Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 30 - The next journey

Rukmini didn't utter a word. She didn't even realize how fast the chariot was speeding. They had moved out of Vidarbha's borders and entered a forest. She had turned her face away from Krishna as she kept looking into the wilderness. She didn't realize how the day went on to become evening, further slipping into night.

Screeecchhhh. 

She almost toppled over, only to be held back by Krishna. She looked at him, digesting the mini shock she experienced. She gulped and relaxed herself. Krishna had stopped the chariot and was looking at her intently.

'Why are you looking at me like that?', she asked.

'You don't look nice, not talking at all. I want you to tell me what's bothering you.', he said.

'Shyam, I'm not in a mood', she said bluntly.

'I can see that.', he sighed.

'Why did you stop the chariot?', she asked looking around.

'We're scheduled to reach our destination only tomorrow morning and I am tired.', he stretched out his arms, yawning.

'I'm sorry I didn't notice, Shyam. I can drive, if you want.', she said, holding his hand. Krishna smiled at her innocence.

'You don't want to see me getting squished by Dau, do you?', he grinned at her.

'Why do you say so?', she asked curiosly.

'Dau will squish me for getting his would-be sister-in-law to work! He wouldn't spare me.', he chuckled.

Rukmini smiled, shaking her head.

'See?! Now that's the Shree I adore. Pleasant. Not sulky.', he said, gently squeezing her shoulder.

She smiled at him gratefully. She looked around again. The place felt exactly like the little stream she had take Shyam to, at Mathura. Surrounded by trees, with the silent gushing of a sweet little stream. She spotted a big Banyan tree with a lot of leaves that she could make out despite the darkness. The only source of light was the waning Chandra that shone, high up in the Sky.

'I really think we should take some rest.', Krishna's voice brought her back to reality.

'As you wish.', she smiled at him.

Krishna smiled back at her, took her by the arm to the Banyan tree. They sat under it, comfortable. Krishna fortunately had brought some extra clothes for the night. Gently holding Rukmini's hand with one hand and wrapping his other arm around her shoulder, he sighed, looking up at the sky. Rukmini gently placed her head on his shoulder, comfortable. Krishna placed his on her head.

'Shree?', Krishna asked gently.

'Hmm?', she replied.

'Speak your heart out. Think of me as that old Shyam, your friend who you share anything and everything with. And, I'm going to be your husband. That doesn't mean that you stop telling me your opinions, alright? What I say will not be a command for you, unless I tell you so! ', he said.

Rukmini sighed and began,

'Shyam, I don't know what is happening to me. I know I wanted it like this, but I can't help think of my brothers and parents. I already miss them so much.',

'Is that your only cause of worry?', he asked, gently caressing her face.

'Uh, what... What do you mean?', she stuttered, nervously.

'I know. You're more worried about what my family will think about you and how you will adjust. Isn't that the main problem?', he asked.

Rukmini gently lifted her head off his shoulder, looking at him. He knew exactly what she was worried about. Smiling, she embraced him. He grinned and tightened the embrace.

'What's your family like, Shyam? Will they accept me?', she asked, hesitant.

'They will! They are all ready to welcome you too! They know everything about you.', assured Krishna.

'That's wonderful! By the way, I've been wanting to ask you. I've met your parents. But other family members?', she asked.

'Well, there's Rohini Mata, my elder step-mother. She is very loving and kind. We have Dau's wife, Revati Bhratrjaya. They just got married yesterday. She knows about you and has already begun to love you. She has been so excited since yesterday and has been constantly telling me, Kanha, don't show any drama, just bring my sister home! Haha. And Mata Rohini gave birth to a baby girl, just a few years before, I reached Mathura to kill Maatula but she was to be raised secretly. She's growing up to be a cheerful young girl now. Her name is Subhadra. There is my grandfather, Maharaj Ugrasen who you have already met. My foster parents live in Vrindavan, Nand Maharaj and Yashoda Maiyya. They would love to meet you!', Krishna said happily.

At that Rukmini looked up at him, excitedly, 'I can't wait to meet Revati Agrajaa. She seems so sweet from what Sankarshana told. But Sankarshana should not have come. What will Revati Agrajaa even think!?', she chuckled in happiness

'Haha, no she is part of the plan. She was the one who sent Dau. She insisted that we do this first!', he joined her, chuckling.

They laughed for a good bit, till they had nothing but contented smiles on their faces.

'Go on, tell me more about your family.', she said, placing her head back on his shoulder.

'You've now met my cousin Arjun, he's the third son of my paternal aunt, Kunti of Hastinapur. Her other sons are also very dear cousins and they keep visiting us. Yudhishthira, the eldest is such a strict practitioner of Dharma. My next elder brother, Bheemasena is the man you should approach when you are confused about what to cook. And of course he's so strong physically, he can easily uproot trees from the ground. The next two cousins are the Ashwini Twins, Nakula and Sahadeva. The former is fond of horses and looks very handsome. The latter is an intellectual man, quiet and quite like Bhrata Rukmakeshi. And we also have Satyaki, my cousin and Pitrvya Akrura. I also have a cousin Uddhava who keeps visiting. I also have cousins Vinda and Anuvinda and their own sister Mitravinda. They are fun people to be with. You will... '

He found Rukmini's eyes, shut, gently sleeping, holding him tight. He took a thick cloth that he brought, wrapped it around them both. It was pleasantly cold that night.

As the Chandra flashed his cool rays on them, Krishna looked at Rukmini. Her hair had fallen over her face. He smiled and gently pushed them back behind her ear and placed his head on hers. He had a surprise planned for her the next day! He shut his eyes and waited for Nidra Devi to cast her spell on him too. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.