Hellooooooo guyssss,

So, here I am with the first update of the week!!

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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9. Ease

The Next Day – 1:00 PM in the afternoon

At a Restaurant near Qutub Minar, New Delhi

Arnav's POV

Back in 1938 when I'd visited Delhi with my family for a vacation – I'd obviously been here to see the Qutub Minar. And even though the monument stands pretty much in the same glory like it did – back then – everything around it seems to have changed monumentally..

We'v been exploring this area of Delhi since morning and needless to say – the discovery of the transformation in the surroundings has left me startled. Startled but not surprised, though. If anything, the last three days in the 21st century have taught me is this – that everything in the world from my timeline to that off 2022 has changed significantly and profoundly. And I mean, not just the locations, and surroundings, advancements in science, technology, but culturally as well, just in the sense of the society, beliefs,its traditions, habits, norms, ways. Needless to say, I am still trying to wrap my head around it all. I am giving it my best shot...

Indeed, there are elements in this century that fascinate me to the core. Take the example of the invention of internet. The internet fascinates me, as do the all the inventions in technology and gadgets. I mean, who would have thought back in my time – that we'd have all these modern gadgets one day. Imagine....Touch screen phones that can be used to video call a person sitting in another country within a minute, or rather a second...

I take the moment to gaze at the phone, Khushi had gifted me yesterday. I am obviously using it diligently - to read and soak up more knowledge but the only contact numbers I have saved in my phone is off Khushi and her family, which would include her brother and both her parents.Vikram seems to be a fine gentleman. My mind tells me that we could actually be best off friends, if fated to be born in similar era and time...

So, Vikram just texted me five minutes ago that it really has been more difficult to hunt down faculty records timing back to 1944 than he thought it would be. Those files, and documents and yearbooks dating that much back in time were obviously kept in archive record rooms – which needed special permission to be even allowed to visit and see. He's applied for the permission obviously coming up with some believable academic excuse but he reckons the grant of permission will take atleast two more days to be processed. I understand, obviously. I continue to write him a message of thanks, nonetheless, appreciating all his support and efforts. I tap send to the message. Its delivered. He has not read it yet. I put back my phone..

Just imagine, we can even figure out when the timing the other person involved in correspondence reads our messages. Like - Who would have thought that not just sending messages across countries would be so easy one day, we can even know with surety when they receive and read it. Normally back in my time, we have to wait for weeks if not months for exchange of written communication/letters from loved ones/...and here...in this time...there is...Whtsapp...which seems to make communication travel faster than the light of sound and light, both combined...

I can only imagine the reaction on Professor Quereshi's face when I detail out this discovery to him along with the rest. I am sure, he would agree that as fascinating as it all is and sound, it is still a lot to taken in and process and actually believe.

Nevermind...

But, I got to admit that amidst the pool of unsettling startling discoveries of this future in 2022 – there's still a part I have grown extremely fond off. The part that involves Khushi. Ofcourse. Even though I know, I do not belong in this time or by her side, I still got to accept that the only sense of ease and comfort for my being in this time have come from her. Khushi. Ideally, I should be feeling like a lost time travelling grappling his head around the future he's found himself in – all the time. But I don't. And that's surely because of Khushi's presence by my side. And I say this not because I find myself drowning in gratitude because both her and her family have been extremely gracious and generous in understanding my tricky situation and are doing there best to help me. I say this, because it's the ultimate truth.

There is something else about her that simply bedazzles me .There is something about her that is just extremely comforting and heartwarming. The very essence of her is highly magnetic. As is the twinkle in her eyes as we talk. Even her curiosity and fascination with the past is endearing and fascinating. ( I am eternally grateful for the latter more so since it works in my favour...)

And then when she smiles offering support and comfort in my dejected worrisome moments - asking me to have faith and hope that it really will be okay and I will be able to get back to my time, she actually makes the world momentarily peaceful in my head. She makes me want to believe, she makes me want to hold onto that faith...despite the reality that we haven't found any clues into my time post 1944 nor have we found a way to fix my time travel gadget in anyway whatsoever in the past three days...yet...and it isn't for our lack of trying. For hours last night, we both sat staring at the portable time travel gadget, observing the loose wires keenly for every little detail and using those pictures to search the internet in the quest to find something remotely familiar in this time....

