Author - Jui Purohit.

*Click here for the previous chapter...(15)* Epilogue : Alora reached the bus stop. The bus arrived in a while. Jia had, habitually, saved Alora's seat.  Alora's favourite routine was back on line, yet she sat down, with 'not-so-fine' expressions.   "Its been two days, I haven't had that dream, I wasn't pulled into the book. Previously I was confused because I was trapped in the dream. Now I'm sad that it's over. I don't know what's happening. I cannot see Armaan anymore. I just wish I could see him", Alora sighed. Jia rolled up her eyes, "Alora, stop being childish now, I'm telling you this for the hundredth time. Maybe you've finished reading the book, so you don't dream about it anymore. Who gets pulled into a book? Am I the scholar or You are? Who should be enlightening whom here?", Jia scolded Alora. Alora leaned on Jia's shoulder as the bus drove past a series of restaurants, malls, hospitals on their way...

  *Click here for the previous chapter...(14)* Confession? : Armaan put the jacket over Alora once again. He asked her to lock in her seat belt. Armaan got in the car. "Where do you stay? Same area where I picked you from? Where do I drop you?", he asked.  Alora was still gauging the situation and the sudden questions baffled her, " I stay...Sir but the party?", she couldn't frame her sentence too. "Party is over. I will find out who spiked your drink. This is not how I want my employees to behave. I've texted the manager. You don't have to worry. Let me know your address ", Armaan replied with a stern voice. Alora thought the atmosphere had become a bit serious now. "I stay far from here. But you can drop me at my friend's place. The same place you picked me from", Alora said, in a soft tone, going with the serious mood. "Okay fine. Put on the jacket properly", Armaan spoke in a commanding voice. Alora listened to him l...

*Click here for the previous chapter...(13)* Dinner party :   Armaan switched off the car engine, as they reached the venue. He picked his mobile and keys from underneath the console. He checked to see everything was switched off properly. Placing the mobile in the pocket of his shirt, he placed the keys in the pocket of his pants. "Can you unlock the seat belt or need my help again, Miss Alora?", Armaan asked in a teasing tone. Alora shook her head in negation, while she released the seat belt with a thud, mistakenly. "Sorry....sorry Sir..I didn't mean to", she said, apologising for her unruly action. "I should be more careful around him. He is such a neat freak and I'm this lax. But don't they say opposites attract...so...", Alora was occupied in her thoughts. "No worries. Should we go in now?", Armaan asked as he smiled.  "We can't go in together. Won't it look awkward?", Alora questioned.  "Awkward? Why? We ...

*Click here for the previous chapter...(12)* Lift :   "Should I tell Jia 2.0 that this is all a dream?", thought crossed Alora's mind. Jia kept blinking at Alora, "Your eyes have changed since you met Armaan", Jia smirked and teased Alora. "Stop it buddy", Alora waved her hands in front of Jia's eyes. "What if the CEO falls for the intern?", Jia asked. "How did she know about Armaan? I haven't spoken to Jia 2.0 about him yet. Wait...so I talked to Jia in 2020 about him and Jia 2.0 got to know in 2025, automatically? Is this how it works? This is unreal...illogical...what is happening?", Alora kept staring at Jia, in her mind thoughts were waging a war. "How can I help you with this Alora tell me? You had helped me with my first relationship. Although things didn't work, we were immature, but you've been there for me always", Jia sounded a bit emotional.  "Your first relationship?", Alora babbled. ...

  *Click here for the previous chapter...(11)* The narrative : Alora lifted her head up and found herself sitting by her study table. Some solved question papers were at the side. Her mobile was lying next to them. She picked up the mobile. She had sent some casual texts to friends, some photos of solved question papers. "I am back", she sighed as she put down her mobile. "Here Alora, have some warm milk. Were you studying the whole night beta? Now freshen up and have your breakfast. Come out of that room", Alora's mom cheered her up. I was studying the whole night? Then how did I dream? I'm going insane now, it's absurd...everything is absurd", Alora kept murmuring to herself. She had her breakfast and called Jia asking her to meet. Jia came home with some books. "Hey buddy we were, as it is, meeting so thought if you could solve some doubts for me", Jia gave a broad buttering smile. They both sat by the study table. Alora helped Jia with...

