Sitting on the bus, I just couldn''t contain myself. Again and again, I found myself scrolling through his pictures on WhatsApp and Phone gallery, his face etched in my memory after seeing them. Halfway through the journey, the bus came to a sudden halt with a sharp brake. In that jolt, my trembling hand accidentally hit the video call option on our chat.


    As soon as I saw "Ringing" appear on the screen, I felt like I was about to have a heart attack. Panicking, I quickly disconnected the call and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. But just as I exhaled, my phone lit up with his voice call.


    I answered softly, almost whispering, "Hello....?"


    From the other end came his voice-the voice that held a magic sweeter than honey, softer than clouds, and intoxicating like the first sip of tea. "Where have you reached....?" he asked.


    For a brief moment, I wanted to blurt out, I want to reach your heart-just show me the way. But I composed myself and replied, "The bus is only reached halfway....."


    "Hmm... did you call me earlier?" he inquired.


    "Oh,....that was a mistake. I didn''t mean to!....So... You''ve reached home, right?" I asked, concern lacing my tone.


    "Yes, a while ago..... Right now....I''m just working on tomorrow''s report-the one for the yoga conference," he replied, his voice carrying faint sounds of movement in the background.


    "Oh..., okay!!. You carry on with your work..... I''ll try to get some sleep for a while.... Bye," I said quickly, wanting to end the call before my emotions got the better of me.


    But before I could hang up, he said in that gentle tone of his, "Why are you cutting the call? ....Anyway You don''t sleep on buses .....so.... In the meantime We can talk to each other while I work .....!!"


    Hearing those words, an uncontrollable smile spread across my face-a smile so big, so genuine, that no effort could hide it....Even after covering my mouth with my little palms.


    I didn''t even realize how much we were talking or what we were even talking about. The entire journey had turned into a flowing river of conversations with him. His words were like waves, pulling me in deeper and deeper. I talked to him so much that my phone''s battery eventually drained. I had glanced at the screen before it shut off-there were still two hours left in my journey, and I had already spent two hours on the call.


    Placing my hand over my heart, I finally ended the call. His last words before the line went dead were, "Call me as soon as you reach home!!." Those words kept replaying in my mind, and I couldn''t help but blush.


    Earlier, I used to wonder how people could talk on the phone for four or five hours straight. I''d often think, Where do they even find so much to say....From where they find such infinite topics....? But now I understood. It wasn''t the endless topics-it was the magic of them. That voice, that presence, made even the most mundane words feel magical, making it impossible to end the call. Even the silliest, most pointless conversations felt essential, as though every word they said to each other carried weight.


    Then, a curious thought crossed my mind. But wait,.... he''s God, isn''t he? Wouldn''t he already know when I get home? So why did he ask me to call him? The thought brought an uncontrollable smile to my face.


    I sat by the window, looking at the trees, the passing fields, and even the animals outside. Yet somehow, no matter where my gaze landed, all I could see was him. His presence seemed to surround me, linger in the air I breathed. I didn''t even know why, but I couldn''t stop smiling. It was as if my heart had learned a new rhythm-one that beat only for him.


    When I reached home, an overwhelming happiness filled my heart as I saw my family after so long. Everyone was asking about me, how I had been, and even about Keshav. I hadn''t told them yet that we were living together under the same roof. I couldn''t even imagine what chaos that revelation might cause.


    My cousins had also come over, and I found myself immersed in endless conversations with them. Amidst all this, I pretended to charge my phone but secretly messaged Krishna to let him know I had reached home safely. For a moment, I considered removing the heart emoji next to his name in case someone checked my phone. But then I reminded myself that my family trusted me completely....That it''s impossible for an girl like me to have a boyfriend.... Who would even suspect anything hehe,.......?


    Talking to Krishna was difficult during the day because I had to spend most of my time with relatives. The only time I got to connect with him was briefly in the morning or at night. Since fewer cousins had come this time, so I had a room to myself. My mornings often began with his messages or calls, and my nights ended with the lullaby of his voice.


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    There were times when I would doze off and yawn during the day, and my mom would teasingly ask, "What do you do at night that you''re always so tired?" I couldn''t say anything in response, but inside, I was laughing, my lips struggling to suppress a shy smile.


    I kept rereading our chats countless times throughout the day, holding onto those words as if they were treasures. I missed him terribly, but every night when I heard his voice over the call, I found myself wishing I could pull him out of the phone and wrap him in my arms.


