126. Papa's princess

                                    

                                          
If someone ever tells you..... 
Being a mom is easy.... They're idiots. 
Being a wife is easy.... They've had the most picture perfect life... Which even physics can't give you. So they're obviously delusional. 
Being a wife who was injured in battle and is now not allowed to even move on her own, simply sleeping all day is easy? 
Well... Coming from someone who loves to sleep. 
It's very. Freaking. Hard. 
"Come on Yudhishthir! It's been nearly three weeks! " I whined as he sat me back down in the bed, helping me lay myself down. I suppressed a wince as my back reached the bed, not giving my husband any chance to prove me wrong. 
"Absolutely not. You are not moving...and if you do not stop now... I will make sure you will not move from here for another three months and believe me I can do that, " He scowled, sitting by my side in the middle of the bed, " Slashed nearly half of her muscle off and she wants to move around. Absolute idiot of a wide I have. Why did I put myself through this. " He mumbled. 
He gently moved my saree off, unwrapping the bandages off my hip. The sharp stench of herbs and potions filled my nose. As did what I assumed to be dry blood. 
"Dasi, please have a pail of warm water and some cloth brought over, along with the medicines the vaidy advised for the Samragyi, " He said gently as he inspected my wound. 
"Still as gaping? " I asked, moaning in soft pain as he slightly adjusted me around. 
" No, " He whispered, " It seems to have healed considerably. The muscle seems to be intact now... The thread removal last week was a success. I can see new patches of skin growing. " He reassured me. 
Another mark... My mother was right. I am collecting marks wherever and whenever I go. 
Even as I child... I had random injuries which I didn't even notice unless they began to bleed or accidentally became infected. 
"Mumma! Didi is back! " Abhi came barelling in, then slapped a hand to his eyes, "Atleast tell me when you're doing this! " He screeched and Yudhishthir frowned, his fatherly tone natural as he crouched to our son's height. 
"My dear son Abhivart, I understand that it surprised you when you mother was undressed, for her healing. But this is no way to speak to my wife. You must understand, you were the one who came in without asking permission. Moreover, she is your mother. She has seen you through countless nights of her own pain, prioritising you and caring for you, be it by feeding you, sitting hours as she undresses you to apply cold cloths to your body to cool you down and cleaning your wastes as a baby. I think accidentally seeing her, when she is healing is not so much of an issue. Now, you will apologize to my wife and your mother. And promise me, you'll always knock before you enter anyone's room. Alright? " He said gently,yet fitmly. His tone left no room for argument. He brushed Abhi's hair back, kissing his forehead. 
" I'm sorry papa, " He whispered, then climbed up to me. I held a blanket over my body, straining to keep it away from the wound when Yudhishthir gently took it from me and held it aloft. 
" I'm so sorry mumma. I promise to always knock before entering the room. " He said and I smiled. 
" It's alright Abhi... Now, what were you saying? " I asked, holding his small face in my hand. 
So quickly had time passed... Madhu was about to be fourteen. Abhi nearly nine... 
"Mumma, papa, didi is back! " He squealed and Yudhishthir's face lit up in joy. 
"My princess is home? " He whispered, his eyes flitting between me and the door. 
I laughed, " Go. I'll ask a healer to help me, " I said, " You've been dying to see her ever since she left... You should go welcome her. "