I took the art from your hand and started looking at it. It was the artwork I had made for Krishna last night and gifted to Him at this temple.
"This art was for Krishna... Why are you stealing it?!" I asked, looking directly into your eyes.
"No... no!!!" you blurted out in response, as if you were the real thief.
I don't know why, but a smile came automatically after seeing your innocent thief-like face.
"So why did you take it from the temple... if you haven't stolen it?" I asked softly.
"I just wanted to talk to its artist... actually... and I thought you might know who it is... because you have colors on your bag," you started over-explaining with a nervous expression.
"Ohhh... You can share the message. I will convey it to the artist," I said, hiding my smile, as I wanted to play along.
"No... actually, it's something personal... But if you know the artist, please convey one thing... that something is missing in every artwork. Actually, I've been observing the art for a long time... that's why I said it...."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Ummmm... Reallyyyyy??? What's that?" I asked with curiosity.
"That's something personal that I want to convey to the artist only... That's why I asked you...."
"Ohh... if it's like that, then I will make you meet the artist tomorrow...!!" I said, faking a smile, as I wanted to talk to him about my art without revealing the truth.
"By the way, tell the artist that they must have a love ocean inside them... as the art reflects love rivers flowing with every brushstroke... for Krishna... I mean, God Krishna."
I thought to myself—this was the most unique compliment I had ever received, not just for my art but also for my Krishna. Actually, I had never expressed my love for Krishna in public. I always feared what society would think if they knew I loved and adored God Krishna as my lover Krishna.
But when he mentioned Him first as "Krishna" and then corrected himself as "God Krishna," I found myself wondering—Is he just like me? Hiding the blue ocean out of society's fear, like the earth tries to hide the ocean with one-fourth of land?
I just smiled. I didn't want to show my inner happiness because, for me, it was quite awkward to open up to a stranger.
"Why don't you tell the artist tomorrow...? Bye, I have to go now!" I turned around shyly after finishing my last word.
As I moved forward in the other direction, he called out loudly from behind, "Please don't forget to convey my message...!"
While going back home, I kept thinking about him. It was an unusual thing for me, so my whole focus remained on him.
And the next day, when I met him again, I got to know...