Krishna! - Part 2

Chapter 38 - Day 2 - Evening

'Rukmini, my Sakhi, Kanha has sent you a letter!', smiled Lalita, as she walked in with the letter. 

Rukmini looked at that letter, held out her hand, took it from Lalita and placed it on the couch. As Lalita looked on in surprise, Rukmini held Lalita's hand and smiled nervously.

'What happened, Sakhi? You seem nervous. Do you have anything to tell me?'', asked Lalita gently.

'I do not know what to say, Sakhi. I feel so bad that Radha is not here. Her letter shows that she is such a kind hearted soul to have accepted me and my relationship with him.', said Rukmini, shrugging her shoulders.

'Oh dear! Radha was so right about you. She said Rukmini would be very sensitive about marrying Kanha if she figured about my relationship with him. She would feel unnecessarily guilty. That's precisely why she sent us and sent you a letter personally to ask you to stop feeling guilty and everything that is happening is happening for good. So now, stop worrying about that. All of us love you and Kanha and we are so happy for you, alright?', smiled Lalita.

Rukmini smiled at her gratefully and embraced her. Lalita returned her embrace and said,' Go on, now, read up Kanha's letter and get ready. We have to get started on the rituals at least by tomorrow. For that we have to get all the materials ready', at which Rukmini nodded.

Lalita left her to read the letter and Rukmini went on to read it.

'Shree!

Don't you get worked up about Agraja, he is treating me so respectfully with a lot of resentment towards himself, ashamed. I have made him feel good and stop feeling guilty. He is happy and calm. So you don't worry about him. He is fine and he will be treated very well, with a lot of love and respect. (Phew! I am so glad)

Radha and her Ashta Sakhis are all your Sakhis now. Make good use of their friendship, they will just uplift your spirits anytime, irrespective of whether you feel happy or sad. And I promise you, I will introduce you to Radha very soon. But only on one condition. (Condition? What?) You are not allowed to love her more than you love me. (She spluttered into laughter). Knowing you and knowing her, anything is possible, haha!

I don't think I'll be able to write too much in detail about today, I'm sleepy, full till the neck. What food!? I am amazed about the quality of food. Never told you this when you first time cooked, but you cook exactly the way Mata Devaki and Mata Rohini do. In fact also like Yashoda Maiyya. And that Makhan Mishri had Radha's touch to it! How? How did you do that? (What?! Did you think it was as equal to Mata and Radha? I don't know how that happened!) It is perfect! Please make simple things for me after we are married. I don't want anything fancy ever! I know simple things that you make will be like Prasadam for me! (I cannot be more honoured Shyam! By all means I will make things that you like!)

Hmm, It has just been two days and I already feel like the rest of the five days are so long! When will I meet you? When will I see your beautiful face? When will I listen to your honey-coated voice? When will I get to hold your hand, officially as my better-half? I can't wait. I am getting impatient! (She giggled, I am waiting too Shyam!) 

Oh wait! That reminds me. Pitashree was super enthusiastic today about getting me some new clothes and  jewels! I cannot show you how I look. But I am good at painting. I can paint the colours in the letter and show you. Will you give me your opinion on what you think? (I would love to! I will do the same!) I want us to look good in whatever we wear so I need your help for that! Tell me, alright? 

Here is the first piece. (You have got your clothes sorted already? I have not started yet! Lalita mentioned that we would be doing that today. I am so glad you are sharing that with me. How beautiful is this!! This is such a fresh breeze of lavender).

I have always fancied lavender with a bright golden border. I am thinking of wearing both an Angavastra and a Dhoti of the same kind. Along with this, I wanted to go for a turban with shades of purple where I can fit in my peacock feathers. (Oh that would look gorgeous!) Jewellery would be the same for all the events except for the day of the wedding, and I will reveal those later! Simple arm bands, waistband, neckpiece covering my shoulders, some simple earrings, a heavy anklet for my left ankle! That should do. (Sounds regal!) This is for the first event to happen tomorrow, you'll know what it is!

Can't wait to hear from you!

Shyam', 

Rukmini smiled, as looked up from the letter. She was very excited too! What would the events be? What colours would she be wearing? As she had those thoughts, she heard Revati calling her,

'Rukmini? Come on if you are ready? We have to pick your clothes and jewellery!',

'Coming Agrajaa!', she responded, placing the letter in her box, to get ready and go pick out clothes for herself.