I was standing in the kitchen, putting rice in the pressure cooker to make khichdi because that was the quickest and easiest thing to prepare as this fast. While the khichdi was cooking, I was confused about whether or not to add extra chilies. I didn''t know how he preferred his food. Then I thought, He''s probably a spiritual person, so he must eat satvik food, and then I deliberately put less salt in it.


    As I was closing the cooker lid, my thoughts drifted to his clothes. Where am I supposed to arrange clothes for him so quickly? Ordering online wouldn''t work because it wouldn''t arrive on time. Then I remembered-just recently, I had bought an oversized shirt in the name of fashion. Though it looked huge on me.... (considering I barely reached Krishna''s shoulders), I wondered if it might still be too tight for him. I had only worn it once or twice or thrice before going home because if I had taken it home, my family would have mocked me endlessly, saying, "What kind of sack [jholaa] have you brought now?"


    Still, the idea of giving him something I had worn felt odd .... he is quite superior and Divine then me.... I was lost in these thoughts when someone knocked on the door. I left the cooker on the stove and hurried to check. I purposely opened the door halfway because I didn''t want any more trouble barging into my life at this moment.


    At the door, It was Sandy aka Sunanada, the landlord''s daughter. I greeted her reluctantly. She clearly wanted to come inside, but I somehow dodged the situation, telling her the house was a mess after being locked up for so long. I added that I hadn''t showered and promised to meet her in the evening.


    But eventually, she came to the point after I indirectly refused her to let in. Her question caught me completely off guard.


    "Wasn''t there a guy with you today? Where is he?" Sandy asked, leaning in, curiosity shining in her eyes.


    "Which... guy?" I stammered awkwardly.


    "Ohhhh, don''t lie! I saw him with you earlier when you two were entering! and just some moment ago I even saw him standing on the balcony just now-that''s why I came over!" she said, narrowing her eyes as though interrogating me.


    Sandy tilted her head, peeking inside the flat. "By the way, your ''friend'' looks oddly familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before?"


    I froze for a moment and then asked nervously, "Seen him before? Where?"


    She smirked. "I don''t remember exactly... maybe in some news article?"


    "News article?" My heart skipped a beat. Forcing a laugh, I replied, "Oh, come on! What would he have to do with the news? He''s just a small-town guy, new to the city."


    "Maybe," she said, glancing suspiciously toward the living room. "But be careful. These days, people can''t be trusted so easily."


    My heart started pounding harder. How was I supposed to handle this sudden wave of trouble? And Krishna! Why on earth had he gone out to the balcony? He should''ve been in the bathroom by now. Still, hiding my panic, I replied, "Oh, him! He''s just a relative from my hometown. He''s new here and hasn''t found a place to stay yet, so he''s living here for a few days."


    "He''s not your boyfriend, ..... then?" Sandy asked, her face lighting up.


    "Boy.....friend? .......No...., no!" I stammered again.


    "Good!" she exclaimed, suddenly with a cheerful smile. "You know, we''ve got space in our flat. The room opposite mine just became vacant a few days ago. Should I talk to someone about it for him?"


    Hearing her, I felt a mix of irritation and jealousy. ...But what could I say? It wasn''t like I had other options right now instead of listening her boring talk as she was the daughter of my landlord. I forced a smile and replied, "That''s so kind of you, but he just started out here in this new city and doesn''t really want to deal with finding a new flat yet because as you know how hard is to maintain the budget for village people. He''s comfortable here for now, and since we''re old relatives, it works well for both of us."


    Her face fell slightly, but she also masked it with a forced smile. "Oh, that''s nice. I guess you found yourself a flatmate too. And since he''s your old friend, I can also make a new friend, right?"


    "Of course,!!!" I said, glancing toward the bathroom, from where Krishna was stepping out.


    "Well then, I''ll see you around. Let me know if you need anything-oh, and take care of yourself and him!" She leaned in and peeked again before leaving.


    Feigning a glance at the clock, I said, "I should go shower now and get to cooking. I''ll see you later!"


    She tossed her hair and asked, "By the way, where is he? You didn''t answer that question earlier also!"


    "Oh, it''s just a small flat where he would be," I replied quickly. "He''s in the other room-the one I use as a storage area. It''s practically a storeroom, but he''s making done it for himself. you can Meet him in the evening!"


    Smiling faintly, I shut the door and turned around, only to find Krishna standing behind it, pretending to listen in. Startled, I jumped back.


    There he stood, draped in a light blue towel over his shoulder, wearing a white dhoti as bottom wear, water was dripping from his hair. He looked surprisingly good on it, but his expression was one of mock seriousness.


    "So, your plan is to shove me into the storeroom? That''s your grand hospitality? huhhhh" he asked, taking a step closer to me.


    I stepped back along the wall, looking at him innocently. "I could stay in the storeroom instead if you want!"


    "so this is your real plan to let people accuse me of kicking a poor, innocent looking girl ....who is not so innocent...out of her room? No thanks! i dont want to look a villain in your story " he teased, running a hand through his wet hair and laughing.


