In the gentle embrace of the evening, the family had gathered, with Nand Baba, Yashoda Maiya, and Rohini Mata seated comfortably in the open courtyard of their home. The air, was filled with the serene beauty of Vrindavan, and the sky above, a canvas of twilight hues. 

"Arrey Rohini, have you noticed how our Kanha's been all dreamy-eyed lately? Always whispering sweet nothings into the air as if his 'Priye' might hear him across the winds," Nand Baba started with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Haan! Just yesterday, I teased him, asking if we should keep a plate ready at dinner for his invisible lady love. You should've seen how he blushed!" said Yashoda, her tone joyful and fond as she spoke about her Lalla.

"I even caught him talking to the cows about her as if they're in on the secret. So, I teased him a bit, 'Krishna, when is this mysterious 'Priye' of yours gracing us with her presence? Should we prepare a feast?' His cheeks turned as red as ripest tomatoes. Ekdam laal!"

They all burst out laughing, their joy echoing through the courtyard like a melody.

"Bas, this morning, he was lost in thought by the Yamuna. So I asked him, 'Daydreaming about your beloved?' All he gave me was that knowing smile and said, 'Maiya, love is like this river, ever-flowing and ever-new.'  Ab koi ispar kya hi kahe!"

"Vahi toh! It's a dance of words with him. I once cornered him, saying, "Krishna, this girl of yours, will we ever meet her?" And what does he say? "Baba, she is in the heart of all creation." Batao, now how does one argue with that? It's like chasing the wind." Nand Baba shook his head with fond exasperation.

"And his flute! Have you noticed how his tunes have changed? There's a new longing in them, as if each note is a love letter, flown on the wind, meant only for her." 

Yashoda Maiya sighed softly." True, his devotion is evident. But so is his playfulness. He enjoys our baffled curious looks, our attempts to unveil his secret. And, oh, how he blushes when we tease him! It's a sight more precious than the finest jewels. He speaks to the cows as if they're his confidants, tells stories to his flute, converses with his peacock feather, and even shares his thoughts with the Yamuna. Our Kanha, always lost in his own world, full of love and wonder," Yashoda said, her voice trailing off as she pondered the mystery that surrounded her beloved son.

A thoughtful expression crossed her face. 

Who is she, this mysterious 'Priye' who resides in the heart of my Lalla?  Who is this enchanting soul who has captivated the essence of her Kanha? Yashoda wondered. What magic does she weave to hold his heart so tenderly?

Is she a goddess in disguise, gracing their humble abode with her divine presence? Or is she a simple village girl, whose purity and innocence have enchanted her son?

"She must be someone extraordinary to capture his heart so completely." Yashoda's eyes softened with a mix of curiosity and affection as she imagined the enigmatic figure who had ensnared Krishna's thoughts.

"Sometimes, I see him gazing into the distance, his eyes filled with a longing that only true love can bring. I wonder what she is like—the one who holds such a special place in his heart. Is she as kind and gentle as he is? Does she share his love for the simple beauty of our world, the same way he does with every living thing?"

"When he whispers to the cows, does he tell them of his love for her? When he plays his flute, do the melodies carry his feelings to her across the winds? And when he touches his mor pankh, does he dream of the day they will be together?"

She sighed softly, a tender smile playing on her lips. "I may not know who she is, but I can see the joy she brings to him. His face lights up with a happiness that only true love can bring, and that is enough for me. As a mother, all I wish for is his happiness, whether he finds it in our little village of Vrindavan or in the heart of his beloved."

" Well, let him have his secrets...for now." Nand baba chuckled.

"Kya baat hai? What mischief are you all up to without me? Surely, you're not planning some prank on Kanha without including me?" Balarama said as he arrived with a broad smile spreading across his face.

"Ah, Bal! Just in time. We were discussing ways to tease Krishna about his beloved. He speaks of her in riddles, and we're devising creative ways to coax the name out of him."

"Yes, Balaram, your timing is perfect. Surely, you have some tricks up your sleeve and some brotherly insights that could help us in our quest."

Rubbing his hands together, Balarama's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Of course! I know just the plan to corner Krishna. We can stage a little play. I'll need your help, Maiya. We'll set up a scenario where Krishna thinks he's alone, perhaps by the Yamuna, with his flute in hand. I'll dress up as a wandering sage and engage him in conversation about love and destiny. Meanwhile, you and Baba can hide nearby to listen. I bet he'll reveal something when he thinks he's just speaking to a stranger."

