Kaal Chakra

20. शेष

शेष - Meaning rest

                              ********
Dwarka

Pratipada, Chaitra Shukla Paksha, 5000 BCE

Uddhava closed the doors to Lakshmi's chambers with a soft sigh. He had barely made it to the kingdom of Gandhara when the dark haired girl had dozed off again. So he had done what any brother would do; tucked the blankets more comfortably around her and then tiptoed out of the room.

Just as he turned around, he spotted Krishna coming around the corner.

"Bhratashree?" He voiced out, walking towards his older brother.

"Udho? Did you come to check on Lakshu?" Krishna asked him pleasantly with his ever present smile.

"Yes, I did. When I entered, she had dozed off in the balcony but I coaxed her into bed and she convinced me to tell her about the different kingdoms of Aryavarta. But she fell asleep in between again." Uddhava said, his eyes crinkling in mirth.

"Well, that was bound to happen. Dau did tell me that she said that she couldn't sleep last night when he found her in our armoury today." Krishna murmured, his eyes warm.

"But anyways," He began, clapping a hand on his brother's shoulder, " I am here to check on her as well. I think I will stay with her for a while."

"Okay, I will see you at lunch then, Bhratashree. Is Dau still in his study?" Uddhava asked, beginning to walk away, still facing Krishna.

"He is."

After hearing his reply, Uddhava turned around and then briskly walked away, exiting the hallway soon.

Meanwhile, the lord of Dwarka entered the chamber softly and stopped in front of the sleeping girl.

Lakshmi had curled up on her side under the covers, fast asleep, but the all knowing Gopal could see the underlying stress on her forehead.

At the sight of her fitful rest, his tender heart melted and the tall form of Devakinandan sat down beside her head, softly keeping his palm on her forehead.

Immediately, upon sensing his divine touch, Lakshmi's furrowed brow eased and she visibly relaxed. She even nuzzled in his hand and Krishna's face broke into a smile at the adorable sight.

"It's alright," He soothed, " I am here. I am always there for you. You are not alone, you never were and neither you will be."

                                *******
The first thing she registered when she started gaining consciousness was a soft, warm hand gently stroking her head.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt refreshed after waking up. She felt rejuvenated, she felt her tiredness slowly ebbing away the more she became alert.

She followed the length of the hand that was on her head to its owner to see Krishna, sitting beside her, looking deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked sleepily, shifting slightly to get more comfortable.

Krishna looked down at her, his eyes warm as they looked down at her before his lips curved in a mischievous smile.

"I was wondering that how come a small person like you can snore so much!" He exclaimed teasingly and Lakshmi felt her jaw drop.

"Haww, I don't snore Kanha! And I am not small!" She huffed, crossing her arms in front of her.

But after hearing his sweet laughter, she let a reluctant smile bloom on her face.