𝐑𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐇Ā𝐕𝐀

CHAPTER 14

It was supposed to be joyous moment, a moment of union between parents and children as they returned after gaining knowledge and skills from their Guru.

But not so much for Vidur or Sulabha, the heartbreaking news about the curse Manvendra had gotten, had shaken them to the core. Yet, they had told themselves to be strong for their son.

But the moment Manvendra came in front of them, a sad sigh left the lips of Vidur as he still kept his composure but Sulabha broke down into tears.

He did greet them both with utmost respect, but that expected smile, the smile which was praised in the entire Hastinapur, a smile that made one forget all the worries, wasn't on his face.

As a mother, the news of her son's curse had devastated her. She couldn't imagine her child living a life devoid of emotions. The thought of her son being unable to express his pain, happiness, and anger left her feeling helpless and sad.

Sulabha's heart ached as she looked at Manvendra's stoic face, unable to read his emotions, unable to connect with him. She felt like she had lost her son to the curse.

Sulabha was deeply saddened, her grief got the best of her as she fell in the arms of her son, burying her face in his chest.

"Why don't you smile at me son ? Please smile for me once." Sulabha requested.

Manvendra looked at her, a frown had appeared on his face. His mother was crying in his arms, yet he wasn't able to feel anything. No empathy, no sympathy, just apathy.

"I can't." He said breaking the hug and leaving hurriedly.

Sulabha looked at him and began sobbing even more but she was consoled by Vidur.

"Don't worry Sulabha, if Ishwar wants, our son shall again become the Su-Smit he was. I am certain that he shall smile again." Vidur said sadly.

"But, his smile was the source of my life." Sulabha said.

"No Sulabha. He is the source of your life. Our life. At his most vulnerable point, we need to be his strength, not weakness." Vidur said.

"You're right, Aryaputra. It doesn't befit me to shed tears." Sulabha said wiping her tears.

-----

Manvendra was standing at his balcony, his mind was thoughtless at the moment. He just gazed the city of Hastinapur, glimmering in the night.

"Son ?" Sulabha called.

"Yes Mata ?" He looked at her, turning around.

She smiled at him as she entered his room with a plate of food.

"I have made your all favourite dishes." She said keeping it on the table.

He looked at the plate and then at her, his face remained expressionless.

"Come. I'll feed you with my own hands." She said gesturing him to sit next to him.

"You know, it's going to make me feel anything." He said.

"So what ? My love is not bound to your feelings. Come now." She said.

Manvendra walked towards her, and sat beside. With a smile on her face, Sulabha started feeding him all the food that she had made by her own hands.

He ate in silence, in childhood these dishes gave him immense pleasure but now nothing at all. Uninterestedly, Manvendra chewed his food and looked at his mother.

"Does this bring you happiness ? Or are you pretending it for me ?" He asked.

Sulabha chuckled, she could sense the subtle tone of confusion in his voice. His question was genuine.

"Nothing brings more happiness to a mother than feeding her child." She said.

This could bring a smile to anyone's face, but not his. He just nodded chewing his food. It did pain Sulabha but she didn't show it on her face, she knew her son needs unconditional positive regard, which only she could provide.

After he was done eating, Sulabha kept the plate aside, washed her hand. And with the end of her garment, wiped his mouth.

"It's getting late, you should sleep now. Tomorrow is Kala-pradarshan, you need energy. The citizens will see you after a long time." She said.

"I am not sleepy." He said.

"Then I'll make you fall asleep." Sulabha said.

She held her hands and took him to bed, sitting down and making him lie down with his head on her lap.

"I am not a child now." He said as she patted his head.

"You'll always be one to me." Sulabhā said.

"But-" "No buts. You don't argue with mothers, child. Now close your eyes." Sulabha said firmly.

Manvendra didn't debate further and closed his eyes as she had instructed. Sulabha sighed sadly.

'That woman didn't kill your heart, she killed your soul.' She thought looking at Manvendra, patting his head.

As a mother, it can be heart-wrenching to watch any kind of curse befall upon your child. It is even more difficult when that curse is one that robs them of their ability to express themselves.

Sulabha knew that there was nothing to do but accept the situation and find a way to live with it. With moistened eyes she looked at her son, who seemed to have fallen asleep. A sigh escaped her lips as she bent forward over him, resting her head over his arm.

But suddenly she felt his muscles stiffening and his body stirring. Sulabha sat straight up again and saw beads of sweat had formed on his forehead and his face showed his discomfort.

"Forgive me.... It was... a mistake...." He muttered slightly.

Sulabha kept her hand over his head again, and the safe and sound touch of a mother's hand, seemed to calm him down.

"Everything will be fine. Mata promises." Sulabha whispered gently, caressing his head.

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A/N

Mothers. Just mothers ❤️❤️