I am right on that thought when I spot Khushi return to the table post freshening up, which leads me to get up from my spot to pull out the chair for her to sit and she rolls her eyes at that playfully – " oh really? Arnav. Surely, you did not need to get up from your spot to pull out a seat for me to sit. I could do it for myself...you know..."

I grin gesturing her to sit nonetheless – "well, I know you can. But please allow me to do it for you whilst I am around. It is and will continue to be a pleasure..."

She takes the seat and smiles. She nods. I nod. She asks playfully gesturing me to take my seat back now - " Okay, okay... I just need to ask this now upfront, before the curiosity kills me. Have you always been this chivalrous and charming...?? Or are you just going the extra mile with me, because of all the gratitude you feeling..."

Wait? Does that mean, she does find me charming? I like how that brings a grin to my face. I grin taking my seat and confess in a soft whisper leaning forward – "well, not to sound vain again, perhaps, thinking back, I've always been as chivalrous and charming.I see no point in changing the way I conduct myself around a lady, even though I am years forward in time...,"and I lock my gaze with hers and admit sincerely – " but no...I am not going the extra mile around you because of all the gratitude I feel....towards you...this is not out of gratitude, Khushi..."

She chuckles and nods – " okay then, you mean you are probably just doing it out of habit, perhaps??"

I shake my head in a negative – "perhaps, it is a habit, but no, I am not doing it out of habit as well...around you...Khushi..."

She narrows her eyes – " then why??," she whispers to ask – " why is this man from the past so keen on leaving a charmed impression on this lady from the future??huh??"

I shrug and before I know it – the truth leaves my mouth – " Simply because, I want to. I want to leave you with fond memories/ to remember me by when I leave...,"and I pause to ask – " you will think of me when I leave?won't you??," and surprisingly enough I don't know why but knowing her answer to this question seems quite important for me. Strange.I didn't even know I wanted her to think off me fondly post my departure....until this very moment... I stated and asked her the question I did..

She takes a moment to sip on her water and then ten seconds later she smiles snapping out of her deep though – " well, indeed , I will think of you post your departure...Arnav.."

Ah that feels good. A source of great relief. Why? I don't know..yet.

I smile – " That revelation from you is absolutely fantastic. And say, you do mean, you will think off me fondly, right? Not in the troublesome, sort of way??"

Her smile widens – " I will think off you fondly, indeed, Arnav"

I confess naturally – "That is so very good to know. I shall think off you too, Khushi. Quite fondly, indeed." And strangely enough, a startling thought fills my being. Chances are that she might be all I think about in context off this future post my departure back into my time...

Before, I can figure out the source of reason within that led to the seeding of the above-mentioned thought, the server comes to take our order for lunch and given that we were both starving we get on with ordering our food. We have similar tastes and choices in dishes. Be in the Indian/English cuisine. Another strange co-incidence.

Amusingly enough – we both look up at the same time from the menu to ask the other – " how does tandoori chicken?? And chicken biryani sound??"

Sharing a momentary chuckle – Khushi turns to the server to confirm – " A full portion off Tandoori chicken and Chicken Biryani it is..then..."

The server nods and Khushi asks – " you wish for a lemonade to drink as well??"

I nod and she continues to order for the same, requesting the server to serve some extra chillies with the biryani given that we both like our food spicy...

It's so strange, you know. Never in my time, have I ever gotten so close to spending this much time with any lady than I have with khushi already in this time, but perhaps, it's the circumstances that demand the same. And strangely enough, it does not feel odd at all. It feels normal. As if I have known her a long time. As if we are not two people sitting across of one another from different centuries...perhaps...it's her essence of understanding, kindness, patience that exudes this level off comfort??

She asks suddenly snapping her fingers in front of my face – "what are you thinking?? Surely, you are lost in some thought"

I admit part truth – " I am thinking, about how you have the kindest heart, Khushi. Am thinking about how comfortable I am in your presence.As if I'v known you a long time. Am thinking that it feels so normal to be sitting across of you and eating as if it were the most normal thing to do...even though....," I pause, not wanting to word out the obvious context.

She nods and whispers it out for me nonetheless – " even though we both know...it isn't normal...nothing...about this situation we are in... is normal at all.....given the circumstances...and yet..."

