(Recap) "Oh, you'll definitely get to know me Kuthumi. Lord Khrishna is going to give me plenty of time to spend with you. He has already told me"
So he was a mind reader too, like Lord Khrishna. But not a god? No,she did not think so. Just the ability to read thoughts did not automatically make one a god. Should she be upset about him reading her thoughts? It wasn't really a problem now, but what if in the future she wanted to keep something hidden. Would he still be able to pry it from her, or could she hide certain things somewhere where he couldn't get to them?
"Don't worry, Kuthumi." He reached for her hand. "Your secrets are safe with me. Plenty of things can get in, but nothing ever gets out...at least not to anyone but Lord Khrishna, and he knows everything anyway. You can't hide anything from him. Me, well, it might very well be possible, if there ever was something you didn't trust me with...I suppose you could build a wall and put a lock on it, and hide your secret behind there... Hopefully, you'll be able to trust me in time, and it won't be something you'll have to worry about. I haven't meant to be prying by the way...your thoughts are really easy for me to read...it's like you're speaking them to me. I feel like I've known you already for quite sometime. And I will tell you that story sometime soon, just not tonite if you don't mind, I'm just not in the mood to tell it now."
"O.K. Well, what shall we talk about then? How long have you known Lord Khrishna?"
"Well, I will tell you I saw him when I was young. I tried to run after him, but he didn't take me then. I was very sad for several weeks. I was so sure I belonged to him, and then I started dreaming of him, and one day, when I was old enough to get here on my own I had a dream that Khrishna was sending for me. And I packed up a few things, and I left, and every step of the way I just knew what to do, wasn't quite sure where he would be, but I just kept following, and it seemed sometimes I would even catch a glimpse of him, but then I wasn't sure if he had been there or not...but anyway, after a few weeks of searching and not really having enough to eat, I made it here to Vrindavan, and I've lived happily ever after with him. He's become my life, as he is for so many of us." Bopala was obviously very happy at the conclusion of his tale.
"I'm glad you found your way here Bopala, she said. Hearing more of Lord Khrishna, she was very eager to be close to him. Oh, how she wished he were here right now with them!
"He always spends his first night back with Lady Radha, he said a bit sadly. "But I know he'll be eager to see you as soon as he gets the chance, Kuthumi."
They spent several hours talking, and in the morning, she awoke to find herself on one side of the bed under the covers and Bopala sleeping on top on the other side. She was relieved he were not any closer, she would have felt cheap if she had wound up in his arms right away...after rejecting the match her parents had made for her. She had not done so to enter into some improper relationship right away! She had only wanted to be free not to spend the rest of her life with a man she knew intuitively would be cruel to her. That was all! Nothing more.
"Bopala?"
"Kuthumi...you fell asleep while we were talking. I tucked you in, and I decided to sleep here in case you woke up and were confused for any reason, or needed to talk. I know it was strange for me my first night here. I didn't know what to think."
"Oh, I'm glad you stayed. I suppose no harm is done, since you were on your side and I was on mine...nothing improper happened between us."
"No," he smiled. Wishing that something had, but then again, he would certainly not want her to be upset with him. It was much more important that they become friends and that she could trust him and confide in him. Khrishna had told him to make sure that she trusted him, and that they were friends first. Everything else depended on that.
She had told him all about her recent rejection of her bethrothed and getting kicked out of the village for supposedly dishonoring it. Under the circumstances, he was surprised she had even allowed him to stay and talk with her. He had enjoyed talking with her immensely; He hoped that maybe through more talking he could help her through some of her feelings of being dishonored and rejected.
That day, he took her all throughout the palace, explaining the origins of those works of art and things of beauty which he had been privileged to know the origins of. He told her of the old things he had loved before in his city, of the antique shop which he had broken from his long days work to stare for a few moments in the window, until he was mistaken for a thief and chased away. He had had to learn to be very surreptitious in his ventures to the antique shop. Now, he was surrounded by beauty! And he himself was beautiful! Lord Khrishna had told him so so many times that he almost believed it, and certainly he was clothed in the finest fabrics, and jewelery. And the women looked at him, obviously enjoying the sight. He had nothing to worry about anymore, really.
