"Sir, you're right. They study at Vrindavan University of Music & Performing Arts", he said.
The gentleman smirked and put on his shades and tightened his tie.
"Get ready, for we shall soon meet them", he smiled a cunning mischievious smile.
...
"Quick quick quick!", Dama instructed Sukhi to dress up hastily. The competition was to begin in no time; the announcers had already moved to the stage.
"Just this one gajraa...", she told him, adjusting it on her hair. Dama rolled his eyes. These girls always had so much to put on plus everything was a fuss.
"Come quick, whatsoever! And wait, where's Krish?"
"There, where he always is! With Radhika who else", she giggled. Both of them were already seated at the back stage, ready to witness the competition.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome to the Nrityaa Spardhaa!", The dance teacher announced cheerfully. The auditorium echoed with a loud hoot, depicting the excitement of everyone.
Krish and Radhika limped with difficulty, holding each other for support. They sat quietly on the back stage. He gave her a million watt smile, but she retorted with an adorably angry expression.
"Excited, Priye?", He asked.
"Couldn't feel more enthusiastic", she said, sarcastically. And it was greatly justified, Krishh had injured her ankle first of all and then himself acted of an elaborated setup.
Suddenly, her expression changed as she sensed of something unusual.
"Sir, it's time to go on the stage", his guard told him.
"Wait", he told, eagerly awaiting something.
Krishh's eyes gleamed up with a spark.
He nodded his head, as if giving his approval of the entire setting.
"Dekha Radhe, look who is here to meet you", he told her.
"Why, the one and only, who chants your name 24*7, Narad Muni", she giggled. "I wonder what's going to happen next".
"You know it Radhe"
"Yes I do", she winked at him, swinging her legs and understanding his idea about the situation.
"I have here the pleasure to announce our chief guest and judge for this event, the greatest Veena and Khartaal player of all times, Mr. Triloka Brahmakumaran!"
The lights dimmed and a quirky background music played, changing the names of Hari Om Hari repeatedly. It was the famous Usha Uthup foot tapping number and no one had expected it to be played in such a situation.
"Narayan Narayan!", He greeted the audience.
He lifted up his shades, having a designer Mahathi twist, and joined his hands above his head to quieten the gathering.
Mr. Triloka lighted the lamps (diyas) for the inaugration of the competition.
He took his seat, with his eyes fixed constantly on the stage's entry.
"I hope Prabhu, I'll get to see that girl today, the one who claims to be your soulmate. ", he asked Krishh without uttering a word, excitedly. There was a hint of disbelief and mockery in his words. " You had promised me to give your darshan on Dhartiloka and I'm here today."
Narad Muni, the advent devotee of Lord Narayan was here to test Radha, her acclaimed dance and her knowledge of music, which he had heard to be perfect, from the Lord himself.
"You will Narad", Krishh muttered, as he slowly practised his flute, with peacock feather extensions.
Mr. Triloka Brahmakumaran tapped his fingers excitedly on the table, unable to wait, to catch a glimpse of Krishh and that Radha.
"Here's a token of appreciation for our esteemed guest",
Balram emerged from behind the stage presented him with a bouquet of flowers.
Triloka quickly joined his hands in prayer and Balram smiled at him, giving blessings.
"The first performance is by Vrindavan University!", The teacher announced. Triloka's eyes shone brightly. Aha, the wait was over!
Dama and Sukhi emerged from the stage and cautiously performed the Namaskaram.
Triloka's eyes fell down. He felt cheated and demeaned.
"Prabhu!??", He wailed silently but gave a fake smile and appeared to be very pleased.
The dance began. The Khartaal Maestro was visibly bored and uninterested. What a waste of time, on not getting to see his Prabhu!
Sukhi and Dama gave their best. They had practised hard and long. To the others, it was a pleasing piece of dance they were putting up.
Every second of the song seemed stretched like ages to Mr. Triloka.
Soon after the beginning solo performance, the other group members of Vrindavan University joined Dana and Sukhi on stage. There were a total of 5 pairs on the stage. Triloka's eyes scanned hastily through all of them, but none was his Prabhu.
"Ready?", Krishh extended his hand towards Radha. She gave her lotus like palm in his strong hand and they got up steadily.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed. Some uncanny feeling swept past the stage.
In a blink of an eye, Triloka could see the Dama and Sukhi as Krishn and Radha!
Such brilliant light was emanating from their figures that he felt blinded for a moment.
He looked around to see the reaction of others. But all the faces gave the same expression of smile and cheer as it had been since the start.
Awed, he looked again and this time, he could see them dancing as the pair on the corner of the stage.
Then in the next moment, he could see Krishn and Radha as the ones behind the lead dancers.
And then finally, in a split second, all the dancers turned Krishn and Radha. It was a sight to behold. Such was the perfection of all the mudraas that Narada had no words. He was mesmerised and floored. The coherence in movements of Radha Krishna was exemplary. It seemed that one soul alone was dancing on stage.
He got up unconsciously, taken aback by the splendour.
As if this alone didn't suffice, the forms of Krishn and Radha exchanged. Sometimes it was Radha being Krishn, the other time it was Krishn becoming Radha.
Narada's heart was overwhelmed.
At the highest note of the Sargam, the performance came to an end.
He clapped furiously, his face reflecting the ultimate degree of happiness and satisfaction.
He was about to run to the stage and lie in the feet of his Lord when he realised the situation in which they were. He controlled his desire and stood up straight. He pulled up and adjusted his tie.
Tears brimmed his eyes.
Everything was back to normal. He could see the happy faces of Dama and Sukhi.
He also repented on having question Radha. She was Lakshmi herself, the eternal consort of his Prabhu. She was music personified. Radha and Krishna were no different bodies but just one soul.
After the competition, Vrindavan University was crowned the unbiased winner.
Later, Narada himself went to the backstage to seek blessings and apology of Krishn and Radha.
"Prabhu!!!", He felt at his feet when no one was around. Radha smiled lovingly.
Narada then turned to Radha and apologised.
"Forgive me Maata", he bowed before her feet. She helped him get up gently and blessed him.
Balram witnessed the scene with a broad smile. He coughed naughtily, to bring them out of their reverie.
"Oh Sir, you're here", their teacher came.
"Meet Krishh and Radhika. They couldn't perform unfortunately, due to their injured legs, but they're great dancers too. I wish you could see them dance".
Mr. Triloka smiled.
Krishh giggled and winked at him, before getting up and hopping off with Radha, limping in pain, both being supported by Balram and his strong arms.
...
PS : No offence to any God/deity/divine form (Narad Muni). This is purely a fictional piece of my imagination and forgive me if I hurt anyone's feelings, it wasn't intended.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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