I admit keeping my eyes locked with hers – " and yet...it feels normal...,"and I ask immediately – " does it feel normal to you too??"

She nods – " Strangely enough, it does feel normal despite the circumstances...Arnav. And that discovery is almost..."

The words leave my mouth before I can think – " extraordinary...don't you think??"

I nods, her silent intent questioning gaze meets mine. And I swear I think I spot something unusual in her eyes but before I can figure it out she says diverging the context of conversation – " so...bhai texted me that he texted you already that it might take him two days to be able to access the archive faculty record room dated back to 1944..."

I nod – " indeed he did. And I am greatful and appreciative off his help. I texted him the same, he has not read it yet.."

She smiles- " I know you are greatful and appreactive, Arnav. So here is the thing, I just realised that I forgot to tell you that I am scheduled to leave to explore Amritsar, in two days time, Arnav as in that was my plan before....I met you...and needless to say...you will be coming with me...so I just realised that.....,"she pauses as her phone beeps with a notification.

The mention off Amritsar rings a bell in my head though. That's where – Khushi Gill in my time is from. Strange that Khushi was scheduled to visit there already even before she met me. I admit the same to her as she puts back her phone, once I have her complete attention.

Khushi nods deep in thought – " well, yes, I found the coincidence strange as well,"and she sighs – " honestly I obviously haven't been able to comprehend if there is any connection in between my wish to visit Amritsar for years and the existence of Khushi Gill there in your time...I mean surely...its just a coincidence I believe...it's got to be a coincidence..right??"

I nod processing that from her – " indeed, it could be a coincidence, yes, but wait, amidst all the numerous conversations we'v had uptil this point, you never mentioned you'd always wished to visit Amritsar..."

Khushi shrugs – " did I not? It must have slipped my mind. Anyway, I am telling you now...right....,"and she pauses as if the curiosity gets the better of her in her head – " dammit me...I'd like to believe it's a coincidence...perhaps?but do you think the same? That it's just a coincidence??"

I ask upfront – " are you asking for my opinion if I think there could me another mystical connection at play here in that context??"

Khushi nods – " indeed, I am..."

I admit honestly – " well, there could be. I mean if anything the situation I am in has taught me is that there are a lot of mysteries of the universe – our human mind is yet to understand...but...,"and I pause reconnecting the dots to narrate a point I'd read on an article of parallel universe last night – " I mean like you know there is a point about parallel universe's that says...that we all exist simultaneously in different universes...but I think what we are experiencing here in my situation is surely not the concept of parallel universe....it's something else..."

Khushi asks curious – " elaborate on something else...please.."

I explain trying to word one of the theories my mind has come up with – " well, I believe surely I have time travelled within the same universe...as in I have not come from the past of another parallel universe into the future of this other universe...clearly...my gut feels like...I am within the same universe...where in the elements of time of the same universe as past, present, future also fall under this existing simultaneously category......and I simply think that the doppelganger theory also falls under the preview of simultaneous existence...that's all.."

Khushi nods – " hmm, I think so too, I mean surely this doppelganger theory is quite different from the mystical concept of reincarnation, don't you think?I mean...because surely reincarnation cannot be a simultaneously concept for one would have to die in a particular period of time for the soul to reincarnate again in any period/element of time...which means...one soul surely cannot exist simultaneously in two different points of intersection of time within the same universe... right??"

I nod processing what she'd just said linking with all the numerous topics I v read on in the past three days. Obvious, I read on reincarnation as well, given that I am aware off the existence of Aarav Rai in this world and Khushi Gill does exist back in my time – " you make a fair point...indeed...

Khushi nods – " so do you think this reconfirms that the doppleganger bit just means...someone out there just looks like you...but is clearly not you...in the essence of real you...as in the soul you....like for example...Aarav Rai your doppleganger did exist in our time but was not you in the real essence of you...and Khushi Gill does exist in your time and she may look like me...but she is not me...in the real essence of me....as in the soul me..."

I nod in thought – " indeed....,"and right then our food is served on the table. We pause in our conversation as the server serves us the food on our plate and we begin to eat. And we both ask out in loud enough whisper to one another once he leaves – " but then how does the concept of parallel universe actually work , I wonder. Does it mean that the same you, the same soul exists simultaneously in parallel universes...??"