They went outside. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the gardens were thriving. The birds, were so beautiful and so many in the gardens and in the trees, their singing was like an elaborate symphony, and Kuthumi wondered if Lord Khrishna was not orchestrating the whole thing. Where was he? She wondered. She felt he was keeping himself from her, and although she couldn't help but be delighted by Bopala's company and the tour of the grounds, she wondered why she couldn't simply be sitting somewhere staring at Lord Khrishna, even if from a distance.
"You'll see him in a few days, Kuthumi. He would love to be here with you, but he has many instructions to give to everyone today. He has to go away soon. He is preparing for war on those who would hurt humanity. He must win, and of course, he will. But he must spend much of his days instructing, so things will run smoothly while he's away."
"He's leaving already!?" She could not help but feel despairing and lost; The birds' singing was not so interesting anymore.
"He will be here a few weeks, unless he changed his mind. I'm sure he'll welcome you. Just be patient." Bopala called from a tree he was climbing to bring her some fresh fruit.
Then, there Khrishna was at the window. He did not call to her, but for a brief moment, he turned and winked at her again! And that wink was enough to satisfy her for the moment. He had not forgotten her! She was important to him after all! He had to plan a war, and he still took the time to smile and wink at her in the midst of his business. She was delighted. He was so beautiful, and the window was still open and he was at it. She could stare at him in profile, or the back of his head. She would rather see his eyes, but even the back of his head, with his hair gleaming blue in the sunlight was precious to her. If she could just continue to stare at him!
Bopala had been down from the tree for several minutes...he had seen before the effect Khrishna had on newcomers; he himself, had spent plenty of time staring at Khrishna at first. Simply drinking in his physical presence. Knowing that he was there and could be counted on. Nevertheless, it was a bit hard to watch a beautiful woman stare at a man who was engaged in other business when he, Bopala, was here especially to keep her company. Khrishna might disapprove, but he had to break her reverie, before he started feeling too sorry for himself.
"Kuthumi, hey, I got you some fruit." She didn't hear, and he had to repeat himself.
"Oh, thank you, Bopala. So nice of you," she said smiling, reaching back to take the fruit, her eyes still staring ahead at Khrishna.
Oh, great, he thought. She's interested in the fruit, but I don't warrant a glance? I wish Khrishna would move out of that damn window!
"Oh, no! Bopala look he's leaving!"
Khrisha had granted him his wish! But then he felt bad looking at Kuthumi, as if she were stricken. He wished Khrishna would come back so she could go back to her reverie.
Just then, Khrishna appeared at another window, closer to them.
The smile on Kuthumi's face was radiant. He could get used to seeing her like that! She was so beautiful! Radha had made him leave for a few hours this morning, so Kuthumi could get dressed. She had been amazed that she could choose a totally different sari if she wanted. All she had to do was return the peacock silk to the clothing room, and take another in its place. She had been reluctant to return the garment in which she had first met Lord Khrishna. However, the thought of having the opportunity to wear the bright, pale green sari had filled her with joy, and she had found herself almost running down the marble stairs to put it on. Here in the garden, with the bright green sari on, she looked absolutely radiant. It was perfect for today!
Khrishna was so close, Kuthumi could actually hear a bit of the lilt of his voice floating through the birdsong all around her. It was so beautiful! She wondered if she could climb the tree nearby that leaned into his window? Than she would be able to hear him perfectly!
"Bopala, please help me! I need to get up this tree to hear Lord Khrishna."
He could not help laughing on the inside. Khrishna was probably plotting war on his enemies, and here was Kuthumi, so eager to hear his voice, she wanted to climb a tree in one of their finest silk saris. And the maddening thing was he just knew Khrishna wanted him to help her do this!
