Hello, my name is Rakshita. I live in Delhi, India, and today is my 20th birthday. Unfortunately, I find myself without a job. I share a home with my parents, my younger sister, and my twin brother. While I'm happy for my brother and sister, who both have jobs, I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Nevertheless, I'm determined to find a job of my own.

Today, I set out in search of employment. However, despite my efforts, I come up empty-handed. It feels like a never-ending cycle of disappointment. As I make my way back home, I notice a peculiar roadside shop. It's the only shop in sight, and something about it draws me in.

Approaching the shop, I see an old woman diligently packing up her wares. The items in her shop are unlike anything I've ever seen before. They seem to possess an air of mystique. Suddenly, the old woman stumbles and falls. Without a second thought, I rush to her aid and offer her some water from my bottle.

Gratefully, the old woman accepts the water and looks at me with wise, knowing eyes. She reaches into her bag and hands me a book, saying, "Take this. It's a magic book. You don't belong to this world."

Confused and intrigued, I hesitantly take the book from her, studying its worn cover and its mysterious aura. I tell her that I don't have any money to pay for it, but she insists, "You are destined to have it. It is a gift." With those cryptic words, the old woman walks away, fading into the bustling crowd until she disappears from sight.

Carrying the book, I head back home, my mind filled with questions. Who was that old woman? How did she know I didn't belong to this world? And what did she mean by "magic book"?

Arriving at our modest apartment, I find my family gathered in the living room. I share the incident with them, and we collectively ponder the book's significance. Could it hold the key to my purpose in life? Or was it simply an eccentric gift from a stranger?

As the evening wears on, my curiosity gets the better of me. With trembling hands, I open the book to its first page. The pages are old, yellowed, and filled with intricate symbols and writings in a language I can't comprehend.

Suddenly, the symbols seem to come alive, glowing softly and rearranging themselves before my eyes. Mesmerized, I watch as the words transform into familiar phrases, written in a language I can understand. It's as if the book is speaking to me directly.

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Book

When I arrived home, I was greeted with a surprise birthday party organized by my family. The events of the encounter with the old woman were temporarily forgotten as I reveled in the joyous atmosphere. I was overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude for my family's effort to make my day special.

After exchanging hugs and well wishes, I retreated to my room to change into the new clothes my mother had gifted me. They were a beautiful shade of blue that complemented my complexion perfectly. Feeling a renewed sense of excitement, I returned to join my family as they sang the birthday song and presented me with a delicious cake.

As the night progressed, I received gifts from my loved ones. My father gave me a stylish watch, my brother gifted me an exquisite perfume, and my sister presented me with a necklace adorned with a delicate fairy pendant. Each gift held a special meaning and was a testament to their thoughtfulness and love.

The party eventually came to an end, and one by one, my family retired to their rooms for the night. Carrying my gifts, I made my way to my bedroom, ready to rest and reflect on the day's events. Little did I know that an unexpected twist awaited me in the stillness of the night.

In the midst of sleep, I was abruptly awakened by a strange sound emanating from my bag. Curiosity overpowered my drowsiness, and I cautiously approached the bag. I switched on the light and opened it, revealing the mysterious book the old woman had given me. It seemed to possess an otherworldly presence, captivating and unsettling all at once.

My trembling hands gingerly opened the book, revealing an assortment of incomprehensible words and symbols. As I attempted to decipher its meaning, the text seemed to shift and move, almost as if alive. The pages turned of their own accord, leaving me baffled and disoriented.

A sudden jolt of fear coursed through me, causing me to stumble backward and quickly close the book. I dashed to my sister's room, desperately seeking solace in the company of my siblings. It was almost dawn, but my urgency disregarded the hour. I woke my sister, and soon my brother joined us, curious about the commotion.

With an air of skepticism, my siblings examined the enigmatic book. To their astonishment, the pages appeared completely blank, devoid of any text or illustrations. Confusion and disbelief filled the room as we exchanged perplexed glances. My sister reasoned that it must have been an illusion, a trick played by tired eyes and an overactive imagination.

