Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 12 - He is here!

At the Royal Palace, just as it turned dawn,

'Aaaaaaarrrrrrggghhhhh!', and Rukmini woke up with a start. Rukmi's voice rang all over the palace.

'That puny Krishna!!! He is still alive!!!',

'Agraja, please calm down. Are you sure about this?', asked Rukmaratha, worried.

'Of course, I am, Ratha!', Rukmi shouted marching about in the courtroom.

The four brothers looked at each other in worry.

'What are the four of you looking at each other for?', asked Rukmi, looking at them.

'Agraja, we were wondering how to break this news to Samrat Jarasandha.', gulped Rukmakeshi.

'No Keshi, this news was given to us by Samrat himself. We don't have enough time! We have to get Rukmini married, even quicker! We cannot wait till next week.', declared Rukmi.

As he spoke, Harivarma entered the courtroom.

'Ah! There you are, Brahmana Deva! How is your old uncle now? Is he doing well?', asked Rukmi out of courtesy as he welcomed Harivarma.

'He is much better now, Rajkumar. Thanks to your grace, I was able to visit him with my family and meet him personally after a very long time. I just reached here a few minutes ago. I thought I would first report to you and then head back home.', Harivarma had probably lied for the very first time in his life. But this lie was worth. Afterall, Krishna had instructed him to do so.

'That is good to hear. Well, I am glad you are back. I have had a word with your colleague Agnivarma about what I wanted to discuss with you. It is about Rukmini's wedding. We also want another Muhurta now. Jyeshta Shukla Ekadashi is too far off. Would there be any Muhurta before that?', asked Rukmi.

'Please give me some time, Rajkumar. I shall tell you. In the meantime, I would need Rajkumari's horoscope.', said Harivarma, nervously looking at the other four brothers.

'I shall personally arrange for it. In the meantime, you could please rest here itself. I also would like you to talk some sense into my sister. She is hell bent on not marrying the groom I choose.', sighed Rukmi, desperate.

'Ratha, Bahu, Keshi, Maali, take care of Brahmana Deva, while I go and fetch Rukmini's horoscope.', instructed Rukmi as he left the court.

As soon as he left, the four brothers set out to arrange refreshments for Harivarma and they looked at him with hope. Harivarma smiled in happiness and nodded his head, 'He is here!'

The four brothers gasped cheerfully and celebrated for a minute just before Rukmi came back.

'Here you go Brahmana Deva. Rukmini's horoscope.', said Rukmi, handing the horoscope to Harivarma.

Harivarma opened it, checked the horoscope thoroughly.

'Rajkumar, two days from today, on the Navami, a good muhurta is available. Not as good as the Jyeshta Shukla Ekadashi, but the next best.', declared Harivarma.

All five brothers smiled in joy, one in relief of being able to get Rukmini married off before Krishna arrived, and the others in relief that Krishna would easily be able to take Rukmini away in two days.

'Agraja, I have a suggestion. Since we have very little time, I think we should arrange for some Dasis from outside Vidarbha as well to help.', suggested Rukmabahu.