THE GIRL FROM MY FUTURE

THE GIRL FROM MY FUTURE

Chapter 1 – [The Dream Begins]

[Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha]

Time: Raat 10:45 PM

Baarish ki halki boonden shehar ki sadkon ko geela kar rahi thi.

Ek purane do-manzila ghar ki doosri manzil par ek kamre ki light abhi bhi jal rahi thi.

Kamra kisi college student se zyada ek mini science lab lag raha tha.

Har jagah wires...

Circuit boards...

Laptop...

Soldering machine...

Purane scientific journals...

Aur diwar par lage hue Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla aur A. P. J. Abdul Kalam ke posters.

Kamre ke beech me khada tha...

RamaKrishna.

Sab use pyaar se sirf "Rama" bulate the.

Umar...

Sirf 19 saal.

Din me engineering college ka student...

Aur raat me ek sapne ka deewana.

Uska sapna...

Time Travel...

Laptop ki screen par code chal raha tha.

Table ke beech me ek ajeeb si machine rakhi thi.

Usme transparent glass cylinder, copper coils aur chhote-chhote sensors lage hue the.

Rama screwdriver se last connection tight kar raha tha.

Uski aankhon me neend nahi...

Sirf junoon tha.

Rama (khud se): Ek na ek din...

Main sabit karke rahunga...

Ki waqt sirf guzarta nahi...

Usse samjha bhi ja sakta hai."

"Tabhi darwaze par halki si knock hui."

Tok... Tok...

Darwaza khula.

Ek pyari si muskaan ke saath andar aayi uski Maa.

Haath me garam doodh ka glass tha.

School ki science teacher hone ke baad bhi unki pehchan sirf ek hi thi...

Rama ki Maa.

Unhone kamre ki haalat dekhi aur muskura di.

Maa : Phir se laboratory bana di tumne apna room?

Rama hansa.

Rama : Bas Maa...

Aaj wala experiment successful ho gaya na... To history badal jayegi.

Maa ne doodh uske table par rakh diya.

Maa (pyaar se) : History badalne se pehle... Doodh pee lo.

Rama bachchon ki tarah muh bana leta hai.

Rama : Maa... Scientist doodh nahi peete.

Maa uske kaan halka sa kheench deti hain.

Maa : Scientist bhi insaan hi hote hain.

Dono hans padte hain.

Kuch pal ki khamoshi ke baad...

Maa ki nazar diwar par lagi ek purani photo par jaati hai.

Photo me ek muskurata hua aadmi lab coat pehne khada tha.

Uske kandhe par chhota sa Rama baitha tha.

Rama bhi us photo ko dekhne lagta hai.

Uski muskaan dheere-dheere gayab ho jaati hai.

Rama (dheemi awaaz me) : Maa...Agar Papa hote...

To shayad meri machine dekhkar khush hote na?

Maa kuch pal chup rahi.

Unhone photo ko dekha...

Phir Rama ko.

Maa : Tumhare Papa ko tum par hamesha garv tha...Ab bhi hoga.

Rama ki aankhon me ek hi sawal tha.

Jo bachpan se uske andar daba hua tha.

Rama : Das saal ho gaye...

Kya aapko sach me lagta hai...

Papa ek din laut kar aayenge?

Maa ne turant jawab nahi diya.

Unhone Rama ke sir par haath rakha.

Maa (muskurane ki koshish karte hue):

Kuch log kho jaate hain... Aur kuch log...

Bas waqt ke kisi mod par ruk jaate hain.

Jab sahi waqt aata hai...Woh wapas aa jaate hain.

Rama ne unki aankhon me dekha.

Usse laga...

Jaise Maa kuch chhupa rahi hain.

Lekin usne kuch nahi poocha.

Maa kamre se bahar chali gayin.

Rama ne photo uthai.

Usne dheere se kaha—

Rama : Papa...Main aapko dhoondh kar rahunga.

Chahe mujhe waqt se hi kyun na ladna pade.

Usne photo wapas rakh di.

Uski nazar apni machine par padi.

Usne computer on kiya.

Screen par ek naam chamka—

[PROJECT – CHRONOS]

Usne gehri saans li.

Machine ka main switch on kiya.

Copper coils dheere-dheere neeli roshni se chamakne lagi.

Monitor par numbers tezi se badalne lage.

10...

25...

48...

71...

85...

Voltage badhta gaya.

Rama ki dhadkan tez ho gayi.

Rama (muskurakar): "Come on..."

