Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 1 - Kaundinyapuram

The warm day was just beginning to turn cool. As the sun began setting, the air started getting a little dull, Crimson in colour, and slightly moist. There was a pleasant silence in the air, filling the environment with some joy, inexplicable. The only sound that was heard was that of a speeding chariot and the neighing of the horses that rode it. Every speck of dust that was thrown up thanks to the speed, just enhanced the environment so much more.

The chariot pulled into the grand entrance of the capital city, Kaundinyapuram and by then it was almost night. It was when the chariot stopped that the charioteer heaved a sigh of relief. He hadn't taken a break and had worn himself and the horses out for an entire day. He made way for two he had brought, who were waiting to alight. The two came down, one feeling completely exhausted, and the other flustered. Flustered in joy. Flustered in fear. The duo walked towards the royal palace, where they were welcomed back after two long weeks.

The palace, was simple, beautifully lit up with lamps. The ventilation system was the most loved aspect of every corridor of the palace. Gentle winds always made the environment so comfortable. The palace was built in such a way that during summers, the palace would be cool from inside and during winters, the warmth of the palace made its inmates comfortable. The princess's room was the most beautiful of all, decorated with floral curtains and flowers. After all, she was the only daughter of the King. She was loved and pampered not only by her parents but also her brothers, who had unique ways of expressing their love for her. She was the apple of their eyes.

As they walked towards the latter's room, the flustered princess feeling so uncomfortable, that she did not realize that in her confusion, she wandered aimlessly and banged into someone.

'Ah! My head', whispered the man she banged into who held his head in that collision. He looked at her and saw that she was worried, not even flinching a bit with the collision. The man was dressed in simple dark blue dhoti and a light blue Angavastra, his wheat complexioned athletic form ever in shape. He sported a moustache that was neatly twisted at its ends, making him look exceedingly good-looking. He wore simple gold jewellery all the time and that day was yet another one. The collision spoilt his neatly set curly hair that fell gracefully on his shoulders.

'Rakhme! What has gotten into you? You have been like this ever since you came back.', he chided her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder. That touch brought her back to her senses. And she saw her handsome brother holding his head and looking at her intently.

'Jyeshta!? Why are you holding your head like that?', she asked, not comprehending.

'Well, my dear, if you bang into me like that, what would I do?', he chuckled.

'Oh, I am so sorry Jyeshta! I wasn't looking', she apologized with guilt.

'Precisely why I asked what happened to you. You seem to be lost.', he asked her again gently.

'Well, I... umm... I... I don't know what to say...', she was at a loss of words.

He looked at the first one, expectantly.

'Rajkumar! Your sister has probably fallen in love with someone, and she is confused and scared about how she will reveal it.', the first one, said, her head down, fearing the reaction of the man.

'Rakhme! Is that true?', he asked, surprised, now visibly noticing the fear on his sister's face.

'Yes Jyeshta!', she said, gulping.

'Well, that's wonderful news. Who is the lucky man? We can get you married to him if there are no issues from both the families!', he said happily.