    I felt as though I was losing my mind. I would smile at random moments, just thinking about him. Every notification sound from my phone would send my heart racing, hoping it was a message from him. Often, I would put on my earphones and listen to "Abhi Kuch Dino Se...." by Mohit Chauhan, blushing with every word. The song perfectly mirrored my emotions.


    It was undeniable now-I was deeply, helplessly in love. I didn''t know what had come over me, but I had surrendered completely to this sweet madness.


    The most unexpected surprise came on Holi. That morning, I was stirred awake by the sound of someone whispering in my ear. As I slowly opened my eyes, there he was-Krishna-sitting right by my bed with his face inches from mine. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming. After all, we had spoken on the phone just last night, and I had often dreamed of him showing up like this. Half-asleep, still lying down with my eyes barely open, I mumbled, "Is this a dream or reality? I must be losing my mind..... I see you everywhere!"


    He smiled softly, brushing his hand gently through my hair, and said, "You can think of it as a dream."


    "You''re so adorable, even in my dreams!" I replied, lazily tugging at his cheeks while lying there. I was convinced this wasn''t real-just another one of my vivid fantasies.


    "I''ve come to put the first color of Holi on you!" he declared, holding out a fistful of pink-colored powder in front of me.


    Instantly, I let go my hand from his cheek, snatched the color from his hand, and smeared it all over his face. "Look who won now! I put the first color on you!" I teased with triumph in my voice.


    "And what''s my punishment for losing you, ma''am?" he asked playfully, holding the very hand I had just used to color his face.


    "Punishment!!!?" I raised an eyebrow mischievously. "This!..." I quickly sat up, grabbed his face with both hands, and pulled him closer, rubbing my cheek against his cheeks to smear the color. "This is how! Your punishment is served!" I announced with mock satisfaction.


    He gently pushed me back down onto the bed, leaning closer without saying a word. His lips brushed my forehead in the softest of kisses before he whispered in my ear, "For this type of punishments I am always ready to loose...!!"


    And at that moment, it felt as though a jolt of electricity ran through my entire body. A wave of emotion swept over me, leaving me breathless. Suddenly, I sat upright, convinced myself that it was all just a dream because I could see my whole room empty ..... I felt so giddy with happiness, thinking how perfect this sweet little fantasy was to start my day.


    But when I went downstairs, my family stared at me with curious expressions. They questioned why I had already played Holi so early in the morning and, more importantly, with whom. Confused, I touched my cheek-and there it was, the same pink color from my "dream."


    Flashes of what I thought was a dream came rushing back. I didn''t know whether to blush or feel embarrassed. Later, when I confronted Krishna about it, he played innocent, claiming he had done nothing at all. To make things worse, he teased me mercilessly, saying, "So, other than your boyfriend, who else were you playing Holi with....?"


    That mischievous grin of his drove me mad. But deep inside, I couldn''t stop smiling, knowing that the line between dreams and reality had blurred in the most magical way that morning.


    The week of Holi had been unfolding in ways I couldn''t have imagined. Our conversations on the phone had deepened, filled with laughter and moments of unspoken emotions. By then, I was longing to meet him again. When I was returning to the city, he called in the half way and told me not to go straight to my room. Instead, he gave me the address of a place that sounded like a hotel and asked me to meet him there.


    Carrying my bag, I made my way to the location he had mentioned. But when I arrived, he wasn''t there. I tried calling him, but he wasn''t picking up, which only heightened my frustration and anticipation. I placed my bag on a chair, pacing back and forth, my phone was in my hand, trying to reach him by calling. After what felt like forever, he finally answered the call. His voice on the other end carried that familiar mischief as he said, "Turn around....!!!"


    I spun around and saw him standing there, one hand holding his phone and the other waving at me with a playful grin. My heart skipped a beat....Seeing him coming closer to me, it felt like he was movie hero and it''s his entry scene.....But as I took a closer look, I was startled-he looked different..... His face had changed little bit..... There was a faint mustache above his lips and a light stubble on his cheeks.


    I hurried over to him, my surprise evident. Sitting down on the chair next to my bag, I asked, "What happened to you?.... Why do you look so different....From earlier?"


    He ran his hand across his face with a sly smile and asked, "Why? Don''t I look good like this?"


    "You do, but I never imagined you looking like this. It''s just... surprising," I replied, studying his face and smiling despite myself.