We obviously chuckle realizing we asked each other the same thing at the same time! Khushi admits softly – " I guess, one of us would have to travel to a parallel universe to find out a concrete answer to that..."

I chuckle naturally – " no thank you, please, time travel within this universe is adventure enough..."

She grins – " It is adventure enough, isn't it??"

I nod. And admit the thought on my mind – "But I do wonder, would travel to parallel universe also be called time travel or could there be another appropriate term for the same??"

Khushi nods – " surely, there ought to be another appropriate terms, in addition to the context of time travel...,"and she pauses briefly and then asks suddenly now munching on a bite – " so, tell me, would you seek her out? When you go back to your time?? You mentioned, you had not met her...but do you plan to meet her when you go back??"

" Meet who??," I ask munching on my bite even though my gut knew who already knew she was implying towards. She means to ask, if I would meet Khushi Gill...when I go back.

She answers rolling her eyes as if it were obvious – " Khushi Gill...who else??"

I am accurate enough...

Khushi asks shrugging casually – "Like I am asking only because I am curious...when you do go back...would you seek her out? Just to confirm...the theory we talked about...I mean surely once you'd meet her...you'd know...she may look like me...but she isn't me...that she and me are different people...across time...even though we look alike..."

The words leave my mouth on reflex – "well, I don't need to seek her out when I go back to know the same, Khushi. I already believe in my gut, that she isn't you. Nobody else out there in our universe could be you. Because, you are only you...because....,"and I pause before the words – because no one else can be as enchanting, endearing, magnetic as you...even though they looked like you...because your essence was only yours.....leave my mouth..

Yet again, I find myself drowning in profound surprise. From are all these thoughts coming?? What do these thoughts even mean?

Khushi's voice breaks my chain of thought – " because what?? you paused, why did you pause??"

I shrug – " just like that...well, the point remains...I answered you didn't I??"

Khushi shakes her head – " Partly. You said you didn't need to seek her out to know that she wasn't me. You didn't say you will seek her out or not...."

I admit honestly– " perhaps, that is still something I am pondering upon. I will tell you when I have a decision. I never did have the time to think about this until you asked me, Khushi...your question and its context took me by momentary surprise which shall now surely result in a consequent chain of thought. Once I think it over and know, I will tell you..."

Khushi's eyes widen restlessly – " oh..okay...fair enough...,"and she continues to eat and says now – " anyway back to what I began with...so the reason I brought up Amritsar was that I just realised we need to get you some sort of national identity if we were to travel across states just to be safe...I mean....even though we will be doing a road trip...it would be best to have some sort of id for you...to avoid any sort of trouble..."

Okay! How am I going to get that? I voice the same to her. She whispers now her eyes glistening mischievously – " The reason why bhai did not reply to your text was because I was talking to him.So, I spoke to bhai obviously the minute this struck me. He suggests we visit the lanes of Old bazzar in Chandni Chowk again for this purpose. He says, surely we will find a black market vendor who will be willing to forge an identity card for you for a stash of cash....and trust me...even though I have never indulged in anything like this ever before...it sounds exciting...it's something we must do..there is no other way...bhai suggests that getting a forged voter card would be the easiest vs aadhar card or pan card given that numerous black market vendors forge election voter cards anyway during election time in India..."

My eyes widen. Good God. What was I getting Khushi into????? Surely, forging an identity was not a respectable act on either of our parts as reputed professors but if this is the only way out then this is on me. She shall not be a part of it.I am sure my eyes have hardened with resolve as I admit – " well, if that is the only way, then I will make sure, I figure out a way to get this done. Not you. I will make my way back to Chandni Chowk, post our lunch. Not you..."

Khushi gapes at me startled – " what are you saying??no way, am I leaving you alone. You need my help. There is no way, I'd allow you to roam around old bazaar streets..off Chandni Chowk...alone...talking to black market vendors..."

I flash the phone to her – " I have a phone. I will be okay...alright? I'v decided Khushi...I will do this alone..."

Her eyes widen again – " but why????"

