Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 16 - Food

That night at the outhouse,

'Partha! Why are you so quiet? Everything alright?', asked Krishna, as he sat beside Arjuna who sat next to the campfire, silent and his palms covering his nose and mouth.

Arjuna did not respond. Krishna tapped his shoulder gently, 'Partha!'

Arjuna flinched at that tap. Krishna looked at him with a question in his eyes.

Arjuna just looked at him and shook his head.

'Were we too good-looking that you don't want anything bad to happen to us? Do you feel like making both of stand next to each other so that you could take off our Drishti?', chuckled Krishna, as he ruffled Arjuna's hair fondly.

Arjuna's grim face broke into a smile. Krishna just exactly knew what he was thinking of! He just fondly embraced Krishna and said,

'Madhav! It was too glorious for me to take in! How can something like this be true?',

'Well, my dear brother, I do not have an answer for that! But you are not the only one that thinks like this. Rukmini's friends, my friends, her brothers except for Rukmi and even Dau thinks so too!' winked Krishna as he returned the embrace.

'You are absolutely right, Achyuta! There can be no greater pride and honour for us!', piped a woman's voice.

Krishna and Arjuna broke their embrace and turned in surprise towards the woman. Alankrita had come there with Rukmamaali, both hands folded and eyes gleaming in respect and devotion. Krishna grinned broadly and went up to them.

He took their blessings and said,

'Agraja Bhratrjaya, Bhrata Maali, I was hoping to meet you sometime soon. I am glad I can finally speak to you at ease here. I could not offer my respects to you in the hall, given the circumstances.',

'Shreenath! We are honoured to be the family members of a man so wonderful!', said Rukmamaali, his voice choking.

Shreenath! Lord of Shree! That sounded so sweet to the ears! He would be that soon.

'Bhrata Maali, this name would be very dear to me! I would be very happy if you address me by this name forever!', said Krishna as he fondly smiled at Rukmamaali. Rukmamaali wiped his tears and gleamed at Krishna. He looked at Arjuna who stood there patiently, his hands folded, as he waited for Krishna to finish.

'The valiant Savyasachi! How blessed we are to have you aid our brother-in-law. We hope our arrangements are comfortable enough.', welcomed Rukmamaali proudly.

Arjuna sought his and Alankrita's blessings.

'Bhrata, I am privileged to be getting a sister-in-law like Rajkumari Rukmini. Just by the mere sight of her, I felt like I have seen all the three Goddess, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati! I know for sure that she would be there to teach me so many things!', he said in complete awe of Rukmini.

'It is all your greatness, Oh Madhyama Pandava! We are blessed to be a family now, even it is distant.', smiled Alankrita and she signed to some of the Dasis who had brought food for the two.

'Rakhma has made these herself. She did not say a word after the programme, but went straight into the kitchen to make these for you. I hope you like the food.', said Rukmamaali.

Krishna and Arjuna looked at each other in excitement. Rukmini had cooked for them for the first time. Krishna fervently wished that he had taken Balaram with them.

'What all has Bhratrjaya made for us?', asked Arjuna, his mouth salivating.

'Simple things. Some of her absolute favourites. Poha, Pithla Bhakri, Puranpoli and Makhan Mishri and some buttermilk tempered with Jeera and Hing.', said Alankrita as she removed the cloth covering from the two plates.

The mere fragrance of the food got the two of them extremely hungry. Krishna had not expected Rukmini to like simple things and those were his favourite things to eat. Especially Poha and Makhan Mishri! She had made them with her own hands. He was excited because he did not know how she cooked! Did her hands have the same magic as Mata Devaki or Mata Rohini or Yashoda Maiyya? Did her Makhan Mishri taste as sweet as that made by Radha? He could not wait.

'I can see that Krishna is getting extremely hungry. Please sit. We shall serve you and once you are done eating, we shall take your leave.', said Rukmamaali as they placed the two plates in front of them.

Arjuna and Krishna offered their prayers and began eating. Krishna started with the Poha first and wanted to save the Makhan Mishri for the last. The first morsel he placed in his mouth, and he had his answer. He could not choose among his mothers, Radha or her! She was as good! He shut his eyes, savouring the salty and spicy dish, made very simply.

'Aha! Amritam! I did not expect Bhratrjaya to be Annapurna Devi herself! What simple food and what taste! If I get food like this every day, I am willing to be a simpleton all my life!', exclaimed Arjuna as ate.

Rukmamaali and Alankrita were amused by the look on his face and turned to Krishna to see what he had to say.

Krishna sat with eyes closed and ate, not uttering a single word. He did not want to lose out on savouring a single bite of the food. After the end of every morsel he swallowed, he just smiled in satisfaction. Soon, he had reached the Makhan Mishri. Radha was the best in making Makhan Mishri. Would Shree be able to meet his expectations? He wondered as he slipped his fingers into the bowl and put it in his mouth. His eyes opened in astonishment. This is exactly how Radha would make it! She had made it exactly like Radha did. Perfect sweetness, perfect thickness, a slight tinge of sourness with strands of Kesari decorated on top, she had passed his test of cooking. He could not find anyone better to make Makhan Mishri. He would not have to miss Radha's Makhan Mishri every day. Rukmini would make it for him, exactly like Radha did!

He finished his meal and looked at Rukmamaali and Alankrita and they got their response just be looking at his contented face. One does not always need words to express, isn't it?!

'We shall take your leave. Please enjoy the Buttermilk. Tomorrow morning, Shishupal would be coming. Please plan accordingly and take our Rakhma with you.', said Rukmamaali as they took leave.

'Don't worry, Bhrata! Everything is set. Tomorrow you shall see your sister getting kidnapped!', smiled Krishna and bade them good night.

As Krishna and Arjuna retired to their beds, Krishna could not containhis excitement. He would soon be with his best friend and partner. He wouldkidnap her exactly in the style she wanted him to. And he had already decidedwhere they would get married. He lay on his bed, one hand behind his head, onehead on his stomach, with his left leg folded and right leg stretched. His bedwas right next to the window, which clearly gleamed in the gentle moonlight. Hetook one look at the moon and saw Rukmini in it. Her happy face when sherecognized him in his female form. She was quite beautiful that day. If shecould look beautiful just on her Halad, how elegant would she look when shewould come to him, dressed as a bride? He shut his eyes, feeling peaceful andrestless. Tomorrow was going to be a big day and he needed to save energy.