The Blue Magician

• A decent thief •

I met her at the bangle stall yesterday. In blue saaree, with that royal crown placed on her head, she appeared like Lakshmi herself. I could not resist but bend down and touch her feet - covered with red alta adorned by silver anklets. She quickly held me and gave me a warm smile. In a very royal yet familiar voice she said, "Bhavatah Satyam Praptum" which meant May you find your truth.

Saying so, she moved back to the royal caravan heading towards Ujjani for the annual Shiv-abhishekam. And I was left stunned. Maharani ji met me in the most random place and on the top of that blessed me in most unusual way? No "long live", no "may you have fine sons"?
Dwarka has to be the strangest kingdom on the planet with an even strange royal family.

I got back home, thinking about the meeting, the blessing, the truth and my household chores that were waiting for my immediate attention. Little did I know that a surprise awaited me in my home.

When I reached home, I saw the door our house flung open. My face turned pale. Did I forget locking the door...? I ran to my room and to my relief, all the gold coins and my ornaments were intact. I carefully checked each corner of the house but found no one around. I was finally assured that though I forgot locking the door, nothing misfortunate had taken place.

As I thanked Narayan and walked towards kitchen, I found butter spilled all over the floor. The muddy floor had turned white with butter and I had to attentively enter the kitchen, avoiding the slippery floor. I saw the three broken pots of butter and my face turned red. I had spent three whole hours on churning the butter. Who dared to do such a thing? It wasn't a work of an animal because the pots were clearly broken and butter had been eaten. The theif had tried to take away the pot with him but accidently he had broken it. But who was the thief? And what kind of a thief he was... stealing butter and not gold?
A thought struck me. I know such a thief. I mean, I atleast know his name even if I don't know him completely.

I laughed at my foolish thought. He is a king. Why would he steal butter from my house? Doesn't make sense. But beyond my senses I still felt strongly that it was him- whom my husband worshipped- that mysterious Krishn. I felt like complaining to Aarya but then dismissed that thought.
I wanted to take the matters to court but ofcourse I won't. I felt helpless in the unusual Dwarka. I felt powerless infront of the enigma of Krishn. And just then, a hand was placed on my shoulder. I turned around expecting it to be Aarya's hand but it was not him. It was an old woman, a very very old woman. Her face was like a canvas on which time had drawn a hundred wrinkles. Her silver locks tied in an effortless bun. I had never seen her before in Dwarka but anyways, a LOT always remained unseen in this part of the universe. I had accepted surprises as a part of my life, ever since I came here.

The old woman spoke in her ancient voice, "I am to be blamed. I am the reason for this mess, please forgive me. I was very hungry and..."
I didnot let her complete. I waved a hand and told her that it was okay. Yes, I was angry at first but the fact that my butter was eaten (or stolen) by a hungry person calmed my soul.

Later that day when I told about this incident to my husband, he sensed certain disappointment in my tone. I did not like hiding things unnecesaarily from him so I told him that I wanted the thief to be Krishn. I told him that for no specific reason, I felt upset when I got to know that the renowned butter thief did not visit my house. He asked me why and I had no answer. To that, he reiterated my own argument which I had once given him, "What kind of a king is he who steals butter?"
I laughed out loud then very smartly answered, "If he is the king then every pot of butter is his, what is there to steal."

"Wait a minute. Do you finally accept that my krishn is the best and he deserves all the love and..."

"No. I simply accept that he is a decent thief."

Another night went by, and I was again troubled by thoughts. What did Maharani's blessing mean? And who was the woman?
I didnot know then, but both of these were entwined into one. I would be getting amswers soon, sooner than what I expected.