The school period passed fast, and now it's lunch. And as expected, the canteen was filled with different faces. But the deities sat together, a little away from the crowd- so that they can converse. Yet other than the conversation, we are all curious to know what are the deities eating. Well all are sattvik (vegetarian), so don't worry. Vasudev had a salad, which was complemented some orange juice, Siddhant had some rice which was complemented by apple juice, Rafaai had some coconut tarts and drank water along with Gaurav who was having noodles for lunch.
"I have met my devotees, you all." Gaurav says. "And also got their numbers. I'll talk to them tomorrow."
"Great. I have also made a friend." Vasudev said. "His name is Lakshman. But I knew him even before. He had given up his beliefs."
"Oh. Even my friends too." Gaurav's smile vanished.
"What about you, Buddha?"
"Oh yes. But I have to break them out of violence."
"Hmm."
"Well friends." Rafaai said. "I was invited to a party next week."
"Waw Jesus. Really."
"Yes. Even though I know these parties are filled with misconduct, I'm still attending."
"True. As deities, it's our very nature." Vasudev says.
"You know. We should learn from them to. With this pop culture." Gaurav said. "And the snacks that they eat. It looks so delicious."
"All to blend in." Rafaai said. "And to satisfy our apetites."

Suddenly, the friends of the deities confronted them with cheerful smiles.
"Akshobhya, Rohan, Rahul." Siddhant smiled.
"Lakshman." Vasudev glowed.
"Bijili, Miranda,Vani, Yohan." Rafaai called. "How are you all."
"Arrey! Arun, Aniruddh, Meenakshi, Kunj." Gaurav happily called.
"Why are you four sitting alone."
"Sit and speak with us." They insisted.
"Certainly. Why don't you all sit here." Vasudev suggested.
"Yes!"
While they got comfortable, Gaurav's eyes wandered upon a Lay's wrapper in his friend's hands.
"How does such taste?" Gaurav asks.
"My Lay's??" Meenakshi stuffed her face. "You can never go wrong with potato chips! Try one."
"Thank you."
When Gaurav ate the potato chip, he fell in love with the taste! Such a divine crunch the chip has, while it was sprinkled with salt.
"You don't eat Lay's often?" Meenakshi asked.
"Never tried it. But it's very delicious." Gaurav replies.
"You four are not from here." Aniruddh stated.
"Um....how." The deities looked at each other. "We're normal."
"Why are you so nervous!!" They burst into laughter.
"You are very unique. And we admire it." Bijili said.
"But Rafaai, are you still coming to our party. I hope you didn't have second thoughts." Miranda said.
"Never. I will never put off an invitation." Rafaai smiled.
"Friends, since Gaurav loves Lay's now. Would Siddhant love doritos?"
"I haven't tasted the doritos before." Siddhant said.
"Soon you will."
"Take care. We're leaving." Yohan and the rest said.
"Yes."

"So pleasant!" Vasudev remarked. "Our devotees are caring for us."
"Yes. I'm so proud of our children." Rafaai added. "Think of it. The ones whom we help are helping us."
"It's so strange how they gave up their beliefs, yet they became great friends with us."
"True. Isn't it beautiful."
"Friends you know, now I'm feeling for the Lay's potato chip." Rafaai said. "How did you describe it, Shiva?"
"It's bursting with flavour." Gaurav replied.
"Waw."
"Shiva, I think we should get some easter eggs for Jesus." Vasudev chuckles.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know where did the Easter bunny come from. And how does the rabbit lay eggs." Rafaai said."They were not intended to lay eggs."
"Maybe pop culture." Buddha suggests.
"Maybe. Well once my children are happy, I'm happy." Rafaai smiles. "Yet it's colourful."
"But do you love chocolates?" Vasudev asked.
"Of course!" Rafaai replied.
"Hmm."

After a hectic combination of classes, and....conversations, the deities went to their dorm. But thanks to divine intervention and a little bit of luck, their dorm looked like a four bedroom house with a kitchen and livingroom.
"Do you like it Prabhu?!!!!" A cheerful voice frightened Vasudev. Then someone came from hiding behind the door.
"Narada. Don't scare me like that."
"Greetings Prabhu! Narayan Narayan!" Narada exclaimed. "And Greetings Mahadev, and Paramhamsas, other forms of the divine. Prabhu, with Michael, Ananda and Nandi's help! I got this dorm."
"Waw Narada."
"It wasn't too much. We only needed Brahmadev's permission."
"But one thing? Who's Michael?" Vishnu asks.
"The archangel." Narada replied.
"Oh, this is also Michael's doing." Jesus smiles. "I see."
"Oh my." Vasudev placed his hand on his forehead. "Well I'm only familiar with your disciples, Jesus. But I know Ananda is one of Buddha's disciples."
"Yes Narayan." Buddha replied.
"And I'm a Narayan devotee! Everyone knows!" Narada smiles.
"But Narada. Where's Nandi?" Shiva asked,
"Oh, he went out Ananda and Michael to the theological tent, to discuss bhakti and service." Narada replied. "It's a convention on earth."
"But why aren't you there." Vishnu asked.
"I would meet them there, because I only want your darshans!"
"Kalyan hok." Vishnu smiled.

"But Prabhu, you didn't tell me that you're going to earth." Narada said. "I missed you, lord."
"I'm always with you, Narada."
"Remember Satyug, Tretayug and Dwarpayug. I was always in the spot where you had taken birth."
"Of course, Narada. You can pass by anytime." Vishnu smiled again.
"Thanks lord. You make the whole Swarg want to reincarnate on earth. Just to serve you." Narada had tears in his eyes. "I will take your leave now, lord."
Afterwards Narada disappeared.

"Seriously, if I knew. I would have let Paul write letters to them." Jesus said.
"True! I would have sent Vivekanand." Shiva added.
"But bhakti is bhakti." Vishnu smiled.
"Yep." Buddha agreed.
"Hari, is Narada upset with you?" Jesus asks, due to compassionate nature. "There were tears in his eyes.
"No. It was bhakti bhav." Vishnu replied.
"Oh I see. I know such emotions." Jesus added.
"Friends, I'm going to shop for some snacks and takeout." Shiva stated.
"Accha. We'll be here reading these cultural magazines, that I just found." Vishnu insists.

To be continued....