3 The Birth

Chaya falls down in pain."Chandruhasa!..",Chaya shrieked and fainted. When Chaya opened her eyes she was in the royal chambers with Charithran and Chandruhasa seated by the side. Chaya started feeling mild contractions ,"Chandru..hasa". A concerned Chandruhasa held her hand, "Everything will be alright Chaya ,in a while our child will be with us". Yes, this was it their child will meet the world in a while. Chandruhasa was advised to leave the room . But, he knew his love  needed him by her side. He sat by her side,holding her hands. Chaya screamed in pain ,but she knew it was all worth it. Charithran and his royal assistants eased out the process for Chaya. Many  preparations were done to destress Chaya. The room was painted blue and filled with aromatic agents. After a struggle for about eight hours, two things occurred. Firstly Chandruhasa almost cried unable to see Chaya in this state. Secondly they heard the tiniest and adorable squeal. The maids wrapped the child in a soft cloth and handed it to Charithran. Charithran smiled ,"It's a girl". Chaya felt overwhelmed and looked at Chandruhasa. Chandruhasa though happy had a worried look on his face. Chaya couldn't read him. But he was overwhelmed too. Chaya held her daughter for the first time in her arms. According to Chaya her daughter was already the most beautiful girl on the face of earth. Charithran smiled warmly,"Have you decided on a name". Chaya had already chosen everything for her child. The room ,the decorations,the clothes and the name. She had two names one for a girl child and one if it were a boy. Chaya smiled warmly at her daughter," We shall name her Aadhya".As soon as she spoke a loud thunder was heard outside. But they ignored it. Chandruhasa knew he was going to pamper this girl the moment he laid eyes on her. They moved to their room while Chaya and Chandruhasa bathed their baby girl and put her to sleep. Chaya had a worried look on her face,"Is there any news about Subhadra?..".Chandruhasa hesitated," We couldn't find her.. I'm sorry my dear". Chaya was worried beyond words ," I wonder if she is safe. What if she went into labour?..what if there is no one to take care of her?". They were interrupted by a visitor. A man with a strong build and muscles entered. It was Chandruhasa's closest friend Shaurya .He was the only equal to Chaya in swordfight. He congratulated  Chaya and Chandruhasa. Chaya chuckled," When are you planning on finding the love of your life Shaurya?". Shaurya's face turned grim,"I'm not interested in women. My only love is swordfight". Chandruhasa smirked,"That's not the opinion amongst the ladies in our Gurukula(school)". Shaurya smirked,"I also know that you were desperate to get their attention". Chaya then asks both of them to leave as they might wake the child. Chaya left alone with her thoughts thinks of the moment she fainted in the royal garden. She saw a faint image of a woman before she fell. Chaya tries to focus on the face. Realisation hits Chaya. "Chandruhasa!!..",Chaya shrieks. Chandruhasa and Shaurya come sprinting to her chamber. " I think we might know Subhadra's location". A concerned Chandruhasa asks," Did she try to contact you".Chaya recollects,"I saw Subhadra in the royal garden before I fainted". Chaya appoints royal guards to search the palace and the houses near the palace for Subhadra. On one side Chaya experienced a love like never before with her daughter but,she was distraught by the disappearance of Subhadra. Chaya stays up that night to look after Aadhya. The royal guards suddenly emerge from the dark. Chandruhasa was awakened by an anxious Chaya. "The royal guards have arrived with an important news". They leave to meet the guards. "Do we have any news?". "Your majesty we have a note left by maid Subhadra in a house nearby to the palace.. But we have one problem". Chandruhasa roars," Has someone harmed Subhadra?!". The royal guards hesitate,"Your majesty there is a baby in the house claimed to be Subhadra's child..".Chaya and Chandruhasa exchange looks. Chandruhasa instructs ," Prepare the chariot,we shall leave for this house". They arrived at a  beautiful cottage in the nearby . Chaya runs in to find a beautiful baby wrapped in silk clothing lying on Subhadra's shawl. She runs and picks up the child and cries,"where is Subhadra?".Chaya reads the note left. It says:

" Dear Chaya ,

Due to certain unfortunate circumstances I've had to leave the kingdom. I will definitely come back one day when it's safe. Please take care of my daughter till my return. Tell her that her mother loves her. Please treat her with love and care. I shall be forever grateful for this help. Your loving friend,

Subhadra"

Chaya is distraught. Though she loves Subhadra how will she explain the absence of Subhadra to her daughter. Chaya lifts the child in her arms. She kisses the child on her forehead. Chaya decides in her mind,'Yes she is my second daughter'. Chandruhasa after hearing the news gladly welcomes the second baby girl with open arms. Now he was happier as he had two girls to pamper. They take the child home. Chaya nourishes the child and puts her to sleep next to Aadhya. She adores them for a minute and goes back to worrying about Subhadra. Meanwhile Shaurya is restless, he ran upto them when they returned from the cottage. But when he learnt the news he expressed his concern briefly and left. Chaya found it a little strange but for now she wanted rest.The babies were left to the maid's care. It was no joke that Shaurya hates children. Shaurya enters the room where the two girls were sound asleep. He orders the royal maids to leave...