CHAPTER 12

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Darkness of the night had cloaked Chaitanya Lok. Srinav stood on the grand balcony of his palace, looking down on the earth below. His eyes were filled with love and longing as he watched his wife, playing with the divine baby.

Suvarchas and Jaladri, loyal companions of their lord, stood at a respectful distance, exchanging knowing smiles. The vahan of Amarsri, Suvarchas, remarked with a twinkle in his eye "Aisa lagta hai, Devi shigreh nahi aane wali."

"Satyavachan. Swami ko pratiksha karni padegi." Jaladri chimed in mischievously

Srinav chuckled softly, acknowledging the truth in their words. Amarsri's fascination with their little embodiment of her father had consumed her attention, causing her to forget the world above. And honestly, who could blame her?

As he continued to observe his beloved, a resolute determination took hold of Srinav's heart. He declared, "Lagta hai mujhe hi jana padega. Kyuki kal waise bhi ek mahatwapurn din hai."

Curiosity piqued, Suvarchas inquired, "Kyu ? Kal kya hai ?"

Srinav turned to face his companions, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes, "Woh toh pata chal jaayega. Parantu pehle, tum dono ko mere saath chalna hoga."

"Aise hi ?"Jaladri questioned, alluding to their divine appearances.

Srinav shook his head, a sly smile playing on his lips, "Hume vesh badalna hoga."

"Kaisa vesh ?" Suvarchas asked with a frown.

"Gokul jaa rahe hai, toh mai ek saadharan gramin yuvak ka vesh lunga. Parantu tum dono..." Srinav's smirk grew wider.

Suvarchas and Jaladri exchanged uncertain glances, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They were unsure of what their lord was about to demand from them.

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The gopis gathered around Nayika, their eyes filled with concern as they realized the sun had already set and it was getting late. They gently urged her to stay a little longer, expressing their worry about her walking back to her village in the dark.

"Bahut raat ho gayi hai Nayika, tum aaj yahi ruk jaao." One of them pleaded, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Rohini, holding the little Balram in her arms, looked at her with a face etched with worry, "Raatri ko pashu aur daakuo ka bhaye hai."

Nayika smiled at their concern, touched by their kindness, "Kshama karna, mujhe jana hoga. Ghar mei mere pati meri pratiksha kar rahe honge. Aur meri chinta na kare, mujhe kuch nahi hoga."

The maidens exchanged worried glances, not wanting to let her go but understanding her reasons. Yashoda stepped forward, the little lord sleepily nestled against her heart, "Mai Nand ji ko keh deti hu, woh tumhe ghar chhod denge."

"Arrey nahi nahi !" Nayika shook her head, "Mera ghar bahut dur hai."

Yashoda tiltled her head, with a smiling face asked, "Isme kya huya, laali ? Tum humari atithi ho, itne raatri ko akele thodi jaane denge."

"Unhe kyu kasht Dena ?" Nayika said, "Mai chali jayungi swayam. Waise bhi mere Ghar tak pahuchne ka maarg atyant jatil hai."

Seeing that she was not ready to accept the offer, Yashoda said, "Laali, tumne apne pati ko toh bataya hi hoga na ki tum yaha aayi ho ?"

"Bataya toh hai." Nayika said.

"Toh woh aa hi jaayega tumhe lene. Tab tak pratiksha karlo." Yashoda said.

"Woh..." But as Nayika fretted about how to respond, a figure appeared at the doorway.

"Pratiksha ki awashyakta nahi."

All the eyes turned to the threshold and then saw a godly man, tall and handsome, dressed in simple attire. Carrying a stick, with a pleasant smile adorned his face.

Nayika's heart skipped a beat as she laid eyes on her husband, cleverly disguised to whisk her away

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Nayika's heart skipped a beat as she laid eyes on her husband, cleverly disguised to whisk her away. Their gazes locked, and she couldn't help but playfully roll her eyes.

'Mayaputra.' She thought as her smile turned into a grin.

The gopis stood in awe, their faces reflecting their confusion. How could this mere mortal be so breathtakingly handsome, so flawlessly perfect? Some speculated that he must be a wealthy lord or a prince in disguise, while others were left utterly bewildered.

Even the little Balram and Yashoda Nandan, who had been on the verge of drifting off, suddenly became wide awake, sensing his presence. They stared at him intently as he humbly lowered his face, offering his respects.

Breaking the silence, Rohini asked, "Tum Nayika ke pati ho ?"

"Ji." He nodded with a smile.

"Kya naam hai ?" Rohini asked.

"Nayak." He said.

Yashoda requested, "Toh bhitar aao na."

"Kshama kare, maiya. Kintu raatri bahut ho gayi hai, aur hum dono ko kal kahi pahuchna hai." Nayak said.

Nayika looked at him curiously, not understanding what he meant. However, Yashoda approached him and gently took hold of his wrist, pulling him inside like a caring mother, that she was.

"Atithi ko bhookhe nahi bhejte hum. Aur tum toh Nayika ke pati ho, kam se kam gud aur paani grahan karke jaao." She said.

"Accha uchit hai." Nayak said smilingly as Yashoda made him sit on the cot.

"Lalla ko tanik sambhalna, Nayika." Yashoda said handing her the precious child.

Nayika cradled the baby close to her heart and moved towards her husband, taking a seat beside him. Nayak looked at her with a tender smile, then lowered his gaze to the little lord, peacefully nestled in her arms.

A chuckle of pure bliss escaped Nayak's lips as he held the tiny lotus feet of the divine incarnation of Narayan, secretly seeking his blessings. Yashodanandan giggled, flapping his tiny arms and then placing his small hands over Nayak's big ones.

Seeing this the little Balram too giggled in the arms of his mother, for he found it rather funny how the small one was actually the father-in-law.

Within moments Yashoda came, holding a glass of water and a piece of jaggery in her hands. Nayak accepted it a smile, eating the sweet first and then drinking the water.

"Dhanyawad aapka." Nayak said as he stood up, along with Nayika who handed the little lord back to his mother.

Taking her baby in her arms, Yashoda smiled looking at them both, "Bahut sundar jodi hai dono ki." She couldn't help but comment.

Both the god and goddess in disguise looked at each other, and then back at her with a smile, before joining their hands, "Ab aagya de."

"Aagya hai." Yashoda nodded with a smile.

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A/N

Waise Suvarchas aur Jaladri ka kya haal Kiya hoga Srinav ne ? 🌝

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