The Blazing Fire

Rukmini rushed down a side path parallel to the main street, Manmatha following close behind her. In her hurry, she had barely worn any jewellery. She pushed through the crowd gathered along the main road to see the angry sage. Krishna was already there, standing quietly as the sage cursed up a storm of insults. Krishna's face was inscrutable but his eyes lit up the moment he spotted Rukmini. Beckoning her close, he whispered to her, "He seeks your hospitality, Vaidarbhi. He will not settle for anything less." Rukmini stole a glance at the sage before lowering her eyes as was customary. His eyes were bloodshot, his face almost hidden by his matted mane. He smelled like the accumulation of dirt and slime over a decade and was dressed in tattered tiger skin.

Rukmini had grown up listening to the stories about Durvasa's temper and his affinity for cursing anyone and everyone. She was terrified of the stories alone, and above all, she knew her husband was not exactly fond of him. They were both devotees of Lord Shiva and hence tended to run into each other at regular intervals at conventions and festivals. Rukmini had never seen Krishna return happy from any of these meetings. "Working on your makeup, were you?" The sage taunted, breaking Rukmini's chain of thoughts. She hesitated, not knowing how to respond to such a comment. Krishna cleared his throat, "We were unprepared, Sir. This won't happen again." Rukmini looked up at Krishna. His face was still neutral, but his jaw had hardened and his knuckles were white as a sheet.

"Too late for that, is it not, Vaasudeva? I see that your wife dares to stand in her fancy slippers while my feet burn on these marble tiles you have installed here! Is this how your women receive your guest in your new kingdom?" Rukmini's eyes shot towards Krishna's feet. He had already removed his boots, standing barefoot. Rukmini quickly kicked off her sandals, nervously shifting from one foot to another as the hot tiles burned her soft feet. Durvasa continued, "What? Is she too good to answer when spoken to?"

Rukmini's eyes burned with humiliation. How dare he talk down to her, in front of all their subjects no less! Still, she controlled herself, mumbling a brief apology. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Manmatha too was shaking, his hand steady on the hilt of his sword. However, Krishna simply smiled, "Wouldn't you like to visit our humble abode? What would you like for lunch?" He said, as he slowly whisked the sage away from her. Rukmini felt Manmatha's hot, shallow breath on her shoulder. "You just say the word, your grace," He whispered, "I'll take his head off before he can even blink!" Rukmini gulped and slowly shook her head, "Do not sin on my account, just let it go."

---

In the afternoon, after lunch, Durvasa summoned Krishna and Rukmini to the guest quarters. Rukmini could've sobbed when Manmatha came to fetch her.

He had already made her and her co-wives cook the same meal thrice, each time rejecting it citing some minor issue. "Is he a sage or our evil mother-in-law?" Satyabhama had quipped while mincing the vegetables for the third time. "Maybe he heard how exceedingly nice our actual mothers-in-law are, and came here to give us a taste of the other experience!" Rukmini had laughed ruefully.

Rukmini sighed as she looked at Krishna. He was pressing the sage's feet with the same neutral expression adorning his face. She wondered if his fever had subsided yet, but she was too afraid to ask, lest the sage start firing off again. Only a few hours ago Durvasa had made him clean the entire guest quarters by himself. She wondered why did the sage insist on such bizarre, seemingly useless shows of faith. It must add up to something, she tried to convince herself.

Durvasa, meanwhile had started speaking to them, "So, the lunch was okay, but I had expected better from your wives, Vaasudeva. Anyway, would you two not take me sightseeing?"

"Of course, Sir." Krishna smiled briefly, "I'll order a chariot to be drawn up. We can start whenever you wish."

Rukmini was surprised to see Durvasa smile through his peppery beard. "Why waste good daylight? Let's start now!" He exclaimed as he jumped down. Rukmini breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him leave. Happily, she called up Daruka, Krishna's charioteer, to prepare Krishna's eagle-flagged chariot itself to take the sage around the city.

