Hellooooooo guyssss,

Yes,Yes... I am back!! It feels so good to have finally written down an update after so freaking long!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳❤️❤️❤️❤️

To begin with - I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for you precious support over all this time to me. Thank you for all your support and patience..🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Word Count – 4.6K word.

And I shall now let you all dive in without further delay..

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8. Fascinated

Two Days (48 Hours) Later @ Khushi's Rented Appt – CP, New Delhi

6:00PM

Khushi's POV

"There has to be a way." mutters Arnav loud enough for me to hear in the open kitchen as he makes his way back to where I am from his room. Needless to say, I had to bring him home here to my rented apartment eventually. Couldn't really leave him deserted on the streets of Delhi, with nowhere to go. It's good that my rented apartment has two separate bedrooms. I made sure that he has settled comfortably in one of the rooms.

" Surely, there has to be way, Khushi...," comes his voice a little louder this time. His voice or rather his presence fills back the air around me. I turn around instantly pausing in the process of making us both some coffee.

My aim is to immediately ask what is he implying towards by the bit of there has to be a way but my breath gets caught in my throat and I find myself at a loss of words. Unable to speak. Unable to move. Unable to freaking breathe, given that this man from the past – has managed to take my breath away...

Holding onto my breathe, trying to figure out a way to get my lungs functioning again - I continue to gape at Arnav with my eyes popped into my sockets – because well, he's just walked out of his room looking drop dead freaking gorgeous dressed in a pair of casual ripped denims with a grey tee. It's nothing fancy, really – just casual wear but somehow even this normal modern day get up on this man from the past – seems utterly fascinating. He totally looks like a gorgeous hunk of our modern-day era – instead of a lost time traveller from the past - I'v promised to help get back to his time. Perhaps, it was a wrong idea to take him shopping earlier during the day. Should have just let the dammed man be dressed in his pathani kurta, all the while...not that he looked any less gorgeous in his pathani kurta to begin with. Hadn't he managed to take my breath away dressed in the attire I found him in on numerous occasions in the last 48 hours already???

What's wrong with me???!!!!

What the freaking hell is wrong with me?????

I need to figure out a way to stop getting fascinated by this man at ever drop of a hat. I'v been telling myself that for the last 48 hours continuously but perhaps – I need constant reminders on loop in my head about this. A part of my mind feels like, I can't really blame myself. I'v always been so fascinated by everything history, so obvious that only a man from the past has the power to smitten me in the ways no man from my time ever has..

Infact, if I were to sit down to make a list titled – 'When am I not smitten with Professor Arnav Singh Raizda from the time of 1944' - I'd surely have nothing to list/write down in there, because well crazily, everything about him seems to freaking smitten the hell out of my mind..

He smitten's me when he's deep in thought, when he smiles, when he's inquisitive, when he's drowning in wonder, or even in the way in walks around in his confident, gentlemanly posture . He smitten' s me when he talks about his time, answering all my questions in great detail. He smitten's me when he gives me his complete focus in all our conversations. Hell, I am even smitten by the constant wonder, daze and awe in his eye every-time I fill him on every detail he questions about of our time...

Not just that. There's more.He smitten's me when he opens the door for me, stands up to pull a chair for me, serves me the food first on my plate, or how he shields me whilst crossing the road, turning around to cover me in a crowded touristy spot in order to save me from any sort off push-pull in the crowd. Really? Am I not the one who's supposed to be his guide around here in our time?? Why does he have to be this way around me? Making me feel so shielded by his presence. I am an independent strong woman of the 21st century and I very well can do it all, but here I am getting charmed by his chivalry and his mannersim. Perhaps, because there is nothing obnoxious or condescending about him/or his habit of being chivalrous at all. There's only gentleness and charm, which is rare to come by in men these days. A part of my mind reminds me, that he is a gentleman from the past, he is just being chivalrous out of habit perhaps??? Perhaps, this is how just men are/were in his time...

Well, not that the reminder helps change anything on my smitten meter...

Damm.

