"In this birth you never loved me shri Narayan. I did everything to make happy but you never gave me a chance. Thus, when my soul departs from this body i only want peace which i never got in this birth. If I take rebirth I shall forget everything a...
The first rays of dawn were beginning to filter through the small windows of the palace kitchen storeroom, casting a warm golden hue over the shelves lined with clay pots, jars, and baskets filled with provisions. The faint aroma of spices and fresh fruits lingered in the air, but one particular scent was unmistakably dominant—freshly churned makhan (butter).Ishana had risen early, her mind set on a simple pleasure that morning—a dollop of makhan to savor with her breakfast. She slipped quietly into the storeroom, her soft steps barely making a sound on the cool stone floor. Reaching for one of the large clay pots, she carefully lifted the lid, revealing the creamy white butter inside. A small smile played on her lips as she scooped out a generous amount with her fingers.Just as she was about to enjoy her stolen treat, a familiar voice broke the silence.“I see I’m not the only one with a taste for makhan in the early hours.”Ishana’s heart jumped as she turned to see Kanha leaning casually against the doorway, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He looked as if he had been waiting for this moment, his posture relaxed but ready to spring into action.“Kanha,” she muttered, her voice a mix of surprise and irritation. “What are you doing here?”He stepped into the room, his gaze fixed on the butter in her hand. “The better question is, what are you doing?” he teased, arching an eyebrow. “Stealing butter so early in the morning? Tsk, tsk, Ishana. I didn’t take you for a thief.”Ishana rolled her eyes, already feeling her patience thinning. “It’s not stealing if I’m just having a little for myself,” she retorted, trying to ignore the way his presence seemed to fill the entire room. “And what about you? Are you here to scold me or steal some makhan for yourself?”Kanha’s smile widened, and he took another step closer, his eyes twinkling with delight. “Perhaps a bit of both,” he admitted, his tone light and playful. “But I can’t let you have all the fun, now can I?”Before Ishana could react, Kanha swiftly reached into the pot and grabbed a handful of butter, smirking at her as he did so. Ishana’s eyes narrowed, the competitive spark igniting within her.“Oh no, you don’t!” she exclaimed, lunging at him in an attempt to wrestle the makhan from his grasp.What began as a playful struggle quickly turned into a full-blown battle, with the two of them slipping and sliding across the storeroom floor, each determined to claim the prize. Laughter echoed through the room as they grappled for control, their movements a chaotic dance of pushing, pulling, and dodging.Kanha was quick and agile, but Ishana was relentless. She managed to snatch a portion of the butter from him, smearing it across his cheek in a triumphant move. “There! How do you like that?” she taunted, grinning at the sight of him covered in butter.Kanha chuckled, unfazed by her victory. “Is that the best you can do?” he quipped, wiping some butter from his cheek and flicking it back at her playfully. “You’ll have to try harder than that if you want to beat me.”Their playful banter only fueled the intensity of their mock battle. Butter was flung in every direction, smearing on clothes, hair, and faces, until the storeroom looked as though a wild storm of makhan had swept through. Despite the mess, neither of them cared. The competition had become secondary to the sheer enjoyment of the moment.Finally, after what felt like an eternity of playful wrestling, they both collapsed onto the floor, breathless and laughing, their faces and hands smeared with butter. Kanha turned to Ishana, his laughter slowly fading into a soft smile, his eyes holding hers with a warmth that made her heart skip a beat.“You know,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a sincerity that contrasted with the earlier teasing, “I think we make a pretty good team.”Ishana’s smile faltered slightly as she felt the shift in the air between them. The lightheartedness of their play had given way to something deeper, something unspoken that lingered in the space between them. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the remnants of their playful fight still buzzing in her veins.“Maybe,” she replied, her voice softer now, her gaze drifting to the butter still clutched in her hand. “But only if you promise not to steal my makhan.”Kanha laughed again, a rich, warm sound that seemed to wrap around her like a comforting embrace. “I make no promises,” he said with a wink, his playful demeanor returning, though the softness in his eyes remained. “But perhaps I could be persuaded… under the right circumstances.”Ishana felt a flush creep up her neck, the meaning behind his words not lost on her. She looked away, focusing on the butter in her hand, trying to ignore the way his gaze seemed to pull her in.“You’re impossible,” she murmured, but there was no real anger in her words, just a lingering warmth that she couldn’t quite shake.“And yet, here we are,” Kanha replied, his voice gentle as he reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against hers. The touch was brief, but it sent a spark of electricity through her, making her heart race.For a moment, neither of them moved, the playful energy between them simmering down into something more tender, more intimate. The world outside the storeroom seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, surrounded by the scent of butter and the warmth of each other’s presence.Finally, Ishana pulled away, standing up and brushing the remnants of butter from her clothes, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “We should clean up before someone finds us,” she said, her voice slightly shaky, though she hoped he wouldn’t notice.Kanha stood as well, his eyes never leaving her. “Of course,” he agreed, though there was a hint of reluctance in his tone. “But I’ll be sure to remind you of this little battle the next time you try to steal my makhan.”Ishana shot him a look, half-amused, half-exasperated. “Only if you can catch me first,” she challenged, though her heart was still pounding from the closeness they had just shared.Kanha’s smile was full of promise as he stepped closer, leaning in until his lips were just inches from her ear. “Oh, I will,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. “And when I do, you’ll have to give me more than just makhan.”Before she could respond, he pulled back, his playful grin returning as he turned and walked out of the storeroom, leaving Ishana standing there, her heart racing and her thoughts in disarray.She watched him go, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. The playful banter, the stolen touches, the intensity of his gaze—it was all too much, yet not enough. As she stood there, alone in the aftermath of their playful fight, she couldn’t help but wonder what would happen the next time their paths crossed.And deep down, she knew that no matter how much she tried to resist, Kanha was a storm she couldn’t escape.
