My morning always began with my Dada's prayers to mahadev, banging noises from the kitchen when dadi's cooking and Mini's constant tendency to lose stuff. Today she seemed to have misplaced her english copy and was running around the house.

Also, Yudhishthir, since apparently yesterday was not a dream and he was really here, had been scouring my table like a mad man. He had been going through the books.

"What are you doing? " I whispered, voice hoarse from sleep. I don't like it either man. It's annoying.

" I'm trying to find a way out of this place. "

" Why? Where would you go? "

" I don't know. But I can't stay here when you won't give me answers. "

" Whoah. Buddy. Look. I mean. Yudhishthir. Can I call you that? "

" Yes. "

" Alright. Look Yudhishthir. I promised you last night. I will tell you. Whatever you want to know. But you have to be patient. My sister leaves for school in 5 minutes. My dadi and dadu will both go for their walks in 10. I will explain everything. Please. " I pleaded. The man stared into my eyes, as if assessing the truth in my words. He doesn't need to worry. I'll probably be dead if I lied to him.

" Fine. 10 minutes. I'm sitting here. "

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As I walked into the room after 10 minutes, I was ready to face the fire.

" Alright. Start. " I said, sitting on the bed, offering him a place.

" I won't sit. It's not proper to sit next to you. "

I sighed, nodding at him to continue.

" If your friend, AJ looks like me, why haven't you sent him a letter .  He should know. "

" I did call him. He wasn't picking up. "

" Picking up? What? Picking up what? " He was confused.

" Never mind. I mean. I did try to talk to him, but he is not replying to my letters. I will go to his house today. If you want to come along you may. "

" Fine. You said you didn't know if Krishn was alive. What does that mean? "

" I can't tell you the past. That is against the rules of time travel. I think? "

" But you can tell me why you think he is alive can't you? "

" Well yes. We worship him. He's our dev. Like Narayan. So. He isn't actually dead. "

" I understand. Fine. If you worship him, don't you have temples dedicated to him? "

"We do. It's what we are doing today. If all of this is true, I'm going to him. He needs to solve my queries. " I told him.

" Alright. We shall do as you say Devi. "

"Also, you can stop calling me Devi. Sagarika is fine. "

"But that would be
disrespectful. " He said, as if I had dropped a bomb on him..

" Slammimg me against the wall without listening to me wasn't disrespectful? " I muttered sarcastically.

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As we were leaving, it occured to me that we couldn't leave the house with the amount of jewelry he was wearing. Clothes were fine. Better in fact since we were going to the mandir.. But that much gold? He's like a walking thief magnet.

" You need to take of all of your jewelry. "

" Why so? I would take it off, but why? "

" You'll be a walking thief magnet otherwise, that's why. This is all real gold isn't it? "

" What else would it be? We aren't allowed silver so -"

" Yes alright. Just take it all off and move. I have to come back and study too. "

When he did take off his jewelry, it reminded me of why he should have been wearing it. He looked naked without them. It was weird, especially since people would assume too many things.

" Shall we? "
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The moment we stepped on the road, I'd realised I had to be the more observant one, or teach him about everything.

" Alright. Crossing the roads. Look both sides see where the car is coming from and cross when you have the opportunity. Of there is a red light, we move when the light is red. Understand? "

" Ok. " He said, listening carefully. It was cute. He looked excited about the world. Wait what?

However. I was proved wrong. I would not have been living to tell you this right now had he not saved me just in time, while we were crossing. Some random car decided to jump the light. Idiot. Not him, the driver.

" Uh.. Thanks. How'd you get the hang of it so soon? "

" I'm a warrior. My senses are sharp all the time to register my surroundings in case of attacks. My brother Arjun can shoot arrows with his eyes closed. It's a skill. We all need to learn it. "

" Speaking of your brother.. Won't they be worrying about where you are? "

" Oh. Well they would be. Mata most of all. We were set to return back to the palace today. I don't know how worried they might be. " A melancholy look on his face. I felt bad for him. What if I had to abandon all of what I have to suddenly land in that world.. Eesh.. I can't imagine not living without maggi.

" Don't worry. We'll ask Krishn. " He said, now solemn. Damn I spoilt his mood. He looks so sad now. Why do I care....
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"We're here. Come. Let's go in. "

As we reached the Krishn murti, there were oy two people praying, an old lady and her son.

Soon they also left.

We sat in front of his murti, hands joint.

" Bhagwan Krishn. We need answers. He needs answers. Please come. I promise I won't shout this time. " I prayed. 
'Although, please make sure not to give me a jumpscare. '

" Sakhi. I told you. I'm not a bhagwan." Said he, the one who I just told not to give me a jumpscare. He still did. Wonderful.

" Pranam Krishn. How? What? Why? "

" Pranipat Jyeshth. Don't worry. I'll answer all your questions. " He told him, smiling.

" Sagarika. Please leave us alone. I'll answer yours after I answer his. "

" Sure.. I bring him here and now I have to leave him alone. Wonderful. "

" Sagarika. Please heed your tone. He is my brother. " Yudhishthir admonished.

" He is my friend. " I countered staring at him.

We stared at each other, daring the other to back down.

" Ahem ahem. May we talk Jyeshth? "

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" So. Why is he here. "

" He is here for his purpose. I can't tell you what it is. "

" Alright. Since you have decided to be selective about what you will tell me, you only tell me what you can tell. " I said, now annoyed. Chit bhi meri patt bhi meri.

" He is here for a purpose. You must help him. Jyeshth will realise the lessons he need to become a better ruler. "

" What about my friend. Where is AJ? " I asked now genuinely worried about him.

" There are seven people in the world who look like someone. No one said they belong in the same time." He said cryptic.

" Yes. We figured that when he -" Realisation hit me like a truck. No wait. A train. Even better a bomb... I'm digressing.

" WHAT! HE'S GONE BACK IN TIME! OH! OH SH-" Right. Can't say bad words.

" Haan sakhi. He has gone back. For his own purpose. " Krishn said, keeping his hand on my shoulder.

" Any particular reason for this leela? " I asked, now resigned to believe what he says. I can't and won't question him anymore. I have to study for my exams.. He does this.

But I trust him. He is Narayan. He is why I am here. If he wants to snap me out of existence like Thanos, he can do that. Better yet he'll do it smarter than Thanos. If he had to remove he should have removed the rapists, both women and men. Atleast people would learn...

Anyways. I walked back outside. I found Yudhishthir staring at me. It was weird.

I waved my hand in front of him.

" Hello? What? Shall we go? "

" Huh. Oh yes. Uh. You first. " He said blushing... He could blush?

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Ahhhh! He blushed! Just kidding. He's just embarrassed cause he got caught staring. Or is he... Hmm. You guys decide. I finished my english exam today.. Happiness at its peak people. As always, ease share your opinions through comments and votes. I hope this story interests you as much a sKarunika did.
All my love
Radhekrishn ❤