We'v obviously spent the last two days doing a lot of talking and exploring around. He's been in daze, awe and wonder continuously soaking it all as I'v shown him around. And amidst the exploration – there has been - constant chatter in between of us. Constant- Non-stop chatter. He talks about his time so much – which would be the past. I talk about my present, which is his future. It's crazy, how much we talk. I surely feel like I'v conversed more with this man from the past in the last 48 hours than I ever have with any man from my present – including my ex's. I mean you know in the sense of deep meaningful conversations...even though these conversations are in context of different points in time. It's like one moment we are discussing something random/time and culture related and the next second the conversation takes a deep philosophical turn with both of us sharing our opinions with one another openly. Sometimes I wonder - Is it because we both share a love of academics/inquisitive conversations anyway given our occupation as professors in our respective times???? Or is it that he gets me???

Oh wait. God help me. Am I still staring at him?? Most importantly, am I caught? I swear, I'd die of embarrassment if he caught me staring at him, right now.

Uh-oh. Thankfully, Arnav's got caught up in a moment of taking in his reflection in a nearby mirror – so he does not catch me staring at him. His voices falls on my ears again as he continues to gaze at his reflection – " Well, I tried this on in the trial room before we went on with the purchase, but now finally seeing myself in the clothing of your modern day era – still seems to daze me...Khushi....just like everything around here off your time...continues to daze me..."

I manage to find my voice back again as I reply returning my attention to the task of making us coffee for momentary respite – " well, you'v only been a visitor of our modern day century for the past two days Arnav, give yourself the time to adjust, surely in no time, all of it will seem very normal.."

He smiles and turns around to face me – " well, I don't think, I'd ever get used to seeing myself, in this attire...,"he gestures to his get up and then adds – " but I'd like to confess, it's not bad. Not bad at all. Comfortable enough. I don't mean to sound vain obviously, but I think I look quite good...don't I? as if I really were from around here..."

I look at him at that and admit with a smile – " well, you don't sound vain when you say you look good, because indeed you do. Infact, I was just thinking that to myself when you walked out..."

He grins. His eyes twinkle every time that grin reaches his eye. It suits him.Wonderfully. He asks – " what were you thinking to yourself when I walked out Khushi? that I look good??"

I pat his arm playfully – " no, rather that you do look like a man from our time..,"and I add pouring in our coffee's into our cups gesturing him to take his seat which he doesn't take obviously. Instead, he pulls out a stool for me and waits for me to take my seat with a gesture that says- After You. I sit down nonetheless and take a sip of my coffee, ignoring the flutter in my stomach – "well that was the point actually. I mean, the reason I took you shopping earlier today was so that you can pick out clothes that will make you mingle in...and also beause..," I pause.

"also because??," he asks sipping on the coffee finally taking his seat across me.

I confess softly – " because, I thought, you'd grown tired of being in the same attire...obviously...it had been two days...you were constantly just wearing the same thing on...after freshening up...surely that cannot be delightful..."

Arnav nods and whispers a soft – " thank you so much for this, Khushi. For everything. Infact, that was what I meant when I walked out, that surely there must be a way I can thank you for all of this, for everything you'v been doing. Like not only have you been extremely gracious with your faith in my story, but it's also your generosity, that finds me in debt of you. How can I pay you back for all of this. You'v spent so much of your money on me already and not to forget you'v given me a roof over my head...I...I...must repay you. Tell me how I can...please?,"he pauses, gratitude shining in his eyes.

I glare at him playfully – " oh please, do not start with your gratitude spree, Professor Arnav Singh Raizada..."

His eyes widen – " Do not call me Professor Arnav Singh Raizada, please? I told you to call me by my given name. Arnav...please?"

I smile smugly – " well, then do not start with the thanking spree..."

He shoots me his most sincere smile – " Please, you know what I mean. I am indebted to you so much already...surely there has to be a way I can make up to you for all of this...you must tell me...I insist..please?"

Keep smiling the way you do...and that would be enough...Arnav.Comes a thought straight into my heart. WHAT THE? AM I MAD??? Probably – I am. I shun the thought away...

Making sure my eyes glisten mischievously in order to cover up for that insane thought within, I answer – " well, if you insist so sincerely I'd say, perhaps you can just leave me those money notes and coins from your time, when you do leave....for they are worth a treasure in our time...surely a lot more than any spend I have/or will end up doing on you/for you...during your time here..."

Arnav grins and puts his hand out for a shake – " Done. It's a deal then. I shall leave behind all the currency I have from my time in your hands, when I do leave....Khushi..."