    I quickly added, "That room''s mostly used for books and pooja. You can take the bed from bedroom-I''ll sleep in the living room on sofa. I''m used to it anyway so i dont have any problem!"


    "Fine, but don''t blame me later!...Like other people who just blame god for their own decisions....!!!" he said, smirking. "By the way, why did you lie to your friend? You could''ve introduced me!"


    "Why were you even on the balcony at that time?" I snapped. "You don''t know much about the people around here!"


    "Jealous, are you huhhhh?" he asked, stepping closer. I leaned back against the wall, trying to steady my breath. How could I admit it to his face? that yesss i am really burnt from inside.


    "Why would I be jealous? Meet whoever you want. I''m just saying she''s not... suitable for you," I replied, staring into his eyes nervously.


    "And you think that you really know who''s right or wrong for me?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair from my face and looking directly into my eyes.


    "no.... i mean.... You should at least wear a shirt.... its not a good thing for a grown upboy to be shirtless like this in front of girl ....like this....," I mumbled, looking away as i want to change this topic of jealousy as fast as i can... and too his body charm was too crazy to resist it was making me feel so nervous around him like this and later I realized what shit I uttered out of nervousness to him .The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "Ohhhh, so it''s fine for you to scroll through random guys on your phone and adoring them via screeen, but I can''t step out like this? and right now logically i am not even shirtless... i think the dirt lies in your mind .....ohhh please .... i do not think I am much safe here" he teased me by throwing the towel over his shoulder and covered his whole upper body through it and stepping back dramatically....trying to hide his upper full body with towel and by folding his hands.


    "I wasn''t saying that! I-" i was trying my best to cover his baseless allegation.


    "stop it... now i get your point! Get me something to wear before you start judging me again with your these! eyes... i just dont have shirt that time thats why i was not wearing it... and here you are creating fake sceneriosssss in your mind" he said by holding the towel tighter and pointing his two fingers to my eyes and start acting dramatically like he is scared from me and my eyes .


    Sighing, I rushed to the cupboard and handed him the oversized white shirt as I want to escape from his overacting as fast as possible because right now I was out of my defending words.


    when I came back with t shirt, He took it cautiously by stretching his half upper body by staying 7 foots step away from me and holding the t shirt with his two fingers ....


    <figure>


    </figure>


    and said dramatically, "please Stay back! I Don''t want you to judging me for this either with your these eyes again !" Then he start wearing the shirt which i gave him , he wore that T shirt by making a fake disgusting type of face by looking at me... omggg how can someone look this much good even by wearing a simple Tshirt i was thinking this while watching him wearing the tshirt


    "ummm.... i think its little bit short for me ... but looks ok," he muttered. "Let me go see how good I look." he said this by giving me teasing look


    And as he walked into the bedroom, I was adoring him from behind thinking -He looks good in anything. But for now, it''s better if he doesn''t know this is my old shirt or he will create a drama for this too ... but wait why was he is putting such a serious and fake alligation on me... its true i was looking at him with my eyes ... but not in a bad way i was just adoring his beautiful and handsome body... how can he say such thing about me... I am such a innocent girl....I am just pure like the oxygen.... I was thinking all this in the meantime cooker start whistling so i ran to the gas stove.


    I had just taken the cooker off the gas when he came out of the room after checking himself on mirror, exclaiming, "It''s almost 3 o''clock, and I''m still starving!"


    "Wait a bit... be patient... let it cool down a little. Then, I''ll open the cooker and serve," I replied, trying to calm him down from the kitchen itself.


    "Ah, well fine...., since I''ve already waited this long, what''s about few more minutes?" he muttered sarcastically, settling down on the sofa. Meanwhile, I started setting the plates and utensils on the table.


    A little while later, I served khichdi into two plates, placed them on the table in front of him, and handed him a spoon.


    "Oh! Just plain khichdi? Where''s the pickle and curd?" he asked by making a face.


    "There''s lemon pickle inside the kitchen; I''ll bring it. But we don''t have curd right now," I explained as I walked back into the kitchen to get the pickle. When I returned, he remarked, "Fine... I''ll manage this time only for you... as you know how much good I am in terms of adjustment."


    Soon after, I began eating by blowing on the hot food as I was so much hungry. But he just sat there, staring at me. I paused for a moment and looked at him, then asked, "What happened? Aren''t you going to eat?"


    "huhhh....You started eating before me!!" he grumbled, sulking as he put his first spoonful into his mouth. Then, almost immediately, he complained, "What is this? Is the Food made for the sick people? There''s no salt, no flavor!"


    "But you prefer simple food, don''t you?" I asked, puzzled.


    "Yes, but not this simple! There''s a difference between plain and tasteless. Never mind, I''ll eat it with pickle," he replied, melodramatically, before adding, "Leave it, you won''t understand the good cooking concept and taste!"


    "Oh, you are so modern!!! I didn''t know that!" I teased.


