Helllooo everyoneeee

Yes I am back with the next update!

Thank you tons for your support as always and bda wishes for my son❤️❤️🙏🙏

Also we  ow have time travelled straight into 2022 in the story as well with Arnav😉😉😉❤️❤️❤️

Excited for you all to read the update😉

Word count - 4.4K words

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4. Across....Time!

Modern Day, India

6th June, 2022

New Delhi - Connaught Place

3:15PM

Khushi's POV

"How did we let you convince us to have you leave for Delhi, fifteen days prior to your scheduled work timeline...Khushi...tell us again..??,"comes my dad and mom's grumpy voice in unison over the videocall. My phone is placed over the kitchen slab as I am settling in the provisions around in the cabinets in the rented apartment that is going to be my home in Delhi for the next 4 months given that I am scheduled to return to Oxford, UK - on 7th Oct just in time for the beginning of the new academic year in fall by the 11th.

Hello guys, let's quickly get done with the brief intro's then given that I am on call simultaneously as well. I am Khushi Gupta, a little over 26 years of age. I am an Indian but have been born and brought up in Oxford, UK and have lived there all my life. Most of our immediate family and first cousins/family friends circle is in Oxford or around London and we have some distant relatives in the south/west of India and that's where we have always visited on our family holidays to India mostly. I'v legit never been to the north of India ever before - another reason why I am absolutely thrilled to be here all by myself this time around.

I will finally get to explore it all in my tourist mode at my own leisure and pace with a keen eye out for every historic angle around it all. I mean, obvious given that I am a sucker for anything history. My fascination with the past/history of man/evolution of lives and cultures across time has been a standout ever since childhood. Even before I turned 10, I simply knew it that I was going to study and probably teach archaeology eventually...

And here I am today, at 26 years of age - working as an assistant professor in historical archaeology at Oxford University, back in UK. Aim is to obviously move my way up from being an assistant professor eventually. I wana keep enhancing my knowledge and last year I just realised that I just have to keep working towards enhancing my on field experiences in archeology along with my theoretical base so perhaps its better if I take on different hands on projects in my summer breaks henceforth. That's what led me to apply to become a part of the upcoming restoration project at Red Fort eventually. You have no idea, how thrilled I was when I got the confirmation letter by the archaeological society of India that I'd made it to the team...!!

On another note - we are a family of professors. Both my parents are in the faculty of quantum physics at Oxford which basically means they are both physicists and my brother is Assistant Professor in Mathematics at Oxford as well. You could say we are all extremely passionate about our academics and most significantly our respective fields..

I hear my parents grumpy voice come in again over videocall asking me the same bit they did a minute ago so looks like I gotta pause on the one on one for bit...for now...

I chuckle happily as they ask me the same third time around and I wink at them, briefly taking a pause in between settling in stuff around - " that's because you both always lose your arguments in front of me or perhaps, lets just agree that I'v got the best convincing power in the family..guys...better than bhai surely...that's how I convinced you to let me come here two weeks prior..."

Dad groans and Mom rolls her eyes - " well, perhaps you are right about that..."

I hear my elder brother's voice come in from the background as he pops into the videocall hovering over Mom and Dad - " oh is it little one? No way. I don't think so. Its just the fact, that you take huge advantage of the bit that you are the apple of all our eyes, being the littlest bear of the family...you know it...talk to us in that utterly emotional tone of yours with the puppy eye-d look and we all melt like butter..."

I chuckle folding my arms over the kitchen counter - " oh is it?really? you mean...this look melts you all??in one go..,"and I pull up the exact expression bhai just mentioned..

They all chuckle in unison and they say - " you bet it does..."

I groan amused though rolling my eyes at Bhai - " also bhai...can you please...stop with that littlest bear bit please?and the little one as well? I am not little anymore...and I was never too little to you anyway...you are just a year and a half older..."

Bhai grins - " well, you are still younger to me and the youngest in the family...littlest bear...just be happy...I haven't used that with you affectionately at work...imagine if anyone in the faculty or Professor Winston heard me call you that....littlest bear..." ( Professor Winston is my immediate senior at work. Dr Winston, I should say given that he's double PhD.)

I groan - " bhai...stop...,"but I confess - " and I am forever grateful to you...for being professional..at university...atleast...". He nods in acknowldgement. We obviously picked that up from Mom and Dad - for whatever the equation at personal front - at university it's always professional code on for us whenever we bump into one another. We respect each other's workspace a lot.

Dad chips in now - " never mind the two of your banter...the point I am trying to make is that....atleast you could have spent the weekend...Khushi..."

