Krishna!

Chapter 18 - The Final Revelation

Shree and Kanika, huffing and puffing, entered the amphitheatre. Everything was over. Kamsa was killed. Krishna was meeting everyone. Devaki and Vasudeva were free. Rukmi, her brother was too bewildered to react that he immediately left for Vidarbha, leaving a note to Rukmini and Kanika asking them to come back on their own. Maharani Praapti was so distraught that she sought forgiveness from everyone for her husband's deeds, took Maharani Asti and went back to their father Jarasandha's place, Magadha.

As she saw his back turned towards the members of the court, Shree was no more herself. By heart, she was now Rukmini. She for a minute forgot Shyam. And she walked towards the stairs with heart pounding at the first sight of her Krishna. Krishna felt her approach. But he was confused. How would he tell Shree his truth? The others were waiting for this very moment. Rukmini saw Balaram and heaved a huge sigh of relief that Sankarshana was safe. Shyam would also be safe then.

Rukmini walked up to him, with her heartbeats multiplying, unable to explain what she felt that moment and how to even start the conversation. Her heart dwindled between Krishna and Shyam. Krishna also was in utter despair. Rukmini or Shree? Who should he offer himself to? And how to tell the other?

Kanika understood what they were going through and looked at the others with the "I know everything, I am so happy for both of them" look. Balaram was now slowly getting overwhelmed. Kanika felt so fortunate to actually be initiating the conversation between the two that she just coughed. And Krishna turned around. Krishna and Rukmini were stunned at each other's beauty. Never had they imagined to see each other's attire's in this royal manner.

Rukmini and Krishna saw each other and were confused. And simultaneously they said, "Shyam!?" "Shree!?"

"My dearest people! Do you know who you are?", said Balaram, with tears flowing down his eyes.

"What do you mean?", they exclaimed and looked at each other.

"The two people who I wanted to see together for the rest of my life, from the very day I saw you together, are... are...", he couldn't control his tears, nor his excitement, nor his joy.

"Go on!!", said both anxiously.

"You are my Krishna, and you are my Rukmini", he said, and slumped onto the floor, absolutely overwhelmed. He was comforted by Jayant, Sunanda, Kanika, Devaka and Upadevaka, who also at them tearfully, and smiling with joy.

The minute they heard each other's name, they stood rooted in their positions. Rukmini looked at Krishna, her eyes tearing up. And so did Krishna, looking at her with ecstasy, his heart beating faster than ever.

"Mahadev! I don't have words. The very woman I was destined to wed is in front of me. And I don't have any guilt of facing her and telling her about love and marriage. She has already made a place in my heart. Not once did I notice that the very Shree I had given myself to, is the that bold and special person who loved me without knowing me, without judging me for my past. No wonder did I feel that falling in love with her is like falling for my Radha! No wonder did one corner of my heart wish that she would be Rukmini. I cannot believe that my Shree is my Rukmini! My dearest and the love of my life is in front of me. I wish I could pause time and stay in this moment.", he thought, looking deeply into Rukmini's eyes, unable to fathom his fortune and cursed his inability to pause time to savour this moment.

"No wonder! No wonder I did not feel that guilty, falling for Shyam! No wonder did I feel home when he comforted me! No wonder did I feel like knowing about his love! No wonder one corner of my heart felt elated when he confessed his love for me. No wonder did I feel that I know him for ages! No wonder I felt like giving him my everything. This is Krishna! This is my Krishna! He is my Lord!", she thought, with a single drop of sweat flowing down her beautiful face.

With the very sight of Krishna, and his loving eyes, she was mentally transported to her own world, sitting by the lovely little stream where she had first spoken to him. Trees with shade and fruit, leaves rustling, enhancing the beautiful silence that surrounded them, the gushing sound of the stream, creating every moment she had dreamt of. It was perfect. Unlike how she knew the story of Radha, he was with her, before dawn, just waiting for the first rays of the sun to lead them to a beautiful life ahead.

As she rested her head on his wide chest, waiting, he gently held her close. The wait seemed to be more beautiful than the arrival of the first rays of the Sun. As she looked up at him, his affectionate gaze reassured her of his love for her.

She was so overwhelmed that just one word escaped from her mouth, loud enough for Krishna to hear but too soft for others to hear, "Raaya!".

Her words withered into the air, entered Krishna's heart through his ear, causing him to shed a single tear. And there was nothing else left to be said.