Nand Baba and Yashoda exchanged amused glances, nodding in agreement. "That sounds like a wonderful plan, Bal," Yashoda said, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"Perfect! We'll finally uncover the mystery of Kanha's beloved," Nand Baba added, his voice filled with excitement.

Balram grinned to himself. Oh,  my little brother, you have no idea what's coming for you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Devashree and Prayan, at the command of their teacher embarked on the perilous journey through the dense and mystical forest of Kirmada.

On the instructions of Guru Venkat, Prayan accompanied her to reach her destination. The forest was thick with ancient trees that reached up to the heavens, their branches intertwining to form a dense canopy that barely let sunlight through. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and damp earth, a testament to the forest's untamed beauty.

Prayan led the way, his bow always ready, while Devashree, with her acute observation, followed closely behind, a massive bow slung over her shoulder. 

Both were adorned in traditional attire, their bodies marked with the sacred ash and symbols of their Bramhacharyatra. 

forest was alive with the sounds of exotic birds and the rustling of leaves, but it was also fraught with danger. Mystical creatures lurked in the shadows, and the distant roar of a lion or the hiss of a serpent occasionally pierced the air. The path they followed was barely visible, covered in a thick layer of moss and entangled roots, leading deeper into the heart of the forest. 

As they journeyed, they came across a clearing where a sage meditated, his presence emanating peace amidst the forest's chaos. They paid their respects and received his blessings, a moment of tranquility and divine connection that fortified their spirits for the challenges ahead. The forest seemed to watch them, ancient spirits whispering in the wind, guiding and testing them.

Dodging a low-hanging branch, Prayan said, his tone lit with humor, "You know, they say the greatest warriors can sense danger from miles away."

"And yet, you didn't sense that branch about to redecorate your face. Shall we question the ancient texts or your attention span, Jesth?" Devashree smirked.

Prayan laughed, shaking his head. "Point taken, Devashree. Perhaps I need to refine my skills further."

They continued through the forest, the path growing narrower and more treacherous.

Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes caught their attention. Prayan swiftly drew an arrow and nocked it to his bow, his eyes scanning the shadows. Devashree readied her bow as well, her senses on high alert. 

From the underbrush emerged a magnificent stag, its antlers glistening in the dappled sunlight that managed to break through the canopy. The stag regarded them with calm, intelligent eyes before gracefully bounding away into the depths of the forest.

"Even in this wilderness, beauty finds a way to manifest," Prayan mused, lowering his bow.

Devashree nodded in agreement. "The forest is a place of both peril and wonder. It tests us, but it also rewards the brave."

They pressed on, the forest growing darker as the sun began its descent. The sounds of nocturnal creatures began to fill the air, adding an eerie undertone to the environment. Every rustle and crackle seemed amplified, keeping them on edge.

Later, as they found a clearing to rest, Prayan attempted to light a fire using the traditional method they were taught in the Gurukul.

"By the ancestors, why won't this fire start?"Prayan said, frustratingly striking flints together.

"Perhaps it's shy. Have you tried introducing yourself? Maybe a little icebreaker would help."

Finally, he had a spark."It seems my charm works on fires as well."

"Or perhaps it simply gave in to escape your relentless flirting." she teased him.

Prayan chuckled, shaking his head. "Really. I am very good at it."

"Of course, Jesth. I'm sure even the trees swoon at your smooth talk," she retorted with a playful grin.

"Ha Ha, very funny." he replied sarcastically "We are rather close to the Maya Sarovar. Let's rest for a while here. I will guard and stay alert, you rest for a while."

Later, she convinced Prayan also to rest while she stayed alert, looking for any signs of trouble or danger. As she looked in the distance, she saw an area that was lit in the dark hues of the forest. She followed the trail, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, eager to unravel the mysteries of the ancient forest. She thought that it must be the lake, which was aglow with a charming radiance

To her surprise, it was an awe-inspiring tree, a marvel of nature that seemed to connect the earth to the heavens. Its colossal trunk, wide enough that twenty men with outstretched arms could scarcely encircle it, rose majestically, its surface a tapestry of deep, rich brown bark. 

This bark, textured with the imprints of countless years, told stories of ancient times, whispering the secrets of the forest to those who dared listen. It was adorned with patches of bright green moss and delicate fungi that shimmered with an ethereal glow in the subdued light, adding a touch of magic to its grandeur. The tree's branches were vast and robust, stretching far into the sky, as if in a gentle embrace with the heavens themselves. 

