Ruhana is lost in her thoughts about the hazy visual that she just saw. She’s reading the notes she made about the dream sequences. She reads the sequences that she has written in her registers. She begins to contemplate her thoughts and tries to join the dots. By now, she’s sure that her dreams are connected in some way or another.

“Ishika? Is it me?”

“Why did the other lady ask me to stay away, and from whom?”

“Who’s the other lady who threatened her?”

Ruhana is lost in thought when her phone rings again, and this time she takes the call. Aadhya’s concerned voice falls into her ears. She’s asking about her whereabouts. Ruhana asks Aadhya to meet her and tells her that she has experienced a different visual this time, and she needs to share the new pointers. It may help in deciphering the dreams. They decide to meet the next day in Ruhana’s boutique and then disconnect the call.

Meanwhile, the doorbell rings and Ruhana rushes to open the door, only to find her parents at the door. It’s almost 8:30 PM and she didn’t realize the time. Her mom asks her if she had anything to which she denies. Sandhya shakes her head and moves into the kitchen to prepare something for her daughter as she and her husband had snacks at their friend’s home.

Ronit changes into casuals and finds Ruhana lost in thought. He keeps his hand on her head and Ruhana comes out of her trance. She smiles at her dad who sits beside her and asks the same question.

“Honey, you look lost. What happened? And what were you telling me in the afternoon?” he asks lovingly.

“Dad, you won’t believe it, let it be,” she says dejectedly.

“Why don’t you tell me?” he asks directly.

“Okay, tell me, do you believe in dreams?” she asks, as she shifts towards him and peers into his eyes.

“Honey, everyone believes in dreams. I dreamt and so I am here. Bina sapnon ke hum apne goals kaise achieve kar sakte hain, beta,” he says.

“I also did that, Papa. I am asking about those dreams which we see in our sleep. They’re important as well, Papa,” Ruhana glares at her dad.

“They do have a meaning, beta. But most of them are meaningless,” he says, his tone firm.

“But when dreams repeat, they are not useless, Papa. They have a meaning, and please don’t say it’s because I watch Netflix, videos or I read fantasy books, it’s not because of that,” Ruhana says, her tone firm, as she looks at her mom, who was about to interrupt between them.

“Please don’t joke around with everything that I say. My dreams are not a joke, Mom! You don’t have repeated dreams, I do. It’s been months since I have watched any shows, and still I am having those visuals. Do you think it’s a joke?” Ruhana says, her tone loud and upset.

Sandhya usually blames her habit of reading books and scrolling through OTT shows on Netflix or any other platform. Ruhana is tired of the blame and she is unable to explain to her mom that it’s something else, her dreams have a meaning, and because her mother jokes around, she can’t muster enough courage to tell her parents about it. Sandhya and Ronit are shocked at the sudden outburst. Ronit holds his daughter’s hand.

“Ruhana, relax, honey. I am here to listen. Sandhya, please, let her speak,” he tries to convince Ruhana to tell more about her dreams.

“Dad, please. Mumma and you will think that I am being wildly imaginative. And you guys are gonna scold me. So, what’s the use? Mujhe aap logon ko kuch nahi batana,” she says and rises up from the couch.

Ronit tries to convince her to tell him the truth. However, the girl is appeased and brings her notebook in which she has jotted down her dream sequences. She mentions the frequency of the visuals that she has experienced. Her dad is quite shocked to read the notes such that he couldn’t respond.

******
On the other hand, Vineet is still thinking about Ruhana. His eyes are glued to the laptop screen as he reads the articles she has posted on her Facebook profiles. He also comes across her personal website and starts going through the posts on it. He discovers that she’s a fashion designer and a blogger. He’s charmed by her words. However, he cannot find the reasons for her rudeness, and he also wants to help her. He’s sure she’s in need of help, for she said that she has heard his voice in her dreams. But that’s not possible.

“I am unable to find her whereabouts! How’d I help her?” he says, sighing deeply.

“Who’s she?” a young girl asks as she enters the room.

“Nothing, I met someone in the library and want to know about her,” he replies.

“Oh! So you found a girl for yourself?” she asks.

She’s Vidhi, Vineet’s sister, who loves him dearly and can do anything for him. Vineet treats her like a baby since she’s six years younger than him. Vidhi begins to tease her elder brother when her gaze falls on his laptop. She almost shouts loudly upon seeing the picture.

“Ruhana Bisht!!!”

“Huh! Did you meet her in the library? You met Ruhana Bisht? You didn’t even tell me about her? How mean, Bhai?”

“She’s the ace fashion designer. In her vlog, she once asked for suggestions to have a sound sleep. And she loved my idea! She also mentioned that she experiences some weird dreams,” Vidhi chuckles.

“She’s almost like you, Bhai. You too get some hazy visuals, don’t you?”

Vidhi is overwhelmed to know that her brother met Ruhana Bisht, who happens to be her idol. Vidhi wishes to be an ace designer and work under her. She jumps around and tells Vineet that she will find more information for him. He agrees but gets lost in thought again.

His sister mentioned it right. He experiences some weird dreams. Yeah, just like Ruhana mentioned his voice. Well, is all of this connected? Are their dreams connected in some way?

It is said that everything that happens in the world happens for some reason. Everything has some reason or another. The same is true for dreams. Sometimes, they give you a hint for the future and sometimes, for the past. Maybe, today’s generation doesn’t believe this, but it is a fact that can’t be changed.

Vineet lies on the bed, trying to contemplate his thoughts. As he’s scrolling through his phone, he comes across the address of the boutique. Yeah, it’s on Ruhana’s business profile. He smiles; he can meet her at the boutique and maybe discuss this thing. He smiles and falls asleep while thinking about Ruhana.

Beach!

Convincing the girl

“Samrat- Ishika!”

He finds himself calling someone Ishika and Ishu. He’s trying to convince her while she’s shouting at him for hurting her.

Vineet wakes up with a jerk. Hey! That voice sounds familiar. He checks the clock; it’s 1 AM. He sighs, drinks some water, and then analyzes his dream. He’s shocked at the result that came across.

*****

Ruhana is looking at her father, who’s unable to speak. She looks at them. Someone like Ronit and Sandhya thinks that this is all a joke. But they don’t know what their daughter is going through. It’s nothing less than trauma.

“This is the truth, Dad. I know you’re unable to believe it, but this is the truth. It’s been happening ever since I turned 18. It’s been seven years, and when I say something, you guys make a joke,” she says.

“This man, Samrat! I have heard his voice. I met a guy in the library today. His name is Vineet, but his voice sounded exactly like the man in my dreams. And why the repetitive dreams?” Ruhana asks, gazing at her parents.

“We’re sorry, honey. You should have told us,” her father says, trying to cover up.

“I tried, Papa. But Mumma always says that it’s because of the dreams I see, but it’s not. Grandma also asked you, but you guys denied believing me. I don’t know what these dreams mean, but I have lost my peace due to these dreams. I want to find out what all these things mean,” Ruhana says, her tone pained.

“Honey, I am sorry, but we will ask some special person about these things. We will find out, don’t worry,” her father says gently, embracing her in his arms.

Ruhana loses her cool and breaks down in her father’s arms. She closes her eyes and cries her heart out. Her father consoles her and calms her. He also feeds her the food, assuring her that he will help her out. Meanwhile, Ruhana again experiences a hazy visual, this time a bit clearer. And she’s shocked at the new angle.

To Be Continued.