Man Mohini | {ON HOLD}

Chapter 1

We had just finished dinner, and I was cleaning my bed to sleep when my grandmother came and sat beside me. Smiling softly, she said, “You really are growing up too fast…” Her tone carried a hint of sadness.

I frowned playfully. “Fast? I’m just twelve! How can I be growing up too fast?” I rambled in protest.

She chuckled and lay down on her own bed.

“Nani…” I called gently.

“Hm?” she replied with her eyes half-closed.

“Can you tell me about the Mahabharat?” I asked hesitantly.

She opened her eyes and smiled tenderly. “Tomorrow, I promise.”

I nodded, lay down, and slowly drifted into sleep.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as though I were lying on dry grass. Startled, I opened my eyes wide and the first thing I saw was a huge, bulky man leaning over me. I screamed, and to my horror, he screamed even louder, frightened by me!

Clutching my ears, I stared at him in disbelief. Around us stood four other men and a middle-aged woman. She was strikingly beautiful her skin radiant like the moon, her eyes deep and gentle.

Wait… where am I?

I looked around, disoriented, before my gaze landed on another man. Lean, well-built, and undeniably attractive. Focus, Mohini. Stay focused, sister, stay focused.

“Where am I?” I asked softly.

The man tilted his head. “किं वदसि?” (What did you say?)

My confusion deepened. “Where… am I?” I repeated, adding gestures as if that might help.

“अहं न जानामि, त्वं किं वदसि इति कन्ये…” (I cannot understand what you are saying, girl.)

Panic clawed at me. Shit! Shit! I’m lost. I’m completely lost. My chest tightened, tears welling in my eyes. I looked at them, terrified.

The woman surely their mother stepped forward. Her face carried such motherly kindness that I suddenly saw my Nani in her. Without thinking, I threw myself into her arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Let the men think I was mad if they wished I was already falling apart.

After a few minutes, I quieted into hiccups. One man so breathtakingly beautiful that words fell short offered me water. I drank, forcing myself to look at each of them in turn, studying their faces.

The eldest appeared to be in his mid-twenties, as did the one beside him, while the remaining three seemed a few years younger.

Noticing my hesitation, one of them asked gently, “What is your name, Devi?”

“Huh?” I blinked in confusion.

They chuckled and gestured for me to answer.

“…Mohini,” I whispered.

They exchanged smiles and introduced themselves.

That was six months ago.

Time truly does fly.

I’ve been living with them since then. Slowly, I’ve begun learning Sanskrit enough to understand most of what they say, though speaking it remains a challenge. Mata Kunti has been endlessly kind, treating me like her own daughter. I chatter away to her about everything, and though she may not understand every word, she always listens with a gentle smile.

She has become the one I am closest to. As for her five sons… well, we remain awkward with each other. And let me be clear if you think I’ve started calling them “brothers,” absolutely not. Never. They are far too beautiful for me to see them that way.

That said, I constantly quarrel with Nakul and Sahadev over who gets to sleep near Mata. And believe me, this girl does not take no for an answer. Our arguments are chaos itself me shouting in Hindi and English, them yelling in Sanskrit, while Yudhishthir, Bhima, Arjun, and Mata sit watching us like spectators at a tennis match. But in the end, I always manage to curl up beside Mata, with Sahadev grudgingly claiming the other side.

One day, I sat beneath a tree, enjoying the serenity. The brothers were off on their daily tasks, and Mata was performing her prayers to Lord Shiva. My life here was… manageable. Not easy, but manageable.

Suddenly, a sharp cramp twisted in my stomach. Alarmed, I staggered up, only to feel warmth and wetness. Looking down, I froze. Am I… am I bleeding?

Panic struck. I thought I was dying.

Mata hurried over, worry on her face, until her eyes fell on the blood. At once, her expression softened into a knowing smile.

Woman, I’m bleeding to death, and you’re smiling?

She guided me to the river, handed me fresh clothes and a long white cloth folded into a rectangular shape. “Use this, putri,” she instructed gently.

I obeyed, bathed, changed, and returned still terrified.

She cupped my cheek and said warmly, “Daughter, you have received your Rtu. It means you are now a woman. Your body and health will go through changes.”

“Changes?” I asked nervously.

She laughed, patting my head with a fond blush. “Many changes. You will understand, in time.”

“…Alright,” I murmured, still bewildered but slowly beginning to accept her words.

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There goes the first chapter , I edited it and kind of made it sound more you know ... senseable....so I hope you guys like it, all the chapters will be edited and then I guess I will  update because after reading the book again, it's soooo cringeeeee!!!!

Luv luv🌸