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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The dining setting after the marriage is simple and thoughtful. Traditional. It includes the immediate families of both bride and groom in attendance, because the thought is already well established that those closest to the couple would not have had their dinner yet.
Mihira had been saved a seat. None but her had been surprised to learn that there had been a seat saved for her already, between Rukmanetra and Rukmabahu, as pointed by a server. It is clear on her face that she did not expect to be seated between the royal family for a tradition as intimate as this.
Rukmanetra sips on his glass of water while they wait for Krishna and Rukmini to be seated. Duryodhan takes the seat to the left of the seat saved for Krishna and his brothers follow the cue. Rukmanetra glances at Yudhishthir, who simply moves further down the line and sits down, flanked by Sahdev and Bheem. It is only after Yudhishthir has sat that light, polite conversations begin.
"Devi Mihira, I heard you are quite good with a machete." Bheem says, grinning ear to ear, passing a glance at Arjun before turning back to her. "You have to show me your offensive and defensive stances. I have not met any warrior who prefers the machete."
Mihira ducks her head down in a rare show of bashfullness. "Of course, Prince Bheem. I would be honoured to learn from a warrior such as yourself too. I have heard numerous legends of your strength and tactical prowess."
"You mean his ability to plan midnight rendezvous to cook sweets?" Nakul teases his brother, elbowing him and then ducking down when Bheem tried to smack him.
Across Rukmanetra's mother, Duryodhan scoffs.
Rukmanetra looks over Rukmi's and his father's head to catch her eyes. She's already looking at him and he remembers their warning to not make any incidents or issues. He stays quiet.
Mihira, who surely heard the scoff, works to redirect the conversation. "Oh, it can be very relaxing, you know. On most days, I don't bother with cooking sweets but when I do?" She smiles, proud and genuine as her smiles are when she's with him and Virat. "Absolutely worth the work. And usually, the cooking ends at midnight because I take my own sweet time."
Dushasan rolls his eyes. "And what, really, is the use of it if you are that slow? Though, I do suppose considering certain circumstances," he looks between her and Rukmanetra and the rest of his brothers, before his lips curl,"I do not think you cook for yourself all that much, do you?"
Rukmarath blinks, closing his eyes just a second too long before opening them again.
Dushasan is saved by the arrival of the couple. Rukmini and Krishna both sit down gracefully, their knees touching and a shared plate and a glass of water between them.
Pitashree tries to steer the conversation. He has always known even the minutest signs of negative emotions from his children like the back of his hand. He knows Rukmanetra is holding himself by a thread of self control. "Why, when I tried to feed you rasmalai you threw a tantrum but when your new husband does it, you will enjoy it? I see how your preferences are."
