'Krishna is in Kaundinyapuram. He is in my kingdom! How did I miss this?', Rukmi was flustered, as he sat down, with his hands on his head.
Jarasandha was bewildered too. He thought he had killed Krishna and still, the lad had escaped.
'Samrat, what will we tell Shishupal?', asked Rukmi, still flustered.
'Shh... Not a word to Shishupal. He would lose his mind. We cannot allow him to know this. Else he would throw tantrums and he would start becoming a criminals. We cannot allow him to make hundred mistakes right here, else that puny Krishna would chop his head off!', Jarasandha cautioned Rukmi.
'What do we do Samrat?', asked Rukmi.
'Just tighten the security. Let's wait for the right time and capture Krishna. That way, Shishupal will also feel that he has achieved something.', said Jarasandha, sensing a strong sense of disorientation in himself.
The two managed to console each other and head back to the Palace. They managed to pull themselves together and in front of everyone else they seemed normal.
Their eyes, however held the fear. As they walked, holding in their fear, Rukmi bumped into Rukmini.
'Ouch!', said Rukmini rubbing her head.
Rukmi rubbed his head too and looked at Rukmini. She did not look happy or excited. She looked irritated.
'Rukmini, I...', Rukmi began to say something, but was cut off.
'What more should I hear from you, Agraja? You have already decided my fate and you haven't bothered to find out whether I am happy or not. How does it matter if you say anything now?', she said, gruffly. And without waiting for a reply, she began walking away. And she stopped to turn back at the duo.
'And, congratulations. Using Matoshree and Pitashree, you have successfully put a barrier in front of me to stop this wedding. I wanted to stop the engagement. But thanks to your wonderful plan, I am stuck here!', she was visibly frowning as she spoke and again, she walked away without waiting for a reply.
And as Rukmi and Jarasandha stared at her, she smirked at her own smartness. But that smirk immediately changed into grimness. She had seen the fear in their eyes. The next course of action was needed. She decided to hold an emergency meeting with her brothers.
'I'm glad she does not know that Krishna is alive and he's in here.', sighed Rukmi. Jarasandha looked one percent relieved too.
'What do we do now?', asked Rukmi.
'I do not know what to do about this. We must indicate something to Shishupal.', said Jarasandha.
'But Samrat, how will he take it?', asked Rukmi, worried.
'How will I take what?', came a voice from behind. Rukmi and Jarasandha turned pale.
Shishupal looked at them with concern.
'Rukmi, is everything alright?', asked Shishupal.
'Shishupal, child. You have to take in this grave news.', said Jarasandha, grimly.
'Samrat, please tell me. But I think I know what you are going to tell.', said Shishupal.
'You do?', asked Rukmi, biting his lips.
'Krishna is alive and he is here, isn't it?', said Shishupal, folding his hands, his face expressionless.
Jarasandha and Rukmi looked at each other in horror.
'Yes or no?', shouted Shishupal, his face turning red in anger.
'Shishupal! Cut that voice down. Is that how you speak to your would-be-brother-in-law? Apologise this instant!', thundered Jarasandha, glaring at Shishupal, looking around. Fortunately they were alone.
Shishupal immediately realised what he was doing and calmed down. He breathed and gently held Rukmi's shoulders.
'I am sorry Rukmi, I should not have shouted like that at you.', he apologised.
'That's alright Shishupal. But I really don't know where to find Krishna', said Rukmi, desperate.
'Do you suspect anyone? Anyone who has come new into the kingdom?', asked Jarasandha.
'I do not know who to suspect. I just...(pausing, as it hit him) Wait. All those handmaids from Alankrita's parents' home. They are the only new people here. Of them, two of them are astonishingly beautiful. They can just make anyone enchanted.', he said seriously.
'Raaya!?', came a voice from behind him.
Alankrita looked at him in disbelief and anger. Rukmi looked at her, bewildered, offering to explain. Jarasandha and Shishupal chuckled to themselves as they watched Alankrita pick up a fight with Rukmi.
'Alankrita, I can explain...', Rukmi began
'You can explain!? Do you dare to tell that to me? How can you talk like this, after being wedded to me? I challenge you. I challenge you to think of any other woman. I challenge you to take another wife, you shall see the worst side of me.', she raged at him furiously. Before Rukmi could even react, she stormed away.
'Alankrita, listen to me! It is not what you are thinking!', Rukmi ran after her.
Alankrita went away from him as far as she could and shut herself in her room.
'Phew! Now his focus would be on pacifying me. He would not ask me further about all the Dasis. I would not have to lie nor tell him the truth. Krishna, we do not have time to waste, please take Rukmini away tomorrow itself' Alankrita thought to herself as she sighed in relief, while Rukmi kept banging at her door, begging for a chance to explain himself.
'I'm on it, Bhratrjaya! Rukmini is officially mine from tomorrow!', promised Krishna as he heard her mind voice.

YOU ARE READING
Krishna! - Part 2
Historical FictionRukmini constantly dreams of Krishna and has made up her mind to wed him. But will her brother Rukmi allow it? Would she be able to wed the man of her dreams amidst schemes of Kings like Shishupala and Jarasandha?