So, I closed my eyes. Just then, I heard Krishna''s voice, "So, where have you hidden our guest?"


    I could hear Rukmini Sakhi laughing softly, and as I opened my eyes, I saw them both standing there, they took curtain in their hands, looking straight at me. I looked at them like a guilty child caught in the act, offering a sheepish smile.


    "Have you followed me all the way here?" Krishna teased, a playful glint in his eyes.


    "Oh, no, I just........" I stammered, but before I could finish, Rukmini Sakhi stepped in to save me, saying, "I brought her here! ....You never planned to introduce us by your side, so I took the liberty." She looked at him with a charming, sideways glance.


    "Is that so?.... Have I ever kept any secret from you ? Every meeting has its right moment, after all!...." Krishna replied, looking at me with a playful smirk. Then, with a feigned seriousness, he added, "You do realize you''ve made a mistake, don''t you? And for that, there will be a price to pay!"


    "But I told you, I brought her here! She''s here under my responsibility," Rukmini Sakhi insisted, gently stroking my head.


    "Look at her," Krishna continued, smiling mischievously. "She couldn''t handle it herself, so how will she manage someone else?...Like me!!"


    "You can''t defeat her so easily while she''s under my protection! She deserves another chance!" Rukmini Sakhi retorted, looking directly into Krishna''s eyes.


    "Well! You''ve already won her over to your side and became her Sakhi. And if my beloved asks me something , how can I refuse to you ...My priya ?" Krishna said, glancing affectionately at Rukmini Sakhi, then casting his gaze my way as if doing me a grand favor.


    "Thank you very much!" I said, smiling gratefully at both of them.


    "Don''t be so quick to celebrate," Krishna said with a mysterious smile. "You may not have lost, but there''s still a price to pay!" It seemed as if some mischievous plan was forming in his mind.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "I''m ready for whatever price I must pay!" I replied eagerly.


    Rukmini Sakhi placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "Just take care of yourself... because he..."


    But before she could finish, Krishna interrupted, "Enough!.... You''ve done your part. From now on, she''ll stay within my sight...Every single second I will keep my eye on her..... One more mistake, and..." His voice took on a slightly menacing tone.


    "Oh, don''t scare her so much," Rukmini Sakhi said, glancing at me. "Just look at her face....."


    "I''ve barely said anything, and already she''s so tensed," Krishna chuckled, shaking his head. "Imagine how she''ll react when it''s time to actually face the challenge. Perhaps it would be best to just surrender to your defeat."


    "Oh...., no.....!" I shot back defiantly, despite the nervous flutter in my chest. "I''m not one to back down. Time will tell who wins and who loses!"


    Amused, Krishna looked at Rukmini sakhi , then leaned toward her ear and whispered something. Though I couldn''t hear what he said, it brought a pretty beautiful smile to her face.


    "I''ll be back soon after finishing a task," Krishna said softly, looking at Rukmini Sakhi with a smile.


    "Take care of yourself-and my Sakhi....," she replied shyly.


    "Would I ever ignore your request?" Krishna teased, glancing romantically into Rukmini Sakhi''s Eye. "I''ll keep an eye on her like she''s my own Sakhi... but My Dear !!! Just be sure to take care of yourself as well. You know how much I worry about you...!" His teasing made me blush just hearing it.


    "That''s exactly what I''m afraid of..." Rukmini replied with a smile, bidding him goodbye. They were engaged in their sweet good-bye conversation, but I quietly excused myself from there and went outside, as I was feeling like an intruder in their intimate moment.


    Once I went outside, I started admiring the palace''s intricate carvings to pass my time. Suddenly, Krishna tapped me on the shoulder, leaned close, and murmured, "ohhh....Leaving so soon?? Do you want me to escort you back in your time?"


    Would he always keep reminding me of my mistake? My mind raced, but I kept silent.


    "I''m not letting go of you that easily," I replied, trying to sound playful.


    "Well, neither will I let you go so easily!" he said, pulling at my cheeks with a teasing tone. Then he walked on ahead, and I followed, blushing, wondering just what sort of price I''d have to pay.


    ●●●●●●●●●●●●●


    To be continued......


    (What price I have to pay now ?????.... Why he is making this much suspence .... Should I ask him directly ??? Wait ... What if he will make fun of me ... Why can''t he give a simple and direct answer of anything !!!??)