Love Beyond Time

Adhuri Me💔

Daybreak brings the usual chorus of chirping birds and bustling city sounds: school kids chattering, the temple bell ringing, and the call to prayer from the mosque. The air is filled with the inviting aroma of hot jalebis and kachoris from Ramlal's sweet shop. It's a typical morning, just like any other.

A 30-year-old woman sits on a swing on her balcony, sipping chai and soaking in the view. Her tranquility is interrupted by the ring of her phone. She answers it, her face softening as she listens.

"Madam, if you're done enjoying the view, please hurry up. Your students are waiting, and you remember today's special client at the clinic, right? Yet here you are, lost in your morning chai," the voice on the other end chides.

The woman, Karishma Singh, smiles. "Santu, chill. Why are you so hyper this early? Everything will get done. You finish your breakfast and let me enjoy my 'me time'."

Santu, rolling her eyes, mutters to herself, "Yeah right, living in the same house but in different worlds. Can't even have breakfast together."

On the call, Karishma chuckles. "Alright, Santu. I'm coming."

She gets up to freshen up, while downstairs, Santu sets the breakfast table. Karishma enters the kitchen, greeting warmly, "Good morning, princess."

"Good morning, di!" Santu replies, hugging her.

"Hurry up with breakfast. We're always late because of you," Karishma teases. "Just because I'm a professor at your college doesn't mean I should overlook punctuality."

Santu, shocked and frustrated, retorts, "Oh really? It's because of me we're late? I must be the one who enjoys morning tea on the balcony, watching the sun rise behind the hills." She rolls her eyes again.

Karishma smiles, and the two finish breakfast, discussing college matters. Karishma pauses in front of a large photo of a woman, tears forming in her eyes. "Amma," she whispers.

Santu gently places a hand on her shoulder. "She's happy, di. Shall we go now?"

At college, Santu heads to her class while Karishma goes to the seminar hall, finding it empty. She inquires with a peon, who informs her about a special guest visiting today, hence the lectures will start post-lunch.

"Okay, I'll be in my cabin. Call me if needed," she instructs.

Karishma sits in her chair, eyes closed, a flashback playing in her mind: She's in a forest, following a girl's voice that grows louder. She gets deeper into the jungle, but the girl remains elusive, and she can't find her way out. Suddenly, someone grabs her hand...

"Krishu, wake up! Krishu!" Santu shakes Karishma's shoulder, waking her up. Sweat beads on Karishma's forehead, and she struggles to breathe.

Santu hands her water. "Another dream?"

Karishma nods and smiles weakly. After a while, they step outside, noticing the crowd of students and teachers.

"What's happening here?" Karishma asks.

"Looks like the scientist has arrived," Santu responds.

"Who?"

"The principal's friend and today's special guest."

Karishma hears someone call her name and turns around to see Meera Rajput, the principal of Devgiri College, approaching.

"Still standing there? Aren't you going to come and meet me?" Meera teases.

From the crowd, someone calls, "Meeru!" Meera turns as Shivani Pawar rushes towards her, hugging her tightly.

"Careful, Shivu. I'm the principal here, remember?" Meera says playfully.

Shivani, mimicking her, responds, "Yeah, yeah. Principal! Just a girlfriend to me." They laugh, breaking the hug, and hug again, but not kissing because of the setting.

Karishma watches them with a confused expression, while Santu, innocently, asks, "Meera di, you didn't tell me you had a girlfriend! And no one at college knows either."

With a mischievous smile, Shivani suggests, "Santu, no problem. Tomorrow we'll put up a notice declaring a holiday in celebration of the principal's girlfriend's arrival."

Santu, serious, replies, "Okay, I'll put up the notice."

The trio looks at her in shock, while Shivani giggles. Meera introduces Karishma to Shivani, and they shake hands warmly.

"Welcome, Miss Pawar."

"Thank you, Miss Singh. You can call me Mrs. Rajput-to-be," Shivani winks at Meera, who rolls her eyes.

The group heads to the principal's office, where they discuss the seminar. Shivani explains her research on human emotions and time travel, sparking Karishma's curiosity.

"Changing the past is impossible, right?" Karishma challenges.

"Not quite," Shivani smirks. "With a time machine, it's possible."

Karishma is skeptical but intrigued. Meera interrupts, "Let's discuss this over lunch. I need to leave with Shivu soon."

Later, Karishma returns home, thinking deeply about Shivani's words. Could she really change the past to complete what's missing today? These thoughts linger as she drifts off to sleep.

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