I answer surely sounding a tad bit harsher than I intended to – " I will not allow you to take such risks for me, Khushi. I cannot risk you. You have done enough...this does not fall within the boundaries of respectful conduct for you surely and I apologize for all the inconvenience on my accord. But I shall not subject you to become an audience off forgery on my behalf...you shall not be a part off this...I will get this done. I will manage."

Strangely she smiles her resolve shining in her eyes strong as well – " well, like it or not I already am a part of this...given that I was the one to narrate the idea to you in the first place.You cannot win this point. Arnav. I will come with you. Like it or not. I will not leave you alone...because...I just...,"she pauses.

A curious unknown flutter in my stomach asks her to fill in – " because...I Just...what??"

She whispers intensely – " because...I just can't leave you alone. Because, I just don't want to leave you alone in any of this...please...Arnav? Please, don't ask me to leave you alone..?,"she finishes softly locking her gaze with mine and the moment makes my gut flutter in the way it has never fluttered before and the words leave my mouth instantly - quite contrary to my prior decision – " Alright. Fine. You win. I give in. I shall not ask you to leave me alone..."

What is happening? What is wrong with me?? I don't know. All I know is that I just did not have it in me to say no – to her – when she was looking at me the way she was.

She grins in momentary triumph. Th twinkle in her eye leading to another solid flutter that rakes and shakes my being.Before I can even comprehend what this shade of flutter means – I hear her gasp – " oh my god...oh my god...why didn't I ever think off this??"

I ask instantly shoving the flutter aside – " think of what??"

Khushi leans forward to whisper softly – " that perhaps, we might find some clues for you from this future time in Amritsar as well...Arnav. Oxford portal mentioned you were there till 1946 – Say what if you went back to Lahore post that - what if in your time you were really able to convince your family to migrate around partition time..then the obvious near location would that be off the Punjab that came within the boundaries of India post partition...Arnav...don't you think?? I mean...back then in time...numerous people from Lahore migrated to the Punjab side of Inida..and Amritsar yes, too...what if we visit some old archeives in government library...for migration records...surely they'd be some place...those records are kept....like what if you discover that your family migrated safely eventually and you were all able to restart your lives?????imagine that?????? what if you all did manage to escape the dangerous for real?? imagine that???????"

That from her excites me momentarily – " well, you think, migration records from partition could still be intact in some archeives of govt libraries?? What if they'v all been stashed over time?? it's been decades...."

She shrugs – " yes, there is 99 percent chance we wouldn't find anything but what if 1 percent chance exists that we might...find something....isn't it a chance we must take??don't you want to know what happened with you? and your family? Post partition?? Like I am sure, you all migrated safely..my gut tells me...surely you'd all restarted in neighbouring states of India...there's got to a record somewhere...we will hunt down all the states of Punjab which have migration history back in time... we will do it if we have too...we must look...don't you think it's a chance we have to take??you need all the information you can right? to take it back for your father to see?remember??"

I nod instantly, momentarily awe'd by how she said we – instead of you must take this chance. As if she was just selflessly and wholeheartedly on my side. On my team. As if we really were a team in this mess – "indeed, it's a chance I must take then...Khushi....I have too..."

She smiles now and restates – "we have too...you are not alone in this Arnav. You are not alone...okay??,"and I nod at her sincerely and she gestures me to continue eating fast so that we could head to Chandni Chowk after – to forge me an identity card. I dig in. She whispers putting her hand over mine again – " I told you...right?it will be okay?right?? we will find all the clues you need...to take back to your time...Arnav...we will....I don't know how we will do it, but we will..."

I nod and clutch on her hand intensely now knowing deep within that even though I had no clue how we were going to find concrete answers about my family's fate post partition of India...I was just monumentally glad that she was going to be my side through it all. That we were a team in this. That I was not Alone in this.That familiar fact from prior hit home deeply in my being this time around like a nail in the wall.

What Fact? That with her by my side - no matter how much uncertainty surrounded me – a part of me always felt at Ease. Perhaps, would always feel at Ease. I look at her sincerely and I admit – " I am glad, I am not in this Alone, Khushi. I am so glad I am not Alone..."

What did she say to that?

She just smiled sincerely and whispered as she continued to eat - "I am so glad, you are not alone too, Arnav..."

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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!

Next Update : Friday/Saturday Night

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