“Jai! Kya kr rha hai tu? Late hona hai kya college ke liye?”

(What are you doing? You want to get late for college?)

Jai sighed hearing his mother yell. Jai was starting his final year and today was the first day after a month-long break.

“Relax mumma! Koi late nhi ho raha hai. College hai school nhi. Aur waise bhi last year hai. Teachers bhi late honge aur bache bhi. So chill matashree!”

(I am not getting late. It’s college not school. And moreover, it’s last year. Teacher and students both are late. So chill mom!)

He said pinching her cheeks, making her huff in annoyance.

“Haan! Sahi baat hai. Bhut bade ho gye ho tum bache ab. Duniya tumhare hi toh isharon pr chalti hai. Hatt yaha se! Jo krna hai kro! Jab jaana hai jao! Mujhe bhut kaam hai.”

(Yes! Right. You have grown up so much. The world revolves according to you. Get lost! Do whatever you want to! Go whenever you want to! I have a lot of work.)

Jai chuckled at his mother’s theatrics and shook his head. He slung his bag over his shoulder casually and walked out of the home to go to his college.

“Bhai books lene kab chal rhe ho?”

(When will you go to take the books?)

He asked his friends when the professor for the last lecture left. His friends made an irritated face and said.

“Books wooks kaun leta hai last year mai?”

(Who takes books in last year?)

“Saale! Pass toh hona hi padega na. Ya last year mai hi rehna hai puri life.”

(Moron! You have to pass. Or you want to stay in last year all life.)

Jai smacked the back of his head, making him wince and hit him back.

“Mai kal jaane ki soch raha tha. Tum logo mai se kisi ko aana ho toh bta dena. Mai kisi ke hisse ki nhi laaunga.”

(I was thinking of going tomorrow. If any of you would come, let me know. I will not get for anyone.)

He warned when all of them started opening their mouths, making them shut it again.

“Kal toh nhi phir. Tum log le aao. Mai toh didi ki shaadi ke baad jaaunga.”

(Not tomorrow. You guys get it. I will go after di’s wedding.)

One of his friends, whose sister was getting married in a few weeks said.

“Mai bhi agle hafte jaaunga. Iss hafte maine pehli hi bhut kharcha kr dia. Papa se aur paise mange toh ghar se nikaal denge.”

(I will also go next week. I have spent a lot this week. Papa will disown me if I ask for more money.)

Another said and all of them snickered. Jai looked at the third one who declared.

“Mai toh le hi nhi raha. Online material dhund lunga. Kaam toh aati nhi hai books. 20 kg ki raddi padi hai ghar mai peechle semesters ki.”

(I am not taking. I will find online material. Books are of no use. I have 20kg of waste books at my home.)

Jai sighed and shook his head. All of them were hopeless. It was on Jai’s insistence that they studied and at least passed, else neither of them had any interest in studying. 

They had their father’s businesses but Jai had to make his career himself. And he knew he had work alone. His friends knew that too and they never pulled him back.

“Jai? Kal books laani hai na? Ye le!”

(You have to get books tomorrow? Take this!)

His mother handed him some money but Jai shook his head.

“Hai mere paas mumma. Kabhi chahiye honge toh mai le lunga baad mai. Kal ka kaam ho jaayega.”

(I have it. I will take it later if needed. Tomorrow’s work would be done.)

“Wo tere tuition classes ke paise hai. Unhe baaki kharcho ke liye use kr lio. Apne upar. Padhai ka papa de rhe hai na. Pakad isse!”

(That is your tuition money. Spend them on yourself. Papa is giving for studies. Take this!)

He smiled and took the money from his mother. His mother caressed his face and said.

“Inko apne ya apni girlfriend ke upar kharch krio.”

(Spend these on yourself or your girlfriend.)

She teased and Jai made a face.

“Koi girlfriend nhi hai aur na hi filhaal banne wali.”

(I don’t have any girlfriend and will not make one anytime soon.)

“Tere papa bhi yahi kehte the. Phir unhe mai mil gyi.”

(Your father used to say the same. Then he met me.)

His mother said, flipping her hair boastfully, making Jai chuckle and shake his head.

“Filhaal toh nhi hai. Kabhi hui toh dekhenge.”

(There’s no one yet. We’ll see if I get one some day.)

His mother smiled and went back to her room. Jai too, got into bed and switched off the lights, retiring for the day.

The courtyard breathed with silence. Lanterns swayed gently in the night breeze, their flames cast long shadows across sandstone walls etched with foreign carvings. The air smelled faintly of jasmine and smoke, as though centuries of rituals lingered there.

Jai walked slowly, his footsteps echoing against the stone. From the far end of the courtyard, a figure emerged. Jai frowned and walked closer to have a better look.

A woman. In a flowing yellow saree, her hair covered her face like a veil. She moved with grace, each step deliberate, as though he was an intruder.

Jai’s breath catches. His eyes locked onto hers as she turned. He did not know the woman. At least not yet. 

For a moment, time stood still. Their gazes met and Jai felt a pull deep in his chest. He takes steps towards her wanting to get closer. His hand brushes against hers in a gentle touch which sends an electric jolt down his body.

He opens his mouth to speak when he gets within her earshot, but the words dissolve before they form. The lanterns flickered violently, the courtyard blurred and mist rose from the ground, swallowing everything.

Jai woke up with a start, sweat beading on his forehead. He looks towards the window and sees morning light filtering through the half-drawn curtains. 

His chest rose and fell rapidly, as though he had run a marathon in his sleep. What was that? The dream. It felt too real.

His brow furrowed as he recalled it, he didn't recognize that place, yet something about it feels achingly familiar. The woman. Her attire belongs to another era, her presence carrying the weight of history.

He sat up, and rubbed his temples.

“Just a dream. Nothing more.”

He muttered under his breath, trying to calm himself down. Although, somehow it didn’t seem like just a dream.

The image of the woman’s eyes lingered, refusing to fade. He exhales sharply, forcing a laugh at himself. Noticing the time in the clock read, 7 AM, he decides to get up.

He swung his legs off the bed, determined to shake off the unease. Yet, as he moved towards the window, he couldn’t escape the feeling that the dream wasn’t just a dream…it was a memory.

Jai got dressed and drove towards the campus where he got his textbooks from. He showed his ID at the entrance and stated his reason for the visit.

The campus was buzzing with life, students rushed between classes, laughter spilled from groups lounging on the grass, the faint hum of traffic beyond the gates.

Jai quickly gets the textbooks he needed but mentally curses himself for forgetting to bring a bag. Now he would have to carry them all till his car.

Jai, arms stacked with books, walked briskly, lost in thought. Suddenly, he collides with someone, sending all the stuff in the hands tumbling down on the floor.