*Click here for the previous chapter...(10)* Palpitations :  Alora entered the complex and stepped into the elevator. The company's circular logo gleamed as the door of the elevator opened. And as she shifted her gaze, equally gleaming, in an elegant suit, Armaan was standing there with his tan leather bag.  He opened the entrance door and said, "After you Miss Alora", with his one palm pointing inside, welcoming her, like a gentleman.   Alora, hesitantly, walked towards him. "Good Morning Sir", she said. As she came near, she could smell the musky fragrance of his perfume. Alora tried to enter through the door but Armaan was occupying sizeable space, holding the door. She looked at him but he didn't move an inch. She was compelled to brush pass him. The musky fragrance intensified as she passed. Her heart raced with the momentary contact. She held her dupatta close to her bosom, thereby, he wouldn't hear her pounding heart.  Armaan looked at Alora close...

*Click here for the previous chapter...(8)* Book cafè :  Alora had accepted whatever was happening with her. She went home, with the thrilling thought of joining Armaan's team. She set the alarm for next morning, a half an hour early and went to bed. The alarm rang and Alora jumped out of the bed. Yes, it was half an hour early. She was excited for the day and there was a knock on her room's door.  "Hey why are you up so early? Its Sunday today beta. Do you have plans with Jia?", Alora's mother came in. "Maa!", Alora exclaimed. The silver threads from her mother's hair had vanished. She hurriedly checked her mobile. It was year 2020. Alora sat down on the floor with mobile in her hand. "You okay beta? What happened? Has Jia ditched the plan? No worries come with me to the mall for shopping. Your birthday is coming close, lets get you some fancy clothes ", mother said. Alora couldn't fathom the situation. Just when she had accepted,...

  *Click here for the previous chapter...(7)* The thrill : Just when she thought that the bizzare dream was over, it had started again. She couldn't understand what was real and what was an illusion? The lines were getting blurry. "What's going on with me?", she thought.  Jia looked excited. They were celebrating in a restaurant. Alora told Jia that she had to use the restroom. It was just an excuse, Alora went to the restroom. She looked into the mirror, washed her face and looked again. Nonetheless, she was still not back to 2020. Nothing seemed clear.  She stepped outside the restroom dabbing her hands with tissue paper, and dashed into someone. "Sorry", she said and lifted up her head. "Armaan Mehta!", she babbled. She couldn't believe her eyes.  "Hey! Miss Alora. You okay?", Armaan smiled. He brushed his light beard, folded the handkerchief that was in his hands neatly and put it inside his pocket. He adjusted his watch and align...

*Click here for the previous chapter...(6)* Celebration :  Alora was finally relieved when she put on her school uniform. "It was just a dream, thankfully!", she thought, smiling to herself in the mirror.  Both of her parents were working, so they left home early in the morning. As usual Alora's breakfast was kept ready. She finished her food and took the bus money from the bowl. She fed the fish and left. Jia had saved the seat for her in the bus. "Aha! This is my favourite routine", Alora was happy to be back to her school and her 17 year old self. She opened her bag and took out her books. There it was, 'Heartbeat', the novel she was reading. Alora opened the page which had Armaan's description. "Should I tell Jia about my dream?", Alora wondered. "No! She would think I'm crazy. She will tease me for my entire life", Alora shook her head to chase away her thoughts. "Ummm, what's with the head shake buddy? Show me t...

*Click here for the previous chapter....(9)* New job :  "Ummm...well, Jia I just thought that you know....you always ask me about the books I read. Though you never like to read it yourself. You keep pestering me to tell you stories. You feel happy to see readers engrossed in books. And you love coffee. So I thought maybe you would...you know...open a book cafè", Alora spoke just anything that came to her mind, expecting Jia to believe her slapdash words.  And it worked. "Awww! You are such a sweetheart Alora", Jia hugged her. "You really can read my mind", she added. Alora felt guilty about the whole thing but managed to escape the situation. "Should I tell Jia about my dream/time-travel/book travel whatever it is? She's my best buddy, she will surely understand", Alora pondered glancing at Jia's happy face. "Jia let's eat something. I'm hungry ", Alora said, wanting to sit down and talk. They both went to a cafè nearby...

*Click here for the previous chapter...(5)* Heartbeat :  "Why am I here in his office? I mean....he is not even the lead character of the novel. Then why did I meet him, out of everyone else. Yes, we are polar opposites. And I always wondered how can a person be so perfect! But.....", Alora was thinking.  "How do the books you read influence your life Miss Alora?", a deep voice interrupted Alora's thoughts.  Alora looked up. "Its Armaan Mehta! He spoke to me, for the first time", Alora blushed. "Well, Ar...Sir", Alora cleared her throat. "How do the books influence? How do I tell him that they pull me in....like literally in?", Alora's soliloquy.  "Sir the books that I read are varied kinds, diferent genres. If it's Science based, it helps me in my academic subjects. If it's a personality building guide then along those lines. The biographies inspire me in various walks of life. And I also like love stories", s...

