Hello there!
Radhe Radhe!
Welcome to my new story of Radha Krishna and get drenched in the feels of love! Please give it a try...
Mujh mein Tu basa!
It was early at dawn. Almost the whole village was awake. It was a tradition of Barsana village to kick start their days with aarti and morning prayers of lord Narayan. Cowherds were taking their cattle to feed grass while some men were milking the cows. Some ladies were making butter out of milk, some were crushing herbs for the day, some went to fetch water from river while some were making garlands for Shri Narayan and small kids were struggling to wake up.
In this beautiful morning a young girl was roaming in the beautifully colourful garden near the village, plucking some colourful flowers for the aashadhi pooja. (Prayer performed in the month of Ashadh). A soft breeze felt soothing as she was humming when the dark sky started turning orange while first rays of sun fell on her beautiful face.
Serene!
The word would fall from anyone's mouth who would witness such a blissful sight. Her sakhis or friends were giggling, showing each other flowers the got and were about to leave for home. They gathered close as the sun started to turn greyish orange and then grey as the dark grey clouds covered the sky with moist wind.
"Radha! Come fast. It seems it'll rain soon" Lalita called out to her as she grabbed her basket of flowers ready to leave.
Wind started blowing fast as a faint tune of flute was heard from a far. Radha's feet stopped as she froze to the spot.
Her doe shaped kohl smudged eyes went wide, as if in some daze, her orange dupatta flew aimlessly in the air. She looked nothing but a statue as her golden blouse complimented shining glint in her eyes. Her orange ghaghra with golden lace got clinged to her legs as her golden mojris stood fixed to the ground. Her floral earrings were swinging on her ears as she looked cute in that floral maangtika and bangles.
"Radha, chalo bhi" Her sakhi shouted to get heard because of the heavy wind.
"Han? Haan." Flute stopped as she came out of her trance and responded. Just as she took a step the same enchanting tune was reheard, this time a little louder.
"Radha. Why are you so lost? Come on" Her sakhi asked confused yet concerned looking at that frozen trance state of their sakhi.
"Woh dhun..." Radha could manage to say this much as
"Konsi dhun? Hume koi dhun nahi sunai de rahi Radha." She was clueless. Before they could say much first drops of rain fell on them.
"Kya?" She asked her brows furrowed in confusion as they shuddered in sudden chill. A bright lightening shone in the sky just as the flute stopped again. If they would have been at their home, this would have seemed beautiful but amidst this part of forest garden, in this dark they were a little intimidated.
"Woh sab chhodo Radha" She said urgently to leave "Varsha ho rahi hai, chalo na ghar chalte hai"
They were hurrying, almost about to reach the entrance of their village, when it started properly raining, drenching them head to toe.
Just as they reached the safe zone, a loud, clear and beautifully happy tune of flute resounded. Speed of rain fasted with raindrops got heavier. As if playing with the weather and Radha's mind, the flute moved high toned and changed the tune as if calling Radha to itself. Her friends rushed to their houses quickly. But Radha, Radha was drenched in the melody, she could not care for the rain, she could not think her family will get worried, she just could not ignore the tune, she could not bear to stand on the spot, she could not stop herself from going towards the place, from where this sound was coming.
In a reflex, she just ran. Her flower basket dropped from her hand as she started running to the tune.
"RADHA?" Her sakhis and the villagers present there shouted together, surprised to see her dash towards the forest again.
The thunder of clouds volunteered to play the part of drums, lightening gave the special effects, downpours turned torrents gave the background score, wind and tree leaves gave the filler effects, her anklets made the tinkling sound and the flute bound all of the nature to dance on its tune.
An unknown smile played on Radha's restless face as she was running breathless in the forest. There was definitely something in her that got connected to the tune in very first instant. The melody was getting louder and clearer, she was coming close to her pursuit. In the trance she lost her balance, her foot twisted in a twig and she fell on the ground. The tune stopped abruptly, so did the rain.
Radha came to her senses at the rustling sound came from the bushes near her. She had lost her track. Closing her eyes, she prayed to Narayan, when pushing the bushes aside her baba reached her with few of the villagers, long wood sticks in hand.
"Radha?" Her father asked relieved on seeing her, "Tum thik ho?" but concerned as she was on the ground.
"Baba?" Hearing his voice even she got happy and stood up, "Baba" and hugged him running.
"Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho putri?" He asked as they headed back to home.
"Baba, woh dhun..." She looked back pointing her finger, but shivered as she was all wet due to running in such heavy rain.
"Humne to koi dhun nahi suni bitiya" her father, who was the Mukhiya of Barsana, the village head, Vrishbhanji said but dismissed the talk, walking faster to home, so she can rest.
