The next day at school was a study in exquisite torture.
The memory of their kiss, the secret they now shared, was a live current running between Krishna and Radha.
In the crowded hallways, their eyes would meet for a fraction of a second too long, a silent acknowledgment passing between them before one would blush and quickly look away.
The space between them felt both smaller and infinitely more charged.Krishna, for his part, was a mess.
Every time she was near, his heart did a ridiculous, frantic dance in his chest. He was supposed to be the reincarnation of a supreme god, but he felt like a nervous teenager with his first crush—which, he supposed, was exactly what he was.After lunch, Radha was walking ahead of him, lost in her own thoughts.
A group of boys jostled past her, and one of them bumped her shoulder—hard. Her books went flying, and she stumbled, losing her balance.
Before she could fall, Krishna was there. He moved without thinking, his body reacting with an instinct that was both new and ancient. One arm wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her back against him, while his other hand shot out, catching her falling textbooks in a single, fluid motion.
It was a perfect, heroic catch.
For a moment, they were frozen like that, her back pressed against his chest, his arms full of her books.
The chaotic noise of the hallway seemed to fade into a dull roar. He could feel the warmth of her through her uniform, smell the faint, familiar scent of jasmine that clung to her.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice a low murmur meant only for her.
She looked up at him over her shoulder, her eyes wide.
"I'm fine," she breathed, though her cheeks were turning a delightful shade of pink.
"Thank you.
"It was a small moment, over in a few seconds, but it felt significant.
This wasn't the clumsy accident of strangers. This was a protector and his charge, moving in perfect, unspoken sync. It felt... right.
As they separated and she took her books, their fingers brushed, sending a familiar jolt of electricity through them both.
Radha hurried away, but not before giving him a small, shy smile that made his stomach do a backflip.
She knew, as a divine being, that the universe didn't just create such perfect, cinematic moments.
Someone was orchestrating this.
And it was starting to get on her nerves.
Later that afternoon, standing on the roof of her apartment building, she let her frustration boil over.
This playful, meddling energy in the cosmos was becoming impossible to ignore.
Looking up at the vast, empty sky, she shouted, her voice resonating with a power that made the air itself tremble.
"Who is it?! Stop messing around and show yourself!
"Her challenge echoed across the rooftops, a mortal girl yelling at the heavens.
But the heavens were listening.
Meanwhile, in a realm far beyond mortal sight...
Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction, chuckled as he watched the scene unfold in a shimmering pool of water before him.
Beside him, the goddess Parvati sighed, a look of gentle exasperation on her face.
"Is this really necessary, my love?
" she asked, her voice as soft as temple bells. "You're making her miserable.
"Shiva took a slow sip of his tea, a roguish glint in his ancient eyes.
"Patience, Parvati. The teasing is finished now.
We are just making them together. What is bad about that?
"Parvati raised a skeptical eyebrow. "The 'teasing' is finished?
You nearly made her nose red in anger.
"A sly grin spread across Shiva's face as he leaned back.
He didn't answer out loud, but a thought, sharp and full of vengeful humor, echoed in his own mind.
Oh, Krishna... because of you, I had to spend three nights sleeping in a damp graveyard with ghosts howling in my ears.
This was just a small punishment from me.
My fun is over.
For now, we have settled our score.
He looked back at the pool of water, where Radha was still glaring at the sky, and took another satisfied sip of his tea.
A few moments later...The shimmering pool of water now showed the aftermath of the fire—emergency vehicles, relieved crowds, and a young mother holding her baby, safe and sound.
A genuine smile touched Parvati's lips.
She turned to her husband, who was still calmly sipping his tea, but she could see the satisfaction in his eyes.
Suddenly, Shiva placed his cup down, the soft clink echoing in the vast, quiet space.
A new thought, a fresh spark of divine mischief, had clearly just occurred to him. He turned to Parvati, his expression one of pure, unadulterated inspiration.
"My dear," he began, "What if we also go down to the mortal world to play?
"Parvati shot him a look that was part amusement, part lecture.
"Play? Mahadev, you are the father of two children. You have responsibilities.
Your days of 'playing' should be long over.
"Shiva just grinned, completely unfazed.
"Nonsense! I am the God of Destruction, I can handle a little multi-tasking.
" He moved closer, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Come on, Parvati. Please?
Think of the fun we could have. It's been eons since we walked among them.
"She tried to hold her stern expression, but a smile was already tugging at her lips.
"You are impossible. Who will take care of the God Realm?"
"The boys!" Shiva declared triumphantly. "We'll hand over the affairs to Ganesh and Karthik.
They're more than capable." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Besides, we should support that lone wolf.
He's trying his best, but he's all alone down there.
Don't you think he could use a little backup?"The image of Krishna, a supreme being trapped in the body of a confused teenager, flashed in Parvati's mind.
She pictured him navigating high school crushes and life-or-death rescues, and her heart softened.
Shiva was right. He was powerful, but he was completely isolated.
She let out a dramatic sigh, though the playful light in her eyes gave her away.
"Fine. You win. But only because watching you beg is so entertaining.
"Shiva's grin widened. "I knew you couldn't resist me.
""I can and I will resist if you cause too much trouble," she warned, pointing a finger at him.
"We are going to support Krishna, not make his life more chaotic.
Agreed?""Agreed!" he said, pulling her into a gentle embrace.
"Now, what roles should we play?
I was thinking I could be a..."Parvati placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.
"Let's save some surprises for when we get there.
"Shiva chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound of pure happiness.
The game was about to get a whole lot more interesting.
My dear viewers.
To be continue.