"O.K. Whatever you want, Kuthumi. Step here." He said holding out his intertwined fingers for her to put her foot on "Ummf!" With a grunt he boosted her up, and her other foot was soon in the crook of the tree. With her arms she propelled herself up. She was trying to climb up, up, up, but her sari wasn't stretching enough with her. Then she hiked it up, so she was there in her undergarments, and she was on the tree, trunk. She put the sari back down and walked along the trunk, which sloped up at a gentle angle. She was halfway there! She was giddy! She was almost to Khrishna's room, almost at his window, and there she was! And look! She turned, and there was Khrishna, standing in the garden talking to Bopala! She was incredulous, she had climbed up this tree, and there was Khrishna on the ground with Bopala! Well, she would soon be there, too. She lowered hersef onto the branch, so she was lying flat. Then she grasped the tree on both sides, so she was hanging suspended from the trunk, dangling over the courtyard. "Oh!" Now she was feeling a bit frightened. There was Khrishna below her, but she realized now the distance was too great, she might break a leg if she jumped from this height.
Let go. The voice was inside her. Let go, Kuthumi, I'll catch you." She closed her eyes and let go. When she landed her waist was being held by Lord Khrishna on one side and Bopala on the other. They slowly let her stand gently on the ground. She turned, and she was facing Khrishna, Khrishna who had just held her waist. She felt like liquid gold had been poured into her where he had touched her, and was spreading throughout her body. She couldn't think of anything to say. Her mind was numb and she was staring at Khrishna with a huge smile on her face. "Khrishna!" She announced triumphantly.
"Kuthumi, its good to have you here! It appears you managed very well to land on your own two feet. It's a good thing Bopala helped you get into that tree isn't it? Otherwise you might have missed me!" He laughed. It was a wonderful sound. She was fascinated by it. Turn and thank him.
"Oh, thank you Bopala for helping me up the tree...and for helping me come back down again! Your assistance was invaluable." All done, she turned back to Khrishna, and he was gone, as quickly as he had appeared in the garden. Somehow there seemed to be more flowers blooming than there were before, some buds on a mysterious new plant which she had wondered about had now unfolded, and she noticed another flower popping open while she looked at it. Her curiosity satisfied she turned back to Bopala, and he was not there either!
She was alarmed for a brief moment. But there he was, up in the tree, laughing. "Why don't you come up and join me, Kuthumi?"
"Certainly, but who will be there to catch me if I suddenly decide to dangle myself above the courtyard?" She jested.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe I will. You'll just have to wait for me to climb back down. Hopefully, you can hold on long enough." He joked back. He was very pleased with himself. He had gotten the pleasure of holding Kuthumi's waist, of helping Lord Khrishna to catch her. Not bad for a day. He could rest easy tonite. Things were going well after all.
She was serious about coming up the tree! She was still staring up at him. Should he go back down? In just a moment he was there beside her. He had not had to use any ordinary means, he had simply transported himself down beside her. It was a skill he had picked up over the years from Khrishna.
Was he a god too? Did ordinary people do this? She wondered.
"No, I'm definitely not a god; Wish I were. But, yes, Khrishna did teach me this. Or rather, he noticed that I was attempting to duplicate his power, and he helped me with it. It's taken me lots of practice...I'm sure its something that he had been able to do since birth, but now its fairly easy for me too."
"Wow, you learned this? Do you think a woman, myself, possibly could learn it?"
"Oh, I'm sure a woman could. I don't know if its possible for everyone or not. I only know it would probably take a lot of practice if you are able to do it. But certainly I can't be the only person who is able..."
You can learn. She heard within her. You can learn it if you work at it. But is it really that important, Kuthumi?
Hmmm, it would be nice to know...but was she really willing to work at it? What would she do with herself here? She couldn't just spend everyday climbing trees and having fun, could she?