  *Click here for the previous chapter...(4)* The character : His eyes twinkled. He smiled softly and again made a straight face. Alora's heart skipped a beat. Her trance was broken and she swiftly started collecting her papers. She put them in the file and approached the table of the interviewers. She inhaled a deep breath to calm her heart. Along with Armaan Sir, there was a male and a female interviewer too.  "Please sit", the female interviewer said. Alora sat on the chair placed in front of their table. She was nervous about the whole thing that was happening with her. "I'm still 17 at heart. What if I've time-travelled? How can I pass an interview for an engineering job?", Alora's soliloquy.  "Miss Alora Patel. Please tell us more about yourself", the male interviewer said. "I've completed my engineering from ABZ college. I played badminton during school and college. I've won trophies for the same. These are my credential...

*Click here for the previous chapter...(3)*  The interview : Alora opened the file that was in her hand. Certificates of her academic achievements through four years of college and co-curricular activities were neatly arranged. She checked the name again, it was definitely hers. "Don't forget, I've helped you organise all this. So when you get selected half the credit goes to me. And yes, I'll be waiting for the party", Jia said as she winked and put forth her fist for a bump.  Alora fist bumped her, still confused. But she decided to go with the flow. "Wait, what will you do Jia? I mean while I'm in the interview...", Alora wished to ask Jia more, to know more about what was happening in this new era.  "Alora, buddy, ofcourse I've to be at my book cafè. I just came to cheer you up, just like you did when I decided to open my cafè", Jia smiled.  "Book cafè! Jia does look like an adult now", Alora thought as she smiled back.  ...

*Click here for the previous chapter....(2)* 2025 :  Alora looked to her left and then to her right, and decided to keep walking on the footpath. Petals of the Gulmohor, Bahawa, were falling to the ground as she walked along. The path looked beautiful but people around weren't even bothered to pause and gaze.  She crossed an elite commercial complex and was about to glance properly, when someone called her name. "Alora, where are you going?".  Alora turned to see and was stunned to see Jia. Jia was dressed in a salwar-kameez. Her hair was styled with bangs, highlights of bronze, she looked amazing.  "Wow! What are you doing here Jia? And these highlights...are they allowed?", Alora looked at her puzzled.  "Don't they look amazing? What allowed? Are we in high school now? We can do whatever we want. We are adults, officially, for past four years now", Jia said raising her eyebrows.  "Adults?", Alora exclaimed. She saw herself in the reflec...

*Click here for previous chapter...(1)*  Wormhole : She ran to the bus stop only to find her bus, slowly moving ahead. She banged with her palms on the side of the bus and her friend peeped from the window, "Alora! Driver please stop. My friend wants to hop in, please, please".  The driver halted. Alora hopped in dabbing her sweat.  "Here, I've saved a seat for you", her friend Jia said. "Thanks buddy", Alora gave a fist bump to Jia, as she got seated.  "Help me with this math question Alora", Jia took out her notebook and placed it on Alora's lap. Alora gave a slant look and rolled her eyes up, "Is this why you always save me a seat? ", she said with a smirk. "Hey! You are my best buddy, ain't you?", Jia winked in reply.  Alora helped Jia with her math problem and by that time, they reached their stop.  "Envisage High School", the conductor yelled.  The friends got down and chit-chatting happily, entered...

 Intro : The light rasping of coarse coffee beans grated in the grinder, filled in the quiet ambience. Water was poured into the container of the coffee maker and the ground coffee in the funnel. He brewed some fresh coffee and it's fragrance lingered through out the room. The kitchen was spick and span. All the utensils properly put in place. The sink was shining as if never used. Gas stove top, made of glass, looked like a mirror, reflecting his tidy image.  She was still in her bed, lazying around. From beneath the quilt she peeked out, to find sun's rays trying to enter through the gaps between the curtains on her windows. Snoozing the alarm atleast 3 times, she, reluctantly woke up. She sat there for another couple of minutes, attempting to open her eyes completely. She rubbed her eyes gently to wipe off the haze. She glanced upon the entire bedroom. Her cupboard door was ajar. Some clothes were having the 'Eureka' moment, falling off from the shelves. Study table ...