“I am sorry, but I don’t understand.” He pulled her closer, and she landed in his lap. Her breath hastened, her heart thumped like a wild hammer. Her body felt tingles all over. “I … mean … this.” She tried to speak in between her gasps for breath.

“In that case, you too are not good for my health.” He placed her palm on his chest and his heart thumped like hers. “But I need not worry about my health, as long as you are with me.” He whispered in her ear and her breath stopped. She dived again into his ocean-like deep eyes.

The rumble of the thunder made her jump. She shook her head vigorously and started walking away from him. {What was happening between us? Why does he do this to me? Am I committing a sin?}

“Radha!” he grabbed her arm again. She tried to jerk his hand away, but he had a tight grip on her.

“Leave me.” She hissed.

“I did not hold you, to leave you.” He said with determination.

“What is your problem?”

“I should ask that. Why are you running away from me?”

“What we are doing, is wrong.”

“In what way?”

“Why don’t you understand? I cannot be with you like this.”

“Why not?”

“My parents are planning to get me married.”

“But you are already married. I am your husband.”

“What?” She almost screamed.

“I am your husband.”

“And when did that happen? We had met only twice before this. What is the relation between us? Why are you torturing me like this?” She broke down into tears.

“We must have met only thrice. But our relation started before anyone could ever imagine about it. I love you Radha! You love me too. I know it. It is not me, but you who is torturing yourself, by refusing to accept your feelings regarding me. Just trust me. I love you.” Each word was filled with such an emotion that it pierced her soul.

“I trust you.” She said looking into his eyes. He smiled. But his smile vanished, the moment he heard her continue. “And that is why it is better you stay away from me.”

“What are you saying?”

“I trust you, more than myself. I know that you will make my life a bliss. I know that you are my salvation. But still, stay away.” She got up.

“Please Radha!” He pleaded.

She cupped his face in her hands. “When you can make my life a heaven; you can also leave me broken …” Her heart ached at the mere thought of him leaving her. She shuddered.

“But why will I leave you?”

“Because we are not meant to be together.”

“And who decides that?”

“My fate.” A loud thunder boomed, which almost shook the ground under their feet. It started pouring heavily. They were completely drenched, but no one broke the eye contact.

He slowly approached her. Cupping her face in his palms, he whispered. “I will fight the fate and make you mine.”

She let out a chuckle. “You need not fight with the fate for that. I am already yours. I will always belong to you. But you don’t belong to me.”

Her words pierced his heart. Water dropped from his cheeks. But it was tough to tell whether they were tears or rain drops. He hugged her tight.

“Please Radhe! Give me one chance to prove my love towards you. I really love you.”

“Please! Krishna don’t plead me. You need not prove anything to me. I know that you love me.” She broke the hug and ran away. After making sure that she was safely home, he sighed and headed to his home.