Mom - " yes, you should have left on Monday.....,"and she rolls her eyes - " but what's the point in brining it up..she's already reached there..."

Dad sighs- " yes, that's true...just that if it were Monday...we would be at work all day...and.."

I grin - " and you all wouldn't have instantly missed my presence at home so much??"

Mom and Dad nod in unsion but Bhai grins - " please note - I don't mind at all...I finally get home to myself...and I finally get to mess around with your stuff...Khushi..."

My eyes widen - " Bhai...don't you dare...please...Mom...Dad...ask him not to mess with my stuff..please??"

Mom and Dad exchange an amused look - " aren't you two too old for constant sibling banter? Vikram Gupta...you are nearing 28 and you a little over 26...Khushi..."

Bhai and me end up answering in unsion - " sibling banter is destined to get funner with age...perhaps...?"

We all share a happy chuckle at that and I admit - " I miss you all of course. Even you..bhai..."

Bhai shoots me a warm smile now - " well, I miss you too Khushi. Jokes aside...mom and dad..are right...home feels empty with you...literally...you are the spark...I mean...whose going to annoy the hell out of me with her constant chatter over dinner for the next four months...haan??"

I narrow my eyes at him jokingly even though the former from me got me emotional - " really? my chatter is annoying...??"

Mom and Dad shake their head in a No - " oh it isn't darling...you know it isnt...we love your chatter..."

I am the crowned chatterbox of the family, obviously.

Bhai rolls his eyes amused again - " remember how I always say.. there's only two things this chatterbox of ours loves more than talking..."

Mom and Dad chip in grinning - "that would be us, and her fascination with history..."

I nod at that and we all share a happy chuckle as I confess - " well, that bit of it is totally true...can't deny it..."

Dad asks worried now - " you will be okay right?"

I nod - " Dad...chill...please? I know...this is my first time away from home for this long. But I am okay..alright?"

Mom, Dad, and Bhai nod and we continue our family chatter as they ask me if I have settled in well etc etc and what was the plan for the day now and I answer excited - " well, you all know that I came two weeks prior so that I could indulge in some exploration time of my own around delhi and the north of India/punjab...before my restoration project start...for once that does begin...I am going to have my hands full..."

Bhai nods but points out - " I still don't understand your fascination with the north of India in general though...I mean...not like we have any links there given that most of our relatives are in Mumbai/Banglore and we'v always visited there on our family visits to India...so tell me again...why are you so fascinated with the north of India??a part reason why I think you wanted to be a part of this restoration project at Red fort is that it would take you to Delhi...wasn't it?"

I grin and nod - "you bet... well, you all know I just always have been fascinated with India in general and more so the north. I'v read up so much on the history/cultural aspect of it all. I don't have any logic/reason bhai...or perhaps, it's just my curious mind and love for history and learning all about new places/ the passages of time around it...the historical architecture...that's all.."

Mom nods smiling now- " you'v always wanted to visit the golden temple in Amritsar since your teens...I remember...you'd say? I want to see the glorious golden architecture by own eyes...Mom.but we never got the chance as a family but I am happy you will be indulging in the same now. On that note,you head to Amritsar in a week right??"

I grin - " yes, in a week from now...don't worry you all...I have it all planned..."

Bhai grins - " share your travel itenary with me again ...the detailed one...the one that has all details of your stay locations etc... not the brief one I already have.."

I groan - " bhai...can you not get into that over-possesive mode please? I mean, the only reason Dad's never had to get into that mode is because you do it for him..anyway..."

Dad chuckles. Bhai as usual justifies his brotherly possessiveness and our family banter continues for a while more before I finally hang up and finish settling in the rest of the stuff around the kitchen in a rush.

Why in a rush?

Because, its my plan to start exploring around this evening itself starting with the areas around - Red Fort - ofcourse. I am to resume work around there in two weeks yes, so only fair, I explore around it all leisurely...to begin with..right?

It's a good thing, that my rented accommodation is in Connaught Place,which is just a short 15-20 minutes of car distance away from the Red Fort!

Minutes later, once I am finally done and have called an uber - I pick up my bag and get ready to step out. When I finally get into the uber - moments later - I take a moment to just post a small story on my Instagram Handle about how I am headed to old Delhi areas around Red Fort. Surprisingly,within minutes - I have a DM from Rahul.Wishing me all the best for my exploration...

Hmm.

I simply reply back with a thanks and smiley emoticon.

Rahul is who? You may wonder? My ex - of course.His family moved to New York last year from Oxford and that was also when we parted ways. He didn't wana do long distance even though I was ready to give it a shot. I tried to convince him that we could make it work but he was sure he didn't want long distance at all. In short - he ended things then obviously. We haven't talked much post his move to New York actually. Just some usual hey's..etc through Instagram on and off. That's all.

