the time after Vindu was born.
Abhijishya herself had changed more than her sister-in-law. Her hair now reached below her hips. It was inconvenient but her suggestion of snipping it was strongly stomped on by anyone she had mentioned her wish to. She also had gained weight a bit which plumped her up from the skinny teenager she was. To put it accurately, the years put their touches on Abhijishya's body moulding her into the woman she was today. Whereas Draupadi seemed almost identical to the day she had wed the five sons of Pandu. It was indeed strange now that Abhijishya's mind catalogued her observations.
