Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 15 - Is the wedding on?

That evening,

'Please hang down these marigold flowers.', instructed Mohini as she gave a basket of Marigold flowers. Everything was designed to be yellow and orange that evening, as it was to be Rukmini's Halad Chadavane. Everything else was ready.

'Ahem! Madhav, Bhratrjaya Rukmini is so beautiful!', said Sohini as she went to Mohini. Both of them were dressed in mango yellow Nauvari Sarees and matching pearl and gold jewellery.

'Don't forget she's your sister-in-law!', smirked Mohini.

'Of course not!', giggled Sohini, folding her hands.

'Looks like the Saakharpuda would happen only after Shishupal arrives. As of now it is only the Halad Chadavane.', sighed Mohini.

'Yes!', said Sohini.

Just then, the attender announced,

'Hear one, hear all! Rajkumari Rukmini arrives for the Halad Chadavane ceremony.'

Everyone in the hall turned around to see something so mesmerizing. Mohini almost lost her footing when she saw her. Sohini covered her mouth, gasping.

Rukmini walked in; her face very serious, not bearing the smile that any excited bride would normally wear for her wedding. No signs of any happiness on her face. She knew that Krishna had already come but did not trust Jarasandha and his allies to allow Krishna in, easily. She had worn a florescent yellow Nauvari with a white border and a white blouse, made of simple cotton. She had, for a change, decided to drape it the way brahmins do, with the Otcha neatly hanging down the left side of her waist, which she covered with a gentle waistbelt made of flowers. She wore a Shela, made of white, with little flowers embroidered in yellow, with one end of the Shela slipped over her left shoulder, the other end tucked under her right elbow. She wore jewellery made of only jasmine and yellow marigold that evening. Be it, bangles, rings, ear-studs, anklets or necklaces. She had left her hair open, with a beautiful Maang-Tika that ended right on her forehead. Her forehead was as usual decorated with a dainty little Chandrabindu made of Red Kumkum, the only spot of colour among the light shades of drape she wore. Her fingers and feet were decorated with Aalta. She walked in, expressionless, not wanting to be triggered. She was made to sit, right in the middle of the hall, where there was a little seat made of wood, with a pot of fresh Turmeric Paste kept, waiting to be coloured on her skin. She looked like the Moon in the Pournami Night, but devoid of the normal brightness she would bring in with her presence.

Rukmini was followed by Alankrita, Kanika, her brothers and her parents. After them, came some of the courtiers and other relatives of the Royal Family.

'Madhav! How elegant she looks!', whispered Sohini at a dazed Mohini.

'I hate it when she does this to me, Partha!', muttered back Mohini, her eyes unable to move away from Rukmini.

'Does what to you?', asked Sohini, softly, confused.

'Look so beautiful, sit in front of me and refuse to smile. It just kills me.', whispered Mohini, her eyes slowly turning moist, her hand going up to her chest. She just wanted to rush to Rukmini and engulf her. Afterall, she had not seen her in five years, and she wanted to make up.

'Not now, Madhav! Control yourself. She still did not get a chance to see or speak to you. When she does, she will smile at you! I am sure!', said Sohini, gently patting Mohini's shoulders as they both fondly looked at Rukmini.

Mohini nodded, controlling herself, thinking to herself how she would manage to look at Rukmini for the rest of her life, if she was this beautiful in simplicity.