"Come no..."

"Bas thoda aur..."

Achaanak...

Machine se ek tez humming sound aane lagi.

Bzzzzzz...

Kamre ki saari lights jhilmilane lagi.

Laptop apne aap restart ho gaya.

Fan ruk gaya.

Hawa achaanak bahut thandi ho gayi.

Rama ka chehra serious ho gaya.

Machine ke beech se ek chhoti si safed roshni nikli.

Aur agle hi pal...

Woh roshni itni tez ho gayi ki poora kamra usme doob gaya.

FLASHHHHHHH...!

Rama ne aankhen band kar li.

Kuch second tak sirf safed roshni thi.

Phir...

Sab kuch bilkul shaant.

Kamra andhere me doob gaya.

Bijli chali gayi thi.

Sirf bahar baarish ki awaaz aa rahi thi.

Rama ne torch jalai.

Machine bilkul shaant thi.

Koi blast nahi.

Koi damage nahi.

Sab normal.

Usne machine ko dhyan se dekha.

Phir halka sa hans pada.

Rama : Again failed... Ek aur failure.

Usne machine par kapda dala.

Khidki band ki.

Aur bistar par let gaya.

Mobile me alarm lagaya—

[ Morning - 5:00 AM]

Aankhen band karte hi usne dheere se kaha—

"Good Night, Papa..."

Bahar aasman me bijli ek baar phir chamki.

Aur usi pal...

Kamre ke ek kone me...

Hawa jaise halki si tedhi ho gayi.

Jaise kisi ne waqt ke parde ko ek pal ke liye chhoo liya ho.

Lekin Rama ne ye dekha hi nahi.

Woh gehri neend me ja chuka tha.

[ The Impossible Morning ]

[RamaKrishna's House]

Time: Subah – 5:00 AM

"Tring... Tring... Tring..."

Alarm ki tez awaaz ne poore kamre ki khamoshi tod di.

Rama ne neend me hi haath badhakar mobile dhoondhne ki koshish ki.

Lekin mobile uske haath se takra kar bed se neeche gir gaya.

"Thak!"

Rama ne aadhi neend me aankhen kholi.

Usne neeche jhukkar mobile uthaya.

Alarm band kiya.

Jaise hi woh dobara seedha hua...

Uski nazar bed ke doosre hisse par padi.

Aur...

Uski saansein ek pal ke liye ruk gayin.

Bed ke doosre kone par...

Ek khoobsurat si ladki gahri neend me so rahi thi.

Usne halka sa cream color ka cotton kurta pehna hua tha.

Uske gale me ek mangalsutra tha.

Haathon me patli si chudiyan.

Maang me bahut halka sa sindoor.

Chehre par itni shaanti thi...

Jaise woh is kamre me pehli baar nahi, balki roz soti ho.

Rama ki aankhen poori tarah khul gayin.

Rama (hairani me): ...Kya...?

Woh turant bed se neeche utarne ki koshish karta hai.

Lekin jaldi me uska pair bedsheet me ulajh jaata hai.

Dhadaam...!

Woh seedha zameen par gir padta hai.

Awaaz sunkar ladki ki neend khul jaati hai.

Woh aankhen malte hue uthti hai.

Ek pal ke liye Rama ko dekhti hai.

Aur phir bilkul normal andaaz me muskura deti hai.

Ladki : Good Morning, Scientist Sahab...

Rama uski taraf dekhte hi reh jaata hai.

Uske muh se sirf ek hi shabd nikalta hai.

Rama : ...Kaun...?

Ladki halka sa hasti hai.

Jaise usne koi mazaak suna ho.

Ladki : Aaj phir subah-subah mazaak shuru? "Office "

(advanced research lab) nahi jaana kya?

Rama dheere-dheere peeche hatne lagta hai.

Uska dimaag kaam karna band kar chuka tha.

Rama : Ek minute... Aap... meri room me kaise aayi?

Ladki ki muskaan dheere-dheere gayab ho gayi.

Ab woh bhi thoda confuse lag rahi thi.

Ladki : Tum mujhe... 'Aap' bol rahe ho...?

Rama zor se bola—

Rama : "Bilkul!... Main to aapko jaanta bhi nahi!

Ladki kuch pal tak use dekhti rahi.

Phir uske chehre ka rang ud gaya.

Jaise kisi ne uske pairon tale zameen kheench li ho.

Woh dheere se boli—

Ladki : "Impossible "... Ye... kaise ho sakta hai...?

