Magham's POV

"Guruji, I need to talk to you." I stood in front of my Guruji who was busy milking the cows of his ashram.

Don't get me wrong. Since I turned 11, my father admitted me to Gurukul to receive formal education. I was bright, made friends quickly and loved learning newer things in life. But there was a glitch. Initially for the first 4 years, we all students studied the same subject. However the problems begun during the fifth year , when we were supposed to opt for two year specialisation.

Guruji looked at me and smiled. As if he knew I was going raise a query.

"Let's go to my hut, Mrugendra" he said.

He gave me the name "Mrugendra. It meant Lion in Sanskrit. And that was the name everyone recognised me with.

"Guruji," I took a deep breath.

"Yes,?" he said as soon as he sat on his "aasan" (mat) once we entered the hut. His deep eyes penetrating mine.

"I want to study with kshtriya kids!" I finally blurt it out!

Guruji went deep into his thoughts. He didn't realise how much courage I had to gather to just blur out one statement.

Probably because it was unusual for a Vaishaya's (merchants) child to opt for education that's not in their bloodline. Usually Viashaya kids opt for specialisation in the branch of Viashyas like trading, finance, costing etc. Brahmin kids opted to study the Vedic scriptures , just like their parents did and kshtriyas opted for warfare skills.

"I must confess, you and your sibling Tara are the same". Guruji smirked. Tara was the name given to Vishakha. Because her name originally meant star. So Tara was a kind of synonym.

I smirked. Though Vishakha was two years my junior, she was quite a rebel. She literally forced my father to get her enrolled in "all boys " Gurukul". While my father had been worrying  how she would learn to cook, clean and do all other "other womanly stuff", my mother merely commented that she would be equipped to "train" her husband on how to cook, clean and do other things"womanly stuff" .

Vishakha had created a storm and Mrigshira joined the ride. Soon after she also landed to our ashram. Mrigshira didn't need to fight to get into "all-boys" Gurukul. Our parents thought that having another girl in the premises would ensure that Vishaka would get a "girl's" company. Even though Mrigshira was two years junior to Vishakha. Anyways, so where was I? Yes, I was taking about Tara, aka Vishakha.

"I am sorry Guruji, I don't get you." I was puzzled. What did Tara do this time?

"She wrote me an "anonymous letter" to me, dropped it at my doorstep in the middle of the pitch black night." He grinned.

"And then?" I felt anxious about what did she do. I was terrified by the thought of my sister being showed the door of ashram due to her rebellious streak.

"The letter was kind of "advisory". It stated that being the main head of the ashram, it's my duty to teach every kid, all kinds of subjects, irrespective of their parents' profession." He laughed at the silly antics of my sister.

"But how did you know that it was Tara who wrote the letter?" I was at the loss of words.

"I can recognise the handwriting of every person who has studied under my roof. Irrespective of how many years he or she has been with me." He stated, matter of factly.

"I really apologise on behalf of my sister. She has always been like that. Even my parents can't control her. I..."

"No need of apologies my son. I agree. Every person should opt for the field they are interested in. Your parents' achievements do not define your interest or caliber." He concluded.

"So does that mean...?" I was happy beyond words!

"Yes! I would allow you and your sister to study the art of warfare." He smiled.

I quickly got up, touched his feet and dashed towards the exit to deliver the news to my sister. She would be happy as hell.

"Wait a minute."

I froze as I looked at my mentor.

"Your sister Mriga has requested me place her with Brahmins to study vedas, economics and scriptures once her specialisation commences."

Mriga was the Gurukul name of Mrigshira.

I slapped my forehead with frustration  Co. Our father would be furious. Three of the five kids had opted the profession that are nowhere close to his expectations.

Soon enough three of us gathered in my hut to discuss the scenario.

"What do we do now? Should we write to father and tell me about the same?" Mriga asked as she played with a rose. I wondered how did she get it. Or did someone give it to her.

"How much time is left for our spring vacations?" I asked.

"Ummm probably around 6 months." Vishakha calculated

"Okay. Let's continue with our studies for 6 months. We shall break the news once we go home for vacations."