Satataharitam - Short Stories On Narayana

Home They Brought Their Warrior Dead

Krishna and Balarama stood at the edge of the terrace, meant to be discussing something about administrative affairs. But what they were doing in actuality was that they were watching Pradyumna playing (or entertaining the younger) something with their nephew, Abhimanyu.

"We had better games than this." Krishna commented lightly, laughing.

"You had one game most of the time." Balarama replied, not taking his eyes off his nephews. "Steal butter, by hook or by crook."

"And that was irrefutably the best game ever!"

Balarama agreed with that. "As long as you didn't blame me for stealing the butter, it was fun."

Krishna laughed at the fond memories. He'd done a lot of appreciable things in life. Getting Dau into trouble was, however, what he'd probably call his greatest achievement. It was just so much fun.

"Little devil." Balarama murmured.

"Big devil," Krishna responded casually. "We were supposed to be talking of work."

Balarama finally turned to his brother, looking bored. "Let's do something else."

Krishna shrugged. "Yeah, we cou-"

"I thought you were going to teach me archery today!" Abhimanyu yelled from the other end of the terrace.

Balarama and Krishna looked at each other and went over to the boys. "Did you do the homework I gave you?" Krishna asked, brows raised.

"What homework did you give?" Abhimanyu asked, confused. "You didn't give any homework, you never do!"

Balarama smacked the back of his brother's head, much to the delight of Pradyumna and Abhimanyu for some reason. "Teach him what he wants to learn, idiot."

"I've already taught him so much! He's a natural. I think you should develop other aspects of your technique, you know. You won't always have your bow in hand. You might have the most unexpected things to defend yourself with."

Balarama raised his brows. "Alright, let's do something else." He wanted to switch the topic quickly. Something about the look in Kanha's eyes as he said what he had made him feel miserable.

"Teach me how to break out of the chakravyuha!" Abhimanyu suggested, thrilled.

"Oh yeah, that's so cool! Teach him that!"

Krishna glared at his son for the inevitable encouragement, before Balarama smiled. "Hmm, we'll see. It's time for lunch now anyway, we'll do that later, alright?"

Krishna looked rather relieved.

×××

Balarama sat in his room, reading a book, when he heard the door croak open, revealing Abhimanyu looking much smaller than his usual.

He called out to him with an inviting smile and a nod of the head.

"Mama," Abhimanyu began rather hesitantly. Balarama frowned. "Maa was saying that Pitashree is coming today."

Balarama smiled again. "Yeah, he's coming today. He's coming with your other uncles, his brothers, and Draupadi." He ruffled his nephew's hair. "What about that?"

"I'll have to leave Dwaraka?"

Balarama nodded. "You'll be going to the other of your two homes."

Abhimanyu still hesitated, his frown turning deeper. "But I don't want to go. I've been raised here. My Mama-s and Mami-s and cousins have raised me as much as Maa has. How could I ever leave this place?"