Princess Of Vidharbha(Winner Mythomagical Awards Contest 2)

Chapter 12

Radha was making the butter. That day her special pot of butter had to go to Krishna. She knew it was not the taste of the butter that mattered to Krishna but the effort she put in making it. Still every time Radha strived to make the best butter for her Kanha. It was then a servant came to her and announced.

"Radharani, a brahmin from the kingdom of Vidharbha is requesting an urgent meeting with you."

Radha was perplexed. A brahmin from Vidharbha wanted to meet her. What can she a simple cowherd woman offer a brahmin? When she came to the door Radha was still thinking and it was Sanand's voice that brought her back to reality.

Radha folded her hands and asked the brahmin what offering she can make to him. Sananad smiled

"Radha the world said you are the soul of Krishna. The princess of Vidharbha has written a letter to Krishna. She is under house arrest and going to be forcibly married to king of Chedi Shishupal. Her brother Rukmi has blocked all the paths from Vidharbha to Dwaraka. So, the princess has sent me to you. She is seeking your help to ensure this letter reaches Krishna. So, the only offering I ask is deliver this letter to Dwarakadeesh," replied Sanand.

Radha took the letter in her hand. As she touched it, she remembered Krishna's words spoken years ago. A princess will come in his life about whom she will know at the right time. Radha smiled as she understood what Krishna had meant then. She looked at the brahmin.

"Brahmin Maharaj assure the princess that this message has reached Krishna. Soon she will receive the reply of this letter." Sanand thanked Radha and Radha gave milk and butter to Sanand as he departed. Once he was gone, she went back to complete her work of making the butter for Krishna. This month it was going to be special.

"Krishna, have you finished eating butter. Will you tell me something? Has the answers to my question came in that pot of butter? The lehenga for Rukmini is almost ready. Padmini and other girls are asking when is Dwarakadeesh bringing the queen of Dwaraka. I need to answer them. Please tell something."

Devaki was impatient. From the time the pot of butter had arrived from Vrindavan Krishna had not uttered one word. He was busy eating it. Krishna looked up at his mother and smiled.

"Mother I am yet to read the letters. Only if I read, I can give you answers. Anyways since you came, we will read it together." By that time Balram also had come there.

"Letters. What letters. How did they come." Devaki was puzzled.

"Mother there are two letters here. One is from Radha and the other is from princess of Vidharbha. Didn't I tell you mother let this world close all the known doors for love, but love will find its own way. So, the message from the princess of Vidharbha has come to me through Radha. The lady with her love has made the impossible possible. She has neatly wrapped the letters on the side of butter pot so that nobody notices them and it also ensured it only reached me."

"Krishna the princess has written to you. What has she written? "asked Devaki. She couldn't believe a princess had crossed the line of modesty to write a letter to her suitor. Krishna smiled as he first opened Radha's letter and read.

"Kanha this letter of mine is not important. What's important is the letter that I am keeping with this. Princess of Vidharbha has chosen you as your life partner. You have always stood up for what's right. You have always stood up for the respect of women in your life. I am sure you too have chosen her, your life partner. You just wanted me to send this to you as a proof to the world what love can achieve. I have done my duty Krishna, go and hold the hand of Rukmini. But don't forget from next month you will have to eat two pots of butter at one go."

"How did Radha know what was in Rukmini's letter without opening it," asked Devaki astonished.

"Mother she is Radha or rather the second name of love. She knows what her Krishna wants. Let's look at what Rukmini has written."

Devaki looked on as Krishna gently opened Rukmini's letter. She knew if she asked her son would read that letter publicly. But she didn't want it. That was Rukmini's personal letter to him.

"Krishna don't read Rukmini's letter openly. It would have taken lot of courage for her to write what she has written in that letter."

Devaki could see her son's eyes twinkled in gratitude as she said it. As Krishna started reading Rukmini's letter, she could see her son's face glowing, then a subtle anger replacing it. Once he finished reading the letter, he looked at his mother.

"Mother ensure the wedding lehenga goes with the pot of sweets today. I am sure Radha will find a way to take it to Rukmini. In addition, you need to talk to Revati bhabi's family. On the coming full moon day, we have to go to Vidharbha. There is no other option. I will speak to bhabi myself but from your side assure them that bhaiyya would be back in time for the wedding."

Devaki wanted to tell something but Balram stopped her.

"Mother if Kanha makes a promise I know he will deliver on it. My Kanha needs me and his big brother won't leave him alone for any adventure. Kanha let me know what's the plan."

"Bhaiyya here the timing is important. We cannot attack early as even if we are able to save Rukmini, we won't be able to save her father. I don't want that. We have to save both. So, we can attack only on the wedding day. Rukmini has given the secret map of Girija Mandir. So, I will go there and you have to distract the army of Vidharbha to ensure none follows me. Once I have entered the secret pathway to Girija Mandir keep your focus on saving Bhishmaka. When you have the king safely in your custody blow the conch. Only then I will come out from the mandir with Rukmini. Hope you understood."

"Kanha don't worry. You just focus on rescuing Rukmini. Rest leave to me. Let me go and plan," replied Balram.

"Bhaiyya one more thing. Make arrangements to send your wedding invitations to all kingdoms including Vidharbha," mentioned Krishna.

"Krishna, you didn't want..." Balram didn't complete the sentence. He understood what Krishna wanted. Krishna wanted to know the army positions in Vidharbha. Sending the invitation was one way of knowing it. He also understood why Krishna had delayed sending out invitations for his brother's wedding. He was waiting for that letter to make the move at the right time. Balram smiled at his brother's intelligence and Krishna smiled back at his brother. Devaki blessed both of them to be successful and rushed to make all arrangements. She had to welcome two daughters in laws. There was so much to do.

In Vidharbha Rukmini sat hugging the Krishna painting. Sanand had informed her that Radha will send the message to Krishna and she will soon get the reply. But she didn't know what that soon meant. She hoped the reply came at the earliest so that her heart can be at rest. There was only one week for her wedding with that Shishupal.