Did it hurt then a year ago being dumped over long distance again? A little yes, but Not much. I also figured then that even though Rahul and me had been dating a year..before that...it turned out that we were more like just attached to one another...rather than being in love. You know how they say...that attachment is very different from Love. It's easier to chop down the wires of attachment than that of Love...I presume. And given that it didn't take me long to get over it all/him...I assume...I was not in love with him too.

Hmmm, on the note, I can't help but wonder why my relationship histories are destined to involve these sort of break ups over long distance. I mean - I was in another relationship before the one with Rahul but that also ended because off long distance. He was moving away...didn't wana do long distance...same drill..and at that point with Kabir...I wasn't ready to give it a shot myself too! So I guess this equates to the bit - that even though I have been in two relationships till now both lasting a year each in different intervals over the last 4 years - I have not experienced what they say - Love in all its glory! Will I ever ??I wonder though at times. Will I ever meet a man, who would simply want to be with me despite the distance/time differences. If that ever became a concern? I don't really know...

And...perhaps...this isn't the time to wonder about any of that. I'v been single for this last year and I'v been enjoying myself having all the time in the world for my work. Brushing the thoughts aside, I return my attention to the view outside my car window as it takes me to Old Delhi....and I feel my touristy excitement return..

So remember that - First Stop on my List ?

Chatta Chowk Bazar - Red Fort!

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Authors Note - Pics of Khushi rented appt at CP

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A While Later - Present Day

4:44 PM in the Evening - Somehere around one of the deep deserted lanes near the Lahore Gate entrance off Red Fort, Delhi - India -

Arnav's POV

THUD...

I feel myself falling to the ground with a force that I have never experienced before in my Life. I wonder on impact, if I have broken any bones?

Before, I can even open my eyes or comprehend what just happened to me, I feel my insides churn in my stomach at the speed of light as nausea consumed my head.

And..I feel dizzy like...I haven't felt in a long long time. Before, I know it, I feel my body curl up sideways and my left hand goes onto clutch my stomach.

I need to vomit. Dizzy and hazed still, I manage to sit up on my knees opening my eyes a little. But before I can even comprehend my surroundings - I throw up. It takes a couple of minutes of constant throwing up before the nausea and haziness starts to settle down...

On reflex, I reach out for my handkerchief from the left side pocket of my kurta and wipe my mouth and only when I finish doing so +throwing my handkerchief to the side - I take in the surroundings around me hazed...and dazed......as my thoughts begin to recollect itself.

Last, I was in Professors workspace. I'd pulled down the lever on the gadget he said was the portable time machine...with the aim to experiment if it could actually take me into the future?????

Wait...wait...Wait...

Has it Really???????? Has it taken me through time? Am I into the future..really????

Looks like it...

The only thing I remember post pulling the lever down was this - feel of being sucked into a vortex/some sort of a whirlpool and as if I was swirling in it fast and then I finally felt myself drop with a thud to the ground - moments later. How many moments later - I don't know...but what I do know surley was that I felt myself spiralling hard and vast into what felt like a vortex/whirpool for sure...

I look around my surroundings. I am not where I was surely. I'v landed in some deserted lanes in a place that has some evidence of the Mughal architecture surely that much I can relate.There is not a single person around but I can hear faint voices from afar distance as well. Out of the far corner of my eye - I spot the portable gadget that surely landed me here - dropped to the ground across as well.

Oh no.

Oh no.

Professor had asked me to hold onto it tight. Has it been damaged? If yes, then that means that could trap me here? For I have no clue how to get back to my time without it. I run to it managing to keep my balance with great difficulty. Atleast, I haven't sustained fractures with the fall. But.. my fear is true. The device. Its suffered damage on impact. It's in two parts,almostThe cylindrical tube attached on top is fallen separately to the side - but it's still attached with the gadget with a bunch of wires..

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW? I HAVE TO FIX THIS GADGET. I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX THIS!!

BUT HOW??

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE I AM AT THE MOMENT - as the digits on the cylindrical tube seem to have messed up in order as well. I can't make sense of the order it was in and because I was in such a rush...I didn't notice it prior. Big Error. I feel panic beginning to set in - but I remind myself that this is not the time to go into panic. I have to figure this out...I came into the future wanting to figure a lot of things out...right?

