Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 6 - Surrender

At Vidarbha,

'Welcome Back Rakhma! Maharshi has sent your progress to us! We are so proud of you!', said Maharaj Bheeshmaka as he welcomed back Rukmini. In his late sixties, the King was a wise and a calm man. He was a just King, a kind one to those who suffered and a terror to those who committed crimes. He was a good husband and more than anything else, he was a doting father, especially to his little girl. Rukmini's relationship with her father was a beautiful one. Her father behaved with her differently based on her mood.

If she was being unruly, he would be a strict father, and when she did something that made him proud, he treated her as a friend. She could talk just about anything with him and he always listened to her completely before telling anything. This quality of his, she always saw in Rukmakeshi. Maharaj Bheeshmaka, smiled through his grey beard and moustache, looking at how his little girl was staring at him intently, her eyes twinkling with joy.

'Pitashree!', Rukmini sought his blessings.

'Keertimati Bhava! May you always be happy!', he fondly blessed her and took her inside the palace.

'Where is Matoshree? I can't see her yet? Hasn't she come back from Maatula's home?', asked Rukmini, as she searched for her mother, Maharani Shashirekha.

'Rakhme!', said a voice and Rukmini turned to find her mother. Maharani Shashirekha, stood with her arms opened out, her face shining in pride. Rukmini clearly took after her in beauty.

'Matoshree!!!', Rukmini ran and embraced her mother and took her blessings.

'We are so proud of you my dear! You have done so well at the Gururkula', said Maharani Shashirekha, patting Rukmini's cheeks.

'There is just one thing left now! To get you married!', piped the voice of Rukmamaali from behind.

Rukmini turned around, and saw that her four brothers were waiting for her.

'Bhratashree!!!!', she screamed in glee and ran to her brothers. She took their blessings and they all engulfed her in a loving embrace.

'Am I right? About what I said earlier?', winked Rukmamaali.

'Sakha! Don't speak about my marriage like that in front of Matoshree and Pitashree!', whispered Rukmini, flabbergasted.

'Yes yes! Rakhma, it is time that we get you married. You've come of age. And we know that you are willing to get married surely.', smiled Maharaj Bheeshmaka.

'I know the perfect man for our Rakhma! I am sure you will like him when you meet him.', said a voice, and Rukmini shut her eyes immediately. She had been dreading this very moment.

'Mata Bhavani! Let it be Krishna!', she prayed fervently.

'The Yuvaraj of Chhedi, Shishupal.', he said, and she opened her eyes in horror. This was worse than what she expected.

She turned, looking horrified, at Rukmi. Tears flowed down her eyes; she did not have the courage to speak. All she could do was swallow. And without saying a word, she ran to her room and closed the doors.

'What's wrong with her?', asked Rukmi, surprised at Rukmini's reaction.

'Agraja! You know how emotional girls get when they think of marriage. It's just that. We'll go and talk to her.', said Rukmakeshi, managing the situation.

'Ah yes yes! Poor thing, she would have got the thought of leaving all of us. Go and console her. Ratha, you come with me. We must discuss the problem that the farmer brought to us yesterday. We can talk about the wedding when Rakhma is alright.', sighed Rukmi.