In my Heart 💙

Peacock feathers

The early morning sun rays and the chirping of birds woke her up. She was covered in blanket and her father was nowhere to be seen. She sighed, as the previous night flashed before her eyes again. She felt miserable and strong at the same time. She got herself ready and got immersed in her daily activities.

However, she did not go to the river, because she wanted to avoid him. She knew that once her eyes spot him, her heart would melt and she would give in. It would then be much tougher to break away from him. Something inside her, told her that they cannot be united in their life. So better stay away from him, than face a heart-break. She heard from people that death is much less painful, compared to heart-break and she definitely did not want to try it out.

After finishing her chores, she found a while to rest. So she went to her room and sat beside the window, letting the cool breeze dry away the tears that she herself did not realise, when she shed. She felt drowsy and closed her eyes.

A melodious music pulled her by her ears and in no time, she found herself under the tree, by the banks of the river, moonlight showering on her. The dark flute boy was seated there, as usual, playing his flute. But after a while, he stopped playing and turned to her.

She gasped. IT WAS HIM!!! IT WAS KRISHNA!! THE PERSON, ABOUT WHOM HER FATHER WAS SPEAKING. THE PERSON, WHOSE EMBRACE TOOK HER TO BLISS. THE PERSON, WHOM SHE LOVED.

{Wait … love? When did that happen? What is happening to me?}

“Your future husband” his voice rang in her head and he gave her a mesmerising smile.

“Radha!”

She opened her eyes, to find her mother standing in front of her. “I have a good news. People of Vraj kunj are shifting to Brindavan.” She was beaming.

“Ooh.” She said, not understanding why her mother is so excited.

“Nanda Maharaj had asked your father to make arrangements here. We all need to help them.”

“Ok mom!” She sighed. She still did not understand why everyone was so excited.

The next week passed like a day. They were busy, very much. The men from Vraj kunj had also come to make arrangements. Her father introduced her to Nanda Maharaj; the head of the village; who came by to look after the arrangements. He was a soft spoken, kind man, who instantly liked Radha.

“Call me uncle, you are like my niece.” His words made her feel warm. {So, that is why, everyone, including my father respect him so much! Indeed, he is a very wise man, with kind heart and royal attitude.}

Before leaving, he called Radha specially and whispered in her ears. “I have heard from your father, that you have a very good talent of making everything around you beautiful. So please design the interior of my house.” She felt honoured.

She nodded her head vigorously, for which he laughed and patted her head. “The basic architecture would be completed in about 15 days. We would be shifting here a week after that. So you would have a week to decorate the house in any way you like. I am counting on you to make it look like heaven.” She blushed and nodded while he patted her head again affectionately.

After 21 days …

“Anita! Can you please tilt that portrait slightly towards left? … Yup! Now it is perfect.”
“Yes Manu … that is exactly how I want it to be.”
“Ravi … I think navy blue silk cloth would look good here.”

“Wow! Radha! I have never seen you working like this ever before.” Her mother exclaimed, as she entered the house.

It looked Royally beautiful with the walls decorated with beautiful peacock feather patterns. There were earthen basins at each corner of the huge hall, which were filled with water and flowers floating in the waters, spreading natural fragrance. The curtains were in shades of blue and green, matching to the peacock feather theme that she thought of. The walls were adorned with beautiful paintings, most of which, she herself made. There was also a bunch of peacock feathers, arranged in a vase and placed in a position that they are visible as soon as anyone enters, giving them a royal feel and serenity.

Mesmerised by the beauty of the place, her mother gasped.

“This is not it. It is just the hall. If you see how your daughter designed the rest of the house, you might even faint.” Padma, her mother’s friend explained.

“That is what I am wondering about. This girl doesn’t even care to keep her room clean. But when it comes to their house, she has been working like mad for so many days.” She eyed her daughter suspiciously.

Radha sighed, going through her work again, feeling satisfied by the way the place looked. A smile played on her lips.

“Don’t be so happy girl! All this beauty would look faded in front of the gorgeous smile of their sons. Especially, that notorious butter thief, who steals hearts of people too … I am already excited by the fact that Krishna is on his way …” Her mother seemed lost in her own world, but Radha stopped dead in her tracks.

“Krishna?” She asked.

“Don’t you know about Nanda and Yashoda’s charming son? There is no one in this kingdom, who does not know about Krishna. His fame is spread so wide. But the things he does … they are so extraordinary and superhuman. He always leaves everyone at awe by his unexpected actions. We are so blessed that he would be living with us. So that we can see him every day, … talk to him daily, dance with him, listen to him play flute, offer him his favourite sweets and not to forget butter …” Everyone seemed like they were in some trance.

“Enough!” Her voice broke, but no one noticed her. They were busy talking about him. Unable to bear it anymore, she ran into the garden of the mansion.

Again a calm, beautiful place, with many sweet smelling flowering plants and many medicinal herbs. Her personal favourite was the lotus pond, at the back of the house.

But now it became the spot for her to cry her heart out.