I nod and he states sipping his coffee – " You know, it's strange that across time, I find someone who likes coffee as strong as I do. Black and no sugar. Back at home, no one likes it the way I do. They all love Chai. Even back in Oxford...all my friends, collegues...all prefer the English tea..perhaps...there's joy in sharing a cup off coffee with someone who likes it exactly the way one does...never knew...until now of course, as in until I met you..."and with that he casually goes onto sip his coffee shooting me another grin.

Indeed, it is strange that we like our coffee the same way. But what's more stranger is the bit – how normal this is beginning to seem to me. To have him sit across off me sharing meals, beverages, deep meaningful conversations as if it were the most normal thing in the world when we both know it was anything but that. How can there be anything normal between a man and a woman from different centuries – sitting together and sharing meals and beverages and endless conversations....and yet.....

I am right on that thought – when Arnav asks now running his hand through his hair – causing a nonsensical flutter in my stomach – " So, is there any word from him? From your brother, Vikram?? Have you heard anything from him? Khushi?? Is there an update??"

I ignore the flutter in my stomach and return my attention to the topic in context picking up my phone – " well, not yet, surely soon, he went to university today, surely he will be able to hunt something down....something concrete....don't worry...we will figure something out...soon...ok? I know you feel trapped here...our time...our world...dazes you...makes you feel out of place...but trust me Arnav ...I am as in me and my family are doing all we can to help you..."

He smiled at that. A smile that was straight from the heart – " I know. I trust you. And your family. I know you are doing the best to help me,"and he returns to sip on his coffee, deep in thought.

Well, given that I was finally going to be bringing Arnav home to stay with me until he figured out a way to return – I obviously had to keep my family updated of the situation. I'd never lived with a man across of my room that was not family, surely I had to confide in them. Plus, my gut told me that the three of them as in my parents and brother – could be off help to him as well and somehow Arnav agreed to be talking to them once I discussed with him. He'd said – he trusts my judgement on this. So, if I thought it was better to have them in loop for help then so be it...

Hence,once we did get home, two days ago at night, I had video-called them – a moment which sent Arnav into crazy shock as he wondered the discovery/possible realty of video calling someone across countries so easily. Whilst he sat in daze, I had filled in my parents and my bhai over my encounter with Arnav. They thought I was kidding them at first obviously, my parents specially being like – oh surely you are pulling our leg khushi given our fascination with time travel as physicists, but then bhai knew me too well to know that I would never kid about something like this. I had then – turned the screen towards Arnav who with utmost sincerity had introduced himself to them and then gone onto show them the exact proof's he'd shown me from the past...except the photo he had off my doppleganger from the past. I had then also showed theme the data of him , I'd found on our Oxford University portal. They had then logged in themselves on the portal to see for themselves too and needless to say – they'd discovered the same bit I had...

Even though they were shocked and shaken out of their minds, post hearing it all out – they had no option but to believe...and find a sense of conviction in his theory. My family agreed that we couldn't just let him be alone so it was good that I brought him home.( It was odd for me to see Dad and bhai not going into super possesive mode at the thought of a stranger living across of me for a while, but then I guess, it was Arnav's sincerity and honesty – that had put them at instant ease. Arnav had obviously gone onto thank them for their trust post which he went onto give them a vow that – I would be safe in his presence. That they had nothing worry about. He was a gentleman, a man of ethics and there was no way he was going to cause any sort of trouble to the woman/the family who had decided to help him out in his very tricky situation...)

Post this from him, Dad then advised Arnav to stow away the portable time travel device safely in a cupboard instead of carrying it around risking any further damage. He'd also advised to take a picture of the wires showing underneath through the loose parts and advised to look around for similar wires...in the old bazar in Chandni Chowk, the next day. We had then spent the next day looking...but found nothing. All technicians and electricians kept saying, they'd never even seen wires like the one's in the picture. Once we'd shared that information with my parents and bhai - Bhai then promised to a dejected Arnav that whilst we figure out a way to fix the gadget – he would also explore through the record rooms at University, with the aim to find any more clues/hints in records at Oxford about Arnav post his time as in June 1944 upto 1946...

What else was there to do? Given that we had made no headway towards fixing his time travel gadget. It made sense to look into the clues from the past...

Arnav whispers softly now breaking my chain of thought – "Apologies for interrupting your chain of thought, Khushi.But I have something to confess. May I??"

