Empire of Righteousness (When it Ends)

Vrishaketu's hair is flying in the cool air of night. He is seated on a huge rock beside the river bank.

It's so immature and illogical.

He knows she didn't give birth to him.

He knows he doesn't carry her name.

He knows he doesn't carry her blood.

He knows he is her nephew actually.

Still...

She is the only one he knows.

As his mother.

His Maa loves him the most in this world. His elder brother jokes he still smells like Maa because he was brought up being cuddled in her bosoms.

Vrishaketu never minded.

Infact he knows, none can boast like him even Abhimanyu. He has received immense love, care and affection from His maa that none of her own children received.

His life is written on her love only. He doesn't know how to think past her.

What happened in Dyut Sabha...noone speaks clearly to him.

Must have been such a dark phase. Because each time he asked any of his uncles, their faces will fall, sorrow, pain, regret will immerse so immensely on their faces, Vrishaketu won't ask again.

But Dyut Sabha was a play of Dyut. Of course his mother didn't play. Then why does his uncles gaze travel to her each time? Why does his mother become unnaturally quiet? He knows his father was on Kauravs side. His mother says because of vows given to Duryodhana. He lived his friendship to the end.

His elder brothers vowed and cut ties with their fathers. What was that much  heinous?

"Putra!"

Vrishaketu's thoughts break as he hears his mother's voice from a distance.

He stands up. Did she come here alone at this ungodly hour? This far?

Draupadi indeed came. A lamp in her hand. Noone following her. Arjuna doesn't even know she wasn't there. She will get an earful from him if he knows. Draupadi was passing by their tents when she saw none are inside.

Vajra isn't in the tent. So was Vrishaketu. Draupadi rushed outside. Where's her children?

"Maa!"

Vrishaketu runs to his mother surprised.

Draupadi seems relieved. She cups his face, "Putra, you never go anywhere without telling me! Why did you leave then? How worried I was!"

All hurt seems to evaporate in the simple touch of his mother.

"Maa..." whispering Vrishaketu sighs.

Draupadi looks around. This place has nice air. Too close to the river.

Draupadi smiles as if to mask her own sorrow, "What is it, my child?"

Draupadi sits on a rock carefully taking the night air. Vrishaketu sits a rock lower than her. Brushing on her legs. Vrishaketu places his head on his mother's lap.

Draupadi's heart melts. She closes her eyes. She doesn't want to give evil eye to her own child.

Vrishaketu is as handsome as his father. Their same sun kissed complexion that Draupadi found comical at Karna but adorable on Vrishaketu. Their same lotus shaped tawny eyes. Draupadi again found Karna's large eyes comical but Vrishaketu's endearing. They are both tall, broad shoulders and presence befitting of a warrior.