I stand up now on my feet holding the broken portable device in my hand carefully. I cannot risk anymore damage to this. I also have to figure out a way to conceal this. Thankfully, I spot a few empty cloth carry bags...lying up ahead a few steps and I walk up to it, pick one up and safely place the device in it and sway the carry bag handles on my shoulder.

Okay! Okay! People are still using the good old carry bag around here, so means some sort of familiarity continues down from our time. I brush my hands over my face and begin to walk in the direction of the voices up front. But I pause. Why? Because, my right hand goes to my kurta's pocket on the right side and I realise that - I still have my wallet inside it. I also had my handkerchief intact in my other pocket..right?

I open my wallet quickly to check all the contents inside. Its all intact. I have some money in there both notes and some coins in the coin pocket. I have my faculty identity card from Oxford and my national identity card from the state of Lahore, British India + the state ration card. I also have the train ticket that got me from Bombay to Lahore just days ago in my time.And then, there is also the photo of Khushi Gill...Maa had tucked in here in my wallet before I left our haveli. Its all in here. I turn the photo around in my hand after taking a glimpse of it again. Its only now I notice - that her name/ birth date /place is written behind it in neat calligraphy -

Khushi Gill

Date Of Birth :2nd Feburary, 1922

Place : Amritsar, Punjab, British India

I adjust the contents back as is into my wallet and place it back snug in the pocket of my kurta and my head reels in an overdrive yet again...

Was professor right? Then? Time Travel is possible. His device definitely took me through time - some here. And it is possible to carry through the matter strapped onto one's self whilst travelling through time? Oh, yes he was right about it all.For - there is no damage to any of the papers inside my wallet. Perhaps, even the gadget wouldn't have sustained damage if it hadn't fallen to the ground...when my grip loosened on it during my fall...out of the portal...

Taking a deep breathe, I continue walking down the lane down towards the voices - and just as I get closer to the curb and turn right - I come across a group of people at a Tea Stall on what looks like would be a starting point off market street from the out towards in. A rather busy market street...leading inside to a covered area of a monument...that my eyes do seem to roughly recognise...

It looks like I am around - The Red Fort, Delhi. Iv been here once before in 1938 with my family...but....wait...this as in the Red Fort area around looks familar, but everything around it is different. Way more different as I could have ever imagined.This is in the future, for sure...

I look at the surroundings again.This looks like I am around the Red Fort, Delhi - for sure. I continue walking further scanning the crowd and look around for signs of boards/directions - and I see a board sign that gives directon towards that covered market space. It says- CHATTA CHOWK BAZAAR.

I spot another sign board of a shop around, that's address below says - New Delhi, India.So yes, my brain confirms that even though I am in the future - I am in India, thank god.

I soak in the surroundings all dazed and hazed though very much rooted to my spot. A minute later - I hear another group of people from another nearby tea stall ask me if I was Okay in Hindi. I quickly just nod at them and begin to walk further not wanting to come across as an alien landed on Earth for the first time, even though within as I walked further and looked to my right and left and across in far vision- I did feel like an alien...indeed.

For as I look across - I find life bustling and hustling yes I do - but its all different. People's way off dressing is reflecting a lot of different/ western styles. They are talking - Hindi - but the dialect has a different accent/tone to it. A lot of people around are also conversing very fluently in English as if it were a second language. Last, i visited here in 1938 - locals preferred to stick to the national dialect either Urdu/ Hindi + the place wasnt five percent crowded as it is today. Also, whats significantly weird...is that majority of the people seem to be engrossed into looking into some weird gadget in their hands/or holding it to one's ear...talking into it...

Call me crazy...but my heads spinning with all that I am seeing around. How far into the Future I have come? I need to find out. My head instantly tells me to ask for a newspaper around. They'd surely still have newspapers around here right?????? It would have the date, year etc plus most importantly it would have the news.

I pause by a couple of shops on the way leading inside the Chatta Chowk Bazaar asking for newspapers around and strangely I keep getting the same answers from everyone- " aaj kal akhbaar kaun padta hai? Phone nai hai tere pass??"(The reason I am not asking for date and year outright is because then people will begin to doubt my sanity perhaps?)

Quietly, I keep walking ahead dazed and hazed into the lanes of Chatta chowk bazaar still quiet blown away by everything my eyes are seeing/soaking in ...around me. Right then as I am about to cross a stall that seems to be a shop showcasing antiques items inside it - I stop in my tracks.

Why?

Because my mind tells me that maybe someone in here would have a newspaper and just as I am about to ask stepping in - I hear a cheerful voice of a woman fall into my ears from the side - as she's mounted on a ladder dressed in a western attire and she is surely addressing the uncle behind the desk as she asks hustling her hands between two cartons on top ledge where the ladder ended- " uncle...do you need this small carton or this big carton??"

