The Tangle of Time and the Embrace of Hope

Rupali had returned a week ago, and this week felt nothing less than a dream. She was now certain that it wasn't a dream but reality. She believed that God had given her a chance to rectify her mistakes and improve her life. However, she had no idea what she had done in her previous life to deserve such divine grace. Yet, she couldn't share this turmoil with anyone because time travel itself is an extraordinary concept, and traveling back to her younger self was beyond belief.

Rupali couldn't comprehend whether her future life was real or if her present was. Whatever the truth, she knew exactly what was going to happen in the next 13 years and how rapidly the world would change. She joked to herself, "If only I had gone back to 2008, I would have bought Bitcoin. By 2024, I'd be on the list of millionaires, with nothing to worry about."

Lost in her daydreams, she was chopping vegetables for cooking. Suddenly, she accidentally cut her finger, snapping her out of her reverie. She muttered to herself, "Maybe this was God's way of reminding me not to get greedy. This second chance is meant for me to become a better person, not to take shortcuts."

This thought humbled her. She said to herself, "Listen, brain, don't get carried away. You know your own limits. I may have traveled back in time, but my intelligence and IQ are still the same. And let's not forget the giant wall looming ahead—my 12th-grade board exams."

She was the only one who knew how she had managed to pass those exams. The thought of her 12th grade brought her enthusiasm crashing down. "Chemistry felt like an alien language, and physics? God help me, it was like counting the stars on another planet." Biology provided some relief, but even then, she would dream of spinning DNA double helices. And math? "Don't even mention it."

"I'll have to study all this again!" she exclaimed. As she washed the vegetables and heated the pan on the stove, she began to plan in her mind.

"My future may be clear to me, but the first milestone is the 12th-grade board exams. Over the years, I've realized there is no power greater than knowledge. I won't waste this time." With this determination, she poured oil into the pan, added cumin seeds and spices, and prepared the vegetable curry.

She thought to herself, "Today, Neetu Di and Pari Di are going to be surprised." She recalled how, when she first came to Bhagalpur, she didn't even know how to cook, and her sisters had to do all the cooking. But time had taught her everything. While she couldn't call herself a master chef, she could still cook decently.

But Neetu and Pari didn't know this yet. She decided she would gradually impress them with her cooking skills. The aroma of spices wafting from the pan boosted her confidence. She patted herself on the back and said, "Well done, Rupali! You haven't forgotten how to cook. I'll make such delicious food that both sisters will be licking their fingers."

This thought filled her with happiness. The future held changes and even distances among them, but she often reminisced about these old moments. Now that these moments were in front of her, she wanted to live them fully with her friends and family.

Life had taught her many lessons. Just then, her phone rang. She looked at the screen and saw "Mom" flashing on it.

Seeing her mom's name, a storm of emotions surged in her heart. Yet, she answered the call. On the other end, her mother's voice said, "Hello, Rupali! How are you, dear?"

Hearing her mother's voice made her heart swell with emotion. She remembered her 12th-grade days when she went through a phase where she saw everyone as her enemy. She harbored bitterness toward her mom and often vented to her sister. But as she grew older, she realized how much her mother loved her. Perhaps it's a phase every teenager goes through when they fail to understand their parents' love and care. Parents, after all, are the ones who wear old clothes so their children can have new ones, who eat simple meals so their children can have feasts, and who work tirelessly to fulfill their children's dreams.

Rupali paused for a moment, recalling all the times she had argued with her mother over trivial matters. But now, with years of experience, she understood how much love was hidden in every word, every piece of advice, and every scolding her mother gave.

Her mom asked again, "Rupali, is everything alright? You're not troubled, are you?"

Rupali took a deep breath and replied, "No, Mom, everything's fine. Just a bit of study pressure."

Her mom's voice was reassuring, "Every student feels that pressure, but don't worry. You're our smartest daughter. If you work hard, everything will turn out well. Have faith in God."

Her mother's words filled Rupali with renewed confidence. She resolved not to waste this second chance and to work toward fulfilling her parents' dreams.

Her mom asked, "How are your sisters? Are you managing with food and everything else?"

Rupali smiled and replied, "Everything's great, Mom. I made curry myself today. My sisters are going to be amazed."

Her mom laughed, "Wow! My daughter is becoming a kitchen expert now. Take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to call me if you ever need to talk."

After hanging up, Rupali sat quietly for a while. It felt as though she was rediscovering herself. She realized how significant this second chance was in her life.

She thought, "I won't be the same Rupali who let anger and misunderstandings control her. I'll start anew. I'll nurture my relationships, work on my dreams, and focus on my studies."

Rupali felt both excitement and fear—could she really create a better future for herself? Could she rectify the mistakes of her past life? But this time, she had time on her side, along with a new perspective.