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A Serene Riverbank in Dwarka, (Mid-day morning)
The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the serene riverbank in Vrindavan. The gentle flow of the Yamuna River reflects the colors of the evening sky, its waters shimmering with a thousand shades of orange, pink, and purple. Birds sing their final songs of the day, and the air is filled with the fragrance of blooming lotuses.Akshu sits on a soft patch of grass near the river’s edge, her fingers absentmindedly twirling a delicate flower between them. Her eyes are fixed on the water, but her thoughts are elsewhere, far from the tranquil scene before her. She’s lost in worry, her heart heavy with concern for her sister, Ishana. Despite the beauty around her, Akshu cannot shake the feeling of unease that has settled in her chest.A gentle rustle behind her pulls her from her thoughts, and she doesn’t need to turn around to know who it is. The familiar warmth of his presence envelops her, and she feels a momentary sense of peace wash over her.“Why so lost in thought, my dear Akshu?” Krishna’s voice is like a melody, soothing and filled with affection.Akshu sighs softly, a small smile tugging at her lips as she feels him sit down beside her. “How do you always find me, Kanha?” she asks, her tone light but tinged with an underlying sadness.Krishna chuckles softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “It’s not difficult to find the one who holds my heart.”His words bring a flush to her cheeks, and she finally turns to look at him. He’s watching her with that familiar, serene expression, his presence as calming as the river itself. Krishna’s eyes, deep and full of wisdom, seem to see right through her, as if he knows every thought that flits through her mind.Akshu leans against him, her head resting on his shoulder. She closes her eyes, allowing herself a moment of comfort in his embrace. “I’m worried, Kanha,” she admits softly, her voice barely above a whisper.Krishna’s arm slips around her, pulling her closer. “About Ishana?”Akshu nods, a sigh escaping her lips. “She’s so strong, so determined. But I see the struggle in her, the way she tries to hide her pain. She’s fighting something deep within herself, and I’m afraid… I’m afraid she’ll lose.”Krishna is silent for a moment, his thumb gently stroking her shoulder as he considers her words. “Ishana’s journey is a difficult one,” he says finally, his voice thoughtful. “But she is not alone, Akshu. She has you, and she has me. And she has a strength within her that even she doesn’t fully understand yet.”Akshu looks up at him, her eyes searching his for reassurance. “But what if that’s not enough? What if her fears consume her?”Krishna smiles gently, his eyes filled with a quiet confidence that makes her heart ache with love for him. “Have faith, Akshu. Ishana’s path is her own, and though it is fraught with challenges, she will emerge stronger for it. Sometimes, the greatest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves. But Ishana is a warrior, and she will find her way.”Akshu bites her lip, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to spill. “I just want her to be happy, Kanha. I want her to find the peace that she deserves.”Krishna leans down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “She will, in time. And until then, we will be here for her, guiding her when she needs it, and giving her the space to grow when she must.”Akshu relaxes a little in his embrace, finding comfort in his words. But the worry still lingers, a shadow that she cannot fully shake. “I wish I could do more for her,” she whispers, her voice heavy with emotion.“You’re doing more than you know,” Krishna reassures her, his voice tender. “Your love and support are the anchors that keep her steady. And when the time is right, Ishana will come to you, and you will be ready to help her in the way only a sister can.”Akshu nods, the tightness in her chest easing slightly. She trusts Krishna’s wisdom, but the protective instinct she feels for Ishana is strong, and it’s hard to let go of her worries.Krishna seems to sense her lingering unease, and he shifts slightly, turning her to face him fully. “Akshu,” he says, his tone more serious now, “you carry so much love in your heart, for Ishana, for everyone around you. But don’t forget to take care of yourself too.”She looks into his eyes, seeing the depth of his concern for her. “I know, Kanha,” she murmurs, her voice soft. “But it’s hard when I feel so helpless.”Krishna’s hands cup her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that have finally escaped. “You are never helpless,” he tells her firmly. “You are strong, Akshu, stronger than you realize. And as long as you hold onto that strength, you will be able to help Ishana when the time comes.”His words sink in, and Akshu nods, feeling a sense of resolve forming within her. “I’ll be strong, for her, and for myself,” she promises, her voice steady.Krishna smiles, his expression filled with pride and love. “That’s my Akshu."
We’ll get through this, Akshu,” he murmurs, his voice a promise. “Together.”Akshu closes her eyes, allowing herself to believe in his words, in their love. “Together,” she echoes, her heart lighter, even as she knows the challenges that lie ahead.They sit there in the fading light, the world around them peaceful and still. And for the first time in days, Akshu feels a sense of calm, a belief that no matter what happens, they will face it together, with love and strength.