Rama darwaze ki taraf badhne laga.

Rama : Dekhiye...

Mujhe nahi pata aap kaun hain...

Lekin agar aapne abhi sach nahi bataya...To main police ko phone kar dunga.

Ladki ne turant haath upar kar diye.

Ladki : Theek hai... Police bula lo.

Lekin usse pehle...

Mujhe sirf ek sawal ka jawab de do.

Rama chup raha.

Ladki ne uski aankhon me dekhte hue poocha—

Ladki : Aaj date kya hai?

Rama hairan hua.

Usne mobile dekha.

18 July, 2026

Jaise hi usne date batayi...

Ladki ke haath se paani ka glass chhootkar toot gaya.

Uski aankhon me aansu aa gaye.

Woh dheere se peeche ki kursi par baith gayi.

Ladki (phusphusate hue): ...Nahi...Ye nahi ho sakta...Main...

Main das saal peeche kaise aa gayi...?

Rama ne ye suna...

Aur ekdum chup ho gaya.

Kamre me sirf ghadi ki tick... tick... tick... sunai de rahi thi.

Kuch der baad Rama dheere se bola—

Rama : Tumne... Abhi kya kaha...?

Ladki ne aankhen band kar li.

Uske gaal par ek aansu beh gaya.

Phir usne dheere se Rama ki taraf dekha.

Aur pehli baar apna naam bataya.

Arshi : Mera naam... Arshi hai.

Main... 2036 se aayi hoon.

Rama zor se hans pada.

Rama : Haan... Aur main Mars se aaya hoon.

Arshi ne uski hansi ka koi jawab nahi diya.

Bas uski taraf dekhkar bahut shaant awaaz me boli—

Arshi : Tum mujhe jhoothi samajh sakte ho. Pagal samajh sakte ho.

Lekin ek sach tum badal nahi sakte...

Woh dheere se apna mangalsutra pakadti hai.

Aur uski aankhon me dekhkar kehti hai—

Arshi : Main tumhari patni hoon, Rama.

Kamre me sannata chha gaya.

Rama ko laga jaise kisi ne uske kaanon me bomb phod diya ho.

Usne ek kadam peeche liya.

Doosra.

Phir teesra.

Rama : Nahi... Ye impossible hai...

Meri shaadi hi nahi hui.

Arshi halki si muskurayi.

Us muskaan me dard tha.

Arshi : Abhi nahi hui... Lekin...

Das saal baad... future main Hui hai.

Rama ka dimaag sunn ho chuka tha.

Woh chupchaap diwar ka sahara lekar baith gaya.

Uske saamne baithi ladki keh rahi thi ki woh uski future wife hai...

Aur ajeeb baat ye thi...

Uski aankhon me jhooth ka ek bhi nishaan nahi tha.

Bahar se suraj ki pehli kirne khidki se andar aa rahi thi.

Lekin Rama ko lag raha tha...

Jaise uski zindagi ki sabse badi paheli abhi shuru hui hai.

[ Proof From Tomorrow

Time: Subah – 5:30 AM

Kamre me ajeeb si khamoshi thi.

Ek taraf 19 saal ka Rama...

Jo science par bharosa karta tha...

Aur doosri taraf Arshi...

Jo keh rahi thi ki woh uski 10 saal baad ki patni hai.

Rama ne gehri saans li.

Usne ek kursi kheenchkar Arshi ke saamne rakh di.

Khud baith gaya.

Rama (shaant lekin sakht awaaz me):

Theek hai... Maan leta hoon ki tum koi chor nahi ho.

Lekin main ye kabhi nahi maan sakta ki tum future se aayi ho.

Science me har cheez ka proof hota hai.

To agar tum sach keh rahi ho...

Mujhe proof do..?

Arshi kuch pal chup rahi.

Phir usne kamre ko dhyan se dekha.

Uski aankhon me halki si muskaan aa gayi.

Arshi : Ye room...

Bilkul waisa hi hai... Bas...

Abhi thoda chhota lag raha hai.

Rama hairan ho gaya.

Rama : Matlab?

Arshi dheere se uthi.

Seedha study table ke paas gayi.

Usne table ke neeche haath dala.

Ek chhota sa chhupa hua button dabaya.

'Click...'

Table ke side se ek secret drawer bahar aa gaya.

Rama ki aankhen phat gayin.

Ye secret compartment usne khud banaya tha.

Aur uske baare me uski Maa tak ko nahi pata tha.