    "Do you want to touch it....To know better.....?" he teased, leaning closer toward me.


    "No, no!" I quickly leaned back, glancing around. The people around us were enough to make me shy, and his playful words were turning my cheeks red.Stolen novel; please report.


    When I asked why he had called me here so suddenly, he explained that the hotel belonged to one of his devotees. He had been thinking to visit for some time and thought it would be the perfect place to give me a surprise.


    Curious, I asked, "What surprise?"


    He paused, a mischievous smile spreading across his face before he said, "I came here on this time era not only to meet you,... but also for another task."


    "What task?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.


    "To be a postman!!," he said, grinning.


    I blinked, confused. "Postman? What do you mean?"


    "I''ve been working on something in secret...In my room...You might have noticed it.... sometime in my bag there were some papers ...," he began, his tone turning serious yet laced with excitement. "I''ve been compiling a list of 108 people.... Their Thakur has sent them gifts, offerings meant just for them. And now, I have to deliver those gifts-with you."


    "What?... But you''re Thakur yourself. What are you saying? And how am I supposed to leave everything-my job, my responsibilities-to do this?" I asked, overwhelmed by his words.


    "Even though there is only one Thakur, everyone''s connection to Him is unique....Those connections are infinite directly proportional to Infinite Thakurs. Example...You''re here in this place, but you''ve never been to Japan. Does that mean Japan doesn''t exist? In the same way, you may not know another dimension of Thakur, but that doesn''t mean it doesn''t exist," he explained, his words mysterious yet strangely compelling.


    I shook my head, still lost. "I don''t understand any of this," I admitted, making a face.


    "You don''t need to understand everything right now," he said, leaning back in his chair. "All you need to know is that you''re coming with me to deliver these 108 gifts."


    "But what about my job?" I asked anxiously.


    He didn''t answer right away. Instead, he held up his fingers and began counting, "One... two... three..."


    As soon as he said three, my phone buzzed. It was a call from my office. To my utter surprise, I learned that I''d been transferred to a fieldwork position, which meant I would now be traveling to different locations as part of my job.


    "How did you do that?" I asked him, half-laughing, half-stunned.


    "Don''t forget, you''re in the dimension of K.N.K. here !! ," he said with a wink. "In this dimension, little miracles like this are nothing out of the ordinary..... So, are you ready to become my postwoman ?"


    His words left me both thrilled and bewildered, but as I looked into his eyes, I knew there was no turning back. Whatever lay ahead, I was ready to dive into this journey with him.


    As he laughed openly, his joyous laughter filling the air, I couldn''t help but smile back at him. My heart was pounding like a drum, its rhythm almost deafening in the silence between us. Everything felt surreal, like a dream I didn''t want to wake from. Within a week, we had set out on our journey toward the first destination.


    Back home, my family believed and was assured that I was traveling for work as part of a company assignment, which eased their concerns. The list of 108 people spanned across the farthest corners of India. I didn''t remember all the names, but a few had etched themselves into my memory: Pihu, Akshu, Uma, Shree, Disha, Divya, Nimisha, Sonal, Pari, Saumya, Mahak, Haripriya, Muskan, Gauri, Vandita, Kritika , Sathvika, Priya, Sneha, Priya, Anshika, Krishnamayi, Geetashri... and of course, Chiku.......And many more.... Oh, how could I forget Chiku? When Krishna first mentioned her name, I felt a surge of happiness. Imagining Meeting her for the first time-and that too with Krishna by my side-felt nothing short of miraculous.


    Our journey began, crisscrossing through the vibrant parts of India. As we traveled from one devotee to another, Krishna kept teasing me, his playful tone lighting up even the dullest of moments. He joked about his newfound role as an "international postman." Apparently, he had been offered a larger contract but had deliberately chosen only a one-year instead because, as he claimed, working with his co-partner was too much of a hassle! His words were laced with that trademark mischief, and his laughter often echoed through our conversations.


    With every stop, we continued our journey, his laughter weaving through the air as we met each devotee. Each one was unique, and yet, their love for him was boundless and pure. Krishna, with that ever-charming smile of his, carried gifts for every single one of them-a pair of anklets for one, bangles for another, a letter, a sari, a sacred idol for some. Each present felt as though it was handpicked with divine care, and message.... an extension of Divine love.


    We presented these offerings to each devotee as prasad a token of his boundless love. Their eyes lit up with devotion as they received their thakur''s gifts, their hands trembling slightly as if they were touching something sacred.