I nod at him instantly – "sure, go ahead...please??"

My mind's already wondering what his confession could be though. I hear him answer in a tone that was loaded with confusion and fascination both – " I just find...everything about your time...as in this 21st century......so unsettling...fascinating yes, indeed...but so unsettling...it's like the worlds around you is moving and advancing at a supersonic pace and if one can't keep up with that pace, surely one's destined to be doomed and lost.....it's crazy...it's just so crazy around here....all these modern inventions in technology, science...all that's happened in the world...ever since 1944....just when I feel I am beginning to get my head around it all...I find myself tumbling upon something new...to soak in....and its overwhelming obviously...its....,"he pauses looking straight at me as if he wanted me to fill in his gap expecting me to understand where he was coming from..

And strangely enough I hear myself whispering back because I did get him – "its daunting...isn't it? it's also scary..perhaps??"

Arnav nods – " Indeed. Its ,overwhelming, daunting, and scary.I knew you would understand. I mean back in 1944 if I were to even imagine ...all that has finally come off the world around us by 2022...like do you understand when I say....I couldn't even think of imagining...the way this reality has shaped up..."

I nod – " I know what you mean, obviously...,"and I pause noting his momentary discomfort – " you really want to go back...don't you?no matter how fascinating the discovery of our time/the future is???"

Arnav sighs and nods at that immediately – " Ofcourse, I want to go back, Khushi. No matter how fascinating this future here, the fact stands that I don't belong here. I don't belong in this time. Half the time, I am roaming around bedazzled and muddled the hell out of my mind trying to get my head around things. Plus, not to forget the other major point - I am so worried about my family. Extremely worried. I still have no idea how the pace off time is passing back in my time vs my time here...and just incase it is passing at the same pace I...I...v been missing...surely...they'd be freaking out....my maa wouldn't even have eaten...she'd fall sick...I..I...,"he pauses – a massive frown now culminating on his forehead.

I did not like the frown on him. I wanted to comfort him. I voice out my thought - " Perhaps you have nothing to worry about at all at least in the case of latter...Arnav..."

He looks up puzzled - "what do you mean, Khushi??"

I explain putting my hand over his on reflex and he clutches onto mine for instant support – " did you not say that the professor mentioned that you could chose the date -year- and location + the time in your digits whilst feeding it all in with the time digits being an additional input – in the portable time travel device that got you here??"

Arnav nods still unable to connect the dots I was pointing out – " yes...but what are you implying...Khushi??"

I explain – " then perhaps, you can just feed in the same date, year, location, and time..whenever your ready to get back no matter how much time in this future has passed Arnav...perhaps there is a possibility that irrespective of the passage of time here....you could still go back to the same moment in your time...the same moment you actually came from...."

He nods at that in thought – " indeed you have a point, Khushi but my point is...even if I do end up going back to the same moment...won't there be any passage of time consequences to deal with at all....its so unclear...so confusing... I have no idea how this works/will work and I find that quite unsettling..."

I admit understanding his confusion – " well, I wouldn't know the exact answer to that as well, given that I have never time travelled before...Arnav...but one can hope...be optimistic....that perhaps...it won't be as complicated...as your assumptions...c'mon calm down will you? Worry will not help you right now. Only Hope and faith will...."

Arnav nods and I gesture him to gulp down some water which he thankfully does – very fast. Putting the glass down – he nods sounding a lot more composed than he was minutes ago – " Indeed, you are right. I can hope for the best. Hope and faith will help me. Hope is my only saviour...at the moment. And you...of course. Thank God, for you."

I choke on my coffee sip – " did you just thank god for me???"

Arnav explains locking his gaze with mine – "Indeed, I just did. You are my saviour – Khushi. Surely, you know that you are. If it weren't for you – I'd be still as lost as I was – when I first landed here two days ago..."

I chuckle at that in order to cover up another flutter in my stomach – " well, the pleasure is all mine given that you'v been so gracious towards imparting all I want to know about your time...so I guess...we are even...there...and not to forget...you promised to leave your 1944's currency behind with me when you go back...so....all in all...I guess I get the greener end of the bargain..."

He smiles at that – " Oh, do you now?"

I nod.