Bopala seriously hoped that one of the things she would find to do here was make love with him, but it would probably take some time before that happened, if it ever did. She might choose a celibate life. It was, after all, one of the many possibilities available.
But very few chose not to have Khrishna himself make love to them. For Bopala, it had been one of the most extraordinary experiences of his life. Khrishna had appeared to him as a beautiful woman, although he had known all along who it really was. And once Bopala had grown comfortable with that, he had transformed himself into any number of other forms, male, female, animal...all of them beautiful. Bopala could hardly wait to see what Khrishna would come up with next. He had to be patient. There were many other gopis who also were also longing for their turn in Khrishna's arms.
"Hey want to get back into the tree?" He asked.
"Yes, of course, that would be great! First, let's get some fruits though. I'm thirsty and hungry," Kuthumi replied.
"There's a stream outside, I'll get some water for us. Be right back."
He was at the clear stream filling up his water canister when he saw something not so savory. He used his power of teleportation to tell Lord Khrishna about the demon that was by the stream, and then he was back beside Kuthumi, helping her up into the tree.
She had grabbed a few fruits while she had been down on the ground, and they had a wonderful picnic. He chose not to share the sighting of the demon, and back inside the walled garden, he knew they were safe. Khrishna had erected a powerful magical barrier around the compound, so there was no need to worry. No demon had ever penetrated this shield. They were safe; Still it was nice to be up high to be able to spot what was going on around them, and possibly have the opportunity to use one of his arrows.
They laughed and talked and had a wonderful time. She seemed to be enjoying his company, and didn't seem to mind when he " accidentally" brushed her leg.
He also got to touch her hand as they passed the water canister back and forth between them. He used his knife to divvy up one of the fruits between them. She was delighted to be trying something new, and very relaxed. He wondered if he could think up some excuse to kiss her, but nothing came to him. He would simply have to wait and be patient, as Khrishna had instructed. Despite some frustration, he was still enjoying himself immensely. He loved showing the newcomer around, and he particularly enjoyed talking with her and hearing her stories.
They came to the end of a very pleasant day. It was time for another great feast in Khrishna's honor.
At the feast, Kuthumi enjoyed herself immensely. She even heard herself laughing and talking with those on either side of her, as if she had always led such a carefree existence.
Her days of toiling at her daily tasks seemed to be a million miles away now, as brief and as insubstantial as a dream. What she was experiencing now, was reality. From time to time, she would catch Lord Khrishna's eye and know that he was very glad to have her here. Bopala was seated a few places away from her, and from time to time, would peek his head around to ask her how she was doing, and if he could get her anything. She was grateful for the solicitousness; He made her feel right at home, and something else too, but she wasn't going to put a name on it yet. Lady Radha also made sure to check on her on her rounds. She only asked a few simple questions, but it was enough for Kuthumi to know that Radha genuinely cared, and that she could go to Radha with her questions anytime.
Again, after dinner, there was beautiful music. Khrishna once more took out his exquisitely beautiful flute and began playing music that transformed the air into a tapestry of sound. And then, at the other end of the room, there was another Khrishna on another golden flute, and then several minutes later, there was a Khrishna on each side of the room. Which one was real? Kuthumi was confused as to where to look. She was surrounded by Khrishnas playing their golden flutes, their dark eyes from time to time glancing her way. Which one was the real Khrishna? Which one? And then it seemed that each of the Khrishns was playing two flutes each. How was it possible? The music was so beautiful and so hypnotic, she found herself sinking to the floor, and weeping. She scarcely thought a minute about it. At home, she would have hesitated to display any strong emotion outside the confines of her room. But here, she gave no thought to it.
Staring at Khrishna had become too much for her. She dropped further down, closed her eyes, and all she could see behind her eyelids was that same shade of deep glowing blue as his skin. Then, she lost awareness of everything, and dreamt. In her dream, Khrishna came and sat beside her on the bank of a stream, just sitting. She felt so content and peaceful in the dream. And then she awoke and Khrishna was there, sitting beside her. There was only one Khrishna now. Other musicians were playing, and the dancers were swirling around them, but somehow, when anyone got too close, they would be pushed away in such away that Kuthumi supposed there was some kind of invisible field protecting the two of them from any interference. Anything was possible now, it seemed.
