Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 19 - Shishupal

'Mata! Mata, are you alright? Why did you suddenly faint?', Shishupal, sat beside the unconscious Maharani Shrutashravaa, trying to help her gain consciousness, his face wrinkled with worry. He began sprinkling some water on her face at which Maharani Shrutashravaa squirmed and opened her eyes.

'Thank Mahadev! Mata, how are you feeling now?', exclaimed Shishupal, relieved.

'Uhh! What happened?', asked Maharani Shrutashravaa, holding her head, attempting to get up, at which her husband, Maharaj Damaghosha helped her sit up.

'Nothing to worry about. All that travel had exhausted you. The Raja Vaidya says that you should be getting better in a few hours. Don't exert yourself.', said Maharaj Damaghosha.

'Oh, but what about the engagement?', asked Maharani Shrutashravaa feebly, still processing her surroundings.

'That  has been taken care of Maharani', said Rukmi, as he walked in. He walked in with Jarasandha who looked reassuringly at Shishupal.

'Yes, Maharani, the Sakharpuda has been successfully completed. The Brahmanas of Vidarbha are very knowledgeable. They discovered that not performing the Sakharpuda within the stipulated Muhurta would cause some ill effects and hence they have completed the same in your name, with a Sankalpa to Goddess Ambika.', said Rukmi.

Maharani Shrutashravaa and Maharaj Damaghosha were convinced. But Shishupal seemed to have his doubts. 

'Mata, please get some rest. I'll go and send for the Raja Vaidya to come and check you after a few hours.', said Shishupal and signed Rukmi and Jarasandha to come out with him. 

Outside the room,

'Why do I feel something is not right here?', asked Shishupal.

'Shishupal, child, you are thinking too much. There is no problem.', Jarasandha coaxed Shishupal.

'No, Samrat, something is definitely off. I do agree that the Sakharpuda has happened, but my conscience is telling me that it is not the way it is supposed to be. As far as Rukmi has told me, Rukmini does not want to marry me and wants to marry that puny Krishna. And yet, she allowed the Sakharpuda to happen? Without creating any hurdle?', asked Shishupal, his suspiciously.

'No Shishupal. Rukmini did try stopping. But her efforts went in vain. She has become hard like a rock, ever since we have started the rituals. She is expressionless. To confirm that there are no suspicious things going on, I did glance at everyone in the Mantapam. Everyone was exactly as they were  before Maharani Shrutashravaa fainted.', responded Rukmi.

'Tch Tch. That is not the point I am trying to make Rukmi. Rukmini had the opportunity to destroy the Sakharpuda when Mata fainted. And you are telling me that she didn't bother doing it? You have always said that she does everything when it comes to fighting for rights, be it hers or others. And why did she not do that now?', cautioned Shishupal 

'But Shishupal, she...', began Rukmi, only to be interrupted by Jarasandha.

'Rukmi, Shishupal has a point. The Brahmana that we spoke to, mentioned that if we did not conduct the Sakharpuda at the stipulated Muhurtam, the marriage would not happen. Rukmini could have very easily refused. Why did she not do that?', asked Jarasandha.

'Samrat, that is because I forced my parents. I forced them to give their swear to Rukmini against doing anything that would stop the rituals. I wanted Rukmini to perform the rituals. And she will never go against Matoshree and Pitashree.', said Rukmi.

Now Shishupal breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled at Rukmi and Jarasandha and walked into his mother's room.

Rukmi was about to walk towards the Mantapam when Jarasandha stopped him. 

'Samrat, do you still have doubts?', asked Rukmi.

'Rukmi, I completely trust you. And I know Krishna is gone, but somehow, I have a feeling of something bad happening, after listening to Shishupal. Can we just check around for anything suspicious. You know how Shishupal reacts when he does not get something he desires. I don't want him to throw a fit, in case anything goes wrong.', Jarasandha's face had turned grim.

'As you say, Samrat. Better safe than sorry. Where do you want to start from?', asked Rukmi.

'Why don't we go down and start from the Chariots? I have a feeling that if someone is plotting against us, they would surely need some hiding to do.', said Jarasandha.

Nodding at each other, Rukmi and Jarasandha headed straight to where all their chariots were parked.