Drawer ke andar...

Ek purani fountain pen...

Papa ki photo...

Aur ek chhoti si diary rakhi thi.

Arshi ne diary ko haath lagaya...

Lekin khola nahi.

Usne dheere se Rama ki taraf dekha.

Arshi (muskurakar): Tum ise har Sunday saaf karte ho.

Kyuki ye Uncle ki aakhri nishani hai.

Rama ekdum khada ho gaya.

Rama : Ye... Tumhe kaise pata?

Arshi ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Usne sirf diary wapas rakh di.

Kamre me phir khamoshi chha gayi.

[Kitchen]

Tabhi neeche se Maa ki awaaz aayi—

Maa : Rama... Nashta taiyaar hai.

Rama aur Arshi ek dusre ko dekhne lage.

Rama dheere se bola—

Rama : Ek baat yaad rakhna.

Maa ko future wali baat mat batana.

Arshi halki si muskura di.

Arshi : Theek hai...

Dono neeche aaye.

Maa ne dining table par garam-garam poha aur chai rakhi.

Jaise hi Arshi ne Maa ko dekha...

Woh ek pal ke liye bilkul chup ho gayi.

Uski aankhen bhar aayi.

Maa hairan ho gayin.

Maa (muskurakar): Beta...

Pehli baar mili ho...

Aur itni emotional?

Arshi ne turant aansu chhupa liye.

Arshi : Nahi Aunty... Bas...

Aapki muskaan...

Meri Maa jaisi hai.

Rama ne dhyan se Arshi ko dekha.

Usse laga...

Ye aansu kisi aur wajah se the.

Nashta shuru hua.

Maa ne poha ki plate Arshi ke saamne rakhi.

Arshi bina soche bol padi—

Arshi : Aunty... Rama ko upar se nimbu nichodkar poha khana pasand hai...

Rama ka chamach hawa me hi ruk gaya.

Maa hairan hokar boli—

Arshi : Bilkul sahi.

Ye aadat to bachpan se hai iski.

Arshi ko tab ehsaas hua...

Ki usse itna casually nahi bolna chahiye tha.

Woh turant chup ho gayi.

Rama ki nazar us par tik gayi.

Ab uske dimaag me pehli baar shak nahi... Sawal paida hone lage the.

[Rama's Room]

Nashta khatam hote hi dono wapas kamre me aa gaye.

Rama ne darwaza band kar diya.

Is baar uski awaaz pehle jaisi sakht nahi thi.

Rama : Tum... Sach me kaun ho?

Arshi ne dheere se apne gale ka mangalsutra pakda.

Uski ungliyan kaanp rahi thi.

Arshi : Main wahi hoon... Jisse tum...

2032 me pehli baar miloge.

Rama ki aankhen phir se badi ho gayin.

Rama : 2030...?

Arshi ne sir hila diya.

Arshi : Tab tum college student nahi hoge. Tab duniya tumhe... Rama nahi balki... Scientist 'RamaKrishna' ke naam se jaanti hogi.

Rama hansne ki koshish karta hai.

Lekin is baar hansi nahi nikalti.

Uske andar kahin na kahin...

Ek awaaz keh rahi thi...

Rama : (maan hi maan)**"Ya phir..."

Ye sach bol rahi hai?"**

Tabhi...

Arshi ki nazar table par rakhi Project CHRONOS ki machine par padti hai.

Uska chehra ek pal me badal jaata hai.

Woh dheere-dheere machine ke paas jaati hai.

Uske haath kaanpne lagte hain.

Arshi (bahut dheemi awaaz me): ...Nahi... Tumne... Ye machine...?

Itni jaldi bana li...?

Rama hairan ho gaya.

Rama : Tum is machine ko jaanti ho?

Arshi ne turant uski taraf dekha.

Uski aankhon me pehli baar darr tha.

Bahut gehra darr.

Usne dheere se kaha—

Arshi : Rama...

Is machine ko dobara kabhi on mat karna...

Rama ne turant poocha—

Rama : par...Kyun?

Arshi kuch bolne hi wali thi...

Tabhi machine ke andar rakha crystal achanak apne aap neeli roshni se chamak utha.

Bzzzzzzzz...

Kamre ki lights dobara jhilmilane lagi.

Rama aur Arshi ne ek saath machine ki taraf dekha.

Arshi ki saansein tez ho gayin.

Uske hothon se sirf ek hi shabd nikla—

Arshi : "...Woh aa gaya..."

