The C. N. A. T. - Page 81

NOTE NOTE NOTE::: Uhh ... I include Krishna, Balaram, Subhadra in this CNAT. I'm definitely not making fun of / mocking them... There are parts where I make Balaram react in a silly manner, but if you read the entire thing (or at least the context) you will be aware of the fact that Balaram does so for a purpose. If you read one part and think that it's religiously mocking (for whatever reason I can't think of), I truely extend my sincerest apologies that you feel that way. God ... this just ruins the before taste doesn't it. Well think happy thoughts ok everyone!!

The roars of thunder echoed across the empty palace chambers making the candles seem to light up pretentiously. Arjun, the warrior prince, lay in his bed with his eyes wide open, listening to the sounds of the night. He sighed as he rolled over to the other side, disappointed that he wasn't being embraced by the mercy of the goddess of dreams. He stared at the high ceiling and at the designs painted by artisans.

He was alone in bed. His first wife, Panchaali, was spending this particular year with his elder brother Bhim and his second wife, Subhadra, was in Dwarka. Chitrangada was supposed to arrive the day before yesterday but she was not able to make it, nor was his other wife Uloopi. He turned and stared at the pillow next to him and thought about Subhadra being with him (He could not think of Panchaali because that would be improper). He could see her smiling golden face and her deep blue eyes. He smelled her shyama (black with a tinge of blue) hair and pretended to tuck that piece of hair(*) behind her ear, while stroking her cheeks.

As his hands slide down her body, down to her hips, she looked away from him having suddenly becoming shy. He only smiled as he pulled her in closer and kissed her soft forehead. A brief second later, he smiled and laughed ... there was no one there.

With a heavy sigh, Arjun forced himself off the bed and he strolled over to his balcony. As he gazed at the midnight sky, his eyes drifted towards the aura of the moon. He smiled to himself once again as he pulled himself on the thick rail and rested his back against the wall. He stared at the moon's brightness again and for a brief second, he could see his beautiful Subhadra staring at him, gesturing for him to come and be with her in Dwarka, gesturing for him to forever remove the darkness he felt he was so much a part of without her by his side.

A tear rolled down his right cheek and he quickly wiped it, sniffling and smiling. He closed his eyes and focused his thoughts on Subhadra.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hundred of miles away, a beautiful golden-hued princess lay in a deep slumber. Her eyelids twitched and her eyebrows lowered as she woke up with a jolt. Something wasn't right. She looked to her right side and saw her young son sleeping peacefully and contently. She slowly got out of bed and walked over to her balcony and listened to the roar of the ocean. She longed to visit her husband, the fiercest of warriors, but it was too early to forgive him for his ways. He had done nothing but watch in silence as the evil men in the Kuru court took charge and tried to disrobe her elder sister, her brother's friend, her beloved jiji Panchaali. She longed to see her sister, to hold her hands and declare to her that while their husband was a napunsak, she had raised his son to be even more fierce than the king of the jungle. Abhimanyu will surely avenge Panchaali, Subhadra thought, her eyes slowly becoming red with anger. She felt the energy of the Goddess Durga flow through her blood and she as she breathed heavily, she felt her hair flying in all directions. Her arms flexed as it they were about to hold the world's most terrifying weapons, and she felt, from inside of her, the strength of Kali about to burst from her and set the entire Kauravas on fire for their vile attempt at harming Draupadi. She licked her lips and began to bit her tongue and lips; her fingers danced in excitement, and her eyes lit up in pure excitement.

"Subhadre." A calm, sweet, melodious voice came from behind her. Subhadra suddenly felt extremely calm as her elder brother Krishna gently touched her shoulder. "Subhadre. Are you okay?"

Subhadra turned around at looked up at her bluish-black brother. He was smiling from ear-to-ear, he shark shaped earrings dangling from his beautiful ears shaking back and forth as he stood there shaking his head.

"Brathashree." She called out and embraced him, burrowing her face into his right shoulder.

"There there little one. There there." Krishna consoled. He closed his lotus like eyes and patted Subhadra.

"Brathashree. Jiji -"

"I know. I know. Don't worry. Whatever happens must happen for a reason."

"But why did Jiji have to go through such a traumatic event. Not even Arya Arjun, your dear Sakha, stood up to protect her."

Krishna nodded and looked at the moon. "Subhadre. Look at that moon."

Subhadra turned her head and looked.

