Chapter 9: A Sleet Of Emotional Quivers.

A Sleet Of Emotional Quivers.

With a sleet of emotional quivers, with an anticipation of the news she wanted to listen since long, she asked, "What? Is Krishna coming to meet me?

The maid already disappeared into thin air from her vision!

She was walking along the river's winding bank all alone!

Amidst a sort of exultation on the streets, she reached Nand's house... a big crowd gathered there, a couple was ready to leave...the chariot is waiting there for them.

In the front yard, Yasoda was distributing sweets and fruits to the neighbours and Brahmins. She invited Radha with a deceptive smile, an icy smile!

Yashoda came forward to catch hold of Radha's hand and said--

"Radha, did you receive an invitation for your Krishna's marriage?"

"Bhabhi, your son is a prince now, it seems he had no time to inform all these villagers!"-- there was a hurt in her words.

" Radha, your Krishna is going to marry a girl called Rukmini on her request. In Dwaraka, everyone is celebrating! We are the last persons to know about it! This morning, the bride and groom reached the royal palace! "

She saw an inexplicable twinge in that mother's smile now!

Do Devaki put a black dot on his cheek to ward off the effect of an evil eye, to protect him from the envious glances of the onlookers because my son is so cute? With that perturbed thought, another doubt... "he wears a bedecked crown and on top of it adorns the peacock feather-- while accepting the Varmala, my kid has to bow his head to that girl! Will he do it gracefully or will play a mischief there?", an inquisitiveness in those words.. a mother's imaginative bliss!

The messengers from Dwaraka described how they were overjoyed to see Krishna, the Lord of all opulence, stood there with Rukmini, his beautiful bride, in front of them!

Suddenly Yashoda asked Radha,--" Radha for your Krishna's marriage with Princess Rukmini, Devaki sent a message, inviting us to participate in the marriage celebrations. You know me, I can't leave the house. I am sending some gifts to the newly wedded couple, do you want to send anything to your Krishna? I am sending his favourite sweets and jewels to the bride and groom as my gift. He likes this black cow's milk most, sending this cow to him as his mother's gift, to remind him of the tastes of his childhood! I am sending it through them, who came from Devaki's mansion with this good news. Many Gopis are sending attractive gifts to their Kanha! What are you going to send to our Krishna?"

There was a lightning on the horizon! In that flash, the red streaks in her eyes were clearly visible to Yashoda.

Is it a streak of longing for her Krishna or a young girl's anger for the deceit of her lover? A mother's heart quivered with concern!

There were many gifts in the corner of the room, Radha saw them and smiled.

"The king of this kingdom owns all, from where can I bring a special thing which wasn't his to gift him today? If the entire world is owned by him, then who is the presenter and who is the acceptor here Bhabhi?--

She was stranded there, drowned in her thoughts... the woman from Dwaraka came forward to explain--

"The Vidarbha princess requested Krishna to save her from the unwanted marriage, which her brother was going to perform. Krishna saved her from the clutches of her brother, and then accepted her as his wife to fulfil her wish. While coming back, they stopped at DeviMaa temple, Krishna plucked some flowers from the surrounding bushes... Rukmini made two garlands. He adorned her with one and sent the other for you! Here is your garland, Radharani! "-- gave it to her as if she was handing over the most precious jewel in the world! Again, she asked her...

"Radha, I've heard many stories about you, how you shaped his persona from his childhood, through your Kanha's words I realised that you are the most important person in his life. If you wish to send any gift to your Krishna, we are ready to carry."

She heard all the words with rapt attention, accepted the garland, looked down for a while, collected her wits back, and moved slowly towards that woman. Held her hands in hers and looked into her eyes deeply while thinking,' she is from my Krishna's place, so nearer to me! '

Radha touched her cheeks with that royal woman's hands and said, --"what can a cowherd maiden send to a Prince? We are not as rich as your Prince, sending this small gesture as an offering, touch his cheeks once with your hands and say, these palms were touched by your Radha's cheeks, she sent her touch to you as her gift!"-- The maiden was surprised looking at her hands...tiny drops of tears stuck to her palms like well-crafted diamonds, glistening in that evening sun's crimson-coloured rays!

"I will do as you wish Radharani,"- she bowed her head before that village maiden's inexplicable love with an intriguing expression, wondering at the girl who is sending a touch of a tear to the Divine Prince!

The chariot vanished from the sight, leaving behind a cloud of dust! Radha was left stranded there in her thoughts, unable to move, trying hard to assimilate the shock. She started walking towards an unknown destination with that garland adorned in her neck, to immerse herself in penance!

Her aura, that inner light, is shining so brightly in that nightfall, no imperfection could diminish it. Not even the marks of pain!!

To be continued ...

Viswasruti2020-11-03 15:53:59