𝕊𝔼𝕍𝔼ℕ 𝕀ℕ 𝔸 𝕎𝕆ℝ𝕃𝔻 {𝙼𝙰𝙷𝙰𝙱𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙰𝚃 𝚃𝙸𝙼𝙴 𝚃𝚁𝙰𝚅𝙴𝙻}

61. Tensions

The morning after AJ's wedding was chaotic to say the least.

There were tearful goodbyes, questioning glances and sneaking secrets.

"But putri, why must you leave! Such a delicate condition of both you and your child. " Mata tried telling me as I trudged along the room with slow steps to pack a few clothes for Gudu, along with a few necessities like water, food.

Yudhishthir had gone outside to talk to AJ and my father.

"Mata, I must go. I promised mata Kunti, besides, they are just as much my family as I am yours. They need my support too. " I held her palms into mine as she stood in front of me, distraught.

" But -"

"Mata, I promise, we'll figure a way out of this problem. Mata Kunti was under the impression that there is no point in going back to Hastinapur when all it has done for us is take away our lives. So we went into hiding for so many months. We will leave there, soon, but not yet. Not when there is so much to do. " I soothed her worries.

" Alright putri, I understand, but please-come back soon, even if you live somewhere else. Please! " She murmured.

" I understand Mata and I won't be too far away. " I answered as she pulled me into a hug.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^

That day as I was getting ready to leave by wearing the cream coloured simple cotton saree, I felt the stare of two piercing eyes in the back of my head.

"What is it? " I asked my husband who sat on the bed holding our daughter.

I couldn't hear his answer but I did hear quiet steps approaching me. I looked up to see a veil of serenity when the eyes were storms of concern and a fair share of anger.

Silently, he rearranged the entire pallu, re-draping it across my shoulder as it hung against my shoulder.

"What is it? " I asked again, turning his eyes to mine..

"You don't deserve this. Our daughter doesn't deserve this. Living in the shadows, hiding from the world. I don't want to go against mata but this isn't the life I wanted for you. " He whispered, joining our foreheads and closing his eyes.

What brought this on?

" But we accepted it didn't we? Mata-"

"I know what Mata said my love, but I can't imagine you two living like this. Our daughter is a beautiful girl who deserves all the comforts and happiness of life. I am raising my child just like how we were raised. In the forests. " He said, jaws set hard.

"But look at what a fine young man you've turned out to be. I wouldn't have married you if I didn't know that. Even if Krishn forced me, which I know he never will, I would never have married you if I wasnt sure. Our daughter will learn the most important of lessons in life -"

"Don't you understand! I know she will! But at the cost of lack of comfort, basic amenities. We lived in a hut in a forest near a village Sagarika, we were well accessed to amenities. But she won't be! " He cried out and I looked at him.

"I don't understand? You're asking that of me? I understand more than you could ever hope! I didn't want to travel in the forest, after having a baby at nineteen, with no physical hygiene! I never wanted to have to go through such physical attrocities after birth that I cry each night when we finally have sleep. She finds solace in your arms and not mine! Each night I have to wake up, tired from the day but I do it! Because I love her! I also want her to have all the comforts and happiness of the world! But comfort and happiness don't always go hand in hand! We will ensure her comfort anyways, what I ensure by staying with you is her happiness! If I wanted to I would have left for Dwarika long back, it's not as if I would be unwelcome there! " I shouted. We were both panting, anger and worry visible on both our faces, when the sound of my daughter crying broke my heart.