    Krishna, meanwhile, was speaking to them in ways that baffled me. His words often sounded like riddles, as though they held meanings that only the devotees could decipher. I couldn''t understand a single line of it, but their expressions told me everything. Faces softened with gratitude, eyes glimmered with a mix of joy and reverence, and a light seemed to radiate from within them. It was clear that Krishna''s words were not just conversations-they were answers to long-held questions, unspoken prayers whispered in the stillness of their hearts.


    As we continued our journey, I marveled at the magic unfolding before me. Every village, every home was a new adventure, filled with stories and lives touched by Krishna''s presence. The roads were dusty, the paths winding, and yet, it felt as though we were walking in a divine rhythm, a journey that was both earthly and celestial. At times, Krishna would stop to point out something-a bird singing on a high branch, a flower blooming by the roadside-and I would find myself lost in his world, wondering how even the simplest things seemed to come alive in his company.


    As the days passed, I noticed something remarkable. Krishna wasn''t just giving gifts-he was transforming lives. Those who received his blessings seemed lighter, freer, as though he had lifted an invisible weight from their souls. And their devotion only deepened, their smiles growing brighter with every word he spoke.


    I couldn''t help but notice the twinkle in Krishna''s eyes as he watched them. It was a look of pure, unconditional love, as though he carried each of their burdens in his heart. And though he teased me endlessly, pulling me into his playful antics, there were moments when he would glance at me, his gaze soft and knowing, as if to remind me that I, too, was part of this divine adventure.


    And as we moved forward, I found myself wondering-what gift would Krishna give me? What message did he have for my heart? The answer, I felt, lay not in words or presents but in the very journey itself-a journey of discovering him, his world, and, perhaps, a part of myself.


    Every place we visited became a new chapter in my life. With Krishna by my side, holding my hand as we walked through unknown cities and unfamiliar streets, I felt an inexplicable sense of belonging. Nights were the sweetest; falling asleep while holding onto him, feeling his presence even in the quiet, became a comfort I couldn''t live without. His shadow had become an inseparable part of my existence.


    But as the days passed, my heart began to grow heavier. Each tick of the clock brought us closer to the inevitable. The next Sharad Purnima-the day he had to leave-was now just a month away. How I wished I could stop time! Or better yet, stop him. A part of me clung to the desperate hope that if I confessed my feelings to him the day before he was supposed to leave, maybe-just maybe-he would choose to stay!!.


    With this fear and longing tangled inside me, I tried my best to stay in the present, to live each moment with him to the fullest. Even as my heart trembled with the dread of losing him, I held on to the fleeting happiness his presence brought. Every step of our journey, every smile we exchanged, every moment spent in his company-it was a treasure I was determined to carry with me for eternity.


    Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about Chiku! When we went to meet her, I found myself utterly confused about how to introduce Krishna to her. Should I call him a friend? But then, she might ask why I had never mentioned such a close friend with whom I traveled so much. Should I call him my boyfriend? Then she might wonder why I had kept something so important hidden from her for so long. And if I told her he was Krishna, the Dwarkadhish himself, she''d probably look at me like I''d lost my mind...Or her Dwarikadhish surprise date for her might ruined.... That krishna mentioned to me earlier.


    So, I chose the safest option-I introduced him as my colleague. I told her that he was from this area, and since we happened to be nearby, I thought of visiting her with him. It seemed like a believable excuse. I handed her a beautiful kamarband (waist ornament) sent by her Thakur. I told Chiku that I had brought it for her from Dwarka, saying it reminded me of her when I saw it. She looked puzzled for a moment, unsure whether to believe me.


    Just then, Krishna spoke up with his usual enigmatic tone, "Who knows? Maybe there''s a special reason behind giving this to you. May be not now, you''ll understand later on....."


    Both Chiku and I turned to look at him, trying to decipher what he meant, but he had already deflected the conversation. We spent some time talking about Shyam (Krishna) and matters of devotion. At one point, I left to get ice cream for all three of us. When I returned, I overheard part of their conversation. Chiku was asking Krishna when her Thakur would call her to meet him.


    Krishna replied, "When a devotee calls, it becomes a necessity for him to come....."


    Hearing just that one sentence made my heart race uncontrollably. It felt as though my ears had stopped working, my mind drowning in its own chaotic thoughts. Was Krishna with me out of obligation... Necessity? Was it because I wanted him to be with me? Did I selfishly expect him to stay with me, love me, and be mine?...Am I just selfish ???


