Cittaja || Indian Historical Romance

49.

With the rituals done at Sri Chandika's temple, they moved towards Rang Bhavan, Shakrajit's official residence. At the gates, Shakra's family waited to welcome them. His mothers, Rani Saatvika, Rani Sukanya, Rani Soundarya, and Rani Rudrani. All of them waited with a welcome tray. Shakra's brothers also stood with their mothers. Aparajita and Medhajita stood in the same group as their mothers while his brothers stood separately. Saahiti stood close to the women.

Saahiti's presence instantly brought to Shakra's notice the expression on his sibling's faces. The siblings didn't seem very pleased.

"I'm sure you know my mothers and siblings."

"It would be nice if we siblings introduced ourselves to Rajkumari." Abhijit started. "I'm Abhijit, the second eldest among my father's children."

"Ameyajit."

"Aparajita,"

"Kamaljit."

"Medhajita."

"Vikramjit."

"Hi!!!!" The 5-year-old excitedly ran up to her. "I'm Rudrajit. You can call me Rudra. You're really pretty, Rajkumari."

The little boy instantly lit up Mayurakshi's face. She offered her hand as a way of asking if she could pick him up. He extended his hands and Mayurakshi picked him up.

"Ohh... wait. Amma told me that word... what was it...." the little boy stressed hard on his brain. His eyes lit up when he remembered the word. "Yes!!!! It's Vadina. Can I call you Vadina?"

"Of course. You should." Shakra answered for his wife. Rudra childishly stuck out his tongue at his eldest brother.

"I didn't ask you. I was asking the beautiful Rajkumari if I can call her that."

"Sure, Rudra. You can call me Vadina." She smiled at her youngest brother-in-law.

"Vadina, I like you. You are sweet. How did you end up marrying Annaiya? He's rude sometimes."

That made Mayurakshi burst out into laughter. "Well, he's not rude to me, at least. I can't say about the others. About the marriage; I'm not sure myself how this happened."

"Hmmm... I'm surprised how Annaiya is not rude to someone."

"Rudra, can you shut up about me?" Shakra raised an eyebrow at his brother.

"See...." Rudra whispered to her.

"Hey!!! Don't scare him." Mayura told Shakra. Shakra rolled his eyes.

"Rudra, sweet, can we take your vadina inside? She's standing in wet clothes. She'll catch a cold if she stands for a long time like this," Shatrujit suggested. Rudra jumped off her arms and ran towards his father. Shatrujit picked him up and Rudra happily chatted away with his father.

Mayurakshi and Shakra entered Rang Bhavan together. The beautiful decorations made the whole Bhavan resemble a bride. Hangings made from pearls and flowers were hanging around the Bhavan. They spread many colored clothes over the open verandah to enhance its beauty. Some of them hung down from the roof to the floor with the Kalika Empire's emblem on it. The Bhavan had a toran made of mango leaves. They also placed some pots with banana plants around for decoration.

Rang Bhavan was a brilliant mansion. The first courtyard had a Tulsi plant in the center. They decorated it beautifully as well. The large holder had small caves on four sides with a diya in each of them lit up as a part of daily ritual. At the end of the main courtyard, there was an open sitting area. Shakra met his guests there.

After the large sitting area, the mansion was further separated into three complexes. The first one was his work complex. Two study rooms, a library, and a courtyard were present there. Shakra also did weapon training in that courtyard. One study room was for his closest confidants' meeting with him. The second one was to meet a larger group of people. Both the study rooms had balconies.