Princess Of Vidharbha(Winner Mythomagical Awards Contest 2)

Chapter 5

Rukmini looked herself in the mirror. Vanaja aayi had told her she was no longer a child now. She has to learn to behave like a maiden. Looking at the mirror Rukmini didn't feel much changes. She was still not as tall as grown-up women. Her features were still childish. The only thing that has changed was that now she was having her monthly cycle and she had to learn to adjust to that. She was no longer allowed in royal courts or temples during that time. As a thirteen-year-old the restrictions were a little overbearing for her. But then Vanaja aayi had told on the seventh day of her menstrual cycle they will have a grand ceremony at the palace announcing to the world the princess has become a maiden.

Rukmini was excited for the function. New clothes and jewellery were specially made for her. But she was not supposed to touch them at that point. She could use it only on the day of the function that was two days away.

Rukmini was actually bored sitting alone in the room. Her friends were not allowed to meet her. Only Vanaja aayi came to take care of her. She was given special food and drink. Rukmini didn't like the taste of some but Vanaja aayi asked her to have it as it was essential for her health. Though she couldn't play she was allowed to do painting and in the past five days she had done multiple paintings of Krishna. Except his face all the other things were in those paintings. The peacock feather on his crown, the flute in his hand, his yellow robe, the kind of ornaments he wore all small details were updated in those paintings. Rukmini sat beside those paintings and took one of them. As she caressed that picture for the first time, she felt something other than curiosity in her heart and unknowingly her cheeks turned deep red. Rukmini didn't understand what was happening but whatever that was it made her happy. She held the painting close to her heart.

"Krishna why did the music of your flute turn soft and slow. Are you reminded of Radha," asked Balram to his younger brother? They were on their way to Mathura after completing their education at Guru Sandeepani's ashram.

"Brother, I have not forgotten Radha to remember her. This music is for someone else whose heart is calling out to me. I am sure it will reach her. But brother you please concentrate on what we are going to face in Mathura. The conch Panchajanya and the Sudarsan Chakra which Lord Parasuram gave me are going to be used immediately."

"Krishna Jarasandh is going to attack Mathura and you are playing flute," shouted Balram as the realization of his brother's words dawned upon him.

"Brother flute is the medium that will ensure Sudarsan is used at the right person for the right cause," smiled Krishna at his brother and continued played the flute softly and in Vidharbha Rukmini slept hugging the Krishna picture.

King Bhishmaka looked at all the arrangements that has been made for Rukmini's menarche celebrations. Today the general public will see the princess. Till that day Rukmini was never taken outside the palace. Her world revolved within the palace. Now she will be given training to be a queen. There will be guided visits to public places. She would meet many ladies who would mentor her on the skills a good queen would have. She will also be given knowledge on governance and self defense techniques. Then he heard that the princess is arriving.

Bhishmaka turned and he saw his daughter beautifully dressed in green and yellow lehenga wearing the most beautiful ornaments walking towards the stage. Her hair was dressed with jasmine flowers and a round bindi adored her forehead. He adored the young maiden affectionately then suddenly felt sad. He understood in few years' time he would have to conduct the swayamvar of Rukmini and her daughter will go to her husband's kingdom leaving her parental kingdom.

"Father what happened why you look sad, aren't I looking beautiful enough," asked a concerned Rukmini and Bhishmaka wiped his tears and mentioned those were tears of happiness seeing his beautiful daughter. He asked Vanaja to lead her to the stage. Vanaja led the princess to the stage and she was flagged by her friends Indumayi and Tara. As Rukmini got into the podium Bhishmaka's eyes fell on the peacock feather his daughter had latched on the side of her lehenga. He was amused but he couldn't ask her to get down as the function had to go on. He only prayed his son Rukmi's eyes doesn't fall on it. But then it was not to be. He saw his son moving forward to yank that peacock feather from Rukmini's lehenga and Bhishmaka had to forcefully hold him back. He could see Rukmi was seething with anger. Any mention of Krishna angered him and Rukmini did exactly that.

The function started and Bhishmaka introduced Rukmini to the public formally. Rukmini bowed to the public and promised she will do all the duties of a princess for the welfare of this land. Her speech was going as expected but in the end what Rukmini told stunned everyone.

"My dear people. I know I am very young. I don't know the rules of governance. But still, I want to make this point. I feel our kingdom will grow very much if we bring Krishna here and as your princess, I will thrive to bring him one day here and this is my promise."

To Rukmi's anger and desperation Rukmini's words were welcomed by the public with great applause and some of them even shouted Jai Shri Krishna. Bhishmaka had to use all the royal power to hold back his son from not disrupting the function.

Then the prominent civilian personalities presented gifts to the princess and the ladies sang and danced in her honor. The food was arranged from royal palace for everyone that day and Bhishmaka could see people were happy.

The only unhappy person was his son Rukmi and once the function was over, he caught hold of his sister and demanded an explanation from her on bringing Krishna. He questioned her wasn't she afraid of Jarasandh.

"Brother why should I be afraid of Jarasandh. Haven't the news reached you that Krishna has defeated Jarasandh. He has got the divine conch Panchajanya because he rescued Guru Sandeepani's son from a demon and he also got Sudarsan Chakra from Lord Parasuram. So, he can safeguard Vidharbha from Jarasandh."

Rukmi was now so angry he tried to snatch the peacock feather from Rukmini's lehenga and Bhishmaka stopped him firmly.

"Rukmi remember your manners. Rukmini is a maiden now and you cannot misbehave with her while I am here." Rukmi looked at his father angrily and walked away shouting he will ensure Krishna wont set foot on Vidharbha.

"Rukmini at the right time I will come to Vidharbha and deliver on your promise. Thank you, princess, for trusting me so much," mused Krishna looking at the full moon from his room.