Days passed by me heavily and there were no signs of Neel coming anytime soon.

On one random afternoon, approximately 5 days before I was scheduled to go back, a messenger arrived. Giving me the worse possible news I could get.

"It's officially a war." He said. "Their army isn't as mighty as ours, but things are getting out of hand."

How long shall this last.

I was breaking down, like I did when I entered this world. Sobbing and crying some more, listening to music, checking our pictures again and again.

The days were weighing heavy on me, and I had no one to share it with.

You could say, I had become the worst version of myself. starving myself, skipping most of the meals. Dreaded at every messenger that visited the palace, afraid that he would bring a news that Neel is no more alive. I was praying not to hear anything of such sort.

---

There were no more news from the battlefield giving more room to my overthinking whatsoever.

I could not sleep at night, tossing and turning, and walking around the corridor.

It was tomorrow. When I would leave. Probably without anyone knowing. I don't know.

I was afraid, I would travel back to my world when I am asleep so I stayed up the entire night. I could see the dawn crack, too beautiful of a morning, for a cruel day. But nothing had happened. Nothing yet. I believed since I entered this world at around 1.30 pm. I would leave the world around that time too.

My anxiety, my misery was in a desperate need of coffee but I hadn't tasted any of it, ever since Neel had left.

I downloaded all the remaining packets of his 'syrup' and kept it in Neel's bedroom in the drawer of his bedside table, hoping he would find my presence in it.

The entire afternoon had passed but there was still no signs that I was travelling back.

What is happening?

Am I trapped in here forever like Neel had predicted.

Now it was not the anxiety or fear, it was the confusion that had let me stay awake through the night.

I started throwing up the bare minimum that I ate. I would often beg Aarini to find out what was happening in the war, but she said all we could is wait and hope for the best.

I had surrendered. All of what was happening to me, was nothing as I had predicted.

---

It was 'additional day 1': I was supposed to be back at 2070 instead of 1442. Beating the shit out of Aakav, and crying and sobbing my eyes out

But I was here, confused, lost and hopeful for a miracle that will work for both me and Neel. Overall anxious.

---

It was 'additional day 2' : I had initially planned to not pack anything, but I realized I need to keep something as a memory of this world other than the pictures in my Q.

I decided I would tear a piece of fabric of Neel's clothes and keep it with me forever. So that anytime I go back, I can always have it with me.

There were no signs of time travel whatsoever. I was starting to get convinced, something bad happened to the machine. But I still did not want to expect anything.

Whether I am able to go back or no, I am at the losing end in both the scenarios.

I was being optimistic about the war, despite the fact that no news from the battle field had killed my hopes and scarred the living hell out of me.

King's father said, that there are times the messenger cannot approach, because there is so much destruction, that it feels difficult and harsh to leave the people by themselves. Also, giving news of casualties isn't a very good thing to do, so they take time until they figure out how they should deliver the facts.

I could only hope for the best.

---

It was 'additional day 3'

I decided to write a letter to Neel. I hadn't thought of it earlier, but the more days I am getting, the more I want to do before I leave.

If I leave before Neel comes back, there is something even he should be holding on to, for as long as he shall live.

Coming from an era that hardly used pen because they are so used to typing, I struggled hard to write using ink. In a regional language at that.

I was mid way through inking my words, my feelings, when Aarini gave a loud bang on my door.

"They are here." She said, her voice filled with euphoria, excitement and gratitude.

She did not have the patience to wait for me till I figure out what she has been trying to say, comprehend it, and then give my body the instruction to move.

Aarini, as soon as she informed me about their arrival, rushed through the corridor, making her way towards the entrance in order to welcome them.

'She said they are here. Hopefully everyone.' I spoke to myself. walking, running, and then walking faster, and then running some more.

I forgot to leave the letter in the room, I carried the incomplete letter along, but I couldn't care less about it.

I needed to see Neel. I needed to hold him, to check if he is doing okay. I rushed through long passages, walls singing a welcome for them on my behalf, as they echoed the sound of my anklets.

I appeared before the door, where Neel was waiting for me. He hadn't entered the palace, even after he was rightfully welcomed by his sister.

Neel must have dismissed everyone else, given the fact that no one was seen around.

He appeared tired, injured, drained, but pleased to see me.

It was mutual. My eyes welled up as soon as I saw him. I thought I wouldn't see him ever again.

But I was thankful, that the distance, between me and him, that was supposedly 600 years apart, currently was only one corridor length apart.

I gave out my best smile despite my heart that wanted to cry because it was so unexpected, so beautiful to see him back here, alive, safe and sound.

He hadn't moved an inch so I decided to cover the distance by myself. I ran towards him, hoping I would hold him again.

---

He was just a couple of steps away, just some steps more. But before I could cover it, I heard a loud beep.

It was a similar beep. The beep that said, that I am done with this place.

I tried moving, but I remembered what Aakav had once said, ' you cannot move once that beep appears.'

So even though he was standing right in front of me, just a couple of steps away, I couldn't go out to him.

He must have been confused, that suddenly my brightly shining face, dropped down to display pure terror and misery.

"Jiera?" he said.

I could still hear him, for the last time.

His last words to me, were my name, should I be happy about it?

"Jiera?" his voice was starting to get softer, fainter.

I dropped the letter my hand, to let it roll to him.

He was fading. I was trying not to cry. Tears will blur my vision, and I wanted to see him in the best of his attire till the last minute that I can, before lights from 2070 blind me.

In an attire of a king, who fought for his people. Neelambar, who successfully won 157 battles of his life. A brave warrior. A passionate lover.

He was the love of my life. Neel.

Disappearing before my eyes, while I was leaving in front of his.

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