She watched, smiling, as Durvasa settled in the chariot, patting the cushions for good measure. Half the city had turned out outside the palace gates to see the prince's chariot being paraded. Krishna had decided to drive him himself. However, at the moment that Krishna was about to mount the chariot, Durvasa held up a finger, smiling. Krishna looked at him quizzically. "Untie the horses," Durvasa said.

"Why, Sir? Do you not like them? We have others!" Krishna reasoned.

"No, no...just humour me, untie them." Durvasa was still smiling. Rukmini felt strangely uneasy at that moment. A chariot without a steed? Krishna untied the beasts without another word and turned towards the sage, expectantly.

"Now get in there." 

Rukmini gasped as realization dawned on her. Durvasa wanted Krishna to pull the chariot himself. Rukmini felt like cursing herself for suggesting they take this one. This was one of the heaviest chariots they had, in addition to being the most ornate. Krishna stared at the sage for a few seconds before wordlessly picking up the huge golden yokes. "Wait!" Cried the sage. Rukmini prayed with all her heart for this to be a test, one that Krishna had passed, but instead, the man stayed at her, "What, do you need a special invitation, better half?" Rukmini looked bewildered. Surely, he couldn't expect her to pull this enormous car? The yokes themselves were taller than her! However, as she met the sage's eyes, she realized he was completely serious, and was quite enjoying bringing her husband 'down a few pegs' as he had put it so eloquently some time earlier. As she hesitating stepped between the yokes, narrowly avoiding the horses's ropes hanging from the sides, she saw Krishna whip back toward the sage. Krishna was staring unblinkingly at his face, his eyes blazing. Rukmini subtly touched his arm to signal him to give in. With a jolt, she realized that he was still burning up. Krishna slowly lowered his eyes to meet hers. She felt like crying as she saw the helplessness in his eyes.

Without another word, Krishna started pulling the chariot. Rukmini tried her best to reduce his efforts but to no avail. Krishna was pulling the bulk of the chariot, even though he occasionally stumbled, leaning on Rukmini for support. It pained her to hear his breaths get shallower and more laboured as they made their way through the main street. Then she heard...CRACK! Somehow, Durasa had sneaked a whip past all of them. Rukmini turned immediately to Krishna, whose face was contorted in pain. Before she could react, however, she felt a searing pain rip through her back. She looked up to see Krishna had turned back as well, glaring at the sage. "Well, now you know how your poor horses feel!" He laughed as he cracked it again, causing Rukmini to jump instinctively. Desperately, she shook her head at Krishna, not here, please, she pleaded. Krishna shook his head as he picked up the yoke again, and started walking.

As they had walked through the crowd of people who had come to see them, the cheering crowd had fallen silent, appalled at this inhumane treatment of their beloved prince and princess. However, none of them dared to protest, or even help, for they were all too familiar with Durvasa's reputation. Rukmini had gritted her teeth, trying her best not to react, even though she could feel streams of blood gliding down her back seeping through her now-tattered saree. Glancing at Krishna, she could see that his back was in a similar state as well, he was staggering at every second step now. Drawing in deep breaths, she tried to focus all her strength on the yoke she was pulling, to try and take at least some of the pressure off of her husband.

However, Rukmini had never performed hard labour in her life. Soon, she was coughing from exertion. "Water?" She croaked to Krishna. Immediately she felt a forward push on her arm. Krishna had halted the chariot and refused to move. "Does anyone have water here?" He asked the crowd. Immediately, a few arms thrust forward holding glasses of various shapes and sizes. Rukmini took one of them and took a sip. Immediately, she spit it out and pushed the glass into Krishna's hand. Krishna smelled it and looked around. By great chance, he had stopped the chariot right in front of a winery, and the owner had produced whatever liquid he had spotted first. "Anyone has water that isn't actually wine?" He called out while throwing a reproachful glance at the bartender. An old woman finally produced some water, quenching her thirst.