Kuthumi sat up, beside Khrishna. She could feel his joy and his love. He did not speak. She did not want to look at him. It was too much; She would start crying again, and she was too tired to cry anymore. They sat like that, until she felt totally suffused in his love. Then he spoke her name "Kuthumi." His voice was like the playing of his flute, it seemed to vibrate throughout her body. He was standing and offering her his hand. She took it, and miraculously, she was somehow in his arms and he was carrying her upstairs. She felt a little nervous, as the sensual feeling of herself pressed against him entered her awareness. Should she ask to be put down? What would Radha think of her thoughts now? But she was too tired to voice any opposition. They came to the door of her bedroom, and Khrishna gently turned down the comforter of her bed, and placed her in it, sari and all. Then he sat on the bedside, holding her hand. He was staring at her in a way that she felt he knew every secret she had ever had, and they were all insubstantial. If she hadn't been so tired, she felt like the two of them might have shared a good laugh at all the silly, silly things that had happened to her, all the things that had once seemed so painful, and now seemed to be evaporating into his love. His hand felt wonderful in hers. She tried to stay awake and enjoy the situation longer but her eyes were getting heavy. Just before she fell asleep, she hear Khrishna say, "Sleep well, Bopala will check on you before he goes to bed himself and I will be here in the morning to greet you. It comforted her to know Bopala would come to check on her even though she knew she would be fast asleep in less than half a minute.
The next day, she found an unexpected surprise greeting her. Both Bopala and Khrishna were there to greet her. She felt giddy. "Good morning Bopala. Good morning Lord Khrishna."
"Good morning Kuthumi." Lord Khrishna said, taking her hand. She felt herself smiling from ear to ear at the joy of having Lord Khrishna himself wake her up. He brought the hand he had taken to his lips and kissed it reverently. "It is an honor to have you Kuthumi. I've been waiting for you a long time. I know you will enjoy your life here among us. Did you get enough sleep last night?"
"I slept very well after you brought me up. What do you think Bopala, was I sleeping well when you checked on me?"
"Very soundly." She didn't need to know that she had been sleeping so soundly she had not noticed his hand gently sweeping the stray hairs from her face, or the fact that he had sat watching her sleep for nearly a half hour before he went to his own bedroom.
"What? Was I snoring?"
"No, no, you just didn't notice me at all. That's all."
"He sat staring at you for a half hour. He brushed some hair off your face, and he hoped to keep it all a secret. Didn't you Bopala?" Khrishna interjected.
That was Khrishna, the eternal joker! Bopala thought He was about to get mad...but after all, it was Khrishna.
"It's the truth." He admitted laughing a bit as he stared down at his feet embarrassed to meet her gaze.
"Did you Bopala? Was I that interesting asleep?"
"Kuthumi, you are very pretty when you are sleeping...or anytime really."
"Am I? Thank you, Bopala."
"You're welcome." He looked relieved. Khrishna had helped his case rather than hindered it.
Kuthumi was pleased that he had found her beautiful in her sleep and had sat beside her while she dreamt. It was a new sensation to be looked at by a man, a very attractive one, actually. And she was happy to know he had touched her while she had been asleep to brush the tresses from her face.
"Kuthumi, you are always welcome here. I need to leave shortly, but I hope to find you here when I return. I am leaving Bopala with you as your companion. He is at your service in all things. And do not hesitate to call on me either, you only need to think of me to know I am with you." Khrishna explained.
"You're leaving so soon, Khrishna?" Kuthumi was surprised by the strong feelings she had on this matter. It was quite distressing!
"In a few days, yes, Kuthumi." His gentle voice was very sure and broked no argument.
