It was the time of the festival of colors. Dwarka, celebrated Holi with vibrance and invited all the kingdoms of the Aryavart, to join them in the festival, making it more joyful. 

Holi, is a 2 days long festival celebrated with full enthusiasm and as a part of the festival, Krishna's nephew, Lord Ganesha was also invited to enjoy to his fullest. The Lord of intelligence, was warmly welcomed by the family of Dwarka headed by the eighth incarnation of The Lord of Savior. 

"Welcome to Dwarka, my dear Vinayaka!" Krishna smiled ear to ear. 

"Pranipat mamashri." Ganesha bowed, folding his hands in respect. 

Taking deep breaths, Ganesha exclaimed, "Mami, seems like you have prepared modak!" closing his eyes and feeling the great aroma of his favourite dish.

"After all, their favourite, you are visiting Dwarka. As soon as they got to know, they haven't stepped out for a moment from the kitchen. They weren't so excited neither for my birthday nor when I return from a war!" Krishna made a pathetic face making all of them burst into giggles.

"I don't know all about that, but now I am heading to dine the dishes made by me dearest mamishris'. Join with me mamashri." Ganesha said patting his stomach.

And in a moment, Vasudeva was dragged to the dining hall by his nephew followed by his wives and family. 

"Mami," Ganesha started in between having the modaka. "Everything is just splendid." he said munching it.

"Aww, have it to your fullest, don't hesitate to ask if you need anything." Rukmini smiled, ruffling his hairs.

"Vaidharbhi, just asking. Who's your favorite? Me or this bhanje of yours?" Krishna pouted as he lost all the attention everyone were giving to him.

"Mamashri, she obviously loves me. Don't embarrass yourself by asking so!" laughed Ganesha as Bhaishmi joined.

"Whatever." Kanha sighed.

.

The sun set, all shades of red mixed with the blues and yellows as they washed the buildings and trees with a gentle, golden yellow, the cliffs and mountains black silhouettes, the river liquid silver marking the beginning of the ritual, Holika Dahan.

"Mamashri, the Lord loves everyone, but many, many people detest the Lord of the Universe. Why is it so?" Ganesha asked sitting beside Krishna on a rock having a view of the beautiful sunset.

Letting out a chuckle, Vasudeva replied, "The Lord is the father of the world, and he loves all his children. He wants them to grow into mature beings and be a role model to the world. But, the kids don't think the same way. Why will they?"

"Some people would go to an extent to kill their own sons too." Ganesha stated sadly.

"And that is when Vishnu also doesn't care if they are parents, siblings, wives or children. And he always protects the righteous." Madhava said.

"Look at Holika, the sister of Hiranyakashippu for example. She tried to kill the devotee of the Lord but the Lord didn't leave her. He protected Prahalada and killed Holika." Keshava replied.

"Mamashri." Vinayaka shaked Krishna put from his thoughts.

"Mamashri, something's bothering you. What's the matter mamashri?" Gajanana asked observing that Krishna had zoned out and looked blank.

"Sumukha, due to the past, the future gets decided. But people use the time to change the past which is impossible." Madhusudhana giggled.

Vignharta joined and added, "Mamashri something's cannot change. Like the curses given by one." he said remembering the curse given by him to Chandra Dev.

"And even the Lords are not excluded from it. The curse has such power to even even confine the Almighty."

"Mamashri, but the curse also has a solution to it." Gauri Tanaya smiled assuringly.

"And mamashri, sometimes curse can be a blessing too!" he laughed, joined by Kanha.

"I can guarantee so much mamashri that if at all you get into any kind of trouble, I will be there for you. Trust me and my words." Vignharta smiled.

Laughing, Krishna ruffled Ganesha's hairs and whispered, "You have grown up a lot my bhanje!"

.

"Mamashri." Ganesha murmured in Krishna's ears.

Kanha turned to see his nephew having a mischievous grin and his eyes twinkling.

Understanding the reason behind the wide grin on his nephew's face, Vasudeva too returned it and got up from his throne and silently made their way to the royal kitchen getting unnoticed by all.

As they neared the royal kitchen, Kanha and Ganesha checked whether someone's there or not as to complete their mission. To their good luck, everyone were outside viewing the rituals performed by the ladies.

And as expected, in just a matter of few moments, the kitchen which was filled by variety of dishes was now with just empty vessels, all the delicacies inside the stomachs of two mischievous food lovers.

Having the last modak, Lambodara burped which was followed by Krishna's.

"Vinayaka, let's go out and join all of them before anyone spots us here." Makhanchor whispered in Ganesha's ear receiving a positive nod.

Within a few moments, they were at the venue, smiling warmly and talking to the guests as though they were here all the time.

As the ritual ended, Revathi and Rukmini started to distribute the prasadam to one and all who had been there.

As Rukmini came to offer the prasadam to her husband and their dear nephew, the head chef called "Maharani!"

"What happened Saukya?" Vaidharbhi asked smiling as Krishna and Ganesha looked at each other, hiding their smile.

"Maharani, the food prepared for the evening is completely empty. The dishes have been stolen!" Saukya cried.

"What? But- , but how?" Bhaishmi shuttered in disbelief.

There, they had prepared so many dishes that she thought will never get empty for a minimum of 2 days, but here, she heard that without any of her guests having the food, it is empty, or rather stolen.

Shaking her head, she turned to her husband who stood next to their nephew.

"Arya, I have told you several times to find out who do this. Bhrata Balram has been to the mountains to achieve his tapasya. You have to take an action now." Chanchala complained.

"For sure Vaidharbhi. I will definitely take a tough action against them." Madhava replied, having a stern face.

"Yes and mami, I will also help mamashri with it. We will tie that theif and bring him on his/her knees." Ganesha joined.

Vaidharbhi smiled and whispered, audible only to Ganesha and Krishna.

"Don't tie yourself okay?" She said and patted Ganesha's cheeks.

Ganesha innocently nodded his head not able to believe what he heard. As Rukmini followed Saukya and the others, Vinayaka looked at Kanha who gave a small smile knowing that they were caught.

But soon, they laughed loud not before saying in chorus, "I am hungry now!"

***
Heya, so this was my submission to the Manamohana Contest hosted by the community VasudevaKutumbakam on the account of the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi.

Tagging the founder of the community - -mellifluousflower

Tagging the judge for the contest - saranyaakaw

Thank you, it was nice writing this. :)

Copyright © - Bhu__2007
Cover Credits - Bhu__2007
Materials Used for Cover Making - Pinterest.