Chapter 11: (Aaira's pov)
17 July, 2025.

As I finished eating, I noticed the old man had already left the room, leaving just the old woman and me. She was busy at the sink, placing dishes into that strange contraption that seemed to clean them with some sort of magic. I couldn't help but marvel at it, despite my predicament. What kind of world have I ended up in?

I stood up slowly, my chair scraping against the floor, and hesitated before speaking.

Aaira: I'll be upstairs.

I said quietly, trying to sound nonchalant. The old woman barely glanced at me, too absorbed in her task.

Old woman: Alright, Y/N. Remember, you have college classes today.

She replied, her tone absent. It was like she was talking to someone who didn't exist.

I looked at her, confused.

Aaira: What is college?

I asked, my voice tinged with bewilderment. She barely glanced at me, her focus still on the dishes.

Old woman: Go, Y/n, you'll be late otherwise.

She said sharply, pushing me towards the door. I stumbled outside and she threw a handbag towards me, still in shock i quickly picked it up. The world around me was a whirlwind of strange sights and sounds.

Tall, sleek buildings towered over me, their surfaces gleaming in the sunlight. The streets were filled with strange, horseless carriages that zoomed by at astonishing speeds. People walked by with curious devices in their hands, some talking into them, others staring intently at their glowing screens.

Aaira: What kind of world is this?

I whispered to myself, feeling a mix of awe and terror. Everything was so different, so alien. I took a few hesitant steps down the street, trying to make sense of it all.

The clothes people wore were unlike anything I had ever seen-brightly colored fabrics, strange patterns, and materials that shimmered in the light. The sounds were overwhelming: a constant hum of activity, the roar of the carriages, and the chatter of people all around me.

I passed by a shop window and caught my reflection in the glass. The modern clothes I wore felt strange and uncomfortable, a stark contrast to the dresses I was used to. My hair, usually pinned up neatly, was loose and wild in the wind.

I walked aimlessly, my mind racing with questions. How had I ended up here? What kind of sorcery had brought me to this place? And how was I supposed to navigate this bewildering world?

As I continued down the street, I noticed a group of young people walking together, laughing and chatting. They seemed so at ease, so familiar with this strange place.

I wondered if they were heading to this "college" the old woman had mentioned. Maybe I should follow them, try to blend in and figure out what was going on.

With a deep breath, I decided to do just that. I quickened my pace, trying to keep a reasonable distance while still keeping them in sight.

As I followed them, I marveled at the sights around me-tall buildings with enormous glass windows, shops filled with strange and wondrous items, and people dressed in ways I couldn't even begin to understand.

Eventually, the group reached a large building with a sign that read "City College." They walked inside, and I hesitated for a moment before following them. The interior was just as strange as the outside-bright lights, polished floors, and an overwhelming number of people.

I wandered through the halls, trying to avoid drawing attention to myself. I passed by classrooms filled with students sitting at desks, listening intently to teachers who wrote on strange boards that lit up with colorful displays. I couldn't understand a word they were saying, but I tried to observe as much as I could.

Eventually, I found a quiet corner and sat down, trying to process everything. This world was so different from my own, so advanced and yet so confusing. I had to find a way to survive here, to understand the rules and customs of this place.

Suddenly, I heard a rumble and saw many weird vehicles coming in, all in different colors and shapes. They moved swiftly, stopping briefly before speeding off again. I was so scared of them, their sheer speed and noise overwhelming my senses.

Just then, I noticed a boy approaching me. I started shifting myself away, hoping he wouldn't come near me. Who was he, and what did he want? But he kept walking towards me until he was right in front of me.

Boy: Y/n, what are you doing here?

He asked, his tone casual but curious. I didn't know how to respond. My mind raced, trying to find the right words, but nothing came. I just stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

Boy: This isn't our college.

He continued, raising an eyebrow.

Boy: Are you here to meet a friend?

I nodded, hoping that would be enough to satisfy his curiosity. He sighed, looking slightly amused.

Boy: Alright then, let's go to our college. You can't just wander around here.

I hesitated, not knowing if I should trust him. But I didn't have much of a choice. I needed to blend in, to follow along until I could figure out a plan, it was just about this evening Jungkook will come and take me eventually.

As we walked, he chatted about various things, none of which made much sense to me. He mentioned classes, teachers, and activities that were all foreign concepts. I did my best to nod and smile, pretending to understand. The boy glanced back at me with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Boy: You seem to have some kind of liking towards the cars.

He remarked casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I didn't say anything, my mind racing with the realization that these strange machines were something called cars.

They were unlike anything I had ever seen, a blend of power and sleek design that intrigued me deeply. But I knew better than to reveal my fascination; instead, I remained silent, watching him continue walking.