[The First Warning]

Kamre ki hawa achanak bhaari si ho gayi.

Bzzzzzz...

Project CHRONOS ke beech laga neela crystal bina kisi power supply ke chamakne laga.

Machine ki copper coils dheere-dheere ghoomne lagi.

Rama ek kadam aage badha.

Uski aankhon me hairani thi.

Rama : Impossible...

Machine to band hai...

Power bhi nahi hai...

Phir ye activate kaise ho gayi?

Arshi ka chehra safed pad chuka tha.

Usne bina kuch soche Rama ka haath pakad liya.

Pehli baar.

Uske haath thande the.

Bahut thande.

Arshi (ghabrai hui awaaz me): Rama...

Machine se door chalo...

Abhi... Isi waqt...

Rama ne uski taraf dekha.

Rama : Tum itna dar kyun rahi ho?

Arshi ne jawab nahi diya.

Uski nazar sirf machine par thi.

Crystal ki roshni aur tez hone lagi.

Bzzzzzzzz...

Kamre ki diwaron par ajeeb si neeli lehron jaisi parchhaiyan banne lagi.

Jaise hawa bhi waqt ke saath hil rahi ho.

Aur tab...

Machine ke beech hawa halki si mudne lagi.

Jaise kisi ne sheeshe ke andar paani ghuma diya ho.

Rama ne dheere se haath badhaya.

Arshi zor se chillayi—

Arshi : Rama... Nahi!

Usne turant Rama ka haath kheench liya.

Usi pal...

Machine ke beech ek chhoti si chamakti hui dhaatu ki plate zameen par gir gayi.

Tinnnn...Tinnn...Tinnn....

Sab kuch phir se shaant ho gaya.

Roshni gayab.

Machine phir bilkul normal.

Kamre me sirf dono ki tez saansein sunai de rahi thi.

[Mysterious Metal Plate]

Rama dheere se us dhaatu ki plate ke paas gaya.

Usne use uthaya.

Plate kisi aam metal ki nahi lag rahi thi.

Bahut halki... Lekin bilkul mazboot.

Us par kuch ajeeb symbols bane the.

Beech me sirf ek line likhi thi.

"PROJECT CHRONOS – VERSION 7.3"

Rama ka dil tez dhadakne laga.

Usne dheere se kaha—

Rama : Version... 7.3?

Maine to Version 1 bhi complete nahi kiya...

Arshi ne plate dekhi...

Aur uski aankhon me aansu aa gaye.

Jaise woh ise pehle bhi dekh chuki ho.

Arshi (bahut dheemi awaaz me): Ye...

Future ka part hai...

[Rama's Questions]

Rama ne seedha Arshi ki taraf dekha.

Is baar uski awaaz me darr nahi tha.

Sirf curiosity thi.

Rama : Mujhe sach batao.

Kya tum sach me meri wife ho?

Arshi ne haan me sir hila diya.

Rama : Kya Papa zinda hain?

Arshi chup rahi.

Rama : Kya tum unse mili ho?

Arshi ne dheere se aankhen band kar li.

Do aansu uske gaalon par beh gaye.

Kuch pal baad...

Usne aankhen kholi.

Aur bahut dheere se boli—

Arshi : Haan...

Rama jaise jam sa gaya.

Uske hoth kaanpne lage.

Rama : Papa... Zinda hain...?

Arshi ne turant uska haath pakad liya.

Arshi : Main itna hi keh sakti hoon...

Ki tumhare Papa ki kahani...

Utni simple nahi hai... Jitni tum sochte ho.

Rama ki awaaz bhar aayi.

Rama : Woh... Kahan hain?

Arshi ne turant sir hila diya.

Arshi : Nahi...

Ye main abhi nahi bata sakti.

Ek galat jawab...

Poora future badal sakta hai.

Rama ne gusse me table par haath maara.

Rama : Future badalne se mujhe koi farq nahi padta!

Mujhe sirf mere Papa chahiye!

Arshi uske paas aayi.

Usne bahut shaant awaaz me kaha—

Arshi : **Aur agar future badal gaya...

To shayad...

Hum kabhi mil hi na paayen.**

Kamre me phir khamoshi chha gayi.

Rama dheere se kursi par baith gaya.

Uska gussa dheere-dheere tootne laga.

[The Photograph]

Arshi ki nazar table par rakhi family photo par padi.

Usne photo uthayi.

Usme chhota sa Rama apne Papa ke kandhe par baitha tha.

