"Do you really need me to show you my Aadhar card now?" he said, making a face as he leaned a little closer to me.
I shook my head, unable to speak. My voice had disappeared the moment I laid eyes on him. With Nervousness, I stepped back a bit.
"Why are you acting like I'm here to pick you up...? What do you call it? Oh yes, kidnap!"
What was he saying? I vaguely remembered angrily threatening to kidnap him once—"I'll kidnap you if I have to!"—and now, was he really planning on doing it? Wait a minute… Is this some kind of dream? Or is this revenge for all the ridiculous things I've said to him over the years? Why would a god have nothing better to do than come to me over such silly matters? If he remembers that, who knows what else he's keeping track of?....
Embarrassed, I lowered my head, feeling heat rise to my cheeks as flashes of every childish thing I'd ever said to him began replaying in my mind.
"So… shall I actually kidnap you?" he whispered playfully in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
I tightly shut my eyes in response.
"Oh come on, you're actually scared!" he chuckled. "What happened to the brave little girl who used to threaten me?"
Who calls someone "little girl"? I was thinking ... I am now officially an adult. Earlier I had a whole speech planned for the day I would meet him, but now, facing him, it was like he cast a spell that made all my words vanish. On one hand, I worried about whether I was offending him by not touching his feet out of respect.... I must not forget he is god. On the other, I felt embarrassed beyond belief... How could I be so childish. I didn't know what to do or say.
I hesitantly opened my eyes and, gathering some courage, I stood up, bent forward to touch his feet. But before I could, he grabbed my hand firmly and pulled me down beside him, seating me on the ground next to him.
"Oh come on, 'little girl'—you just turned me into a babaji now!" he said, teasing me with a grin.
"I haven't forgotten your threats. These very hands once promised to grab me!... Now they want to bow in respect? I am so confused ...." He was trying to hide his laugh while saying.
Just as I feared—he had remembered everything! He was opening the pages of my past right in front of me, and I wasn't sure whether to be mad or laugh. How was I supposed to be upset with him when just looking into his eyes made me forget everything else?
"Oh, so.... now you don't want to talk to me?" he continued, mimicking my voice. "Remember all those times you yelled at me, demanding I come to meet you? 'How can you be god if you don't come see me?! If you don't love me, then just say so!'....Why you are not coming krishna" he was mimicking me.
He was imitating me perfectly, word for word, and my face grew red with embarrassment. I didn't realize he had kept such precise track of everything I'd ever said. I guess it's good to keep track of things, but not like this!
"Hey... can you at least give me a chance to explain?" I managed to say only that much in return.
"Oh, is that right? Go ahead, I'm listening!" He dramatically placed his hands on his cheeks and gave me his full attention, almost mockingly. "Mam ...I've always listened to you, haven't I? I'm a god, after all—what else do I have to do expect listening? But if I dare say a word, suddenly everyone's gets offended! So go on, speak up!" he said, pouting.
I had no idea what to say. My mind felt blank, like all of this was a dream. My complaints, which had once seemed so important, had disappeared, but his seemed to be in full force! But no matter what he said, he still looked so endearing and more beautiful while speaking.
"Actually, you should keep talking…" I trailed off. "Wait a minute, don't call me 'mam' It sounds so weird!"
"Oh? And who turned me into a 'guru' in the first place?" he asked, standing up with a smile.
"But… you are a god, aren't you?" I replied, trying to defend myself.
"Ah, I see… but I came here to meet my sakhi—my beloved friend. Perhaps you aren't the right one. Maybe I've kidnapped the wrong girl!" he teased, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"No, no! It's me!" I panicked, suddenly afraid that he might leave. I struggled to stand, unsure of what would happen next.
"So… shall I really pick you up you then?" he asked, leaning in again with a whispering note, with that playful smile.
"What?!" I gasped, feeling a flutter in my stomach from the way he looked at me and the softness of his voice.
"Oh, I meant to help you stand up, of course," he laughed, Giving me his hand to stand up.
"What did you think I was talking about? You modern-day people always have your minds filled with nonsense!" he said, rolling his eyes dramatically.
"I didn't think anything!" I muttered under my breath. "You're the one coming up with all these ideas and putting the blame on me!"
"Can't I at least get a chance to hear that sweet voice of yours... Speak little bit louder?" He teased, pulling at both my cheeks.