Both Rukmini and Krishna whipped around at the swish of another whiplash. Durvasa had cracked his whip against one of the wheels of the chariot, chipping the paint. "Having a grand old time, wine-tasting aren't we?" He taunted, as Rukmini recoiled from the sound itself. Durvasa continued, "Did not even feel the need to seek permission first, eh? Daughter of Bhishmaka? Addiction is a terrible disease you know, corrupts a person from the inside out. I've met both your father and brother, dear. No wonder you're going down the same path, it is in your blood after all!" 

Rukmini couldn't stop herself from breaking down this time. She had worked so hard to gain the trust of the citizens of Dwarika, to rid herself of the shame that her murderous brother had brought upon her. Here he was, breaking it all down with a single, cruel comment! Sowing the seeds of derision once more in the brains of these people! Rukmini helplessly let her tears fall to the ground, tugging desperately at the end of Krishna's dress.

Durvasa, however, was in no mood to stop. He continued berating her, finally raising his whip a final time, to hit her. Rukmini hid her face in her palms trying to brace for the impact but to her surprise, it never came. She slowly opened her eyes to see Krishna holding the other end of the whip in his hand. His eyes were fixed on Durvasa, watery and burning in anger. He was shaking furiously. With a swift motion, he snatched the whip from Durava's hand. Rukmini gasped. For a second it seemed like Krishna would hit him back. She couldn't lie to herself, that she kind of wished that he would. However, Krishna simply wrapped the whip around his arm and resumed pulling the chariot with renewed vigour. All around her, Rukmini saw the people bowing down to them, touching their feet through the barricade, whispering encouragements. Rukmini, at this point, did not even have the energy to thank them or push them back.

---

Durvasa had let the couple return to their chambers only past midnight, and only once they had pulled him around the entire island. Rukmini was still shaking from shock when Krishna laid her down on his bed. He gently wiped the dried blood off her back, applying ointment as he went while Jambavati ran a soaked towel over her calloused feet. Satyabhama paced up and down the room, occasionally mumbling insults under her breath. Rukmini had tried to get her servants to attend to Krishna first but he had shooed them off citing a warrior's patience.

While Rukmini had expected Satyabhama to blow up at their treatment, what none of them had expected was Yashoda's reaction. She had yelped when she'd seen their backs and was about to go confront Durvasa herself. Krishna had calmed her with great difficulty. "Who does he think he is!" She had shrieked, "Is this some twisted vengeance for that time when you had stolen his lunch when you were five years old?!" Despite the dire situation, Krishna had laughed. "I seriously doubt he even remembers that he visited us that time, Maiya!" He had said.

Rukmini tried to hide it, but couldn't stop flinching occasionally as she tried to find a comfortable position to sleep in. The wounds on her back seared if she moved even an inch. She thought Krishna had fallen asleep, but as she turned she found him lying awake. "Can't sleep?" He smiled at her briefly, "I'm sorry I put you through this. I was unsure of who he would choose to curse if either you or I stood up to him. You've heard his words, he is capable of rousing a revolt within our kingdom, and inciting terrible war outside! Even without cursing, he is capable of destroying many things."

"I understand, you did what you had to." Rukmini croaked. She tried not to let the pain show on her face. However, nothing ever evaded Krishna's sharp gaze, "Is it too bad? Shall we summon the doctor?"

Rukmini shook her head. The very thought of the doctor clicking in disapproval, and the news somehow getting to Durvasa, made her nauseous. Krishna nodded, "Okay, don't strain yourself, but let me call someone. What about Mayavati? I heard she's a gifted healer in addition to being a magician. Maybe she has something that will speed up the healing process!"

Rukmini wasn't very happy with the proposal. She didn't like Mayavati very much, but she also knew her husband. Once he'd mentioned it, Krishna wouldn't cease till he had convinced her. So, she weakly nodded her assent.

---

Rukmini sniffled as Mayavati walked in with Rukmavati. The latter was carrying a huge trunk, which she propped up against the bedframe. Rukmini clutched at her chest, almost laughing, "What have you done, Mayavate? Didn't Krishna tell you to be discreet?"

"Oh he did, so I created a wall of illusion to hide us as we came. No muss, no fuss..." Mayavati laughed cheerfully, "Now show me what happened?"