The day had started out so well for Kuthumi. Now she felt as if her heart would break.
Bopala was feeling sad seeing her so sad, and wishing he were able to cheer her up.
"Kuthumi, have you ever played the flute before?" Bopala asked. Kuthumi looked around for Khrishna, the love of her life, she now felt, but he was nowhere to be seen. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. She wanted to run after him, search every room in the palace until she could find him and again be near. Had Bopala said something to her?
"Excuse me, Bopala, were you speaking to me?"
"Yes, Kuthumi." He had to be patient with her, he reminded himself. He shouldn't allow himself to become irritated. Her reaction to Khrishna was not uncommon amongst the gopis. "I was wondering if you might like to play the flute?"
"I would love to learn; I've never played before, Bopala. Do you think I could learn to play like Khrishna?"
"I'm certain that you could, Kuthumi...at least I'm certain that I could teach you to play. How well you do is up to you."
"When can we get started?"
He reveled at the delight in her yes; the eagerness and enthusiasm. He couldn't wait to be a part of her learning. "We can get started right away, Kuthumi. Let me take you to the music room. But first, let's have some fresh breakfast." He took out some fruits he had already picked for her from the garden.
"Wonderful!" She ate several and had some fresh water to go with them. Then they were on their way to Kuthumi's very first flute lesson.
The music room was downstairs, in a well-lit portico. They walked past benches of devotees lounging outside, listening to the wonderful sounds emanating from the space.
The musical instrument cabinet was packed full of glistening instruments made of the finest materials. Kuthumi was overwhelmed with happiness just looking at it! She was going to become a musician! She, Kuthumi, had traded in her past of drudgery for a life of pure bliss, it seemed. She hung back a bit, not sure if she should select her own flute.
"It's O.K. Kuthumi. You belong here, just like everyone else. Feel free to pick any flute you like."
She knew right away the one she wanted and reached her hand in, pulling out a glistening white flute with turquoise blue embellishments. She took it out, and ran it through her hand. It felt so wonderful to be holding such a beautiful instrument. She wondered if it sounded as good as it looked?
"Feel free to play it," Bopala encouraged her. "I know you'll play well, Kuthumi."
She took the glistening white flute and placed her lips above the hole, blowing down into it. The flute squawked at her.
Bopala smiled, and suppressed a laugh.
"Here, let me show you first. I promise I'll give it back soon."
She handed the flute over reluctantly. Bopala took the fine instrument in his practiced hands, his fingers covering up the tops of the holes. He rested his lower lip by the mouthpiece, and blew gently across it. An exquisite sound flowed out over the room. He moved his fingers slowly, and one note flowed smoothly after the one before.
"Try blowing straight across the hole, Kuthumi. Don't blow into it; blow across it."
She gave it her best shot, but couldn't get the flute to make a sound. Why wasn't she able to produce that exquisite music as Bopala and Khrishna had?
"Oh, Bopala! It won't make music for me!"
"Be patient Kuthumi. You may need a few days practice. Here," he handed her a diagram with black dots along a line. It looked like the flute. "Take this with you and study it. It shows where to put your fingers for each note. You'll get it in a few days, just like any beginner. It will come, just give it time."
"Thank you, Bopala. I'll be sure to study it."
"Wonderful. Then we can play together sometimes."
Her heart was filled with joy! The thought of making music together with Bopala was an entirely wonderful one for her.
