• ADVIKA •

As I was done explaining about You Belong With Me the book, the mails, Aadya Chatterjee, and my transition to his universe and vice versa, he wore an unbelievable look. As I realised that I was reaching the end of my monologue, I ended it with an, “I know you must be shocked. I know you love me. But… Before making a decision, remember what I said.”

Ishaan, blinking incessantly, sighed through his mouth, looked around his house, realising that it was built with descriptive words, not bricks and mortar.

I didn't know what to say, but I knew that I had to wait till he responded.

And, I did.

“So, you're telling me that I have no real existence and I'm a mere fictional character,” he replied with his face straight, almost no expression on our faces.

“Not exactly. You are real. But unlike me— who is nobody in your world— you are one of the most-loved fictional characters in my world. Long story short, I'm not from a different country but a different universe.” Though I was successful in not revealing any expression, my racing heart threatened otherwise.

Letting out a chuckle the way one does when a kid says that he wanted to become a Prime Minister, he countered, “Advika, listen. I don't know whether I'm supposed to believe you or what. I like you. And… I feel that what I feel towards you is more than just affection. I fear that I love you. But that doesn't mean that I can believe this out of—”

“Ishaan,” I emphasized. “I understand. And, your expression is justified. But answer me this: if my statement is not true, how would I have known everything about you? It's not like I know every little detail about your life before Maahi but I know almost all the details about your romantic relationship with her. And, how was that possible? It's obvious that I am not related to you or your acquaintances. Then, how would I have known?”

Letting silence engulf us, he stepped an inch away from me, allowing his thoughts to fill his mind while I waited for him to say something.

“Advika,” he uttered my name with much sincerity as if my name was a holy chant. “Can you take me to your world?”

“What do you mean?” I frowned deeper enough to create a valley between my eyebrows. “Like… We're talking about reality, Ishaan. The world where I live. It's not as sweet and dreamy as yours.”

“It is not that I'm going to live there permanently, will I? I just want to know whether that world exists for real.”

“Fine,” I sighed in a way that resembled an exhale and asked, “Could you please play You Belong With Me?”

“Your wish is my command, Mia Anima. You don't have to beg me.” The rawness in his tone turned me on and it took everything of me to suppress them down. As I knew that I was successful in it, he added, “Wait a minute. Let me pack my bags.”

I chuckled at him as he stepped away from me, leaving me to wonder how I will transit back to my universe with another person by my side.

Should I hold his hand so that my energy would pass to him and we could make it there?

Should we transit one at a time to the universe?

I knew that holding hands could be the best plan. At least, that was how it sounded inside my head.

As Ishaan jumped in front of me with an, “I'm ready,” I asked, “Ishaan. Shall I hold your hands?”

The face that was capable of melting my stony heart developed into a smile as he accepted the offer with a nod.

“Good! Now… Let's do this thing.”

As per the plan, I lied down on the bed with him; his right hand holding me and the left one holding his bag while I played the song.

Just like it happens everytime, I dozed off with the anticipation of seeing him again in my universe.

***

One more chapter to read today, peeps...