*
Next day few villagers brought a family to the mukhiya house. Vrishbhanji grinned happily to see Nandlal and family at his doorstep. Two old friends hugged each other, as their wives Kirtida and Yashoda hugged as well. They greeted Rohini jeeja, who was standing there with two young boys. Radha came down to greet the guests. Boys touched Vrishbhanji's feet, while their parents introduced them.
"Yeh bada Balram aur yeh chhota aur natkhat Krishna" Yashoda smiled.
The name echoed in her ears as she whispered "Krishnnn"
He stopped for a moment as she said his name for the first time. Sinking the feel, a content bright smile appeared on his face, his deep ocean green eyes twinkled as he turned slowly to face the owner of that voice.
"Aur yeh hamari putri Radha" Kirtida smiled back.
"Radhe" He whispered her name in his mind that too echoed in her ears, fixing her to the spot.
Eyes met as the outer world seemed blurred. He was wearing a yellow pitambar (dhoti), purple khes (upper body shrug), few jewellery, flowery yellow turban but what caught her eyes was a peacock feather that was placed in his dark curly hair. He had such a stunning personality that can make anyone fall for him in a moment. He kept staring at his reflection in her black eyes, while she just got lost in his deep ocean green eyes. Moments passed in frenzy as they felt some unknown bond pulling them towards each other. They were snapped out of their eye-lock, as rest of them proceeded to have some food.
"Yeh tujhe ho kya raha hai?" Tapping her forehead a little, she went ahead, mentally scolding her mind to focus.
*
The pooja went very well at the Narayan mandir at the centre of the village. Entire village was present there, along with the new family that transferred here from Gokul for business purpose. Pooja ended with aarti in a melodious voice of Radha as the main pandit of village performed aarti.
Radha was distributing prasad when Balram dau, the elder brother joined other boys of the village and started playing drum to welcome the rain. Radha joined her friends dancing happily as few boys joined them as well. To her surprise, Krishna jumped and took the centre dancing gorgeously. People could not take their eyes off the celebration.
They were dancing in a flow, when clouds covered the sky again. Drizzles started as few people started safeguarding themselves from getting wet, few settled under shelters. Youngsters danced their heart out welcoming the rain. Radha was having fun, dancing with her friends when a soft tune of flute caught her attention.
Her feet stopped midway as she twirled and stayed in that position only. An unknown warm? feeling curled up her heart as longing filled her eyes. She couldn't control herself as her feet unconsciously started drowning in the melody yet again and she advanced towards the tune.
This time step at a time, the tune changed the tone to match the anxiousness of its devotee. Rainwater fell evenly as if calculating every drops clouds dropped. This time real drums and dancing streaks complimented the flute as Radha ran upwards the temple steps in search of a person who played this mesmerizing flute.
She reached the garbh gruha when the loud and alluring tune stopped. Coming out of her haze she rang the bell as if asking her Narayan what was happening to her whenever she heard this tune. What was that, that pulled her towards it? Why she couldn't just let go? Why she couldn't stop herself whenever she heard this tune? She had numerous questions in her mind. Her eyes glistened asking what her words could not.
Folding her hands for prayer she whispered "He Narayan! Mujhe uttar do"
*
"Mujhe uttar do Kanha" Balram dau demanded from Krishna.
"Kyun bholi-bhali Radha ko sata rahe ho?" Dau could not understand what was running in his younger brother's mind.
Radha had lost her memories. Memories of her love. Memories of their love. Memories of her Krishna. Business expansion and all were just excuses, their main purpose to shift to Barsana was Radha. If Radha did not remember Krishna, did not mean even Krishna forgot his Radha. He did not. He remembered everything. Radha loved him playing his flute, specially this tune.
"Hum anant ke sathi hai Dau. Hamara prem anant se anant tak ka hai. Sirf paane ka naam hi to Prem nahi" He put his flute back in his waistband.
"Tumhe kya lagta hai, yeh sab karoge to who tumhe yaad karne ki koshish karegi?" Dau questioned.
"Nahi" He smiled, confusing Dau "Main to chahta hoon, who mujhe bhulane ki koshish kare."
"Kyunki kisiko jitna hum bhulane ki koshish karte hai, woh aur bhi adhik usse yaad aata hai"
He did not want to torment Radha by forcing her to remember anything. All that mattered to him was love. Which he was sure, he can make Radha fall for him, all over again.
*
Next few days passed easily. Balram and Krishna were happily welcomed in the group. Krishna was happier that they got to spend so much time together. But Radha was in a different zone altogether. She found an elder brother in Balram, so she started calling him Dau as well. But Krishna? Her equation with him was wondersome.
They would fight on anything and everything. He would tease her, she would scold her. That had become routine. But lately, she started liking it. When they became friends was unknown to them. Anything and everything related to him would amaze her. She could not get her eyes off Krishna. The way he talked, the way he walked, whatever he did. His silliest pranks to his serious actions, she just felt drawn to him, uncontrolled. Her heart would skip a beat or two whenever he smiled that heart melting smile.
