I had to figure out a plan. I couldn't just leave him there, but I couldn't take him home either. What would I do. To top it all off, AJ had still not picked up my phone. I went to his house and was very clearly informed by the guards that they had gone for a vacation. He never went anywhere without telling me and now he's on vacation? Let him come back.

So, I sat outside the hospital, dozing off. My sister, Saudamini Or Mini had called. I had to tell her that AJ bhaiya was upto some mischief and I'd be late. Dada and Dadi had slept, so I could just sneak in.

Apparently, sleep makes you see things, because as I was peacefully dreaming about sitting in a lab with my safety goggles, I could spot through the corner of my eye, someone who wore yellow dhotis.

" Ugh great. One ancient wasn't enough that I have another in my dreams.... "

" But the one you're talking to now does understand english and hindi Kumari. " He said smirking.

" Oh yes of course. I'm a kumari. Now you'll say you're Kanha. Go ahead. Say it. " Exasperation was evident on my face and if you can't see it, then you're blind.

" I'm Kanha. " He said innocently.

" Sure.. Wait you're serious. You -OH MY GOD! "

" While I have many names, I'd like it if we stick to Kanha Sakhi. 'God' is a very general term. "

" No! No. You can't just say that. Alright. Here goes. Pranam Shree Krishn. I am Sagarika. " I said, bowing my head in reverence. After all, if I need answers, I need to respect him. He is Narayan. So many Geeta Shloks and I was still struck by his beauty. Our words don't do him justice. He's what you want him to be. Pitambar Dhoti, the morpankh on his head of curly black hair, shyam face with big, beautiful lotus eyes, intoxicating eyes. The golden baansuri on his waist with which he could woo the entire world. He was exactly that. Beautiful. His smile was like the warmth of a thousand suns, making me feel at home.

" Sakhi. I just said. We're friends. You need not bow down to me. " He said, raising me up.

" Hmm. Alright. I have questions. You're my friend. I need answers. Where is my friend AJ? " I said, huffing. I know he's narayan. But I had enough with everyone just creating ruckus in my life today.

" Ahh. I can't tell you that. Not yet. Ask me anything else. " He answered, cryptic.

" You can't tell me where my friend is? I am worried. I gave an exam yesterday, this is what I face? Fine. Fine. Alright. Next question. Is he really Yudhishthir. From the earlier times? The one from mahabharat? The war he won? "

"Yes."

" Wha -what. Bu-but how? Einstein's theory has sort of disapproved time travel. It's not physically possible. "

" Oh yes. It's not 'physically' possible. But it is magically possible isn't it? "

" Oh no. Oh no no no no. You mean. He's Yudhishthir. The one from mahabharat. Hey narayan. Help? "

" I'm right here, how can I help? " he said cheekily.

" But why me. Why my house. Why does my friend look exactly like him? "

" You'll realise this when the time comes. As of now, I bless him, he will be able to speak your tongue. Hindi and English. Don't worry. " He said, disappearing in a cloud of blue smoke. Talk about dramatic exits, one which I aimed to have, atleast in my dreams.

" But atleast tell me what I should do! Krishn! Kanha!
Batao? " I screamed, when I was jolted awake. My head had hit the vending machine.

The doctor I met earlier approached me and said, " You may take your friend home. He'll be fine. "

I walked in and I sensed relief on his face when he saw me.

"Devi Sagarika. Where am I? Who are these people? "

" Yuvraj. Wait no. You're not the Yuvraj yet. But are you? Anyway. Uh yes. These people are our vaidy. I will explain more on the way home. " I told him, helping him up. Yep. The height was obvious. He was tall.

As we walked out the road, I checked the hospital clock. 1 AM. I really need to be home by 4 . Dada wakes up for his puja.

As we walked, he finally asked,
" What era am I in ? Assuming that we are still in Aryavart, what time period is this? All of it looks different, but many scholars have discussed so much about these in my times. "

" Ok. So we are in 2024. This is New Delhi. We are in Delhi, India. India, is what you considered the major part of aryavart and bharatrashtr. "
His curious eyes followed the cars on the roads, the lights, the speed and the oh so annoying sounds of the engines and horns.

