Daughters

Maira sat there thinking about the message from Abhi. Her heart felt lighter from the point she received it. She now feels more confident about her strategy now that her master approved it. The heads up he gave about awakening the Black army seemed like a vital information.

Like always, she kept believing in him. She knows whatever the mission he's going on, Abhi would succeed in finishing it. She felt relieved to hear that the mother is safe. He sounded brave and increased her self confidence.

One thing that she felt to heart was the way he said he missed her. It is the exact way she has been feeling about him. Eyes became wet with tears as she finished reading it. She sincerely hopes to meet him soon.

Her train of thoughts are interrupted when a hand is placed on her shoulder. Maira came back to her senses and looked at the person.

"Grandfather.." Maira said and stood up.

"What are you thinking dear? You haven't even noticed my words. I've been calling you from sometime," King Chanukya said.

"Oh.. Sorry grandfather. I was just thinking about something." Maira said.

"That's fine Maira. Come sit with me," the King said and sat on the ground.

"Grandfather. What are you doing? Guards! bring a chair," Maira said hurriedly.

"No need for a chair dear. It is good to do it often, you know, for health. Also, I am bored of sitting on those chairs from a long time beginning from the throne itself. It's alright, let's sit in the mother Earth's lap for a while," the King said with a smile.

"Guards leave us alone" King said and they did the same as they're ordered. Maira sat beside her grandfather.

"Did you know Maira? Your mother is a nature lover just like you. She used to plant trees and herbs all around the palace. For that, she's always ready to make her hands dirty. She mostly takes the planting for playing and finds much enjoyment in it," King chankuya said by remembering her playing in the garden as a kid.

"You are like your mother. Calm, compassionate, patient and obedient. Also fierceful when facing enemies. After you entered this palace you fulfilled the place of your mother. Your sister looks like you in appearance but she is totally like your father," the grandfather said with a smile.

Maira felt happy and content in her heart after listening to his words. The best thing any child feels for is when somebody sees his or her parents in themselves.

"Aaradhaya also has a habit of keeping everything to herself and solving it. She never used to share any of her burdens with anybody. Because of that I lost her now. If I knew about her problems, I would've helped her in any way possible," King Chanukya said with regret.

Maira placed her hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

King Chanukya took Maira's hand in his hands and said, "Promise me you won't keep the things that bother you to yourself, like your mother. Whatever it can be, together, we will make it go away."

Maira smiled and assured, "Ok grandfather. You don't worry about anything. If it's about earlier, I was just thinking about the letter I got from Abhi"

"Abhi? How is his mother's health now?" King Chanukya asked.

"She is doing well grandfather. But Abhi.." Maira trailed off.

"What happened to Abhi?" King Chanukya asked.

"He said he is going on a mission and wanted me to start the war immediately," Maira said.

"He also mentioned that.. King Surya is awakening the Black Army," Maira added.

"What??" King Chanukya was shocked.

"Yes grandfather. I heard from Raghu dada that the Black Army is the one which defeated my father. Also, Oak said they were trained by the King Surya himself." Maira said.

"Yes. But this time Maira, we are not backing down. We are definitely going to win this against him. I am sure about that. Your mother did great things and brought huge changes in this Kingdom. So people here will never forget about that and they all will fight till their last breath, " King Chanukya said.

"But grandfather, what do you think about starting the war early?" Maira asked.

"Maira dear, we already planned to start a war, so it doesn't matter when we attack. What matters is how we attack. If Abhi is insisting on starting the war now, it means he is well aware of the situation in the Rose Kingdom. So we shall start moving towards Jasmine once everything is made ready," King Chanukya suggested.

After thinking for a while Maira nodded and said, "Alright grandfather, We shall do as you said."

"That's good." King Chanukya patted Maira's head.

'So many years passed Aaradhya. Want to see you at least once before my last breath' King Chanukya thought to himself.

'Mother, Father.. We all miss you. Now it's the time we met you' Maira thought to herself, looking at the sky.

Jasmine Kingdom.

Both Shiv Raj and Aaradhya sneezed at the same time in the prison.

"Achoo.." "Achoo.."

"Someone is talking about us," Shivraj said.

"Who else? Other than our daughters.." Aaradhya said. After knowing her daughter's name, she has been chanting it in herself, every moment. They both started thinking about how they look, how they behave, their attitudes, their interests and every other thing about their daughters.

Their complexion is getting better day by day. They are eagerly waiting for the day of their reunion.

"Shiv.. Will they blame us for sending them away like cowards?" Aaradhya asked.

"No Aari, I am sure our daughters are brave and mature enough to understand the situation. They would never think like that," Shiv raj said proudly.

In the midst of their talks they heard someone talking about twins so they stopped and listened carefully.

"Have you heard about this? Someone captured the Leader Indrajit and kept him as a hostage." the guard asked the other guard.

"What? Is that true?" the other guard asked in bewilderment .

"Yes it is. I think we are going to war in a few days. They didn't release him nor they threatened us. But ministers are thinking that there is a threat and King is training the army," the guard answered.

"Who's posing that threat? If they really captured Indrajit, they are not normal people. Which kingdom is it?" the other guard asked.

"I heard it is a Lotus Kingdom," the guard replied.

Aaradhya's face turned pale after hearing the name of her birthplace and it brought a lot of memories about her childhood.

"Lotus Kingdom?? The Queen of Jasmine Kingdom was from that Kingdom right?"

"Yes. Also the rumour is that his Majesty awakens the most powerful army," Guard said.

"Powerful Army means.. Black.. Black Army??" Shivraj murmured.

"What?? Black Army?? You fought with that army right?" Aaradhya asked with shock.