We eventually reached another large building, and he led me inside. It was similar to the first, but something about it felt slightly more comfortable, even though I couldn't pinpoint why. Perhaps it was the quieter atmosphere or the smaller groups of people.

Boy: We are back at our college.

He said, gesturing around.

Boy: My class starts in 5.

I nodded again, feeling a sense of unease. If I truly was Y/n, I would know this place. But I didn't, and the constant pretending was exhausting.

Boy: Are you okay?

He asked, looking at me with concern.

Boy: You've been acting a bit strange lately.

I forced a smile.

Aaira: Just a lot on my mind.

I said, hoping that would be enough to end the conversation. He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

Boy: Alright, well, if you need anything, just let me know.

I thanked him and watched as he walked away, leaving me alone once more. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

As I stood in the middle of the gate, lost in my thoughts, I heard a loud rumble. I turned just in time to see a carriage-no, a car-speeding towards me.

Panic surged through me, and I quickly knelt down, my heart pounding in my chest. Was I about to die? There was no way it could stop in time. I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my ears, bracing for the impact.

But the impact never came. Instead, the noise of the car screeching to a halt filled my ears. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw the car stopped just inches away from me. My breath came in shallow gasps as I tried to process what had just happened. The car door opened, and a boy stepped out, rushing towards me.

Other boy: Are you okay?

He asked, his voice full of concern. He reached out a hand to help me stand up, and I took it, my legs shaky and weak.

Aaira: Thank you.

I managed to say, still in shock. He looked at me closely.

Other boy: What were you doing in the middle of the road? You could have been seriously hurt.

Aaira: I... I didn't know.

I stammered.

Aaira: I'm not from here.

He frowned, confusion written all over his face. As he chuckled.

Other boy: Not from here? What do you mean?

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog from my mind.

Aaira: It's complicated.

He seemed to sense my distress and didn't press further.

Other boy: Come on, let's get you to safety

He said gently, guiding me to the sidewalk.

Other boy: You really shouldn't stand in the middle of the road. Cars here are very fast and dangerous.

I nodded, still dazed.

Aaira: Thank you.

I repeated, not knowing what else to say. He smiled kindly.

Ian: No problem. My name's Ian, by the way. What's yours?

Aaira: Aaira.

I replied, feeling a bit more grounded now.

Ian: Nice to meet you, Aaira.

He said.

Ian: Why don't you come with me? I'll make sure you're okay.

I shook my head, refusing his offer. Something about following him felt wrong, and I didn't want to expose myself further. He studied my expression for a moment, then nodded, understanding. He turned and walked back to his car, giving me a reassuring smile before driving away.

Now I was alone again, standing in this strange world, feeling more like an outsider than ever. Everything around me was so foreign: the bright colors, the loud sounds, and the fast-paced movement of people. I felt like I had stumbled into an alien land.

As I wandered aimlessly, I spotted a poster plastered on a wall. It was bright and eye-catching, filled with colorful images that seemed to pulse with energy. But what caught my attention most was the date boldly displayed: "2025." I froze in place. Was I really in 2025? Just a moment ago, I had been in 1818, in a world that felt safe and familiar.

The realization hit me like a wave, drowning me in fear. How could I be here? What happened to me? My heart raced, and a sense of panic began to creep in. I felt dizzy, overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all.

I quickly made my way to a nearby staircase and sat down, leaning my head against the cool wall for support. I took deep breaths, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind. The vibrant world around me felt suffocating.

After an hour of sitting there, I decided to stand up. Just then, I saw a group of girls walking toward me, chatting animatedly. As they approached, one of them said.

Girl: Why didn't you come to the lecture? Sob kept asking about you. We told him you didn't come to college.

I nodded, feeling a sense of detachment from their words. Who was this Sob? The name didn't sit right with me, and honestly, I didn't want to meet him or any other male at that moment.

Feeling overwhelmed, I turned and randomly entered a room nearby. The space was unlike anything I had ever seen, filled with bright, colorful boxes that emitted soft humming sounds. I peered closer, These strange boxes were lined up against the walls, glowing with screens that flickered with images I couldn't comprehend.

I stepped inside, curiosity piqued despite my unease. These were different, unique, but to me, they looked like magical contraptions from a distant land. I reached out tentatively, my fingers brushing against the smooth surface. It felt foreign, yet there was something oddly inviting about it.

Suddenly, Ian walked in, and I instinctively tried to hide myself behind one of the colorful boxes. But he had already spotted me. He approached with a casual grin and said.

Ian: Look who we have here, Aaira?

I merely hummed in response, not wanting to engage too much. He leaned closer, examining the computer with curiosity.

Ian: Are you playing with this thing?

I nodded slowly, feeling a mix of confusion and embarrassment. He chuckled lightly, clearly amused.

Ian: What were you doing with it?

Aaira: I... I don't know what this is.