While her heart was filled with excitement, there was also a lingering fear—could she truly improve her future? Could she rectify the mistakes of her past life? But this time, she had the advantage of time and a completely new perspective.

There was so much to do in the coming days, and this journey had only just begun.

For Rupali, this was a new beginning. She knew the days ahead wouldn't be easy. The 12th-grade board exams were fast approaching, and every subject felt like a challenge. But this time, she wasn't someone who would give up easily.

She told herself, "If I want to change my life, I'll have to work hard. There's no room for wasting time now. I need to create a routine that will help me excel in every subject."

Rupali picked up her diary and pen from her bedside table and began planning. She thought about which subjects needed the most attention and which could be managed with a bit less effort. She was prioritizing all the areas she struggled with.

"If only I had my smartphone," she thought. She remembered how Google and YouTube had been her saviors for studying in the future. "Now, I'll have to figure everything out on my own," she said to herself.

She also realized that she needed to take care of her health alongside her studies. She decided she would exercise daily and avoid eating junk food. She made a promise to herself that this time, she would keep both her body and mind healthy.

Just then, Neeta Di entered the room, breaking Rupali's train of thought.

"Wow! The room smells amazing. Did you cook today?" Neeta Di asked in surprise.

Rupali smiled and replied, "Yes, Di. I thought I'd try something new. I hope you and Pari Di will like it."

Neeta Di glanced at the dishes on the table. "Wow! The rice looks perfectly cooked, and the vegetables smell fantastic. Great job, Rupali!"

Rupali sighed with relief. "Thank you, Di. Now hurry up and try it. Let me know how it tastes."

A few moments later, Pari Di entered the room, as usual, with her playful demeanor. "Oh, you two started eating without me? What's the occasion?" she teased.

Rupali laughed and said, "No, Di! We were waiting for you."

The three of them sat down to eat, and Rupali watched her sisters closely. She felt a warm sense of contentment, cherishing this moment of togetherness. She knew these small, joyful moments would become precious memories one day, and this time, she was determined to treasure every one of them.

The three of them shared the meal together, and everyone loved the food Rupali had prepared. It was a small victory for her, but it meant a lot.

After dinner, Neeta Di's phone rang. She picked it up and her expression turned serious. Rupali noticed that her phone was flooded with messages.

A message flashed on the screen: "I know you're not ready for a new relationship yet, but please don't take away our friendship."

Rupali said nothing. She knew Neeta Di was going through a difficult time in her life. She thought to herself, "I know the future, but it wouldn't be right to interfere. Neeta Di needs to make her own decisions."

Neeta Di took a deep breath, picked up her phone, and walked to the terrace.

When she returned, her eyes were moist. Pari hugged her tightly.

The sun was setting, and its soft rays illuminated the room. The three girls were lost in their own thoughts. Neeta and Pari, who were more than just roommates to Rupali—they were like elder sisters—sat quietly. Neeta's eyes were teary, but her face carried a strange calm, as if she had made an important decision. Pari sat by her side, gently patting her back, while Rupali, aware of everything yet silent, sat still in her place.

Rupali glanced at her diary, where she had been jotting down her plans for the future. She knew this journey wouldn't be easy. She thought to herself, "I can't change their future, but I'll do my best to walk with them through it."

Suddenly, Neeta looked up and, with a faint smile, said,

"Maybe it's time now. I won't let my fears and doubts control me anymore. Whatever happens, happens, but I can't let myself be weak any longer."

Pari placed a reassuring hand on Neeta's shoulder and said,

"You're not alone, Neeta. We're with you. Every step of the way."

Rupali looked at both of them and said softly,

"We're all together. And as long as we're together, every challenge will become easier."

The room felt charged with a new energy. Neeta and Pari hugged Rupali tightly. Their friendship had grown stronger than ever.

But deep inside, Rupali's heart was still restless. She knew what the future held, yet she had resolved to let everyone make their own decisions—it was the right thing to do.

She closed her diary and looked out the window. The sun had set, but a single bright star was visible in the sky. Neeta pointed toward it and said,

"Look at that star. It's a sign that there's always light after darkness. We just have to keep our faith alive."

Rupali smiled. She thought to herself, "Life teaches us something new every day. My job now is to embrace this opportunity fully."

The room fell silent, but in that silence, there was the promise of a fresh beginning.

Rupali made a vow to herself,

"I may not be a part of their battles, but whenever they need me, I will stand by them."

The light in the room slowly dimmed, but within the three of them, a new sense of hope was shining brightly.

As Rupali gazed out of the window, she wondered,

"Have I chosen the right path? Or is this all part of a bigger plan?"

The star in the sky continued to glow, as if it held the answers to every question.

Perhaps, the true essence of life lies hidden in every struggle.