The uncle gives me a smile briefly as he says - " ek minute..,"and I nod and he looks at her as I continue to soak in the shop's surroundings. He calls out to her - "Beti...I told you...you don't need to get up the ladder yourself to help me get the fresh piece of that item you liked...let my helper come back...he will get it down for you...I don't want you to hurt yourself.."

I wait, patiently holding onto the carry bag snug to my side.I hear the woman reply in that chirpy tone of hers . I cannot see her face yet though - " ohho uncle, don't worry, I got this...for you...just tell me...which carton...this or that...I told you...I am excellent with ladders...I am going to start restoration work with the archaeological society of India...in here at the red fort very soon..won't that also need me to be hanging up around ladders often executing restoration work ?? I have no problem in helping you...you see...I am in a rush...I couldn't wait...for your helper to be back....you see....I have much to explore...so much...to..se.....e.......eee,"and with that eeeee....syllable hanging in the air almost...the woman seems to lose her balance suddenly off the ladder - and she falls straight off it as the words - "Oh god...no...no...no...,"leave her mouth.

Uncle says worried instantly too - " oh no..."

Well, I may be from another time in the past, but I wasn't going to stand here in the future and see someone fall of a ladder especially when I am in an arms distance and can help save them. Before I knew it - I'd walked up just in time to the spot - and opened my hands to catch this woman from her fall - and as expected a second later - she landed straight into my arms - her hands hold onto me suddenly with a jerk as well for instant support...

And just as my eyes finally take in the sight of the face of this woman - I'v caught in my arms - I feel my insides freeze like they never have before. My head begins reeling the fastest it has ever reeled surely.

Its reeling faster than when professor told me time travel was possible/or when he showed me the portable time travel device - ( the broken parts of which are still in the bag to my side). Or scratch that.This moment's surely got not just my head but all of me reeling faster than that vortex/whirpool of energy that teleported me straight into the future.And I seem to freeze in my frame right there - holding onto her in my arms in sheer shock , daze and haze...

Why??

Because I find myself staring into the face I surely recognize. The woman's got her eyes closed still in fear unable to believe she hasn't fallen to the ground - perhaps...but there is no way I wouldn't recognise this face. It's the same face as that of the picture that I saw just minutes ago...whilst reviewing the contents of my wallet for any damage...

What's happening here???

JUST

How

is

this

even

possible????

How is it possible for this woman in my arms to have the same face as that of Khushi Gill? The woman my mother wants to fix my alliance with...back in my time in 1944?????????????? I continue gazing at her face intently, it's the same face - Yes. She's dressed differently though from the picture - very differently.The length of her hair is shorter than the picture but she has the same face....

Goodness me...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's happening?

A woman with the same face is living in the past surely and the same face is here too... in this future and time- I have landed in!!!!And the odds - that she fell straight into my arms in this strange coincidence just as I am trying to figure my head around how far into the future have I come???????

Is this a sign? Is she a sign? Say, if I was meant to come across a familiar face instantly - could it mean that there is a higher power/or as we often call it fate trying to pull some strings here..across time? Am I meant to rely on her for some help here...in this future? I don't know yet....

Just - Why Am I Destined to meet a woman with this face.....Across Time too??????

It is right then - as I continue to gaze at her face intently and in part shock - I spot her finally opening her eyes.She looks at me straight and whispers softly her left hand clutching onto the collar of my pathani kurta still - " you saved me....thank you...oh thank god...thank god for you...or I'd have had a nasty fall ...like humpty dumpty totally....,"and she smiles - all relieved and glad that she didn't hit the ground as she continues to thank me in the next breath.

And even though - I don't know why I was destined to meet her in person - here in the future first instead of back in my time just yet - it seems there's another thing I do know..in all totality...

She's got the same eyes as the picture I have off her in my wallet still. The picture that is a proof that she exists in my time as well. And she's also got the same smile...

The same set of twinkling eyes and a heartfelt smile...that...has the power to momentarily mesmerise...and simply stun a man's mind.

...................................................................
TADAAAA!!

Howzzat everyone??

Yes , yes , khushi herself only has landed into Arnavs arms ❤️❤️ also no shows at me for cliffhanger sorts. The next update will continue from here ofcourse extending into the meet😊😊😊

Next Update: Sunday night/ or Monday

Have a great weekend you all. I am on mommy duty tomm taking kids + a couple of their friends to theme park! Will be a fun day❤️❤️🙏🙏

Much Love × Infinte Gratitude

Always

🙏❤️❤️❤️🙏
Prachi