    Was everything he''d done so far just a duty he was bound to fulfill? Did all those sweet words, those moments of love, mean nothing? Was I never his choice ??? Had this all been an act-a role he was playing as my perfect boyfriend?


    Questions began swirling in my mind, endless and overwhelming. Somehow, I managed to compose myself and joined them, pretending everything was normal. I spoke and behaved as though nothing had changed. We eventually said goodbye to Chiku and returned to the hotel provided by my company.


    Krishna acted no differently toward me. He was just as loving, just as playful. But inside, I couldn''t stop replaying his words. Every time he came close or said something affectionate, I couldn''t help but wonder-was this real? Or was it just part of his obligation, something he had no choice but to do?


    In a week, my fieldwork contract ended, and we returned to the city together. But something had shifted in me. I began to distance myself from Krishna, though my heart ached with every step I took away from him.


    At night time, lying beside him, I would have terrifying dreams where he was leaving me. In those moments, I would wake up in a panic and cling tightly to him, as if holding him could stop time, stop fate. I kept questioning myself-was I being selfish? Was I expecting too much?...Will he leave me soon....???


    But Krishna''s behavior never changed. He was the same as always-kind, gentle, and loving. But inside, I was breaking. The fear of losing him and the doubt that perhaps he was only staying with me out of duty consumed me. I wanted to believe in his love, but my heart was too scared to accept it fully....And I was too scared to confront him directly.... Because only 1 month was left for me to be with him


    I was barely holding myself together to make my situation worst... I got a call from home. My parents told me they had started looking for a match for me. They had even found someone they liked-a boy working as the branch head of a big company. They wanted me to meet him and see if I approved. They had already shared my number with him, and he would contact me soon. They said I should at least meet him once.


    Not long after the call, I received a message from an unknown number. It was a simple "Hi" followed by the address of a café where I was supposed to meet him in two days. My head felt like it was about to burst. Was all this happening because Krishna''s one-year contract was nearing its end? .... I couldn''t make sense of anything anymore.


    My over thinking was making me go crazy So, I shared the news with Krishna, hoping for some comfort. But his response left me stunned.


    With a playful smile, he said, "Oh wow! congratulations!! ....That''s such wonderful news!"


    His casual reaction pierced through me. "You''re okay with this?.... You really don''t mind? ...Aren''t you supposed to be my boyfriend?" The words spilled out of me, raw and unfiltered, straight from my aching heart.


    Still smiling, he replied, "I was your boyfriend. Now I''ll get to be your ex-boyfriend. Isn''t that great? Another role to play, something new to learn!" He tugged at my nose gently, as if all this was just a joke to him.


    Anger and hurt bubbled up inside me. "Who in their right mind would be happy about becoming someone''s ex?....Are you talking this insane because of sudden shock ??" I said, brushing his hand away and turning my face from him.


    He leaned closer, undeterred by my frustration. "Oh, come on. Wasn''t I a great boyfriend to you? Let me be a great ex too..... And hey,.... I''m so curious to meet your future husband. But,....You know what " he added, pinching my cheek in that infuriatingly playful way, "I''ll definitely miss my babybaka."


    I couldn''t take it anymore. "Stop acting like you''re so excited about this!...This is not something about to get curious.....!!" I snapped, moving away from him. Without another word, I went to the bathroom, locking the door behind me as tears streamed down my face.


    I cried silently, my heart breaking in ways I couldn''t explain. A part of me wanted to beg him to stay, to tell him not to let me go. But I was terrified that if I asked him to stay, it would be out of obligation, not love. I couldn''t bear the thought of forcing him to stay with me. Hadn''t I already caused him enough trouble by pulling him into my world?


    I pressed my hands against the cold sink, trying to calm my racing heart. The weight of unspoken emotions was suffocating me. How could he act so indifferent when my world was falling apart? .....How could he smile when I was breaking inside?Do he really want me to get marry to someone else?.... these doubtfull like questions start echoing in my mind.


    To be continued...........


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    These type of questions put a lover into existential crises .... That does he/she is burden to their lover ?!..... The doubt they could not express in words ..... But it comes out through their actions ....So it''s better to assure your loved ones that they are not their option ....They are their choice....It''s not that bad thing to express your inner love sometime through words too!!.


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    Sayoonaraaaaa??