Krishnapriya Devashree

90. Heartstrings Pulled

Balram eagerly took his nephew in his arms.

He had missed him so much!

He remembered how they would do all sorts of mischief together back in Vaikunth. It was always hilarious when those two, Shesha and Kama pranked Prabhu Narayan together. They would prank all and leave none except maybe Mata Lakshmi. And it was even more fun when their victim was that wicked Garud. Oh, how Garud would huff and puff! Balram nearly let out a villainous laugh at the memory but quickly held it in, not wanting to alarm the baby.

That was eons ago.

Now here he was back again, like rising back from ashes like a phoenix and Balram couldn't be anymore happier. He looked into those deep big brown eyes. There was no mistaking that mischievous twinkle .

The baby blinked up at him, and Balram's grin widened. The lower lip of the baby jutted slightly to one side, a mischievous little expression that seemed all too familiar. Was it just his imagination, or was this tiny creature smirking at him?

Oh, you're definitely Kanha's son, he thought.

But suddenly, his smile froze. He felt something... wet. There, seeping through the soft blanket, was a growing wet patch.

"Oh no!" Balram's eyes widened in horror as the warm liquid seeped through his clothes.

"Looks like your nephew wanted to leave you with a little gift, Dau."

Subhadra couldn't hold back her laughter, and soon, everyone in the hall erupted into fits of giggles.

"You little rascal!" Balram exclaimed."So this is how it's going to be, huh?" he whispered, looking down at the tiny culprit. "I see. First day back and you already got me. Wait till I get back at you."

The baby didn't take the threat well because the very next moment, he started wailing.

Devaki rushed forward at the sound, her motherly instincts kicking in. "Let me take him," she said. "There, there, my sweet. Let's get you cleaned up."

Balram could only watch as his mother fussed over the infant. Between the cries, his eyes met the baby's for a moment and he saw it! A wink! That imp just winked at him! He looked again, this time a little closer..... No, it was just the baby wailing and all. Must have been his imagination.

"Maybe I'm just seeing things," he muttered to himself, chuckling again.

As the cries subsided, Balram went to take him again. He hadn't even touched him before he started crying again. Balram retreated and waited till he became calm again and then approached cautiously, extending his arms toward the baby, but before he could make contact, the cries erupted once more, louder and more insistent than before.

Balram threw his hands up in exasperation. "I didn't even touch you!"

Then, Arjun stepped forward and casually with a flick of his hair he took the baby into his arms. Miraculously, the cries ceased immediately, replaced by soft gurgles and coos.

Balram huffed, folding his arms. "Unbelievable. I didn't even touch him, and he's acting like I set the world on fire!"

Arjun smirked over at Balram. "Looks like someone's already made his choice."

Nestled comfortably in Arjun's arms, the tiny thing just gazed back at him with those big brown eyes, seemingly unfazed by his glare.