Attempting to debunk the mystery, my sister took hold of the book, flipping through the pages once more. Suddenly, the words reappeared, defying any logical explanation. The book seemed to hold a secret power, teasing us with its cryptic messages and elusive nature.

In an unforeseen turn of events, as my sister continued to turn the pages, my finger grazed a sharp edge, and a drop of blood splattered onto the book. To our astonishment, a brilliant light emanated from the pages, illuminating the room and casting an ethereal glow upon us.

The brightness intensified, engulfing the entire area in its radiant embrace. Our hearts raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation as we stood witness to a remarkable phenomenon. What lay ahead was a journey that would challenge our perceptions of reality and forever change the course of our lives.

To be continued...

Chapter 3: Where Am I?

The room was filled with blinding light, causing my eyes to ache. I found myself in a strange place, somewhere covered in a thick blanket of snow. Confusion engulfed me as I wondered if I had reached heaven or descended into hell. It couldn't be real; I remembered everything that had happened. How could I be dead? I sat there, overwhelmed by the weight of my emotions, crying out loud.

Suddenly, a man approached me, his face obscured by the brightness of the sunlight. He asked why I was crying, but I couldn't see his features clearly. Through my tears, I managed to utter, "What happened?" He received no answer from me. Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked him who he was. I also questioned if he, too, had died because, somehow, I had died, although I couldn't recall the details.

As I cried, a tear escaped my eye and fell onto the snow-covered ground. The man still didn't respond to my questions, and I asked again. Finally, when I could see him, I realized he was a remarkably handsome man, dressed in a unique and somewhat old-fashioned attire. While I observed him, he seemed to be surveying the surroundings, and I noticed the book the old woman had given me lying on the snow. Confusion deepened as I wondered how the book had ended up here. I called out, "Hello, mister! What's happening? Why won't you answer me?"

The man inquired if the book was mine, and I wondered why he was asking. I replied hesitantly, "Yes, it's mine." As I opened the book again, it flew away, disappearing into thin air. I ran after it desperately, but it seemed to evaporate, leaving me puzzled and perplexed. I turned to the man, demanding an explanation. He calmly requested that I come with him, assuring me that he would provide answers to all my questions. Sensing danger in the air, I hesitated, uncertain if he could be trusted.

The man sensed my hesitation and said, "I'll give you one answer, and then you can decide whether to come with me." My mind raced, considering the offer. I finally agreed, with only one burning question in my mind, "Where am I?"

The man replied, "You are on Amar Lok." I exclaimed, "Amar Lok? How did I end up here? Am I dead?" He shook his head and said, "No, you are not dead."

Puzzled, I probed further, "If I'm not dead, then how did I come here?"

He simply responded, "I have given you the answer. Now, it's time for you to come with me."

Doubts clouded my thoughts as I questioned where I was supposed to go. The man cryptically replied, "Your right place." I hesitated, unsure of his intentions and the peril that awaited me. I clutched my hair tightly, contemplating my options.

Suddenly, I made up my mind and said, "Okay, let's go." The man seemed pleased by my decision. It was bitterly cold, and he handed me warm clothing to protect against the harsh elements. Donning the clothes, I felt relief from the biting chill.

As we continued our journey, the man approached a peculiar-looking tree. I watched him intently, wondering what he was about to do. To my astonishment, the branches of the tree parted, revealing a passage. My mouth agape, I couldn't comprehend what I was witnessing. I asked him, "What is this?"

He gestured for me to go first, and my eyes widened in awe. I cautiously entered the tree, discovering that what had appeared small on the outside was surprisingly spacious, accommodating two people comfortably. Soon, the man followed, closing the entrance behind him.

As my mind raced with countless questions, the man broke the silence, asking if I was hungry. I nodded in response. He smiled and presented a meal before me, consisting of rice and vegetables. The aroma wafting from the food made my mouth water; it appeared to be incredibly delicious. Inviting him to join me, I began eating, and he obliged but only consumed a small portion.

While chewing the delectable food, my mind buzzed with unanswerable questions. Who was this man? How did I end up in this place? Where had the book disappeared to? Who was the enigmatic old woman? Why was I here?

To be continued...