Subhadra and Arjun - an epitome of everlasting love
(Some of the incidents are my imagination. They may not be necessarily true)
Chapter 1
"Subhadra! Where are you?!" her elder brother, Krishna called out to her. Krishna and his group of friends were playing hide and seek and Subhadra decided to join them. "Subhadra? I cannot find you. Fine, fine! I lose, I admit." Krishna called out. Once Krishna had said that, the small forest of Vrindavan was filled with the childish giggles of Subhadra. Subhadra walked to Krishna and his friends from behind the tree in which she was hiding. On hearing Subhadra's giggle, Balaram and Sudama instantly joined in the laughter. Krishna placed his hands on hips, imitating his Mother Yashoda and said to his 6-year old younger sister, "You have won this time too!" Subhadra giggled once more. "Hey Krishna! You may be known as the slayer of Kalinga to the whole of Vrindavan but to your sister, Krishna will be the one who lost to her in a game of hide-and-seek!" Sudama laughed. The friends joined in the laughter and Vrindavan bloomed with their happiness.
7 years later….
"Krishna Bhaiyya, do we really have to leave Vrindavan to go to Dwaraka? Look at Radha didi and all the gopis of Vrindavan. They have been crying since you announced your leave, refusing to touch food or water. Over there, Mata is sobbing. It has brought nothing but grief to everyone. What is the necessity of all this Bhaiyya?" Subhadra cried to Krishna. Krishna had to leave Vrindavan for slaying Kamsa, who held their birth parents, Devaki and Vasudeva in prison. "Subhadra, you are a young girl. You would not understand these things. It is essential for us to leave Vrindavan to meet our birth parents. I am leaving Vrindavan and that is final." Krishna walked away. Subhadra was in tears. She had spent her days in Vrindavan so happily and so merrily and now she had to go. She silently watched Balaram follow Krishna to bid their final farewells to the villagers. Subhadra looked at the small forest where the children of Vrindavan used to play. It reminded her of her innocent childhood days. To think she was going to leave her Vrindavan was unimaginable. Suddenly, she heard distant sobs. It was Radha. Poor Radha, Subhadra thought. Separating from her Krishna was more painful than taking her life away. She walked to Radha and touched her feet. Radha quickly wiped her tears away. Subhadra placed a hand on Radha's shoulder. "Didi, I know this is too much for you to handle. Your relationship with Krishna Bhaiyya is something very unique and private. I never understood the love between both of you completely. But one thing I know for sure, that is, your love is divine and pure didi. You have been my best companion in Vrindavan all these years. Take care of yourself didi. That's what Bhaiyya would have wanted." she consoled her. Radha did her best to stop the tears flowing from her eyes. "Who? Are you talking about that scoundrel Krishna?" Radha continued to cry. Subhadra was puzzled but she could see the good times and memories reflected in her eyes. "That mischief maker who stole butter from the houses of Vrindavan was up to no good. But, what am I to do Subhadra? Those innocent, dark brown eyes. How could one resist, Subhadra? How could one escape from those eyes? It wasn't just me. All the gopis chased after him. And that smile. The smile that conquered all the three worlds. It wasn't my fault Subhadra." Radha recalled the good times and looked up to the moon. Subhadra was left speechless.