Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 8 - Dwaraka

Two weeks passed by and there was no information of Krishna yet. Rukmini saw that her siblings tried very hard to even get the smallest of small information. Now she was not worried anymore. She was getting frustrated. Even the royal physician had declared that she was getting better and now could be put on physical exercise to help her get better. She began showing her frustration on her exercise. She practiced with her spear every day for two hours. Her brothers clearly felt helpless looking her.

One day as she was practicing, she ran from a distance almost about to throw her spear at the target, when

'Narayana! Narayana! Rajkumari, please don't hurt this servant of yours!', quivered a voice.

Rukmini stopped in her tracks. He had come. To rub salt on her wounds.

'What a timing Devarshi?! You just escaped the wrath of my spear!', she almost thundered at the man, throwing her spear on the ground and holding her head.

Devarshi Narada gulped in fear.

'Rajkumari, I have come here to give you news.', he said, nervously.

'Better be of some use. Otherwise please don't bother.', she said callously, looking at him pointedly.

'It is surely of use. I promise. He has sent me. To tell you that it won't take two, but just one week to reach you to take you with him.', he said, hoping she would calm down.

Rukmini's anger vanished. She was smiling now, showing all her neat teeth.

'I have been waiting to hear this. Where is Krishna?!', she cried.

'Rajkumari, not here. Somewhere else.', whispered Narada.

Rukmini nodded, understanding and escorted him to her private gardens.

Rukmaratha, Rukmabahu, Rukmakeshi and Rukmamaali were there too. They immediately stood up as soon as they saw the Devarshi.

'Welcome Devarshi. We are honoured to have you here. Please accept our hospitality.', said Rukmaratha as all the four brothers fell at his feet.

Narada looked at Rukmini, bewildered and shocked.

'Devarshi, my brothers here are all on my side. They have all accepted Krishna. To be honest, they are a lot more concerned about him than I am.', she whispered assuring him.

He sighed in relief.

'Rajkumar, I have brought news about Krishna.', Narada said softly.

'What about him? Is he alright? Where is he?', Narada was showered a volley of questions by the four of them.

'Narayana, Narayana! You are right, Rajkumari. Your brothers are more concerned about Krishna.', said Narada, with a jittery smile, looking around.

'Don't worry Devarshi. Agraja is not here. He has gone to Magadha to meet the Samrat. You can tell us without any hesitation.', said Rukmaratha.

'Alright. Hear me out. So, just as Rajkumari would have thought, the fire that Jarasandha had lit did not burn Krishna. He had things planned in advance. He has now moved very close to Vidarbha, phew!', he said with a sigh.

Rukmini was ecstatic about the news, but did not reveal her happiness. Her brothers on the other hand delightfully embraced each other.

'Thank you Mahadev for keeping Krishna safe! Thank you Devarshi for bringing such a wonderful news to us.', exclaimed Rukmakeshi, as he folded his hands in prayer.