Arshi ne photo ko bahut pyaar se chhua.

Halki si muskaan uske chehre par aayi.

Arshi (muskurakar): Ye photo...

Hamare future wale ghar me bhi hai.

Rama ne turant uski taraf dekha.

Rama : Tumne... Ise sambhal kar rakha?

Arshi muskurayi.

Arshi : Har Sunday saaf karti hoon.

Aur har baar tum kehte ho...

["Arshi... Papa ek din zaroor lautenge."]

Rama ki aankhen bhar aayi.

Usse samajh nahi aa raha tha...

Ye ladki jhooth bol rahi hai...

Ya sach uski soch se bhi zyada ajeeb hai.

Tabhi...

Neeche se Maa ki awaaz aayi—

Maa : Rama... Beta, jaldi neeche aao!

Rama aur Arshi ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha.

Dono neeche bhaage.

Drawing room ka darwaza khula hua tha.

Bahar ek safed SUV khadi thi.

Darwaze par ek aadmi khada tha.

Kaale suit me.

Haath me ek purana steel ka briefcase.

Usne ghar ke nameplate ko dekha.

Phir dheere se muskuraya.

Aur bola—

"Kya ye Professor Arvind Rao ka ghar hai?"

(Professor Arvind Rao — Rama ke missing Papa.)

Rama ka chehra ek pal me badal gaya.

Arshi ke hothon se bina soche nikla—

"...Ye yahan itni jaldi kaise pahunch gaya?"

"Agar woh sach me aa gaya hai..."

"...to hamare paas bahut kam waqt hai."

Us aadmi ne abhi tak Arshi ko dekha bhi nahi tha.

Lekin uski muskaan me kuch aisa tha...

Jisse lag raha tha...

Jaise woh sirf ek mehmaan bankar nahi aaya.

[The Stranger Who Knew Too Much]

[Location: RamaKrishna's House]

Time: Subah – 7:05 AM

Drawing room me ajeeb si khamoshi thi.

Darwaze ke bahar khada woh aadmi shaant nazron se ghar ko dekh raha tha.

Uske haath me purana steel ka briefcase tha.

Chehre par halki si muskaan...

Lekin uski aankhon me ajeeb gehraai thi.

Rama dheere se darwaze tak aaya.

Rama : Ji...?

Aadmi ne muskurakar poocha—

Dev Mehta :"Tumhi RamaKrishna ho?"

Rama : Haan... par aap..?

Us aadmi ne bina deri kiye apna haath aage badhaya.

Dev Mehta : Mera naam... Dev Mehta.

Main tumhare Papa ka purana colleague hoon.

Ye sunte hi Rama ki saansein tez ho gayin.

Peeche khadi Arshi ekdum chup ho gayi.

Usne Dev ko pehchan liya tha...

Ya shayad...

Uska naam pehchan liya tha.

Lekin usne kuch nahi kaha.

[The Briefcase]

Dev metha ne apna briefcase table par rakha.

Dheere se lock khola.

Andar kuch purani files...

Ek hard drive...

Aur ek sealed envelope tha.

Us envelope par sirf ek line likhi thi.

"For RamaKrishna. Open only when time begins to break."

Rama ne hairani se envelope uthaya.

Rama : Ye kisne likha hai?

Dev ne seedha jawab diya.

Dev metha : Tumhare Papa ne.

Rama ke haath kaanp gaye.

[A Question No One Expected]

Rama ne turant poocha—

Rama : Papa kahan hain?

Dev kuch pal tak chup raha.

Phir usne bahut shaant awaaz me kaha—

Dev metha : Is sawal ka jawab mere paas nahi... Par ek raasta zaroor hai.

Rama ki umeed phir jag uthi.

Rama : Kaunsa raasta?

Dev ki nazar seedhi Project CHRONOS par padi.

Uske chehre ka rang badal gaya.

Dev metha : Tumne...Tumne...

Machine bana li...?

Rama hairan ho gaya.

Rama : Aap iske baare me bhi jaante hain?

Dev dheere se bola—

Dev metha : Is machine ki wajah se hi...

Sab kuch shuru hua tha.

Kamre me sannata chha gaya.

[Arshi's Fear]

Arshi ne turant Dev ki baat kaat di.

Arshi : Nahi!

Unhe abhi kuch mat batayiye.

Dev ne pehli baar Arshi ko dhyan se dekha.

Uski aankhen sikud gayin.

Dev metha : Tum...Yahan kaise...?

