Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 33 - Day 1 - Morning!

As Rukmini walked to the east, as led by Revati and Subhadra and gently followed by Devaki and Rohini, she could not help but admire the greenery and natural beauty that Madhavpur had to offer. She could literally see the wind blowing through the soft rustling of leaves. The soft chirping of the birds made her feel she was at her own garden, back home. The little pond that kept breathing air into her reminded her of her father's heart. Bheeshmaka and Samudra. Both her fathers held the depth of the waters in their hearts, quietly contemplating always. The gentle rays of the Sun reminded her of the love and warmth her mother showered on her. As she walked, Subhadra and Revati clung on to her, making her feel comfortable, as if her own brothers disguised themselves in female forms to entertain her as the did when she was younger. 

And soon enough, they reached where they were supposed to be. A smaller palace, which looked exactly like home. Made out of white marble. Rukmini stopped in her tracks, suddenly her mind shutting down. It was an emotional overload for her. Before she knew it, she started missing home and that reflected on her face with tears in her eyes. As they streaked her face, she controlled herself, lest she should cause a commotion on the first day at her new home, in front of her in laws.

'It is not wrong to express yourself, child.', said Rohini, as if reading  her thoughts. Rukmini looked at her, her eyes tearing up, just waiting for that one minute to break her. Rohini gently put her palm on Rukmini's head and nodded reassuringly that nobody would mistake her if she wept. And god, she did. She wept out of her soul. Not loud, but unbearably silent. As she quietly wept, she was engulfed in embrace by Devaki and Rohini by her sides, Revati in front and Subhadra from behind, as an answer of love to her emotional breakdown.

Meanwhile,

The men began walking towards the other end to their palace.

Balaram and Arjun dragged Krishna by the hand, guffawing as he made faces, not being able to meet Rukmini. Krishna was laughing with them as much, trying to tickle Balaram whenever he got the chance and ran around, only to be followed by him, ready to face a hefty punch on his face.

'Bhrata!! You are going to get married. How are you still jumping about like a child?', asked a voice. 'I second that, Kanha!', said another voice immediately

Krishna looked around and he saw his next favourite people after Balaram and Arjun. His two cousins. Satyaki and Uddhav.

'Satyaki! Uddhava!!!', he bellowed and ran towards them and crushed them both in a tight embrace. In joy, Balaram and Arjun ran towards them, excited

'Bhrata, you are choking me, control yourself!', spluttered Uddhav.

Krishna immediately removed his hands and pressed Uddhav's back as the young man coughed. Uddhav looked exactly like Krishna, only difference, he did not wear the peacock feather, he had straight hair and he was in the same complexion as Balaram. Satyaki who stood with them, laughing looked a little like Balaram. A little on the heavier side, with a nice  moustache, Satyaki was Krishna's age. And together, they were the perfect gang of Cousins. Arjun, looking  at them, missed his own brothers back home, who had promised to come for Krishna's wedding. One look at him, and all of them went,

'Oh my!! Someone is missing his family!', they all went to him and held his shoulders, pinched his cheeks and his nose. Embarrassed, he tried pushing himself away and began running around. They all joined in that merriment, laughing happily.

And suddenly Krishna stopped laughing. He stood, his hand going up to his heart, his face turning worried.

The others looked at him, concerned. One look at him and Balaram knew.