BUTTERFLY FROM THE FLAME (JOY AND GENTLENESS OF THE FLAME)

Chapter 12

"Looks like we have to come in action now." krishna said. "What will you do now?" Bheem asked. "Only he knows, he is the main lead and I am the side kick with the least screen time." balram said sitting peacefully knowing he has to do nothing. "What side kick dau? You too are the main lead." Krishna said.

"kanha! kanha!" Rukmini said entering the bhavan. "Looks like he hasn't arrived but he will surely as its Draupadi's marriage. How can he let her marry with ayan when he knows that she doesn't love him and jatila kaki wants them to marry just to enter nanda bhavan? has he gone insane or what? Looks like somebody broke or stole his brain like he steal our butter and matkas." Rukmini said and started rambling in anger making krishna hide behind balram timidly.

"Jiji?" Draupadi said entering the bhavan and seeing Rukmini. "Tell me when Krishn is back, I have some undone business with him." Rukmini said. Anger and threat was very much audible making krishna gulp in fear. "Drau?" Rukmini said. "Are you really going to marry ayan?" Rukmini asked. "Now its already done jiji. Our marriage was fixed in our early childhood, now ayan's age of marriage is near meaning my marriage with him is near as well. Jatila kaki has already fixed the dates, only a week or so is left from marriage and I already have wore mehendi of Ayan's name as well. Now it can't be undone." Draupadi said and went.

"And if something can be done?" Rukmini asked. "Our marriage is just a week apart, what can happen in a week?" Draupadi asked and headed towards her room. "This is not the Draupadi I know. The draupadi I know is stubborn, fun loving, who find happiness in little things and knows to change her fate. Its all because of KANHA! If only he had made kaka and kaki understand along with draupadi this wouldn't happen." Rukmini continued to ramble about Krishna in anger saying how its all his fault.

"Why am I always to blame? I am innocent." krishna whined. "Madhav now?" Yudhistir asked. "Who madhav? I am no madhav I am gopadevi." Gopadevi said. "Forget your madhav now. Your madhav rather choose to be gopadevi than Krishna after seeing Rukmini." Gopadevi said and went to her room.

*****

Gopadevi, baldevi and Draupadi had grown close in a short period of time along with the rest gopis. Nanda bhavan was decorated beautifully as Draupadi's sangeet was going to take place tonight.

"madhav is already sangeet." Nakul said. "Just wait and watch." Gopadevi said. "Oui maa!" Gopadevi said seeing Ayan. "Dekho dekho sakhiyo kaun aya hai Draupadi ki sangeet mae!" Gopadevi said calling all the gopis. "Dekho dekho! au au au!" Gopadevi said and they all stared at Ayan for a while.

"What happened?" Ayan asked. "Why are you here? If you are here to meet sakhi draupadi then you are not allowed to meet her. Her fiancée is not allowed to meet her how can you be allowed?" Baldevi said. "Let me meet her." Ayan said. "Ye aise nahi maanega. Ise nikal detehe. Chalo vhalo jau. Hurrr hush! Shoo!" Gopadevi said and the rest gopi followed her and yeeted ayan out.

"What happened here?" Draupadi asked. "Nothing sakhi." gopadevi said. "But I heard some sounds." Draupadi said. "No! You are stressed that's the reason now come with me and rest. Tonight is your sangeet and the bride to be should look happy and cheerful not tired." Rukmini said and dragged her towards her room. 

"Now madhav?" Shahadev asked. "Calm down. Take the pleasure of the drama don't ask for any more trailers or spoilers. All finished, now wait for the next episode." Krishna said. "Sangeet will happen what else." balram said. "Now let us go even we need to be beautiful in our sakhi's marriage." Gopadevi said and went away with baldevi.

*****

"Come come sit!" Pakhi said bringing Draupadi to her special seat. The pandavas were watching the function from above the balcony without anybody noticing them. Only ladies were down for Draupadi's sangeet along with Draupadi who was looking beautiful as ever.