Shatasringa

Arjun's POV

"Phalgun! Wait you little, little mischievous brat!"

I threw my arms and giggled, with the bunch of berries jiggling in my grip as I leaped through the forest pathway, occasionally peeking back and sticking out my tongue at Bhrata. Riling him up with such harmless pranks were always in my to do list, only if those two twins just didn't choose to appear out of nowhere and decide to claim their sides.

Yeah, those two sometimes chose sides according to their mood or when circumstances suited them. Precisely, the two of them were on spot chameleons.

"Arjun, wait! Or else the results won't be in your favor!" I could hear him scream from afar, while I controlled my laughter which was threatening to erupt.  Bhrata Bheem and his threats are a mood at times. Though he never executes them, why?

Ahem, because he loves us very much.

"First you catch me, dear Bhrata Bheem!" I spoke the last three words mockingly as I continued rushing only to halt my stance, in front of two kids who stood in front of me. One of them pouted with a slight menacing look, while the other one tried to copy him with their arms crossed around their bosom.

"You both?" I pushed my head back in surprise, just like I said. Plopping up from thin air out of nowhere. Though both have contrastingly different complexion and looks, the elder Ashwiney being the darker one, one can simply claim that these two are fraternal twins. 

They cleared their throat, peering at me as if they were the elder ones, not me. I raised an eyebrow at them endeavoring to assess their minds.

"Bhrata Phalgun," the youngest one slightly jutted out his lip, blinking at me and placing his arms on his waist, "Don't trouble our beloved Bhrata Vrikodar." I raised my eyebrows mockingly at them, and scanned them up and down.

Nakul chose to imitate him, "Yeah, Bhrata you don't trouble him." He slightly rolled his dark orbs, bobbing his little head.

"What did he promise you in return?" I pursed my lips, looking slightly stern at them. They too hung their heads slightly low, while I was trying to bite back my smile at their adorability. These two, how much mischief they cause the whole burden comes down upon us three just because they are the youngest. But what to do? They make such adorable expressions that it becomes difficult not to grasp and cuddle them lovingly.

"One bunch," Sahadev grinned cheekily, with his two front milk teeth vanished and hollow. "Yeah one bunch Bhrata," Nakul tried to snatch the berries from me but I held it high.

"You are forsaking your dear Bhrata Phalgun for a bunch?" I pretended to appear slightly hurt, drooping my shoulders. That appeared to have caught them as they shook their heads hard.

"Huh, no one loves me." I clicked my tongue, and dashed a small pebble with my foot and sniffed.

"Bhrata, no. See, Bhrata Bheem had promised us with his share, that is why we are supporting him. Right Sahadev?" Nakul's words were like a sweet poison to the already ailing heart, "After we hand you over to Bhrata Bheem, we will kiss those wounds where he would be beating you black and blue."

"Yes and I will help Nakul," Sahadev wrapped an arm around my shoulder and innocently claimed, "We will help you soothe the pain. Just handover yourself to Bhrata."

"Wait what?" My jaw was slightly open as I glanced at them astonished at their unbelievable choice of words when I felt Bhrata Bheem standing right behind my back.

Di-did I just get cornered?

I licked my lips tenderly, not having the courage to look back. The two of them were guarding the path and Bhrata Bheem was enough to block the wide pathway already behind. I can't pull any stunt either, lest these two would be hurt because of that.

My fingers automatically snaked up towards my curls as I scratched it lightly, turning around towards Bhrata and lowering down my head. Okay, now what?

I refused to meet his eyes, as I swiftly extended my palm towards Bhrata with a pout which had the berries and nervously chuckled.

"That's like a good Phalgun." He lowly spoke in a heavy voice like an elder and grabbed the berries from me. I peered at Nakul and Sahadev who were grinning hard, quite satisfied since they would get their shares as well. I simply shook my head in slight annoyance.

"Yeah, now you three. Go back home, I'll be back in a while." He bared his teeth, tossing a handful of berries in his mouth while we three looked on with a frown.

"Yes Bhrata, but first you give us our share." Sahadev dauntingly marched up towards Bhrata Bheem and extended his tiny palm, beaming at him.

"You want?" Bhrata Bheem scanned him up and down with eyebrows knit, "Here. Two for Sahadev and two for dear Nakul." he detached two berries each from the bunch and handed them two the both of them who exchanged dumbfounded glances at each other.

"But what about the bunch?" They marveled together, blinking at their two berries in their palms. I tried to abstract my simper, covering my mouth and peering at them.

"Huh, you two shouldn't eat much. Not even eleven you are both." He simply ignored their whines and turned around, gobbling up the berries as he merrily strode through the pathway. I pursed my lips, rolling my eyes as I glanced at the twins.

"Bhrata Arjun--" They both started whining, crawling up towards me and clutching both of my palms.

"Oh." I started bobbing my head up and down impishly, "Someone was saying that they will kiss my wounds, after being beaten black and blue." I pretended to wonder while glancing up at the clear sky.

"And someone too claimed to soothe my pain after being thrashed."

"Bhrata--" they both bit their lips, dilating their pupils as they wrapped their arms around me, "Please?"

"Bhrata Phalgun--"

"Bhrata Krishna--"

"Bhrata Paarth--"

"Alr-Alright, alright. I'll get you both as well." I let out a defeated sigh, as they began to grin exchanging glances and frolicked around while I shook my head, sighing.

**********

A/N

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Nakul and Sahadev are goofballs lol.

Signing off for today~

Kiritija Nushkie