Arshi ne dheere se sir jhuka liya.

Dev ne gehri saans li.

Dev metha : Toh timeline sach me badal chuki hai...

Rama dono ko dekh raha tha.

Ab uske liye sabse bada mystery time travel nahi tha...

Balki ye tha...

Ye dono ek dusre ko pehle se kaise jaante hain?

[A Simple Memory]

Tabhi Rama ki Maa chai lekar andar aati hain.

Unhe mahaul ki tension ka pata nahi tha.

Woh muskurakar sabko chai deti hain.

Dev metha cup lete hi ruk jaata hai.

Ek sip leta hai.

Aur halka sa muskura deta hai.

Dev metha : Bilkul wahi adrak wali chai...

Professor Arvind har experiment se pehle isi chai ki demand karte the.

Rama ki Maa ki aankhen bhar aati hain.

Das saal baad...

Kisi ne unke pati ki ek chhoti si aadat yaad dilayi thi.

Kamre ka mahaul aur emotional ho jaata hai.

[The Hidden Message]

Dev envelope Rama ko deta hai.

Dev metha : Abhi mat kholna.

Jab tumhe lage ki tum sach sunne ke liye taiyar ho... Tab kholna.

Rama hairani se poochta hai—

Rama : Agar isme Papa ka message hai...

To abhi kyun nahi?

Dev dheere se muskurata hai.

Dev metha : Kyunki kuch sach...

Galat waqt par jaan lena...

Sabse bada khatra hota hai.

[Cliffhanger]

Dev metha jaane ke liye mudta hai.

Darwaze tak pahunchkar bina peeche dekhe kehta hai—

Dev metha : Rama...

Kal raat... 12 bajkar 17 minute par...

Tumhari machine ne sirf ek insaan ko future se nahi bulaya.

Rama ka dil zor se dhadakne laga.

Rama : Matlab...?

Dev metha dheere se mudkar uski taraf dekhta hai.

Uske chehre se muskaan gayab ho chuki thi.

Sirf ek line...

Bahut dheemi awaaz me—

Dev metha : Kal raat... koi aur bhi is timeline me aaya hai.

Ye kehkar Dev bahar nikal jaata hai.

Door aasman me baadal garajne lagte hain.

Arshi ka chehra safed pad jaata hai.

Uske hoth kaanpne lagte hain.

Woh sirf itna kehti hai...

Arshi : "Agar woh sach me aa gaya hai..."

...to hamare paas bahut kam waqt hai.

Rama chupchaap khidki ke bahar dekhne lagta hai.

Uski zindagi me pehli baar...

Science...

Pyaar...

Aur waqt...

Ek hi raaste par khade the.

[Living With The Future]

[Time: Subah – 8:00 AM]

Drawing room ka mahaul ab bhi shaant tha.

Dev Mehta ja chuka tha.

Lekin uske diye hue envelope aur uski baatein Rama ke dimaag me ghoom rahi thi.

"Kal raat... koi aur bhi is timeline me aaya hai..."

Rama ne envelope ko apni study table ke locker me rakh diya.

Usne gehri saans li.

Ab uske saamne ek aur problem thi.

Arshi.

Woh ab bhi drawing room ke ek kone me chupchaap baithi thi.

Uski nazar kabhi khidki par jaati...

Kabhi Rama par.

Jaise woh khud bhi samajhne ki koshish kar rahi ho ki uske saath hua kya hai.

Tabhi Rama ki Maa kitchen se bahar aayi.

Unhone dono ko dekha.

Muskurate hue boli—

Maa : Beta, itni der se dono chup kyun baithe ho? Kuch hua hai kya?

Rama ek pal ke liye ghabra gaya.

Usse samajh hi nahi aa raha tha ki Arshi ke baare me kya kahe.

Tabhi Arshi khadi hui.

Usne halka sa namaste kiya.

Aur muskurakar boli—

Arshi : Actually Aunty...

Main Rama ki...

Ek pal ke liye woh ruk gayi.

Usne Rama ki taraf dekha.

Rama ki aankhen keh rahi thi—

'Future wife mat bol dena!'

Arshi ke hothon par halki si muskaan aa gayi.

Arshi : "...Friend hoon."

Maa muskura di.

Maa : "Accha..."

To isi liye tum dono itna dheere-dheere baat kar rahe the.

Tum jab tak chaho yahan ruk sakti ho."

Arshi ne sir jhuka diya.

Arshi : "Thank you, Aunty."

