Whims of a Quiet Dreamer

Chapter 9: The Book That Sparked It All

Sithu tried to remember the name of the book, the one the Queen had spoken of in her dream. But no matter how hard she concentrated, the title evaded her. She sat at her kitchen table that morning, sipping a cup of tea and chuckling to herself. It was absurd, wasn't it? Dreaming of a magical world and a queen who promised she could escape through the pages of a book? She shook her head, laughing softly at her own foolishness.

Yet, there was a part of her—a small, childlike corner of her heart—that couldn't help but wonder. What if it wasn't just a dream? What if there was a real key hidden in the pages of the first book she ever loved?

That curiosity clung to her as she left the apartment, pulling her jacket tightly around her in the cool morning air. On the train, she found herself lost in thought, her mind wandering back through the years. She had read so many stories in her life, but surely one had stood out above the rest. The one that had opened the door to her imagination, to the magic she had always longed for.

But the title, the characters—it was all a blur.

As the train rattled toward the school, Sithu felt herself drifting down memory lane. On the surface, her life seemed perfectly fine. Born into a well-off family, she had never wanted for anything. She had her health, no physical disabilities, and nothing that anyone would consider a major hardship. Her life was the sort of story no one would bother writing about—too uneventful, too boring.

She had been born with a good mind, enough intelligence to get through school easily, but she had never really put it to use. No career achievements to boast of, no remarkable talents to call her own. Sithu sighed, feeling that familiar weight on her shoulders. Sometimes, it felt like she couldn't even complain about her life. After all, what was a little bullying in school or feeling out of place compared to the real struggles others faced?

She sighed as the train neared the station, her mind clouded with doubt. She had never been able to shake the feeling that her life was just one long string of missed opportunities. Maybe if she had applied herself more, or if she had fought harder for her place in the world...

By the time she reached the school, the thought of the book had started to slip away again. The mundane reality of her day took over as she walked through the gates, her whimsical clothes replaced by the stiff, uncomfortable uniform required by the school dress code.

As Sithu entered the classroom, her heart sank. The bullies were at it again, picking on the same quiet boy they had been harassing all week—Finn. He sat hunched at his desk, his face red with embarrassment, as the other kids whispered and threw paper balls at him while the teacher was distracted.

Sithu clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her. She had tried to stand up for him before, but it had only made things worse. She couldn't risk getting into more trouble with the principal, not after the harsh scolding she had already received. But as she walked past Finn's desk, she knelt down beside him, her voice soft.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I know I haven't been able to stop them. I tried... but I couldn't do much."

Finn looked up at her, his eyes wide and full of understanding. "I know," he said quietly. "I know you tried. You even got yelled at by the principal because of me."

Sithu blinked, surprised by his words. "It's not your fault," she said, shaking her head. "I just wish I could have done more."

Finn gave her a small smile, his voice steady despite his obvious discomfort. "You did what you could, Miss Sithu, You stand up for me, even when no one else does."

Sithu felt a lump form in her throat. "I don't know if I deserve that," she said softly. "Most days, I feel pretty defeated myself."

But Finn shook his head. "No. You're like Aslan, from Narnia. You stand up for justice. Even when it's hard."

Sithu froze, her heart skipping a beat.

Narnia.

The word echoed in her mind, and suddenly, it all clicked into place. The first book she had ever fallen in love with. The one that had sparked her love for magic and stories. The book that had transported her to another world, where children could walk through a wardrobe and find themselves in a land of talking animals, battles between good and evil, and the great lion who represented all that was noble and true.

C.S. Lewis. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Her heart raced as she knelt there beside Finn, her thoughts spinning. That was the book. That was the story the Queen had spoken of—the first one that had opened her eyes to the magic of other worlds.

As the day went on, Sithu couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a coincidence. The Queen had said the key was in the first book she ever loved, and here it was, staring her in the face, spoken by a quiet, bullied boy who had just compared her to Aslan.

By the time she left the school that afternoon, her mind was consumed with the revelation. She needed to find that book. Even if it was just a dream, she had to know.

But where could it be now?