Chaitali and Anup

I looked around the building as I followed Ms. Subedar to my stay for a whole month. The building was huge and luxurious, nothing like my apartment. There were painting pieces decorated throughout the lobby. Once inside the lift I breathed a sigh.

"Do you like this place?" she asked me. I immediately straightened up my posture.

"Yes! it's really wonderful." after a while I dared comment

"I didn't know our college was this rich." the lift came to a halt and we got off.

"The college isn't." she said unlocking her door. That comment was strange I thought.

After all I am also selected for some project. As I entered I was in awe...the furniture was set up perfectly with curtains and the sofa set...all of this cannot be just for me. Is this a dream? oh no, don't even mention dreams.

"You will be staying with me." her voice startled me as I was looking through.

"What? but I thought it was a college research?" she chuckled sitting down.

"If I had told your parents about your dreams they would've not even let you meet me."

I nodded at that. But what if they ask about the project? I have got atleast something to show as records right. I was about to voice my concern but she answered before that

"as for the record...you will be researching that book, The empress of the mystical folks." I

frowned upon that "why?" I abruptly asked her.

She sighed before asking me to sit opposite to her. "Let me explain from the beginning...so why do you think you get these dreams?"

wow..I thought she was going to explain. But why is she asking questions from me?

"ummm...I don't know?" I replied truthfully. I was pretty sure she would be disappointed but instead she.. chuckled? okay.

"okay...so what do you think these dreams are?" I thought about it before explaining my analysis.

"I have this crazy theory" I began and she gave a big nod at me

"go on...life is going to get super crazy."

I took a deep breath at that. yeah life has been actually pretty crazy. "The constructions in my dreams all look like 17th century...and even the way people dress... although I remember vividly. There are no cars and I think..those could possibly be glimpses from past life?"

I searched for her expression to see if she was thinking I was crazy but she was still smiling. "you should go and rest.. it's quite late already right?"

Okay..she thinks I lost my mind because of fatigue. "umm...you don't think I am crazy right?" I asked her just in front of my room.

"Is there anyone who isn't crazy?" she chuckled. I didn't say anything further just went inside and shut the door.

As soon as I turned the lights on...my breathing stopped. This is room I will be staying in? It's so beautiful! what have I done to deserve this happiness? I danced around the room placing my bag on the cabinet.

"let me quickly take some pictures to make my dear bro jealous."

After about half an hour of playing around and taking dozens of pictures I finally lay down on the queen sized bed. I always used to fight with my brother over the upper bunk and now...I get to sleep on this enormous bed all by myself. I must have been a great person in my previous life. I quickly washed up and changed into my night wear. Turning off the lights I relaxed into the comforter.

Tick tock tick tock. "UGH!!" I grunted and sat up. I went to sleep at half past ten and now... it's half past twelve and I still haven't received a blink of sleep. How could I forget about my habit of not falling asleep in a new place. I checked my brother's chat hoping to find him online so I can chat but as expected the early bird sleeps early at night. Although this place is really big and luxurious but it's not cozy and lacks warmth. I sighed getting up and taking out the book I was to research on. I laid back turned on the bedside lamp to read the book.

'She was Mystically beautiful, not just physically but also through her heart. She was elegant at the same time boisterous. She knew how to giggle shyly as well her laughter echoed through the palace walls. Her perspective was insightful and She believed that her only limit was the sky. This is the story of the princess who didn't loose her heart to the tragedies she had to face. The magic she had was of..love, empathy and virtue. She loved her life inspite all the difficulties, Making her the most capable empress... '

This was getting interesting. Who is this princess?

And was she allowed all the liberties of ruling? and what about her tragedies?

"Chaitali...don't run you will get hurt." Someone called the princess as she ran with her hair untied and a bunch of lotuses in her hand.

"not today Sakshi, I can already smell the sweet scent of Prasad (food offering to God) I need to be present so I can have some." Sakshi who was running behind her with the princess' jewellery and a wooden comb stopped running as she panted. True to her words Chaitali did fall down, her dress getting caught up in her legs.

"Princess!" within few seconds three maids came to her aid.

"oh god, are you hurt?" Sakshi asked when she was settled quietly in a nearby chamber. Chaitali smiled,

"sorry.." she muttered to Sakshi who was her best maid and friend. She let her groom her hair neatly and put her jewellery just like a princess should.

"If you don't dress like a royal, you will get criticized." she explained. Chaitali hummed looking at her lotuses.

"I feel more comfortable dressing like my people though.." she explained. "I wish I was one of the folks.." she said dreamily.

Sakshi looked at her with a knowing look. "why is today your desire to go among the folks so ardent?" The princess looked away at that.

"why..do you think that?" The princess stuttered and at that Sakshi gasped.

"Really...tell me what happened when you visited the riverside village?" Chaitali still didn't say anything.

"Princess..why are behaving like this? you were so in hurry to go to the temple as if.. wanting to ask for a special wish." Sakshi persisted, probably already knowing what was her answer.

Chaitali inhaled deeply and held her hands looking pleadingly "Sakshi...can you get me information about a person?"

The said person looked at her hesitantly. "if you could tell me his name atleast..."

Chaitali smiled shyly before speaking in a whisper "Anup Rao..."

I woke up with a start. looking down at the book which had a part of it wetted by my saliva. My face was a bit sour and I knew that the edge of the book has left a mark on my face. I must have fell asleep while reading.

 "I feel more comfortable dressing like my people though.."

oh I had one of those dreams. But...he was not in there. I sighed and got up before I realised. "Anup!!!" His name...he must be Anup right? The person who I have come to love.