Aryan and Tara felt their hearts getting heavy slow by slow, as they arrived, the towering gates opening, welcoming them. The vehicle moved further in slow, letting them have the clear view of the estate.
The estate glows in the soft moonlight, adorned with flickering candlelight that dances along the pathways, casting enchanting shadows on the ornate walls. Each second unveils a new spectacle as the candles illuminate lush gardens, creating a magical ambiance that whispers of timeless elegance.
The moonlight bathes the estate in a silvery glow, revealing a symphony of candlelit scenes.
Candle-lit lanterns line the edges of a reflective pool, creating a mesmerizing mirror of light. Twinkling fairy lights are intertwined with ivy, creating a celestial canopy over a secluded courtyard. Each corner of the estate unfolds a captivating tableau of warmth and radiance.
Tara's gaze caught the beautiful scenario of the fountain with few statues of fairies standing around. The decoration of whole place by candles which brought out the pleasance of waning moon night, touching her heart.
Getting off the car, there they have been, standing at the entrance. Their gaze capturing the couple who stared at them with years of longing.
Adhrit Waqt Singhania with his wife, Lady Arya, who stood there, couldn't believe their eyes as the realisation hit them, they were standing face to face, with their grandchildren. A moment which almost made them think of their children. Tara and Aryan, resembled their mother and father a lot.
With a heavy breath, Aryan dared to move, touching his grandparents' feet, taking their blessings. Adhrit's hand soon reached for his shoulder, taking him in for an embrace.
A sense of comfort and relief passed through the men.
Pulling himself away, Adhrit took a closer view of his grandson, his hand caressing Aryan's face. The hazel eyes, strong nose, chiselled face. Prominient cheek bones. Smooth and hard skin. He almost thought it was not Aryan but his son Vikram, standing in front.
"Radhe Radhe!" Aryan greeted him once after being out of his embrace, for which he just nodded, holding back the tears. Aryan then made his way to Arya, the woman hugging him immediately without any hesitation.
While Tara stood silent the whole time, unable to move. She felt the urge and need to move, to speak, but she got nothing for herself to respond and she stood there like a statue.
Adhrit moved closer to her, her emerald eyes meeting his cognac ones. "Tara!" His voice soft, tingling with unexpressed emotions.
She stared him for a long moment before she murmured a "Grandpa"
That alone made the man sigh out of various mixed emotions, he just took her into his embrace as if that is all what he needed.
Tara's hands carefully moved up, hugging back the man, the guilt of pushing this man away every single time he attempted a move towards her, striking her like a thunderstorm. "I'm...sorry..." She murmured again shutting her eyes, tears now flowing down her cheeks with no restriction.
Adrhrit shook his head, pulling himself away, his hands soon finding her face, cupping her cheeks as he wiped away those tears. "You don't....have to be," he said with a sniff, "your returning is all what we wished for."
Tara smiled as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Her gaze shifted to the woman beside, both Aryan and her grandma looking at them. With a sniff, she moved to her grandmother, hugging her.
Lady Arya hugged Tara, her smile a precious capture of sight. She placed a gentle kiss over hers' and Aryan's forehead. "We missed you a lot!!" She confessed.
"It is finally time for your welcome." She announced, her voice, itself the evidence of her joy.
Arya welcomed them traditionally with the aarti (Hindu ceremony in which lights with wicks soaked in ghee are lit and offered up to one or more deities.However, this religious ritual is not restricted to religious purposes. In the Indian culture, apart from offering aarti to the almighty, it is also used to welcome an honoured guest at special functions.), imprinting a tilak on Aryan's forehead and Tara's as well.
As they were welcomed, their gaze took over the grand chandeliers that hung from towering ceilings, their crystals catching the moonbeams.
The moonlight spills through the tall windows, casting a silvery glow on the rich tapestries that adorn the walls. Antique furniture, polished to a subtle gleam, reflects the ethereal light. The marble floors, cool beneath your feet, showcase intricate patterns as shadows dance across them. In this serene ambiance, the estate's interiors exude an enchanting, timeless elegance.
The grand staircase, carved from dark mahogany, gracefully ascends in the moonlit foyer. Its banisters are adorned with delicate wrought-iron detailing, and the steps seem to absorb the soft glow, creating an otherworldly luminescence. The moonlight's touch reveals a cascade of paintings lining the staircase walls, each capturing a moment in history. As you ascend, the estate's opulence unfolds, enveloping you in a celestial ambiance that transcends time.
Aman had their luggage arranged in their respective chambers, Tara and Aryan departing from their grandparents, resting for the night.
This were the days when years ago Lord Krishna took birth, the journey across the raging Yamuna, from the prison to the land of Gokul; Vrindavan, his story an epic.
And this night, the little boy of this household had returned. Just like Nand Baba and Maa Yashoda were blessed with Kanha, King Adhrit and Queen Aryan were blessed with the reunion of family.
**********
The morning came bright, eradicating all the darkness that once had took over the estate. Tara and Aryan were ready, early in the morning, though the festival has begun in days advance in the city, today was the special occasion.
Arrangements were done for the Pooja and Tara, Aryan, participated in it after so many years.
And when was the last time they participated?
When they were just babies.
So one, could imagine how happy the old couple were, their hearts swelling with contentment.
*************
-A/N-
To those who doesn't know, here is a little piece of information about the festival.
Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Krishnashtami, Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. In certain Hindu texts, such as the Gita Govinda, Krishna has been identified as supreme God and the source of all avatars. Krishna's birth is celebrated and observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in Shravana Masa (according to the amanta tradition) or Bhadrapada Masa (according to the purnimanta tradition). This overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian calendar.
It is an important festival, particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism. The celebratory customs associated with Janmashtami include a celebration festival, reading and recitation of religious texts, dance and enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana, devotional singing till midnight (the time of Krishna's birth), and fasting (upavasa), amongst other things. It is widely celebrated across India and abroad with great fervor and devotion. Among the various places in India where Krishna Ashtami is celebrated, Mathura holds a special place as the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The Krishna Ashtami celebrations in Mathura are a grand and vibrant spectacle, drawing thousands of devotees and tourists every year.