Chapter 31: Chapter 29 - A Dream or a Memory?

I saw her—Aranya—but not as she is now.

She was dressed in royal attire, her dark hair adorned with golden ornaments, her wrists jingling with intricate bangles as she moved.

We were in the Vyantara palace gardens, surrounded by laughter and the soft glow of the evening torches.

Four men stood around us, all engaged in a playful competition.

One was Prithish, his smirk as arrogant as ever.

The other—the Prince of Ranshara.

The last two...

I couldn’t see their faces.

It was like they were blurred, as if my mind refused to recall their identities.

Aranya was laughing, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Maharaja, let’s make a bet,” she challenged, twirling a wooden staff in her hands.

“A bet?” I smirked. “You are challenging me?”

She nodded. “If I win, you will grant me a wish.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And if I win?”

She smirked. “Then I shall grant you one.”

The men around us chuckled, watching with interest.

I nodded. “Very well, let’s begin.”

And then—

The scene shifted.

The laughter disappeared.

Aranya was lying on the ground, her royal clothes soaked in blood.

Her eyes—filled with pain and desperation—were locked onto mine.

“Rudraksha…” her voice was weak, barely a whisper.

I tried to move, to reach her—but I couldn’t.

It was as if something unseen was holding me back.

The ancient mirror stood behind her, its surface cracked and glowing faintly.

A pulse of energy radiated from it, pulling her further away.

No.

I struggled, trying to break free—but the more I fought, the further she slipped from my grasp.

“ARANYA!”

I jolted awake, my heart pounding.

The room was dark, the faint glow of the city outside casting soft shadows on the walls.

I sat up, running a hand through my hair.

It was just a dream.

I was dreaming.

But it didn’t feel like an ordinary dream.

But why did it feel so… real?

I clenched my fists. Were my lost memories returning?

And more importantly—why was Aranya in them?

Was it a coincidence? Or was it something more?

Before I could dwell on it, I heard soft footsteps.

The door opened, and there she was—Aranya.

She smiled, but the moment she saw my expression, she frowned. “Are you okay?”

I exhaled, shaking off the dream. “It was nothing. Just a dream.”

She narrowed her eyes, clearly not believing me. But instead of pushing, she simply walked in with a tray.

“First, you eat. Then, I’ll listen.”

I chuckled despite myself. “You’re making demands now?”

She smirked. “You’re in my world now, Maharaja. You follow my rules.”

I sighed, but I took the food anyway. If I refused, she would nag me for hours.

Once I finished, she finally smiled. “Good. Now, you get a hug.”

She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around me.

And just like that, the dream faded away.

For now.

“A date?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Aranya grinned, nodding. “Yes! A date. It’s what couples do in my world. They go out, eat, have fun, and spend time together.”

I smirked. “We already do that.”

She rolled her eyes. “But this time, I’m planning it. So you don’t get to argue.”

I chuckled. “Very well. I shall allow it.”

She gasped dramatically. “Oh wow, thank you, Your Majesty, for granting me permission.”

I laughed. “You are insufferable.”

She winked. “And yet, you love it.”

The first stop on our “date” was something called a cinema.

Aranya explained that it was a place where people sat in a dark room and watched moving images on a large screen.

I frowned. “Why would anyone willingly sit in darkness and stare at shadows?”

She laughed. “It’s called a movie. Just trust me.”

I sighed but followed her inside.

The moment the screen lit up, I tensed. “What kind of sorcery—”

Aranya smacked my arm. “Shhh. Just watch.”

I huffed but settled into my seat.

The film was about two lovers—separated by time, bound by fate.

And as I watched, something unfamiliar yet familiar twisted in my chest.

Was this how she felt when she was in Vyantara?

A person torn between two worlds?

I stole a glance at her.

Her eyes were soft, lost in the story.

She turned to me, smiling. “See? Isn’t this romantic?”

I smirked. “I can think of something better.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? What’s more romantic than this?”

I leaned in slightly, my voice low. “Kissing under the moonlight. Holding you by the waist while dancing in the rain. Whispering your name as you fall asleep in my arms.”

Her eyes widened, and she turned bright red.

I chuckled. “See? Better.”

She punched my arm. “Shut up.”

That night, as we walked back to the apartment, I finally told her about the dream.

She listened carefully, her brows furrowing. “So… in your dream, I was there? As a princess?”

I nodded.

She was silent for a moment before she sighed. “Rudraksha, I’ve never had any memories of being in Vyantara before I actually went there. Maybe it’s just a coincidence?”

I clenched my fists. “It didn’t feel like a coincidence.”

She hesitated before stepping closer, placing a hand on my chest. “Even if the past is confusing, one thing is clear—”

I looked down at her, waiting.

She smiled softly. “I’m here now. And no matter what, I’ll always be here for you.”

My breath caught.

And in that moment, I didn’t care about dreams, or memories, or the past.

I only cared about her.

I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight.

She hugged me back without hesitation, and for the first time since waking up, I finally felt... at peace.