Author's pov

Alankritha sat by the window seat in a flight from Kochi to Dilshahr, listening to a song through her earbuds. She leaned slightly against the glass, gazing outside, lost in the magic of clouds while sipping a black coffee. She wore a white tank top with blue jeans, layered with a long cream overcoat. Her long black hair was tied into a messy bun. Kohl-lined eyes, accentuated by a small black bindi, rested between her eyebrows. As always , a peaceful smile graced her lips, highlighting her dimples and making her eyes appear smaller.

(A/N : Dilshahr is an imaginary city in delhi)

As she gazed at the settling sun through the clouds which looked just like an ocean of gold she wondered what this new city held for her. Dilshahr - the city's name itself felt like a promise of something unforgettable.

Dilshahr, the city of hearts - she had heard many folk tales about the city but the one that fascinated her the most was the story of a Mughal poet and a Mughal princess who were in love.

Centuries ago, Jalaluddin Mahir, a Mughal poet fell in love with Dilruba Jahan, a Mughal princess. Before leaving for a war, he wrote her a final letter, promising to return to her. But the letter never reached her, lost somewhere in the winding lanes. It is said that on some nights, when the moonlight touches the city just right, the wind still carries echoes of words left unsaid. Some believe that if you write a letter in Dilshahr and let the wind take it, it will find its way to the heart that needs it most.

Would this city change her life too? Would it bring her something unforgettable?

As the plane touched down with a slight jolt, she exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath. The air felt different - heavy with stories, light with possibilities.

She wasn’t sure if she was ready.

But then again, are we ever truly ready for the moments that change our lives?

The hum of engines dulled as passengers rustled in their seats, reaching for bags and switching on their phones. She followed suit, turning off airplane mode, and within seconds, her screen lit up with a flood of notifications.

When she looked up, a smile tugged at her lips - it was a series of missed calls and messages from her online friend and soon-to-be classmate - Zara.

Zaruu💗: "Anu, have you landed? It's already past 8 PM."

Anu: "Just landed, zaru. The flight was delayed by half an hour."

Zaruu 💗: "ohh then call me when you reach your room, okay?"

Anu: "okeyy🎀"

(A/N: Anu is the nickname of Alankritha)

Rolling her suitcase down the narrow aisle, Anu could almost hear Zara’s exasperated sigh from miles away. On the other side of the screen, Zara smiled, shaking her head at Anu’s playfulness.

Then she texted her mother saying that she had landed but her mother was someone who slept early so Anu knew she would only see the message in the morning.

By midnight, she finally reached her room in the hostel of her college. The room has two beds but it seems like her roommate hasn't reached yet. So dropping her luggage onto the bed on the right side, she slipped off her shoes and plopped onto the bed, exhausted from all the traveling. But after some time, she got up and went to freshen up and changed into her comfy pyjamas. Then, settling at the window-faced table near her bed, she first texted zara, her younger brother and her mother telling them she had safely reached her room and then she opened her diary, picked up a pen, and began writing.

20th July

Dear diary,

                  These days have been so exhausting with the endless shopping and constant traveling but still I enjoyed it. Finally I am here in Dilshahr, my dream city about to begin my MBBS journey in my dream college, Astra Global University (AGU).

Tomorrow, a completely new chapter of my life is going to unfold. I feel curious and excited about it but a part of my heart is nervous and scared. New places, new people and new surroundings...will I get adapted to all of these?

                                         - Alankritha

     After journaling for some time, she finally closed her diary and again plopped onto her bed. The pages still carried the warmth of her fingertips, ink smudged ever so slightly where she had paused to think. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she stared at the ceiling, listening to the murmurs of the wind outside. It hummed against the windows, whispering secrets only the night could understand.

She didn’t know when sleep claimed her, but it must have been gentle. One moment, she was tracing patterns in the air with her fingertips, and the next, she was sinking into the depths of a dream.

In the other corner of Dilshahr, Karthik sat in his study, leaning against the chair while twirling a pen in his hand. The room was full of books and ancient paintings, a reflection of his love for art and history. Dim lighting from the desk lamp casts soft shadows across the wooden shelves, the air thick with the scent of old papers and faint traces of sandalwood incense that his mother always preferred.

His laptop lay open in front of him, the screen glowing with a half-written document—a poem. Writing had always been his escape, a place where his thoughts found structure.

The clock on the wall ticked past midnight, but sleep felt distant. Instead, he tapped the pen against the table, staring at the screen without really seeing it. His thoughts drifted - to the hush of the forest, the whisper of the wind, and the rhythmic hum of cicadas breaking the night's silence.

His phone vibrated beside him, pulling him out of his thoughts. A message flashed across the screen, and when he opened it, he saw a reel sent by Zara.

It was some random, chaotic meme - probably meant to make him laugh but instead of reacting to it, Karthik raised an eyebrow. Why is she still awake?

Normally, Zara would be the first one to sleep in his family. She had a strict night time routine, always nagging everyone else to follow it too. Yet here she was, scrolling through reels at midnight. 

So he decided to text her.

Karthi: "Why are you still awake?"

Zaru🤍: "you know naa, tomorrow is my first day at college, and I’m feeling nervous about it."

Karthi: "Ohhh, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. I, Kiran, and that friend of yours will also be there na?"

Zaru🤍: "Haan, but... Wait! Why are you still awake?"

Karthi: "I was writing."

Zaru🤍: "Ohh okay, but it’s too late. Go sleep now."

Karthi: "Ok ok, I’m going. You too sleep, okay?"

Zaru🤍: "Okayy, good night 😴."

Karthi: "Good night 💤."

He placed his phone on the table and leaned back against his chair, exhaling softly. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of the wall clock. 

With one last glance at his half-written poem, he shut his laptop and turned off the lamp, letting the quiet hum of the night fill the space.

Tomorrow would be a new beginning—not just for Zara, but for someone else stepping into this city of hearts as well.

_________________________________________________

Dear Tulips🌷,

English is not my first language, so there may be mistakes, but I will do my best to refine my writing. The chapters will also get longer as the story progresses…