I admitted. Ian laughed again, a sarcastic tone lacing his words.

Ian: So funny. Well, let me play along.

Ian tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips.

Ian: Let me teach you how to use it, then.

I hesitated, shaking my head.

Aaira: No, I don't need help.

Ian: Come on, I'm just trying to be nice.

He insisted, his tone softening a bit.

Ian: I promise I won't bite. Just let me show you.

The idea made me uneasy; I could almost hear Jungkook's stern voice in my head warning me to be careful. But Ian seemed harmless enough, so I reluctantly nodded. He stepped closer to the computer, pointing at the keyboard.

Ian: Okay, first, this is how you turn it on.

He pressed a button, and the screen lit up with a bright glow.

Ian: See? It's just like magic.

I stared, fascinated despite myself. He continued.

Ian: This is the mouse. You move it around to control what's on the screen.

As he demonstrated, I watched closely. He clicked on an icon, and suddenly, colorful images filled the screen.

Ian: This is a website. You can find almost anything here. Want to search for something?

Aaira: I... I don't know what to search for, I don't want to know anything.

I admitted, feeling overwhelmed.

Ian: How about we look up something interesting?

He typed a few letters into the search bar, and the screen filled with links to various topics.

Ian: You can learn about almost anything-music, art, even history.

I was taken aback.

Aaira: History? Like... my history?

Ian: Exactly!

He said, enthusiasm lighting up his face.

Ian: You can discover stories from all over the world. Just think of a topic and type it in.

It was overwhelming, yet there was a spark of curiosity igniting within me. I glanced at Ian, unsure.

Aaira: Can I really find out about my past?

Ian: Of course.

He encouraged, leaning back.

Ian: Just give it a try.

As I typed "Jeon Jungkook," a flurry of images and names flooded the screen. I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety as I saw countless unfamiliar faces, each one a stranger in this strange new world. Ian leaned over, peering at the screen with interest.

Ian: Maybe try something more specific.

He suggested with a light laugh.

Ian: You have to add context.

Nodding, I typed "Bang Family" next, but the results were still vague, mostly filled with names that meant nothing to me. Ian chuckled again.

Ian: You should add the year or some details.

With a deep breath, I typed "1818" and hit enter. The screen transformed, presenting me with a list of something he said are links. My heart raced as I scanned through them, my eyes widening in recognition.

There, listed among the names, were familiar figures from my past: Bang sihyuk, Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin, Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, and finally, my husband, Jeon Jungkook.

I pointed at the screen, barely able to contain my excitement.

Aaira: Look! There they are!

Ian glanced over,

Ian: Who are they?

Aaira: They're my family,

I said,

Aaira: But why are they here?

He shrugged, clearly not understanding the depth of my connection to these names.

Ian: Looks like you might find a lot about them. Click on one of the links.

I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. This was more than just names; these were the people who meant the world to me. With a deep breath, I clicked on the link for Jeon Jungkook. The page loaded, revealing images of him, articles about his achievements, and snippets of his life.

My heart sank. There, nestled among the pictures of Jeon Jungkook, was an image of me standing beside him, our son Aimin cradled in my arms. It felt surreal to see ourselves captured in a moment I couldn't remember. Ian's eyes widened in disbelief.

Ian: How are you there?

He exclaimed, pointing at the screen, clearly shocked. I shook my head, feigning ignorance. I couldn't reveal too much about myself, not in this strange world. Instead, I quickly asked,

Aaira: Is there any way we could time travel? I'm just asking.

His expression shifted, the surprise morphing into discomfort.

Ian: Well... I mean, people talk about it.

He stammered, glancing around as if worried someone might overhear us.

Ian: But it's just theories, you know? Nothing real.

I felt a flicker of hope.

Aaira: Theories can become real, right?

I pressed, Ian hesitated, then nodded slowly.

Ian: Maybe. There are stories about scientists trying to find ways to manipulate time. But... it's complicated, and I've never seen it done.

I quickly stood up,

Aaira: I need to go home.

I insisted, stealing one last glance at Jungkook's image on the screen before rushing out. But as I turned the corner, I collided directly with the old woman.

Aaira: What in the hell?

I gasped as she grabbed my arm, her grip firm and unyielding. She pulled me along.

Old woman: I told you we have an appointment! You can't just wander off like this.

She scolded, dragging me through the bustling campus in front of onlookers who stared curiously.

I struggled to keep pace, bewildered by her unexpected appearance and the embarrassment of being yanked through the crowd.

Aaira: I don't want to go to a psychiatrist or whatever it is!

I protested, but she didn't seem to care.

Old woman: Right now, you need to see the psychiatrist, You don't have a choice.

She replied sharply, leading me toward a nearby building, What the hell was happening to me I had no idea.

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"I walked among the living, but their dictates made me feel like a ghost."

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