Devashree could make out the Parijat flowers on the trunk of the tree. They seemed to glow in the serene settings. She involuntarily reached for the flowers when a voice from behind stopped her.

"STOP, Devashree, do not touch them!" Prayan loudly exclaimed, his eyes wide and fearful.

"What is the matter, Jyesth?"

Prayan took a deep breath to calm his wildly beating heart. What would have happened if I had not reached here in time?

"This is the tree that stands on the very edge of the Mayavi jungle, which in turn harbors the Mayavi Sarovar( lake ). An invisible barrier surrounds the tree and spreads all around to separate the forest of illusions. We cannot cross the barrier."

"But why can't we cross it, jyesth?"

"Come, I will show you why."

He led her to the very edge of the massive tree. Sideways, the presumed front part of the tree was visible, from which the barrier originated. Both cautiously peeked sideways, and there lay a very peculiar site.

In front of the tree, there stood an old woman. 

Her frail, time-worn body was bound tightly to the massive banyan tree, its roots sprawling into the earth like the fingers of giants, and its branches casting a deep, cool shadow that seemed to whisper of forgotten ages. The ropes that bound her were made of raw, twisted vines, which strangely looked like snakes, although they looked almost natural in this enchanted forest, cut cruelly into her fragile skin, leaving behind marks that spoke of her struggle and the harshness of her captivity. 

Her attire, once perhaps the vibrant hues typical of ancient garb, was now tattered and faded, her exposed skin blending with the earthy tones of the forest floor. Her silver hair, thin and unkempt, cascaded down her shoulders, mingling with the moss and the leaves that had become her only adornment. Her eyes although closed, seemed to pierce through the shadows, looking beyond the physical realm into a world unseen by most.

"Who is that, Jyesth?" Devashree's curious voice was a mix of apprehension and awe.

"Nobody knows. It is said that she is a cursed tapasvini. It is also said that she has been waiting for someone to end her curse for thousands of years. But nobody knows how."

"Do you know why she was cursed?"

"Nobody really knows. You see those snakes tangling her limbs, binding her in place. People say that she must have killed the Naagin of the forest, for which the Naag has cursed her. But no one knows the truth."

"Why don't we just go and ask her?"

" NO!!" He whisper shouted. She has been doing tapasya(penance) for thousands of years. It is said that if anyone dares disturb her, they either turn to ashes by the sheer heat of her penance or go straight to hell! "

" But what about the Guru Dakshina?"

" We will have to find a way to break the barrier that separates the Maya forest"

" Can nothing pass the barrier?" Devashree wondered.

She picked up a stone lying on the ground and hurled it at the surrounding area of the tree, where there was supposed to be the said barrier.

The stone touched the barrier with a clank before getting absorbed and released on the other side in the form of ashes, its burnt smokey smell pervading their nostrils. A faint golden barrier shimmered from the place where the stone hit the shield, its particles like tiny flecks of gold rearranging themselves before vanishing in plain sight.

Seeing the marvel of the barrier, she cautiously approached it, eager to examine the barrier in-depth to break it, she bent down again to pick up another stone when she heard a loud screech behind her.

She swiftly turned to see a large beast with an equally large beak flying at her. 

Her eyes widened as she took its form. It was notably  larg with a powerful beak, bearing a monstrous form. The beak, sharp and curved like that of a predatory bird, like a deadly weapon, seemed capable of snapping bones and armor with ease. 

Its eyes were set deep within a fearsome visage and glowed with malice and intelligence, suggesting a creature not only powerful but cunning. These eyes added to its terrifying appearance, instilling fear in the hearts of those who met its gaze. Its limbs, both arms and legs, were powerful and clawed. Feathers, possibly dark and matted, adorned parts of his body, adding to his avian aspect while contributing to a more sinister appearance. These feathers varied in color, but carried a hue that blended with the shadows.

Momentarily stunned by the vicious beast before her, she saw it flying straight towards her, his beak snapping wildly and pointing straight at her.

Quickly regaining her wits, she grabbed the hilt of the sword hanging from her waist, but the beast was already upon her. 

She involuntarily took a step back, unknowingly crossing the barrier behind her. She felt the barrier transform itself into tiny gold particles of fire, enveloping her whole body. 

The burnt, singed flesh odor filled her, and she knew it was too late.

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A/N

What do you think will happen now?

Apne Kanha ke ghar kichdi pak rahi hai, khane ko chale kya?

By the way, kirmada sunke kuch yaad aata hai kya

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