Chapter 9: A Sleet Of Emotional Quivers.

A Sleet of Emotional Quivers

A sleet of emotions swept through Radha's heart. With trembling anticipation, she asked,

"What? Is Krishna coming to meet me?"

Before she could hear another word, the maid had already disappeared from her sight.

Alone, Radha walked along the winding bank of the Yamuna. The gentle murmur of the river, the whispering trees, and the gathering dusk seemed strangely distant. Her heart beat with a hope she scarcely dared to name.

As she entered Nanda's courtyard, she found it overflowing with people. The atmosphere was festive. A beautifully decorated chariot stood waiting at the entrance, while a couple from Dwaraka prepared to depart.

In the courtyard, Yashoda was distributing sweets and fruits among the villagers and Brahmins. Catching sight of Radha, she beckoned her with a smile...a smile that concealed both joy and an unspoken ache.

Taking Radha's hand affectionately, Yashoda asked,

"Radha... did you receive an invitation to your Krishna's wedding?"

A shadow crossed Radha's face.

"Bhabhi, your son is a prince now. Perhaps he had no time to remember the villagers of Vrindavan."

The quiet pain hidden within her words did not escape Yashoda.

She sighed softly.

"Radha... your Krishna has married Princess Rukmini. She sought his protection, and he accepted her as his wife. The whole of Dwaraka is celebrating. We, it seems, are the last to hear the news. This very morning the bride and groom entered the royal palace."

Radha noticed that strange smile upon Yashoda's lips—not merely happiness, but a mother's bittersweet surrender.

Yashoda's thoughts drifted far away.

"Does Devaki place a black dot upon his cheek to ward off the evil eye? Does she worry, as I always did, that someone might cast jealous glances upon my beautiful child?"

A smile flickered across her face.

"He now wears a jeweled crown adorned with a peacock feather. When the princess places the garland around his neck, will my mischievous Kanha bow his head gracefully... or will he tease her as he always teased everyone?"

The messengers from Dwaraka described how they had witnessed Krishna, the Lord of all opulence, standing beside his radiant bride, Rukmini, blessing everyone with his divine smile.

After a long silence, Yashoda turned once again to Radha.

"Devaki has invited us to join the wedding celebrations. You know me—I cannot leave this house. So I am sending gifts instead."

She pointed toward the offerings neatly arranged nearby.

"His favourite sweets... ornaments for the newlyweds... and this black cow. Krishna always loved her milk. Let her remind him of the taste of his childhood."

Her eyes softened.

"Many of the Gopis are sending gifts to their Kanha. Tell me, Radha... what will you send to your Krishna?"

At that very moment, lightning flashed across the horizon.

Its crimson glow revealed the redness in Radha's eyes.

Was it the fire of longing?

Or the silent anguish of a woman whose beloved now belonged to another?

Yashoda's motherly heart trembled.

Radha looked at the heap of gifts and smiled, a smile touched with eternity.

"The King of all creation owns everything. What gift can I possibly offer that is not already his? If the whole universe belongs to him, then who is the giver... and who is the receiver, Bhabhi?"

The courtyard fell silent.

Then one of the royal women accompanying the messengers stepped forward.

She spoke gently.

"Princess Rukmini begged Krishna to rescue her from an unwanted marriage arranged by her brother. Krishna saved her and accepted her hand to fulfil her heartfelt prayer."

She continued,

"On their journey back, they stopped at the temple of the Divine Mother. Krishna plucked flowers growing nearby. Rukmini wove two garlands from them. Krishna placed one around her neck... and asked that the other be brought to you."

With great reverence she extended the garland.

"Radharani... this is for you."

To her, it seemed no earthly jewel could equal its worth.

After a pause, she added,

"I have heard countless stories about you. From Krishna himself I learned how deeply you shaped his childhood, his heart, and his life. He speaks of you with immeasurable affection. If you wish to send him anything, we shall carry it with devotion."

Radha listened without interrupting.

She accepted the garland and lowered her eyes.

After gathering herself, she walked slowly toward the woman and gently clasped both her hands.

Looking deeply into her eyes, she thought,

"She comes from my Krishna's world... she is closer to him than I am."

With infinite tenderness, Radha lifted the woman's hands and pressed them softly against her own cheeks.

Then she smiled.

"What gift can a simple cowherd maiden send to a prince?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Carry only this humble offering. When you meet him, touch his cheeks once with these very hands and tell him..."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"...that these palms have touched Radha's face. Tell him she has sent him the touch of her love."

The royal maiden stood speechless.

Tiny droplets of tears rested upon her palms like exquisitely cut diamonds, shimmering in the crimson rays of the setting sun.

With folded hands she bowed before Radha.

"I shall do exactly as you wish, Radharani."

For the first time, she understood that love cannot always be measured in jewels or treasures. Sometimes, a single touch carries more wealth than all the riches of a kingdom.

The chariot slowly disappeared beyond the dusty road.

The cloud it left behind lingered for a long while.

Radha remained standing where she was, unable to move, struggling to absorb the truth that had shattered yet sanctified her heart.

At last, she turned and walked towards an unknown destination.

Krishna's garland rested upon her neck.

Every step she took became a step into silence...

a step into longing...

a step into eternal penance.

Night descended gently over Vrindavan.

Yet Radha's inner radiance shone brighter than ever.

Pain had wounded her heart—

but it could never diminish the brilliance of her love.

To be continued ...

Viswasruti2020-11-03 15:53:59