He took another one of the beautiful instruments and began playing a beautiful raj on it. Each shimmering note seemed to melt into the other; it was as if he were shaping liquid gold with each breath. His tone was full and sweet as he played for her and for God. It seemed to Kuthumi as if the music united them in a spell. The music contained them and flowed through them like Khrishna's love. It was just the two of them and the music, and the sunlight glinting through the windows onto the gleaming white marble of the palace floors. Bopala glistened like gold in the sunlight as the sun shone on his torso and shoulders. He looked beautiful to Kuthumi with his eyes closed, effortlessly blowing across the flute as if with one divine breath. His fingers were silent as they pressed the keys, and he swayed just a little with each phrase of music. When he had finally stopped playing, the music still seemed to radiate through both of them, and as the pure, sweet notes evaporated, they were transfixed in the silence of their own minds, meditating on the self within them. Bopala finally brought the shimmering flute down to his side, and reached his other hand out for Kuthumi. "You will play just as well someday if you practice as much as I have." His gaze at her was serious and full of love and tenderness. He was looking forward to however many lessons it would take for her to master the craft. He would enjoy the process of teaching her, of watching her progress, and he could hardly wait to hear the fruits of her labor.
Kuthumi enjoyed the warmth in Bopala's eyes and in his hand. She felt warm and cared for with him. She liked being with him. She wanted to know what it was like to belong to him. What an odd thought to come to her now, when she had met Lord Khrishna. How strange to think of belonging to this golden man in front of her. Yet, it was what she wanted. Khrishna could never be hers completely, but she felt special to Bopala. They stood staring at each other until Kuthumi finally looked away blushing.
She should maintain her propriety; She was a guest here. She hardly knew anything of Bopala besides the fact that he had been assigned to take care of her. And that he enjoyed doing so very much. She could tell that, though she hardly felt worthy of such caring and concern. Who was she but a poor village girl, destined to care for her family's washing, feed them, and make sure they were clean and fed? She had sought to run away from her fate, but never had she imagined that she would be led here, that Khrishna himself would summon her and guide her safely through the woods with all its perils. And here she was in an oasis of splendor and beauty and love, so different from the plain, sometimes raucous village she had left behind. Could this really be her home forever? Could she really be here to dwell amongst Bopala and Khrishna, and all his lovely gopis, and his wife, Radha who had treated her so kindly, and offered her the bejeweled clothes she was wearing?
Bopala was speaking to her, waking her from her reverie. "You will be happy here, Kuthumi. And you deserve to be. We all do. You are lucky to be chosen, but you would not have been had it not brought Khrishna even greater pleasure to have you here."
Kuthumi found herself blushing again, and almost went into a trance at the mention of Khrishna's name. The only thing that kept her from fainting was the sight of Bopala standing solidly in front of her.
"Well, Kuthumi. What would you like to do next?"
All she could think of was that she wanted to spend the day with him, and she had already been granted that wish. Khrishna had known this would make her happy, and he had set the right conditions for her happiness here. Oddly enough she found herself saying, "I would like to go to my room and practice my flute. I will learn the first notes today."
"Very well." Bopala hated to take her back so soon, but he chose to honor her request. Sometimes solitude was good too.
But when they got to her room, he found that she wanted him to stay and help her practice. She had merely wanted to try further away from others glances. He carefully covered the combination of holes for each note, but it boggled her mind. He stood behind her, so that he could assist her in placing each finger over the correct hole. She felt warmth course through her, as his fingers pressed on top of hers. Then, he helped her to lift her chin at just the right angle, so that she could blow evenly across the hole. His fingers felt warm and gentle upon her cheek and her scalp as he brushed her hair back out of the way. She felt suffused with warmth and pleasure. Her legs felt weak and it seemed as though it was hard to balance, she felt herself swaying. He reached up and placed his hands upon her shoulders, gently anchoring her to the Earth. She felt even more warmth coursing through her body, it seemed a river of energy was flowing from Bopala's hands into her being. The twin rivers met between her legs and suffused her with pleasure. She wanted to run. This was too much; how could she practice? He felt her stiffen and withdrew his hands. She felt angry. How dare he?
"Kuthumi...are you alright? I didn't mean to hurt you."
"It's alright Bopala; It was nothing."
(If you'r enjoying hearing about Khrishna and Kuthumi, why not learn about Jesus and Mary Magdalene? Check out my other stories, Miriam of Migdal's Marriage or Mary Magdalen's Version of the Crucifixion.)