Krishna!

Chapter 12 - The Big Day

At the amphitheatre,

"Where are these three? We need to get in before it is too late", Devaka was waiting, pacing about impatiently.

"Calm down! They'll be here in a while", said Kanika. Upadevaka, Shree and Krishna also kept looking, waiting for the three to arrive.

And they saw Sunanda, Jayant and Balaram walking towards the amphitheatre. The three had made up their minds, not to reveal any happiness or anything about their conversation, until it was the right time.

"Where were you? Why did it take you so long?", asked Devaka looking at them

"Oh nothing. You know that huge cupboard in Jayant's room? It started breaking for some reason, I had to put it away and keep the belongings safely to the other room. That's why it took time", managed Balaram.

"Alright! Let's get in before it's late!", hurried Upadevaka, started to go inside.

"You guys go, I have to tell Shyam one important thing about our parents which I found" , said Balaram.

"Oh alright! Do come quickly. You don't want to be caught by the Maharaja!", called Devaka. And he went inside with Upadevaka. Kanika, Sunanda, Jayant and Shree also started walking inside. Shree kept worriedly looking at Balaram and Krishna as she walked. The minute he spoke of their parents, the two of them had their faces grave, with worry. She hoped and prayed that their parents were safe. And went they all went inside.

"Dau! What happened? Are Mata and Pitashree alright?", asked Krishna, holding Balaram worriedly.

"They're fine Kanha! I wanted to bring you here for a reason. It is time Maatula knows that we are here to teach him a lesson. We need to start from somewhere", winked Balaram and pointed towards the other entrance of the amphitheatre. Krishna grinned and the two of them headed towards the second entrance.

As they neared closer, they heard a loud trumpet. As they expected from Kamsa, they saw the massive Kuvalayaapeeta, trumpeting loudly, trampling its foot hard in the earth. It had been intoxicated with the richest wine in the city and its eyes had turned red, in rage and pride. It was just perfect enough to trample anyone to death. Kamsa had ordered, Mahendra, the Mahout of Kuvalayaapeeta to intoxicate it enough to crush Krishna like an insect. Mahendra saw Krishna and Balaram coming and had struck Kuvalayaapeeta at the right time, in its back, causing it to turn wild.

The loud trumpet filled the entire amphitheatre with an eerie. People held each other tight, wondering if the womb of the earth had split open. Shree was especially worried, because she did not see Krishna and Balaram. Her face wrinkled in worry, praying fervently that both her friends remained the same. As her heart thumped in worry for both of them on the one side, the other worry that tormented her was Krishna. She did not say it aloud, but she surely feared for his life. Although she had heard so much about his valour, she did fret, thinking about how he would match Kamsa's cruelty.

Meanwhile in the Palace,

"Has he reached Chanura?", Kamsa's gruff voice sounded gruffer in his loud whisper. He cut himself an apple as he spoke.

"Not yet Prabhu! He is nearing Kuvalayaapeeta, you would have heard its loud cry. That mad elephant will crush him and his pride!", bowed down Chanura, the best wrestler in Mathura, as he informed Kamsa. He was a bulky man, bald, constantly brushing his copious, coal like dark moustache. His arms had the strength of ten elephants and could easily defeat anyone is wrestling.

"Right you are! I was worrying unnecessarily. Kuvalayaapeeta is not like my other Rakshasas. He is bound to crush that puny boy. Nothing would remain of his", guffawed Kamsa.

"Prabhu! What are my next orders?", asked Chanura.

"I don't trust that boy Chanura! I want you, and your other wrestler brothers, Mushtika, Sala, Tosala, and Kuta to crush him under your might", Kamsa's fists tightened. He punched the throne so hard that it cracked slightly.

"Yathaa Ajnaa Prabhu!", Chanura bowed and left from the room.