"Nothing much," Rukmini protested as the two women climbed up on the bed on either side of her, "I just wanted something to numb the pain, so I could go to sleep. I am so uncomfortable as is...what are you doing?"

Mayavati had lain her head on Rukmini's tummy. "Did you tell anyone?" She whispered conspiratorially, a smile spreading on her bright face. "What will mother tell?" Rukmavati asked innocently.

Rukmini blushed furiously. This was also part of the reason she had been refusing to see the family doctor. "Shh, you two! Don't go gossiping all over the town!" She chided them.

"Did you tell the prince about the baby?" Mayavati asked kindly.

Rukmini sighed, "Not yet. Please don't tell him, not now at least. He would end up with brahma-hatya on the list of his sins if he knew!"

"Frankly, I wouldn't blame him! But, I think he already has made an entry in that list of yours, or at least will do it soon. I saw him walking rather furiously towards Durvasa's room." Mayavati declared.

Rukmini gasped, "And you didn't stop him?"

Mayavati raised an eyebrow, "He is technically my father-in-law and a prince on top of that. I am not about to cross his path even if I think he's making the stupidest decision of his life!"

---

Krishna leaned on the doorframe of Durvasa's room. The sage was busy performing his nightly yajna. After some time, the sage finally ended his meditation and invited him in. Krishna, however, refused to enter. Standing at the doorframe itself he spoke, "How do you even look your Lord in the eye after what you do every day?"

Durvasa's eyes flickered before the dancing flame atop the sacred altar, "I have my understanding with the Lord. Do you?"

Krishna's nostrils flared, as his eyes blazed, "You're a sadist, Sir. You take pleasure in torturing innocent men, and women. Don't think I haven't heard your stories." He drew closer to the rishi, leaning over the open fire. One of his necklaces that hung over the fire grew hot, reddening his neck. Krishna seemed to pay no attention to it, "I know all about you, Durvasa. You burned your wife alive, and then rejuvenated her only to turn her into a tree?! You forced Shakuntala to raise a child on her own, rejected by her husband!" Krishna grasped the shoulder of Durvasa, making him flinch as he whispered, "I know what you did to Kunti,"

Durvasa hesitated for a second, "You don't realize what power I hold, Krishna. You can't even kill me. Killing Brahmans is a sin!"

"I've committed plenty of sins, Durvasa," Krishna slipped down onto the floor before the sage, "And you know what, I have accepted the consequences of those. I have made peace with my oncoming punishments. So, Durvasa, I really don't mind adding another one on there. See, I've got you now. I refuse to give you the satisfaction of hurting me further. I'd rather kill you first and take the penalty for that."

Durvasa sputtered, "You...you petty thief! From your childhood, I'd known you'd turn out this way!"

Krishna chuckled, slapping his thighs, "So it is about that?! Maiya was right after all; you absolute freaking child! You've held that grudge for thirty years?!" Krishna's face grew solemn, "Now you listen to me loud and clear. Take your imbecile students, and be gone from here my morning. If you ever try to think of harming anyone that protected by me, you will live to regret it! Remember, I am not as devout as I look, Durvasa!"

"Huh," Durvasa protested, "You can't drive a guest from your house! Lord Shiva would be ashamed of you if you did!"

Krishna chortled, as he suddenly grabbed Durvasa's hand, "Really, Sir? Say what, let's take a trip to Kailasha right now! Let's see how thrilled, Shiva, the husband of Sati and Parvati, is to hear all about what you did to my wife. Shall we?"

Durvasa glared at him, defeated at his own argument.

---

The next morning, Rukmini woke up to find, with incredulity, a note lying at her door. An apology, addressed from Durvasa! She was definitely the only woman in the entire world to have received this specimen! Excitedly she woke up Krishna, who only smiled sweetly, denying any involvement, no matter how many times Rukmini asked.

Finally, she gave up, choosing instead to lie down on his chest, smiling shyly, "Unlike you, I actually have something to tell." She whispered as she nuzzled her face at the nape of his neck.

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