    "Of course, I''m modern as well traditional too..... After all, I have to keep up with my trendy devotees and lovers, don''t I?" he quipped with a smirk as he continued eating.


    We chatted about random things as we ate. Once we finished, I took the plates to the kitchen to wash them. When I came back, I saw him asleep on the sofa, looking like an innocent child. I stood there, watching him, later on when my mom called to check on me. I didn''t tell her that Krishna was staying with me; I only mentioned that he lived in the same flat complex. It didn''t feel great in lying to her, but I didn''t know what else to do that time.


    After the call, I emptied half of my almirah , rearranging my clothes to one side and leaving the other side empty-for him. Just like the space in my heart I had always reserved for him.


    By the time I finished, it was 5 PM. I went to wake him up, but he was already sitting on the sofa. I told him to get ready so we could buy a few clothes. He then went to take some clothes out of his bag and went to the bathroom. Meanwhile, I got ready in the bedroom.


    When I came out, I saw Krishna dressed in a white T-shirt with an open red button-up shirt over it, black jeans, and sunglasses. I couldn''t help but ask, "What''s this outfit? We''re just going to the nearby market!"


    "Well, I can''t just walk among people looking ordinary, can I? I have to maintain my charm," he replied, striking a pose with a wink.


    "Charm? Wowwwww!!" I teased by grabbing my purse. Then we locked the door and headed out. Walking beside him, I felt a happiness I couldn''t describe. It was like I had been waiting for this moment since forever.Earlier I used to imagine him with me at the market, and now that it was happening in real, it felt surreal like a dream.


    Outside a clothing store, he suddenly stopped and asked, "Get ready with money... are ready to spend for me hahahaaa?" he was laughing by walking inside with me. Nervously, I followed him, hoping he wouldn''t pick anything too expensive. He took his time, nitpicking like a chossy girl-"Not this, the color''s off... this fabric isn''t right...no...this one....that one..."-while I silently held all the clothes he selected like his bodyguard.


    When it was time to pay, he separated the clothes I was holding, choosing only the affordable ones. I smiled to myself, realizing how understanding he was. Maybe I had misjudged him all along, I was feeling guilty that time.


    As we left the shop, it began raining suddenly. I froze by looking at him, but he gave me a playful tap on the head. "Do you Want to get sick...Silly girl??" he scolded before grabbing my hand. We ran towards home, the rain was pouring over us. My heart raced-not because we were running, but because holding his hand felt like the whole universe was in my grasp and with raining nature was like giving me shower of love with love of my life.


    Even We are running so fast that time, but my mind was moving in slow motion. The raindrops soaked us, but it was my heart that felt drenched...That whole time my eyes were only and only looking at him... It feels like whole world just got vanished and he became mine whole life.


    When we reached the flat, he abruptly let go of my hand and started brushing off his wet clothes. Upstairs, he told me to change into dry clothes, as he did the same. When I returned, he was sitting on the sofa in his new outfit, looking so handsome that I went close to him to give him complimen. But before I could, he said, "It''s 7 PM. Go make something for dinner ... I am feeling hungry."


    Slightly annoyed at his impatience, I went to the kitchen, wondering what to cook. I decided to make khichdi again, this time with extra salt. I wasn''t in the mood for roti-sabzi, especially since I found making rotis a hassle.


    With the cooker on the stove for cooking, I sat beside him on the sofa in the meantime. "What do you usually do at this time? And when do you sleep?" he asked.


    I told him about my office routine and how my day went-from leaving at 9 AM to returning by 6 PM and sleeping around midnight. He listened all my daily routine with a smile, then, with a mysterious grin, asked, "Do you have office tomorrow?"


    "No, tomorrow''s Sunday .... so it is off," I replied.


    "Good.!!!! I have a surprise for you tomorrow," he said, smirking with a wink. Before I could ask what it was, the cooker''s whistle interrupted us, and I went to the kitchen.


    A little later, I served dinner, and this time, he ate without any complaints. When I asked about the surprise again, he said I''d find out tomorrow.


    Later, Despite my protests, he put his plate by himself to the kitchen sink, wished me goodnight, and went to his room, claiming he was exhausted.


    I wondered why he was sleeping so early-at 9 PM-even after napping during the day. But I didn''t ask as I don''t want to hear much taunts from his side. I lay on the sofa, scrolling through my phone suddenly after a while my friend Chikuu messaged, sending pictures of her decorated Dwarkadhish idol...Which she decorated by herself.


    Lost in conversation, I didn''t realize it was 11 PM. I hadn''t yet told Chiku about Krishna. Every time I planned to, but I forgot. Later, Putting on my earphones, I played Mine love Mine all mine (by Mitski) song on repeat by thinking about him. Somewhere in the music, sleep enveloped me, though my mind lingered on one thought-what surprise awaited me tomorrow?


    ◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆●◆


    Let''s see what surprise krishna planned for her ??


    And how will she make krishna satisfy with her efforts ??


    How will she confessed her love??


    And how will.........!!