As I opened my mouth to respond, he suddenly placed his wet palm over my lips, pressing down so that I couldn''t say a word. His hand was so large that it covered nearly my entire face, and all I could do was gaze at him in silent amazement. Moving closer, he whispered, "Would you like to see a bit of magic?"


    His words surprised me, and though I didn''t fully understand his meaning, I nodded in agreement. I knew I couldn''t say no to him, anyway. He smiled then, as if he''d been given a precious gift.


    "Are you ready?" he asked, flashing a broad smile. His hand still covered my mouth, yet instead of feeling restrained, I felt a strange peace. I nodded again.


    "Someone''s coming soon, someone who loves to watch me from afar," he said in a hushed tone, his eyes mischievous. "But now, just wait and see what I do." With that, he plunged into the water, splashing droplets onto me. My injured leg was forgotten in the excitement, and I waited eagerly for him to resurface.


    Then, I heard movement behind me. Before I could turn, he appeared, grasping my shoulders from behind. An electric thrill raced through me. He leaned close, whispering near my ear, "Can''t you bear to be away from me for even a moment ?" The warmth of his touch and his breath near my skin stirred something within me. I could feel myself blushing deeply.


    "I didn''t want to see you; I wanted to see your magic!" I said softly, lowering my gaze trying to cover-up.


    "Oh, is that so?" he teased near my ear, his tone so tender that I could almost melt. "If you''re so fond of magic, then I''ll become magic itself for you." Just as I began to soften under his gaze, he burst into laughter, a wide grin on his face, while coming in front of me.


    I looked away in embarrassment, unable to meet his eyes. But then, he took another dive, emerging only a moment later, laughing again. Before I could process what he was up to, another version of him appeared beside him. They looked nearly identical, but there was a subtle difference in their expressions and attire. I stared, stunned, and before I could ask anything, a third Krishna emerged from the water-similar to the others yet distinct, with slight variations in his appearance.


    One of them, the first one to appear, spoke with a grin, "This is just the beginning of the magic. Don''t be surprised; there''s much more to come! When people play games with me, I play along. But remember, you have to do as I say as now you are also part of my game." He gestured toward the pathway by the pond. "Princess Prapti will come this way soon. Just keep her here by the pond for a bit, alright?"


    Before I could respond, two of the Krishnas disappeared underwater, while the third hid behind a nearby tree. Just then, Princess Prapti arrived on her brown horse. I struck up a conversation with her, trying to delay her as instructed near the pond bank. She seemed charmed, and I managed to hold her attention, though I felt somewhat awkward to do it.


    From somewhere behind her, I saw Krishna sneaking up from the trew, whispering something inaudible. Yet whatever he said made Princess Prapti blush so deeply that her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. She hadn''t even turned around, yet she was smiling shyly. Krishna, holding a delicate pink flower, tucked it into her hair, whispered a few more words, and led her horse away down another path. Blushing, Princess Prapti glanced back at me and murmured that she had something important to attend to before following Krishna.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Before I could gather my thoughts, another Krishna surfaced from the water and said, "This time, call the next visitor over to you." He hid behind the tree again, and soon enough, I saw Princess Shreya approaching on her white horse. I greeted her and invited her closer to help me. Just as she was about to look at my injured leg, Krishna appeared from the tree and gestured for me to remain silent.


    Shreya was examining my leg when Krishna, suddenly raising his voice from behind her and startled her. "Does your father know you''ve come to our area?" he demanded. Princess Shreya fell silent, nervous and slightly embarrassed.


    "master...is it really you?" she stammered, her voice trembling.


    "Why are you so startled?" he asked, sounding slightly authoritative. "Weren''t you here to meet me?"


    "No..." she replied, flustered.


    "So there''s someone else special you''ve traveled all this way to see?" Krishna teased with a smile.


    Shreya, blushing, managed to say, "Swami, there is no one .... Only you ....." She looked incredibly sweet, glancing shyly while responding.


    Just as she was about to turn around to see him, Krishna suddenly exclaimed, "What are you doing?!" Shreya froze, her eyes wide with surprise. "Forgive me, Swami," she said in a barely audible voice.


    "Why are you teasing her so much?" I blurted out, unable to hold back.


    "Our wedding is just days away," he explained. "It''s tradition, isn''t it, that the bride and groom shouldn''t see each other before then?" Saying this, he lifted her corner of Saree(saree ka pallu I mean) gently, covering her face as ghunghat, and added tenderly, "Have a bit more patience, my dear; I''m also waiting, too." Through the thin fabric, I could see Princess Shreya smiling shyly and blushingly.


    Afterward, he offered to escort her home, lifting her onto her horse. When I''d first met Princess Shreya, she''d been an expert rider, full of confidence. Yet now, she seemed soft and delicate, transformed into someone else entirely. I thought she would at least bid me goodbye, but it was as if she didn''t even notice my presence after meeting krishna. As they rode away, I felt a pang of sadness watching them leave.


    Just then, another Krishna emerged from the water, throwing fuel on the fire. "Isn''t that your Sakhi?" he asked with a grin.


    "Yes, so what?" I replied, my face falling.


    "Didn''t seem like it she is your sakhi," he said, laughing.


    "And you....," I retorted, "don''t seem like the Krishna I know. You have such special relationships with everyone, don''t you?"


    He grinned. "I may be one, yet I am many. And even when I am many, I am still one..... I belong to everyone, yet I am only yours. And though I am yours, I belong to everyone. Don''t forget who your Sakha is." He twirled his hand in the air with an amused smile.


    "Well, it was all right, I guess. You just keep everyone guessing... With your playfull words, don''t you? What would it have mattered if you''d let her catch a glimpse of you?" I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.


    "It wouldn''t have changed anything, but a meeting like this, can effect our another fated meeting joy" he replied, his gaze gentle. "The taste of water is most delightful when we''re truly thirsty. The joy of a meeting is best savored at the right moment. And that perfect moment is decided by the universe itself."


    I couldn''t help but roll my eyes a little. "You only know to tease,you are really a trickster.....!!!" I said, trying to sound exasperated, though I knew I was failing.


    "Then I''ll leave you to your these type of thoughts.... I already took bath two times and here''s you who can''t even wake up on your own.... How will you manage to take care of me," he said, laughing softly. "But tell me, with your injured leg, how will you get back to your room? I''ve heard there are crocodiles here sometimes during the day. I''d help, but I''m just a trickster, after all. Figure out your own way of going to the room alone now!" And with a final, mischievous grin, he looked toward the path out of the water leaving me scared.


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    Whyyy he is doing this to me ?? Now how will I go to my room ? Should I ask him help ? Or there is any way ... Please someone help me.... If I will ask him help then surely he will taunt me a lot .... But without asking his help how will I manage ??