" Hmm. Who were those in that place? " He asked, now more deeply invested.

" That is a hospital. Those people were doctors. They are our vaidy. The place they all work in is a hospital. "

" But I couldn't spot any aushadhi there. " He said perplexed.

" They do use aushadhi, but it's not the one you know about. It's different. It's made by using rasayan shastr. It confuses me how easily you have accepted me and are walking me. I was under the impression I would be attacked. "

" Devi. I have no idea of this world. If I had to attack you, it would be my folly. I can't do anything unless I asses the situation. It would do me no favour. Where are we going by the way? "

" We are going to my house. I live with my sister Saudamaini, dada and dadi. "

" You don't live with your parents? "

" No. They died two years back. "

But what he did next shocked me. He sat on the ground, eyes closed.

" What are you doing? " I asked, confused. I can't deal with this at 1:30 in the morning.

" I am praying for their peace. May they have reached swarg. "

I was touched and surprised. Surely he had to be joking. Then I realised. This was Yudhishthir. He didn't lie.

" Thank you so much. Let's first head home. If my sister asks you to do anything, let me handle it. Ok? "

" Alright... "

" So tell me, how'd you manage to land into this time? "

" I was opening a gift from my brother Krishn. He is about sixteen right now. He killed his mamashree Kans recently. He sent me this box. The next thing I knew I was lying on that bed in that hopsital."

" Krishn! Anyways. It's Hos-pital. Ok? "

" Ok. But why do you call him out in anger? Do you know him? Is he still alive? "

" If I had the powers he would be dead. " I mumbled.

" What? I didn't hear. "

" No. He's not alive. Wait. I don't know. Ugh. I'll try to explain later. Come we've reached home."

As I snuck in the doors of the house, I was ambushed by my eleven year old sister.

" I thought you said you were with AJ. What happened? "

" I was. He's here. AJ's tired Mini. We'll sleep in the room. You also sleep. Kal school hai. "

" Hmm. Good night. I'll see him after school then. " She said, walking away. One of the rare times she listened to me.

" Yudhishthir? Yuvraj? Rajkumaar? Hellooo? " I asked, turning around to see him staring at a picture. It was recent. Me and AJ on Diwali last year. It was fun.

" Who's he? Why do I look like him?" He asked, now wary. He looked clear now. Not scared but ready to fight.

" Alright. Calm down. That is my friend. AJ. Ajatshatru. You don't look like him, he looks like you. Which means the same thing if you think about it but -" He stopped my rambling by pushing me against the wall.

" Who are you. Why does your friend look like me? " He asked, now a dangerous glint in his eyes.

" Leave my hand Yudhishthir. I told you. I am Sagarika. That is Ajatshatru. AJ. My friend. I don't know why you are here. Why Krishn gave you that box or why I was the one who came across you. But remember. I am not going to be scared. I'll answer your questions, but first sleep. I am tired. I gave an exam in the morning, I have to wake up in the morning early yet again to study. So if you can please, please have some patience to do so. You can sleep on the bed. " I told him, glaring right back. He can't push me around just because he's stronger. Well he can. But that's not the point.

We came to a truce. He was vehemently against me sleeping on the ground. I couldn't let a prince sleep on the ground.

What's the best logical way to resolve the fight? Find two beds. Or two mattresses.

I could say I was mature and agreed. But I was tired. I was in no mood to look for the second mattress.

I would be lying. We both slept on the floor.

I hoped I was dreaming. I hoped. One can hope right? Kanha ji can't be seen by a normal human, atleast in this age. Right?
Right?

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

That's a wrap on chapter one. I'm still figuring out how she'll react when she knows all this was not a dream. I mean. One should wake up and be shocked eh? Krishn ji will make another appearance, this time to make her realise the truth.... She's doomed.

Please share your opinions on the chapter through votes and comments.
Much love
Radhekrishn ❤