He says his tone suddenly growing serious as he clutched onto my hand again – " Well, you are wrong.You think, you have the greener end of the bargain. But you don't. It is I who gets the greener deal of the bargain. You have no idea, how deeply I have been thanking gods in the last 48 hours...for leading me to you.....how wonderful it's been to have you by my side...you have undoubtedly been the only silver lining amidst dark clouds in my head....my only source of comfort amidst this very uncomfortable and startling future...you have been the only source of happiness...in the last 48 hours.....,"he pauses - his gaze holding mine with an unfamiliar intensity that seems to rumble all of my being. I want to look away. I can't seem to, though. His gaze is magnetic.

But....but...What does this even mean??? Oh surely, he's only saying it all because he finds himself drowning in gratitude. I pull my hand away thirty seconds later aiming for distraction as I say – " oh please...stop...now you are embarrassing me....okay?? I am only doing my best to help...and I guess...I would have helped anyone I'd find in a situation as tricky as yours....."

It was a lie.Obviously.Surely, I was only going out of my way to help him, because of him being him... But a lie was needed momentarily to cover up.

His eyes startle with momentary discomfort as I say that. Why, I don't know. He doesn't say anything, just nods.I need to aim for distraction. That intense moment in between of us from a second before – is over. I reach out for the box I'd been meaning to give him and once I hand him the box he asks taking it,confused – " what is this? Khushi??"

I grin, momentary glad for the change in context – " oh it's the very same gadget...you'v been so fascinated and occupied with ....Arnav. It's a phone obviously. I thought you could use one. Don't worry. It's all set in. I got you a sim card already as well. Now you can read all information on it as much as you want – all day long – and make notes on it as well. And of course, it will come handy in connecting us – as well – whilst we are out and about exploring...."

He gapes at me excited momentarily as he asks clutching the box in his hand - " did you really just get me a phone?? Khushi??when did you even get this??"

I grin – " whilst you were busy on your mission in the trail room earlier today, obviously..."

He asks grinning – " I can use this?? this is for me,"and then he pauses and shakes his head – " but no...this is too much...I can't take this..."

I shrug wanting him to keep it no matter what - " of course you can...if you want...in return you can just give me...that voyage ticket you hold that got you from London to Bombay, in your time...k?"

He narrows his eyes at me – " are you sure? will it be a fair exchange? That is just an old ticket...and this...is like a...,"he pauses finding words...

I fill in – " this is like an absolute necessity of our times...Arnav...come on...it isn't much...ok? you surely need a phone around here. How else am I going to get in touch with you when I am not by your side?? And you know no one else here..."

He insists – " but you are always by my side. I make sure of that. I would never leave your side...Khushi...I have no where else to be....so...do I really need it??"

I insist crossing my arms across my front – " I insist...please?? please...,"And when I spot another doubt flash his eyes – I whisper softly – " please???????okay really...you ought to agree...I have never used three please's in a row in conversational request in front of any man....ever....Arnav...."

His eyes widen as a sheepish smile marks his lips – " really? you haven't??"

I shake my head sincerely - " I really haven't. For real. But I am doing it for you, and mind you I wouldn't if I didn't think it was a complete necessity...ok??"

Arnav finally nods at that giving in – " well, okay then, if you insist....will you please show me the operations of it....is it the same like your phone?? or any different?? You open it for me...and show me the way around it please..."

And at that he shoves the phone in my hand and I open the box for him and begin to explain him everything. I try to control the rumble, tumble that consumes my being as he walks around behind me and looms over me from behind trying to understand it all....whilst leaning forward close from top. He's totally engrossed in my explanation around the gadget in my hand- his intent gaze moving back and forth from the phone to my face and yet again I find myself totally and utterly fascinated and drawn towards that look of concentration on his face – as he's trying to understand and comprehend...

Dammit me....

Godammit Freaking...Me!!

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TADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOWWZAAAT GUYS?

Hope you all enjoyed reading this update. I loved writing and compiling it so very much!!Let me know what you all think! Ofcourse, our dearest Khushi is going to be fascinated the hell out of her mind by our man from the past...❤️😉

Next Update : Tuesday Night

Thanks so much guys.

Much Love * Infinite Gratitude

Prachi

P.S – How many of you are still basking in the glory of India's world cup win?? Well I surely am...the videos and edits pouring in from the victory parade yesterday in Mumbai/Wankhede have been so fulfilling.......INDIAAAAAAA....INDIA....!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