For The Earth Prologue 2- Chapter 1- 27/1/17 - Page 28

MOHE RANG DO LAAL

Shrikala stood in front of the idol of Lord Vishnu.

"My Lord, what are these feelings? Why do I keep thinking that I am Shridevi, that I have a part of Mahalakshmi in me?", asked Shrikala. "What is going on Lord? Am I why prosperity descended in my house not even a week after I was born? Is that why one of my other names is also Rukmini? Swami, everything is confusing me. The only thing I know is that I love you"

She saw Him, looking delightful in pitambar garments and a mor pankh. He lifted her by her hand, and raced His chariot to His home, Dwaraka.

She had had a brief vision of the romantic Rukmini Haran. Her heart filled with delight, even as she dreamt of the same thing over and over again.

Pravha sighed.

The moon was playing games, just like her Bhrata. She was already confused. Urmila, Revathi. Revathi, Urmila. Dharani Didi was not helping her. She was being as ambiguous as her Krishna Bhrata. Didi spends too much time with Him!

Her eyes drifted to the bright moon outside, and her thought process went to the vision she had seen.

She was moving in sync with a beautiful woman in saffron clothes, who was walking towards a hermit to give alms. Suddenly, the hermit turned into a Rakshasa, and declared himself, as "Ravana, the Lord of the three worlds"

Entranced by the lady's beauty, he had lifted her up, against her loud protests and wails, and placed her on his aerial chariot. But she felt as if the same was happening to her as well. Why was that?

The beautiful woman screamed, "Arya! Raghunandan! Putra Lakshman!"

Pravha couldn't believe what she had felt. She had felt like Urmila might have felt when she felt her Sita Jiji being kidnapped. What was going on? Pravha knew she was Revathi, but she also felt like she had some Urmila in her. It almost seemed like Dharani Didi, with the exception of... The secret she would keep, till her Bhrata decides to reveal it. Though she knew that her Bhabhi was already suspicious.

Dharani was glad she was in dance class. She could let go of everything and simply dance. She could feel the calmness of the dance hall seep through her, relaxing her stressed limbs.

"Dharani, come. Yaaro Ivar Yaaro", said her dance teacher Radha.

"Yes aunty!", said Dharani, excited to dance.

As she danced, she lost herself in the memory of Sita, and what Sita thought when she first saw her Rama.

Tall and handsome with eyes which are as beautiful as the Lotus; those eyes are capable of speaking love', thought Sita. Broad shoulders and chest, long arms which went up to His knees. A majestic, elephant like gait, sharp eyes reflecting His sharp mind, yet He is someone whose compassion is limitless that the Universe can drown in it. He carries a bow on His shoulder, His hand gripping it. He is a warrior, yet a noble soul. He is All of that. Every quality was embedded in Him. Oh who is He, He who has made me the love struck girl I am right now?'

Dharani came out of her reverie when she heard people clapping for her. She saw affection and pride in her dance teacher's eyes, admiration in her classmates eyes. But the expression which made her feel alive was the ones on the Lord Nataraja statue. No one would notice, but she did. The smile on His radiant face turned into the radiant smile a father would have when His daughter dances and gets applause. He, the Lord of Dance, was smiling proudly at His daughter, His Prithvi. That compliment was the biggest compliment she had ever received!

Dharani sunk onto her bed, exhausted after her four hour dance class and four hour marathon studying session. Krishna Jayanthi had become work fest for her. She flipped over, her back facing the ceiling. Placing her cheek on the pillow, she drifted off to sleep, and into the land of dreams.

She stood in a dance hall, wearing a red and green salwar set. Soft music came from everywhere. Dharani loved this song.

Mohe Rang Do Laal

From the first word, Dharani's body moved on its own.

Mohe rang do laal
Nand ke laal laal
Chhedo nahi bas rang do laal
Mohe rang do laal

Suddenly, she heard flute music, and she turned, to watch Lord Krishna play the flute. His eyes held love, mischief and knowing. His eyes urged her to dance, even as He played the flute.

Dekhu dekhu tujhko main hoke nihaal
Dekhu dekhu tujhko main hoke nihaal
Chhu lo kora mora kaanch sa tann
Nain bhar kya rahe nihaar

As she danced, she could feel His stare on her. Blushing a deep red, she continued to dance, trying to forget that he was watching her intensely.

Mohe rang do laal
Nand ke laal laal
Chhedo naahi bas rang do laal
Mohe rang do laal

Marodi kalaai mori

His hand gripped hers. Feeling sparks shoot through her, she turned to meet His mischievous eyes, His flute tucked at His waistband.
Marodi kalaai mori
Haan kalaai mori
Haan kalaai marodi.. kalaai mori

As she moved away, He moved with her, not letting go of her wrist. Slippery as she was, and shy as she was, His grip on her was firm.
Churri chatkai ittrai
Toh chori se garwa lagai

He broke her bangles, smirking as He did. He knew of her dreams of Him based on the song, and He was proving it, just to tease her.

Hari ye chunariya
Jo jhatke se chheeni (x2)

Her dupatta flew and landed at his feet, as she somehow slipped away from Him. He smirked at her, as if telling her that she couldn't fool Him.

Main toh rangi hari hari ke rang
Laaj se gulaabi gaal

He pulled her into His arms, cupping her chin, His intense look making her blush. His lips touched hers, colouring her with the red she has been asking for.

Mohe rang do laal
Nand ke laal laal
Chhedo nahi bas rang do laal
Mohe rang do laal

Breaking free, and completely flushed, Dharani did the final step, asking Him to fill her maang with red.

He walked up to her, kissed her maang, and whispered, "But I already did, my precious wife"

And lo! Her maang was once again filled with red.

Mohe rang do laal

The two of them stood, gazing at each other, moving closer to each other by the second.

Dharani smiled as she slept on, comfortably in the arms of her Lord, her dreams full of many more Mohe Rang Do's to come.