Suhasini found herself in a serene garden. The sight of her father standing there filled her with joy, and she ran toward him. But as she approached, she was struck with disbelief.

In front of her was an image of herself sitting in her father’s lap, holding yellow roses that matched her clothes, and chattering incessantly. Her father looked at this younger version of her with boundless love, smiling gently at her every few moments.

"Baba! Baba, come back. Please come back to your Sona," Suhasini cried out, her voice trembling with desperation.

Her father stood up, offering her a kind, sympathetic smile. He began to walk towards a radiant light, the light of salvation beyond this world. Suhasini tried to follow him, but she tripped and fell. As she struggled to get up, she watched in horror as her father entered the light and disappeared.

"Babaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!" Suhasini screamed, her voice echoing in the empty garden.

She felt an immense pain in her chest, as if she were suffocating. She gasped for breath, and the overwhelming grief caused her to faint.

Meanwhile, in another realm, tears trickled down the face of a boy who watched her agony. He was Krishna, the lord of the universe. Seeing Suhasini, whom he held dear, in such distress, brought tears to his eyes. She was more than a sister to him, and he felt deeply responsible for her suffering.

The next morning, Suhasini was awakened by her mother, Prapti.

"Get up, Hasini, and get ready. We are leaving for your Pitamah's kingdom," Prapti said, her voice calm but firm.

"Why, Ma?" Suhasini asked, still groggy and disoriented.

"Because I am saying so. Your Pitamah won’t let us stay here," Prapti explained, her voice tinged with a sadness that matched her white sari.

"But why, Ma?" Suhasini persisted, confusion clouding her young mind.

"Due to your Baba's behavior towards your grandfather, Ugrasen," Prapti replied, a note of bitterness creeping into her voice.

Suhasini couldn't understand. "What do you mean, Ma?" she asked, sitting up, her eyes wide with curiosity and concern.

"Okay, sit down, and I will tell you the story," Prapti said, taking a deep breath.

**Flashback:**

"That day was the wedding day of your Bua, Devaki. She was adorned in the finest silks and satins, her neck glittering with the best diamonds from the Golconda mines. She looked like a goddess. Your father was saddened by the thought of his sister leaving him, but he was also happy that she had found such a great husband. Your Mata Asti, I, and your Bua were more than sisters-in-law; we were sisters at heart.

"After the marriage, your father insisted on being the charioteer for the newlyweds. But then an Akashvani, a divine prophecy, declared that your Bua’s eighth son would kill your father.

["Is he Kanha Anna?" Suhasini interrupted, her eyes wide with realization.
"Yes, he is Kanha. But how did you know?" Prapti asked, surprised.
"I met him yesterday and played with him," Suhasini replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.]

"Your father was enraged by the prophecy. He dragged your Bua by her hair and threatened to kill her with his sword. He was only stopped when your uncle promised to surrender their future children to him. Your father then imprisoned Devaki and Vasudev, and when your grandfather Ugrasen protested, his pleas were ignored. Instead, your father had him arrested. He even killed your seven cousins, and now, Kanha and Balram have avenged their parents by killing your father."

**Flashback Ends**

Prapti sighed, the weight of the past heavy on her shoulders. "Now get ready," she said, her voice soft but firm.

After getting Hasini ready, Prapti took her to Asti’s room. Asti, too, was dressed in white, wearing a simple necklace of tulsi beads. She caressed Hasini’s face and kissed her forehead lovingly.

An attendant from the court entered and bowed. "The king has called you to the courtroom, respected Yuvranis," he announced.

They walked to the courtroom, where Suhasini saw an elderly man sitting on the throne that once belonged to her father. He smiled at her kindly. Beside him stood a woman of her mother’s age, and beside her were Krishna and Balram. But what caught Suhasini’s eye was a girl her age clinging to Krishna. A surge of jealousy hit her. How dare she! Krishna was her Anna and hers alone.

Ugrasen turned to Suhasini and smiled broadly. "Come to me, my child. What’s your name?" he asked, his voice gentle and welcoming.

Suhasini approached him cautiously, scrutinizing him from head to toe as if trying to decipher his character. Finally, she smiled and said, "My name is Suhasini, Pitamah. But you can call me Hasini."

Ugrasen lifted her onto his lap, looking at her fondly. Despite her father’s cruelty, his granddaughter was as pure as the Ganges.

Ugrasen then addressed Prapti and Asti, who stood nearby, their faces solemn. "Yuvrani Prapti and Yuvrani Asti, as your father-in-law and the father of Kamsa, I request you to stay here with us and my only grandchild and heir, Suhasini. You need not return to Magadh, your paternal home."

Asti looked at Prapti, who nodded slightly. Asti then spoke, her voice calm but resolute. "Maharaj Ugrasen, we can’t stay here amidst the memories of our husband, which will continuously haunt us. However, we can allow Suhasini to stay here, on the condition that she visits us every two months and stays with us for two weeks."

"I agree to this condition," Ugrasen said, his voice filled with understanding.

Prapti nodded. "So, we would like to take our leave, Maharaj," she said quietly.

They bid farewell to Hasini with countless hugs, kisses, and tears. Hasini ran after their departing chariot, sobbing, but eventually, she fell to the ground. She got up, dusted herself off, and ran back to her room, her heart heavy with the weight of loss and change.

Words : 1000
Date of Publication : 5th July 2024

So I was kinda forgetful and forgot to publish this chapter on 4th as promised hence enjoy two chapters in a day :) Also please let me who if you guys like this new writing style of mine in the comments.