Princess Of Vidharbha(Winner Mythomagical Awards Contest 2)

Chapter 9

"Princess you cannot move out of your room," came a soldier and ordered to Rukmini.

"I cannot move out, what nonsense are you speaking," shouted Rukmini.

"He is not speaking nonsense dear sister. He is just obeying my orders", came in Rukmi.

"Who are you to order. Where is my father?" shouted Rukmini and tried to push her way out and Rukmi pushed her back forcefully into the room and she fell on the bed.

"My dear sister, I am the new king of Vidharbha. Our dear father is imprisoned in his room. Now you listen to me. If you try to be over smart understand your father's life will be in risk. So, on the next full moon you are going to marry the king of Chedi Shishupala. Shishupala has liked you and I want preferential treatment from Jarasandha. Your marriage with Shishupala will ensure that I get it because Shishupala is his favorite. Don't try to ask help from that cowherd Krishna. He can't enter Vidharbha. All entries from Dwaraka to Vidharbha are blocked. Our spies are closely watching every movement from Dwaraka. So, if Krishna tries any mischief, he won't succeed. Unnecessarily many people will die in a war that is avoidable. So, its in your best interest you listen to me," concluded Rukmi and ordered the soldiers to guard the room strictly.

Once her brother went Rukmini got up and sat in her bed horror stricken. What had she just heard? She was a prisoner. She was going to be forcefully married to Shishupala. Her father is also a prisoner and if she didn't marry Shishupala her brother won't hesitate to kill their father. A feeling of disgust ran in Rukmini's mind as she thought about Shishupal. She slowly touched the peacock feather in her room.

She knew that she had fallen in love with Krishna and was hoping to convince her father to call him for her swayamvar. But at that point she was prepared to marry any other prince of her father's choice for the sake of Vidharbha as she knew her father was afraid of Jarasandh and his wrath.

But now Rukmini realized the depth of her love for Krishna. The moment Rukmi spoke she would be the queen of Chedi that moment she realized the depth of love she has for Krishna. She got up and went near the incomplete painting. She had not seen Krishna's face. She didn't know whether he looked handsome. If anyone hears she has fallen in love for a man whom she hasn't seen they will call her mad. It didn't matter to her. Each moment she gazed at that picture her mind was drawing the image of a man based on the stories she had and she was feeling melting into him. She touched the painting and she felt she was touching him, his peacock feather, the flower garland in his neck. She felt as if she was taking his flute in her hand. As she closed her eyes, she felt herself in his strong arms protecting her from all the harm.

"Princess I am there with you. I have acknowledged your love Rukmini. You are my wife. Nobody can separate Narayan from his Lakshmi except Lakshmi herself. Rise above the mud Narayani. The power is within you."

"What are you murmuring Krishna," asked Balram. Balram's wedding preparations were in full swing. In another week he was marrying Revati. It had been decided that marriage will happen in Dwaraka the bride's family had already arrived and everyone in Dwaraka was busy.

"Bhaiyya I was just thinking wont bhabi be alone in this big Dwaraka. Doesn't she need a good company. I just want to gift her a devrani as her wedding gift," smiled Krishna.

"Krishna, you have decided I won't be having a peaceful wedding. I won't get some quality time with my newlywed wife. Is the bungle of war going to be sounded on my wedding day? Didn't you get some other time to do your Leela," lamented Balram.

"Don't worry brother. Your wedding will happen on the full moon day. Just that we will have some additional guests for it." Seeing the angry face of his brother Krishna got up and ran towards where the bride's party was resting. Balram was not allowed there and Krishna knew Revati bhabi would pamper him.

Rukmini opened her eyes. From the hopelessness she felt few hours ago a new energy was flowing within her. It was as if Krishna was speaking to her. Asking her to calm down and think. Rukmini went back to her bed and sat there thinking. She knew she can't fight Rukmi directly. She had to play along as her father's life was in risk. She wanted someone to tell Krishna about her feelings. But who will tell it? She knew in the given circumstance she cannot express her feelings to anyone. She started moving around the room restlessly. Then an idea struck her. She thought she will write a letter and ask Krishna to rescue her. She smiled and then the next moment it faded. If she asks him to rescue her, he will rescue her but she won't become his bride. If she had to be his bride the thought itself made Rukmini blush.

She knew she would be crossing the limit of modesty of a princess if she expressed her love for him in the letter. It would be quite unbecoming of her status as a princess. She sat there deep in thought. On one side there was her modesty at stake and on the other side her life itself was at stake. She decided to trust Krishna and stake her modesty. She took the writing leaf and started penning the letter. In Dwaraka a smile spread on Krishna's face as he played the flute.