On one such evening all the children were playing, when it started raining. They sat making Banana leaves as shield on their head, two in each large leaf. They were gossiping and giggling, when Krishna asked Radha to take a gift.
"Kheer!" Radha exclaimed in delight, as he handed her a clay pot full of porridge.
"Maine banai, tumhare liye" Her happiness reached her eyes as Krishna made something for her, for the first time. Or was it a first time?
"Dhanyavad" She was so happy that forgetting everything, she just ran to her home to have it. That day she did not have dinner but ate the entire pot of Kheer alone. She did not share it with her friends or even her parents.
If a friend gift you something, you should give a return gift as well, right? He made her favourite dish, so, she should make his favourite one.
So, she decided to make Makkhan.
She woke up early next day before other ladies and started preparing butter. She was not practiced much, few drops of perspiration rolled down on her forehead as she got exhausted mid-way. Just as she was about to doze off, a soft breeze brought a freshening melody to her. Her eyes went wide open. Again?
For her, right. This time she did not run but acknowledged.
She had decided that this divine tune, that only she could hear, was playing only for her. The owner of that flute was may be her fan, who she was fond of, who always played the tune that would help her. A soft drizzling reached the ground, as fresh smell of wet soil spread across. She sniffed it smiling, wiping sweat from her forehead with the corner of her dupatta and with uplifted spirit, she continued her process. The drizzles stopped with the tune as she finished her first butter, only for him.
All the youngsters were having fun at Ghat, in the water of river Yamuna. Radha and Krishna were sitting on the steps, a little far from them as she wanted to give him a return gift.
"Maakhan!" She smiled happy at his childlike enthusiasm.
She nodded saying "Tumhara manpasand."
"How do you know, that butter is my favourite?" He asked her in a husky soft voice, that left her wondering. She never asked him, how did she know?
Thinking to herself, she went to their other friends, lost. Krishna on one hand was very happy to receive Makkhan from Radha but on the other hand he could not see her this lost and clueless all the time. He felt a little guilty. He decided to express what he was hiding all this while. So, he did, what he did the best.
All of a sudden wind changed its speed and direction, clouds came running above them, leaves started rustling, their clothes started to fly and cling... Radha knew this feel, she knew this ambiance. She knew it was him, the one she always was seeking. The one her heart could not get over and here it was Krishna, his mind could not get over of. The internal emotional struggle made Radha stop and turn as the flute played the tune she was longing for.
Slowly and steadily, this time consciously she headed in the direction of the tune. This time she will not let him go off. She started running and stopped mid-way looking at the back of the one on the last step of Ghat. She knew him, did she? Her heart beats went heavy and fast at the anticipation.
"Krishnn" She whispered exhaling.
He turned playing flute, eyes twinkling, all smiles, his morpankh dancing in the air.
"Krishna, woh tum the?" She whispered, stepping a step down, trying to believe what was happening.
"To mera hraday bhi wahi chahta hai jo mera mastishk?"
"Toh yeh dhun... yeh hawa, yeh Varsha... yeh sab tumhari maya hai?"
With every sentence she stepped down a step.
"Tumhe kaise pata ki Kheer mujhe Priya hai?"
"Tum kabse mujhe jaante ho?" She was on the verge of crying.
"Hamesha se" He stopped playing and answered looking straight into her black eyes.
"Main tumse prem karta hoon Radhe" a wave came in the river water as his ocean green eyes sparkled with so many emotions. The words echoed in her mind as she closed her eyes, sitting down on the last step. She grew silent, making him worried.
"Radhe" Unsure, he put his hand on her shoulder lightly. "Radhe"
She opened her eyes smiling as tears could not wait in her eyes any longer.
"Aur yaha main itni uljhan mein thi. Ke kaise aur kabse tum mere liye itne khas ban gaye. Ke kaise aur kabse main tumhare liye kuch bhi karne ke liye sajja ban gai..." He sat beside her on the step as she said holding his hand "Ke pata nahi kaise aur kabse main tumse prem karne lagi..."
A happy tear escaped his eyes as well as he got to hear this from the love of his life. She wiped his tear as her eyes fell on her reflection in the water. Krishna was there in her reflection and she was his reflection.
"Mujh mein tum basti ho Radha" He said as she picked the pot of butter, tasted it and fed him with her hand
"Aur mujh mein tum" He at the sweetest butter in the long time. Feeling content he closed his eyes savouring it, as a happy tear rolled down his cheek again.
Witnessing this beautiful union, as if clouds did a happy dance as droplets ran to the earth to meet them. She rested her head on his shoulder as he picked up his flute, playing the most romantic tune ever.
*****
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