"Subhadra, the moon has phases. It goes from being completely luminous to being completely dark. When the moon is full, as it is today, you can see not only it, but you can see everything ... clearly. But when you can no longer see the moon on a new moon day, everything is likewise ushered into darkness.

Subhadra's eyebrows lower in confusion, as Krishna continues.

"But we never think that because the moon has blended with the darkness that the moon is forever lost in darkness. The moon once again illuminates the world, it once again shines its mercy on all living creatures. What happened to Panchaali was a dark point in her life, but you wait and watch - she will glow once again like the moon in the night sky bringing peace and content to those who are lucky enough to catch a glimpse."

A tear drops from Subhadra's eyes. "But Brathashree ... by comparing Jiji to the moon, are you saying that she too will one day reach another dark point in her life."

Krishna laughs. "This world is chaotic by design. Here neither I can be happy nor you for we are all ricocheting off the actions of our loved ones and those who we do not get along with."

Subhadra's big eyes meet her brother's and for a second she thought if he was implying her anger toward Arjun. Discarding that thought for a later conversation, she asks, "So what can I do to help Jiji?"

A soft smile forms on Krishna face as he looks away. "Nothing."

"Nothing brathashree? Surely I can do something."

"Subhadre -" Krishna places his around his sister's cheeks. "Subhadra - let time do its own thing. If samay needs something from you, it will surely ask you. Otherwise, worry not about the past, worry not about the future. Focus your attention to the present. Train Abhimanyu to be a fierce warrior, but do not decide his future. Let him choose his own future. This is your duty."

Subhadra nods and looks down. She still felt bad that she couldn't do anything to help her sister. She was deciding if it was proper to tell her Abhi if he should sacrifice everything to make sure his eldest mother Panchaali's insult in avenged, but hearing her brother she fell into a state of confusion.

"Kanha?" A voice came from the hallway.

Both brother and sister looked in the direction and smiled as a tall, white, beautiful man dressed in blue garments walked into the chambers.

"Kanha? What are you doing here at this time?"

"Pranam Dou." Both younger siblings said in unison.

Balaram nodded and raised his hands to bless them.

"Nothing Dou. Neither I nor Subhi could sleep so we were giving each other company."

Balaram hid a smile. "Aacha. Hiding secrets from your Dou. And Subhi, you too?!"

Subhadra forgot about her anger for a second and looked at her eldest brother. "D-D-Dou!!!"

Balaram laughed and hugged his sister. "Aare .. are you that scared of me?"

Subhadra pulled herself apart and looked away. "Hmph."

"Kanha." Balaram said in a fake angry tone. "What did you tell Subhadre."

"Dou I was just telling her that it's not time for her to return to Arjun yet. It's only been a few days since she came and now she wants to leave again."

Subhadra looks at Krishna and narrows her eyes in disappointment. Krishna simply smiles.

"Kanha. It's been half a year since Subhi has been with us in Dwarka." Dou bursts out laughing.

"I love my Subhi more, that's why my time scale is skewed whenever she is with me." Krishna replies.

"Oh please. There is no one more important to me than Subhadra."

From the corner of his eyes, Krishna noticed two ladies slowly approaching them silently. "Liar."

"Disprove me then Kanha."

"You love Revati Bhabhi more."

"Ha!" Balaram burst out laughing. "I don't love your Bhabhi as much as I love my sister."

Krishna shakes his head and his eyes light up as a hand from the shadows slowly inches towards Balaram.

Balaram continues, "But fine, since you pulled the wife card - do you love Rukmini more than Subhadra?"

"Dou!! What kind of question is that? Of course I love Rukmini more."

Balaram's eyes open wide, and Subhadra, who had been looking at the ocean, turns around and stares at Krishna, her mouth hanging wide.

"Brathashree, how can you -?"

"Woah!" Balarama jumps as someone from the shadows touched his shoulders.

As he turns around, the two women step forward allowing the moonlight to reveal their faces.

"Revati!!! Rukmini!!!" Balarama's eyes open wide!

"Pranam Revati Bhabhi." Krishna says, folding his palms and bowing.

"Pranipath Revati Bhabhi. Pranipath Rukmini Bhabhi!" Subhadra sayings, folding her palms and bowing.

To Be Continued.

*I think this is called "bangs" ... excuse my unfamiliarity with whatever hairstyle women wear and describe lol