अन्तः अस्ति प्रारंभः।
The end is the beginning.
A caterpillar dies, to birth a butterfly. Water evaporates to rain down. Dead carcasses fill the stomachs of vultures.Life gives way to death and death to life. In a vicious circle of different karmas...
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Mihira felt tired of everything. So many people, so many social cues, so many courtesies to follow. So many questions. It was exhausting beyond comprehension.
On the day of the wedding, Mihira wore a beautiful saree, gifted by Queen Shuddhamati, which looked as if it had been painted by the most glorious of sunrises. The brightness of orange, red, pink and yellows faded into each other as if meant to be, Mihira suspected that the silver thread used to embroider at the edges of the saree was actual silver, it glinted with even the slightest movements, catching under the rays of the sun.
Rukmarath walked into Mihira's room just as she was finishing cleaning everything up, things strewn about her room in a panic were collected together and waiting for a temporary place to rest before she inevitably reached for them again.
"You look stunning, Mihira," Rukmarath said, a smile bright on his face. "Do I have to worry about keeping princes away from you with my spear?"
Mihira chuckled, used to his dramatics by now, and picked up the fabric she had been practising her embroidery on, opening and re-folding it carefully. "I will remind you, brother, I have a machete of my own."
It had been more than a week now, that all the people of the Vidharbh family had given her permission to be more familiar with them in her addresses. She still struggled with addressing Queen Shuddhamati and King Bhishmak as an aunt and uncle but considering that Rukmarath and Rukmaketu were both younger than her, it was easier to adapt to a new address. It still felt surreal, but their logic could not be faulted. They'd spent enough time with her to know her— at least as much as she allowed them to know.
"And apparently you have the angvastra Bhrata Netra needs."
Mihira froze and looked at him in confusion, eyebrows furrowing as she turned completely to him while he walked towards her and pointed at the fabric in her hands.
"Bhrata Netra had a last minute wardrobe change because apparently Prince Duryodhan is also going to wear blue and my brother refuses outright to match with him. So, he's wearing the clothes he was supposed to wear tomorrow, but he can't find the angvastra because of some packing mishap by his helper. Long story still very long, could you please give this to me so that I can gloat about my resourcefulness in front of everyone?"
He breathed heavily after finishing, and considering that he spoke all that in a single breath and fast enough that if Mihira was not accustomed to his manner of speech she'd think he was ranting about a villainous plan, she was impressed by his lung capacity.
"Of course," Mihira moved away when Rukmarath grinned and tried to get the newly named angvastra from her hands. "Before that, though, we have a problem: what do I get in return?"
Rukmarath gasped dramatically, putting a hand on his heart,"Look the cruelty of the world! The one who calls me brother demands things from me in return of a favour!"
