Author - Jui Purohit.

*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 ...

 Dear future me, I know you will be in pink of your health. Well, I'm trying to keep you so, to my best efforts.  I try to be punctual with my exercise routine. Also eating properly, not every, but major of the times. You would be surprised to hear that I'm giving up things which are my favourite. Perhaps you won't be much amazed, as you already are in the state, where you've seen more seasons and lived through experiences that have matured you even more. But right now I'm amazed with me being able to leave what was once very dear to me.  As we grow older, things dawn upon us. We regret certain decisions, for being stubborn certain times. Ultimately, we don't yield enough but the time is already wasted. I've discovered that being impatient, adamant leaves you with only anxiety. Instead I'm trying to pacify myself, taking a small step towards that inner peace. You know what? I'm trying to figure out the purpose of my being. Well, I know I sound childi...

*Link to Chapter 15* Yuga slid her fingers through her hair. She looked up and then towards Nirav again, "It's not that simple Nirav", Yuga tried to explicate. "I cannot be a mother, I cannot bear a child", Yuga said, as she lightly pressed her stomach.  "I was three months pregnant when we got into the accident. I lost my baby and also the right to bear one, forever", Yuga said, her voice was cracking. She pressed her stomach harder this time. Nirav held Yuga's hand and rested it on the table. "I understand your concern. But it doesn't matter to me Yuga. And also, it doesn't answer my question", he was making his point clear. "Do you like me?", he repeated the question.  "Nirav, you already know how difficult it is, to soothe your heart after your partner, your loved one leaves you suddenly. It took me three years to come back to normal", Yuga said, slowly her voice was getting normal. "Actually this is t...

*Link to Chapter 14*  "I need to talk to you. Can you make some time for me?", Yuga sounded serious on the phone. "Yes, Yuga", Nirav said. In his mind still confused whether to go with the flow or hit the brakes before it becomes too late.  "There is so much chaos in my mind right now. Please hear me once. My thoughts are haunting me", Yuga's voice subdued. "Hey, Yuga, you alright? ", Nirav asked. "Yes I'm and I'm not. It's something we need to discuss upfront", Yuga replied.  "We will meet. I have some things on my mind too. Let's talk in person", Nirav asserted, tapping on the steering wheel, as if emphasising his decision.  "Okay Nirav, I will send you the address, and we will set the time and date", Yuga confirmed too. The next day, Yuga was waiting in the parking area. She was wearing a simple yellow tshirt and a pair of jeans. Her butterfly shaped earrings dangled as a whiff of breeze blew p...

  *Link to Chapter 13* "Navya chalo, let's finish this bite", Nirav said as he fed Navya her breakfast. "Okay then, Dadda is eating Navya's favourite cookie....who will Navya give her favourite cookie to?" Nirav was being playful with Navya. "To pretty aunty...Yu..Yuga aunty!", Navya happily exclaimed, out of the blue. "Yuga!", Nirav repeated. "Do you like Yuga aunty, Navya?", Nirav asked, watching Navya's happy face. "Yes! I will give her my favourite cookie", Navya repeated.  Nirav picked his mobile phone and scrolled for Yuga's number. He kept staring at her saved name.  He remembered her face the first time they met. "As she removed her palms off her face, her cheeks, red from crying, looked like apples" Nirav recollected and smiled. "Why are you smiling Dadda?", Navya asked. Nirav gave a broader smile to Navya.  "Only if the nanny hadn't called that day,  would've the day i...