Uski aankhon me sachcha sukoon tha.

Shayad das saal baad phir se is ghar me aakar usse apna ghar mil gaya tha.

[Kitchen]

Kuch der baad...

Maa kitchen me lunch ki taiyari kar rahi thi.

Arshi chupchaap unke paas aa gayi.

Arshi : Aunty... Main help kar doon?

Maa muskura di.

Maa : Arre nahi beta.Tum guest ho.

Arshi dheere se boli—

Arshi : " Future ki..."

Woh turant ruk gayi.

Phir baat sambhali.

Arshi : Mera matlab...

Mummy bhi mujhe kitchen me aise hi kaam sikhati hain.

Maa hans padi.

Maa : Accha?

To aaj dekhte hain kitna accha bana leti ho.

Dono milkar sabzi kaatne lagi.

Rama door se ye sab dekh raha tha.

Uske chehre par hairani thi.

Rama : (maan hi maan) Abhi to mili hai...

Aur Maa ke saath itni comfortable...?

Usse samajh nahi aa raha tha.

[The Habit]

Kitchen me kaam karte-karte Maa boli—

Maa : Arshi beta...

Fridge se dhaniya nikaal dena.

Arshi bina soche fridge kholti hai.

Seedha upar wale chhote compartment me haath daalti hai.

Aur dhaniya nikaal leti hai.

Rama ki Maa hairan.

Maa : Arre...

Tumhe kaise pata dhaniya wahi rakha hai?

Arshi ekdum chup.

Usne turant Rama ki taraf dekha.

Rama bhi usi ko dekh raha tha.

Arshi halka sa hansi.

Arshi : Guess kar liya...

Maa hanskar boli—

Maa : Guess bhi bilkul sahi tha.

Lekin Rama ke dimaag me ek aur sawal jud gaya.

" Kya Arshi sab sach bol rahi hai..?"

[Afternoon]

Lunch ke baad...

Maa school chali gayi.

Ghar me sirf Rama aur Arshi the.

Kuch minute tak dono chup baithe rahe.

Phir Rama ne khamoshi todi.

Rama : Tum... Sach me future se aayi ho?

Arshi ne seedha jawab nahi diya.

Woh drawing room ki diwar par lagi family photo ke paas gayi.

Usne photo ko pyaar se dekha.

Phir dheere se boli—

Arshi : Main yahan pehli baar nahi aayi...

Bas... Is baar... Waqt alag hai.

Rama uski baat samajh nahi paaya.

[Shaam 5:30 PM]

Shaam ko bijli chali gayi.

Poora ghar andhere me doob gaya.

Rama torch dhoondhne laga.

Tabhi Arshi bina kuch bole seedha TV ke neeche wali drawer kholti hai.

Aur torch nikaal leti hai.

Rama ekdum ruk gaya.

Rama : Tumhe...Ye bhi pata hai?

Arshi muskura di.

Arshi :Tum future me bhi torch wahi rakhte ho.

Rama zor se hans pada.

Rama : Main itna bhi lazy hoon kya?

Arshi bhi hans padi.

Arshi : Nahi... Bas...

Tum kabhi apni aadatein nahi badalte.

Dono pehli baar dil kholkar hase.

Aur us hansi ke saath...

Subah ka darr... Thoda sa kam ho gaya.

Raat hone lagi.

Rama apne kamre me diary likh raha tha.

[Diary Entry]

"Aaj meri zindagi ka sabse ajeeb din tha."

"Science ke hisaab se jo impossible tha..."

"Woh mere saamne baitha hai."

"Mujhe ab bhi yakeen nahi..."

"Lekin jab Arshi muskuraati hai..."

"Pata nahi kyun..."

"Dil kehta hai..."

"Woh jhooth nahi bol rahi."

Diary band karte hi...

Rama ki nazar khidki ke bahar gayi.

Ghar ke saamne wali sadak ke us paar...

Ek aadmi khada tha.

Kaale hoodie me.

Chehra andhere me chhupa hua.

Woh seedha Rama ke kamre ki taraf dekh raha tha.

Jaise...

Woh kaafi der se isi ghar par nazar rakhe hue ho.

Rama khidki tak pahunchta...

Usse pehle hi...

Woh aadmi andhere me gayab ho gaya.

Rama dheere se khidki band karta hai.

Uske chehre par phir wahi sawal tha—

"Kya ye sirf mera waham tha..."

"Ya sach me koi hume dekh raha hai?"

To the continue...