Episode 5: Memories Beneath Open Eyes

The deep sound of the shankh echoed through the mountains.

A moment later, the ringing of bells followed.

The sacred hour of Brahma Muhurta had arrived.

Vanshika stirred beneath her blanket.

Slowly, her eyes opened.

For a few moments, she remained still.

The dream was already slipping away.

The garden.

The laughter.

The woman chasing a little girl beneath the sunlight.

Yet the strange heaviness in her chest remained.

Vanshika blinked.

Only then did she realize her cheeks were damp.

Tears.

A faint frown appeared on her face.

Why?

The dream had not been frightening.

There had been no fire.

No screams.

No darkness.

Only warmth.

Only love.

Only a voice calling...

"Vatsanavi..."

The name lingered in her thoughts.

She sat up and took a deep breath.

Soon, she joined the other students making their way toward the bathing springs.

The Gurukul's bathing arrangements still fascinated her.

Natural hot springs flowed from the mountains, their warm waters gathered into stone pools.

Separate pathways led to the bathing areas for men and women.

Morning mist drifted above the water while the first rays of sunlight painted the mountains in gold.

Even after a week, she still found herself admiring the sight.

"Phir se soch mein doobi hui ho?" (Lost in thought again?)

A familiar voice interrupted her.

Vanshika turned.

Maitreyi stood beside her with a knowing smile.

"Main bas..." (I was just...)

"Bas soch rahi thi?" (Just thinking?)

Maitreyi completed the sentence for her.

Vanshika sighed.

Maitreyi laughed.

"Sakhi, tumhara man toh sadaiv kahin aur hi bhatakta rehta hai." (Friend, your mind is always wandering somewhere else.)

Despite herself, Vanshika smiled.

Perhaps that was why she enjoyed Maitreyi's company.

The girl somehow managed to make even the most ordinary moments feel lighter.

After bathing and morning prayers, the lessons began.

Students gathered beneath the shade of ancient banyan trees.

The sound of recitation filled the air.

Palm-leaf manuscripts rustled softly as lessons continued.

Vanshika listened attentively.

Yet despite her efforts, her thoughts kept returning to the same questions.

Who was Vatsanavi?

Why had the Acharya looked at her as though he already knew her?

And why did those dreams feel so real?

By midday, the scholarly lessons ended.

The students made their way toward the training grounds.

Today was dedicated to dhanurvidya (the art of archery).

Rows of targets stood across the field.

Several students appeared excited.

Others less so.

Maitreyi was among the excited ones.

"Dekhte hain aaj kaun sabse pehle lakshya bhedta hai." (Let's see who hits the target first today.)

"I doubt it will be me," Vanshika replied.

Maitreyi grinned.

"We shall see."

The instructor distributed bows among the students.

When Vanshika accepted hers, something strange happened.

The wood felt familiar.

Not familiar because she had used it before.

Familiar in a different way.

A way she could not explain.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the grip.

A strange uneasiness settled within her.

The instructor demonstrated the proper stance.

Students copied him.

Vanshika raised the bow.

Then ....

The world around her vanished.

The training ground disappeared.

The mountains faded.

For a brief moment, another scene appeared before her eyes.

A young girl stood beneath a large tree.

A bow rested in her hands.

Before her stood a man dressed in royal garments.

His expression was patient.

Gentle.

"Nahi, Putri." (No, child.)

The man adjusted the girl's stance.

"Kandhe seedhe rakho." (Keep your shoulders straight.)

"Dhanush ko is prakar pakdo." (Hold the bow like this.)

The little girl nodded obediently.

Nearby stood a guard.

Tall.

Silent.

Watchful.

His hand rested upon the hilt of his sword.

His gaze never left the child.

As though protecting something more precious than his own life.

The man smiled.

"Ab prayas karo." (Now try.)

The child released the arrow.

...

"Vanshika!"

The voice shattered the scene instantly.

The vision vanished.

The training ground returned.

The mountains.

The students.

The sunlight.

Everything.

Vanshika blinked.

Confused.

Maitreyi stood before her with both hands on her hips.

One eyebrow raised.

"Vanshika, aap to khule nainon se hi svapn dekh rahi hain." (Vanshika, you seem to be dreaming with your eyes open.)

A few nearby students laughed.

"Kya?" (What?)

Maitreyi pointed toward the targets.

"Udhar dekhiye." (Look over there.)

Still confused, Vanshika followed her gaze.

Then froze.

An arrow stood embedded in the target.

Not near the center.

Not close to the center.

Directly in the center.

The exact center.

The instructor stared.

Several students exchanged surprised looks.

One of them even let out a low whistle.

"Apne Lakshya bhed diya." (The target has been struck.)

For a moment, Vanshika simply stared.

Her heart began to pound.

Slowly.

Then faster.

She looked down at the bow in her hands.

Then back toward the target.

She couldn't remember releasing the arrow.

Not even once.

The fragment.

The child.

The man.

The guard.

It had all felt so real.

Too real.

A chill ran down her spine.

Because one question refused to leave her mind.

If she had never learned archery...

Then why had her hands known exactly what to do?

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***