The sound of the anklets echoed through the palace as the 9 year old princess of Amernath ran. Not too far behind, her jiji who is just an year elder than her came running. Their laughter echoed through the corridor as they ran.

"Alaka slow down."

"No I won't. Come and catch me jiji."

Alaknanda turned the corner only to bump into a woman. The lady turned around and glared at her. It was Jayashree nani, Jayandhika maa's mother. Next to her stood Jayandhika maa no no Maharani. Their lips curled into a nasty snarl. The smile dropped from Alaknandha's face.

"Hai Narayan. This bad omen who killed her own mother at birth, you better stay away from me. What are you doing running here and there. Were you going to kill me also." Jayashree asked giving nasty looks to Alaknandha.

"I... um....sorry." Alaka stammered tears gathered in her eyes.

"O Narayan, look Jayandhika she is stammering. Don't you know how to speak properly. You are not even pretty who will marry now that you stammer. Huh." Alaknandha looked down, tears freely falling from face.

"Don't you have manner. Go to the kitchen and do something useful instead of always running here and there. You bitch be at your place." Jayandhika said as she raised her hand to slap Alaknandha.Her hand was stopped by Mandhita behind her stood Aadrika. It was clear that Aadrika was the one who called Mandhita.

"Aadrika take Alaknandha to her chamber now." Mandhita said. With one last look at everyone both the girls left. Mandhita left Jayandhika's hand with a jerk.

"What is your problem Jayandhika? Why do you keep hurting her? Just stop it ok. Don't show your dislike towards her. She is a kid Jayandhika. She is small kid like Athulya."

"My problem is that kid who just went from here. She is a bad omen born killing her own mother. You better stay out of my way Mandhita otherwise your fate will be same as Niydhi. She is the product of that bad blood niyadhi. I just hate her."

"Just stop it Jayandhika. Stop it right now. Don't spread your poison. They are just kids. Your hatred is towards Niyadhi not Alaknandha and she is already dead now please stop it beforeI do something both of us will regret." Mandhita said before turning and going.

"Mandhita is dangerous. We should stop her before she finds out everything and expose us." Jayashree said.

"Patience mother. Just a few more days and Mandhita will be out of our lives. Forever."

***

"Sorry to disturb you Yuvrani but rajkumar Ahaan is asking permission to enter your chamber."

"Let him in"

A minute later a young man who looked in his late teen entered the chamber. He went forward and took Mandhita's blessing.

"Kalyan ho putr."

"Mata why did you call me. Is anything wrong? Alaknandha and Aadrika are fine right? Mata say something . Why are you silent?" concern was evident in his voice.

"Nothing is wrong putr. Now that Aadrika is already 10 years and Alaknandha is 9 and almost 10 so I have decided to sent them to a kanyakul for their further studies." Ahaan let out a breath knowing his sisters are fine.

Kanyakul, he sighed. He didn't want his two sisters to leave him but their education is important. With a heavy heart he nodded.

"When are they leaving?" He asked. Mandhita slowly stood up and went near the window.

"Day after tomorrow. I know Ahaan you don't want to leave you sisters but it is necessary. They will be more safe in the Kanyakul than being here. If Alaknandha stay here they will hurt her and they will slowly turn Aadrika against Alaknandha after my death. I am afraid for Alaknandha's future. I only have a few more days Ahaan this illness is slowly killing me. They will not spare her Ahaan." She broke down into tears. Ahaan immediately wrapped his arms around her and let her cry.

Ahaan knew his mother and grandmother's hatred towards Alaknandha. He even witnessed the depth of it. His mother didn't even care about her own kids. He wanted to save athulya from them but it was too late. They were successfully turned his sister against him. They poisoned her mind. He won't let them get to his other two sisters. After the death of his niti maa his father became hostile towards them. He was a small child but he still remember how he asked Manditha maa to take the child away or he will kill it. He didn't even care to look at the little girl's face.

"Mata I am here right. I promise you maa I won't let them hurt my sisters."

This promise is all she wanted. Atleast she can die peacefully knowing that someone is there to protect her daughters in her absence. She trust Ahaan. Even though Jayandhita was the one gave birth to him he grew up as niyathi's son.

***

Mandhita hugged Aadrika and Alaknandha tightly as tears poured out of her eyes. She knew this is the last time she gonna see her children. She broke the hug and cupped both their faces with her hand.

"Aadrika you are elder to Alaknandha's so it is your responsibility to take care of her in my absence. Take care of yourself and always follow the path of dharma. Always remember that you are not weak if someone tell you otherwise show the who you truly are." Aadrika nodded her head not knowing what to say.

"Alaknadha always listen to your sister and brother in my absence. Always follow the path of dharma. Remember the struggle you are in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow."

"Mata we don't want to leave you." Aadrika said with tears running down her face.

"Please don't sent us away from you." Alaknandha added.

Mandhita's heart clenched hearing their pleas. But she was helpless. She again brought them into a hug. Everyone around them who were watching the scene had tears in their eyes.

"Who said I am leaving you alone. I will always be in your hearts. Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful and believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. Always be each others support. Always stay together."

She kissed their forehead one last time before letting Ahaan to guide them to their chariot. Mandhita watched as the chariot till it disappeared from her view. She wiped her tears. All she hopped was for her children to have a better future.