She huffed ignoring her surroundings, strutting to the only place where she can feel the peace of mind, the serene beats of her own heart, the thoughts of love; which everyone forget now. She was not a heartbroken soul, she was just tired, tired of the world. Tired of always trying to be her best, knowing there was no best or perfect in this world. No one was perfect, no one was. It was her mantra to chant, when things went wrong. But today, she was really sad to even remember what her mantra was. Her eyes stung with the tears, she had kept hiding from years.

Her steps fell hard on the cobblestone ground which was still to be discovered by people. Twitching her lips, she stopped at the front of the antique shop. Sun rays fell upon the door making her see her reflection. Multiple dark coloured checkered long skirt and a brown turtle neck sweater with its peasant sleeves cladding her body, hiding her from harsh winter and cold breeze who teased her regular brown body waved hairs.

Her long, slender fingers curled around the knob as she pushed the door open. Bell chimed upon her entrance making the owner pass her a beautiful, engertic smile. Her wrinkled skin shined the winter sun as she took its warmth seating by the window. Antique furniture adorned the store beautifully, making her smile gently at the books, antique jewellery, journals, stamps kept there.

"Oh dear, Emilia. Its been days I have seen you" the old lady walked slowly to her with her wrinkled hands open wide to take her in her arms. Radiating warmth.

"Yes, Hana. Tell me how are you?" She was basked with warmth, a motherly love which makes you forget the world while lay asleep in her arms. She sniffed her smell calming herself. Hana was her only guardian, who cared about her.

"So, you up for the reading marathon?" Hana softly left her and held her hands making her walk with her to the big, old, wooden shelf filled with only hard covers.

"As ready as always" they laughed looking keenly at the shelf before picking up different books to read.

She didn't only forget about her worries, but about the world too when she held the gorgeously decorated book in her, ready to read every singled word inked on paper.

Her eyes took in the beautiful features of the cover as she held it in her hands, ever so softly, as if it is going to fall.

"Tell me Hana, why does my heart heal when I read a book, and bleed at the same time when I found it surprisingly related to my situation" it was more of a statement then a question.

"World, my child, world. It only broke you to heal you" laughing along the words Hana went away with her books over to the window and started her new journey.

She opened the opened the book only to be mesmerized by the first few lines -'Life is just not a life, it is a language we never spoke but live and feel, we learn to feel what is grief, sorrow, happiness, confusion, anger. Even the one, who is mute can explain you the depth of despair with his eyes.' The words touched her exactly where she was weak. An audible gasp escaped from her lips reading the word, tracing them with her finger tips.

"So raw yet so known"

The next second she was basked with words upon her, making her shove her face into the book more and more.

Knock-knock

Turning the pages softly she continued to read leaning on the shelf slightly. Her brown eyes shined with amusement and satisfaction as she read and read, forgetting her worries.

Knock knock

When her legs couldn't support her weight anymore she slide on the ground almost knocking herself. Frowning on the interruption, she exhaled heavily before forgetting about her surroundings.

Knock-knock

It passed the limit of her patience slamming the book shut, she stood up aggressively to find out who is intruding her reading. Turning behind she frowned when found no door or window on the wall. Confusion flowed in her veins as she walked to the place which echoed with blur knockings. It was increasing by her every step. Anticipation clawing her heart.

Her steps faltered near big, old, antique clock. It was thrice her size. So huge, but neglects to work and still stand proudly l, as if it is the only one guiding people through day and night. Once, it was.

Again a knock broke her reverie making her lean on the glass door of the clock which was see through. Several light knockings followed by heavy ones fell on her ear making her lips and nose twitch. Long forgotten the book, she thought to find the knocker. Chewing her lips, she looked here and there before jumping on her toes and picking up the old key to open the glass.

Curiosity shined through her eyes as she worked the key inside the lock and her eyes shined with happiness as she heard the click. Her hands worked hurriedly,- opening the door and sliding through the pendulum, which resisted to move.

She heard the knocks more clearly now. Her fingers curled in to a soft fist as she raised it slowly to knock. Leaning her ear on the wooden wall of the clock, she waited gingerly.

Her eyes popped out wide as she heard the knock rang more excitedly into her ear. A grin popped upon her small oval shaped face, making her knock back excitedly; as if they were talking.

The knocking stopped. She didn't heard any other knocking. Her fist slowly falling on her lap as the shine vanished from her eyes.

Something creaked as she shut her eyes. Too much light fell on her eyes suddenly, her mind worked slowly as she processed the door opened. It was a door, she realized.

The hues of light fell upon her bare face, making her glow like a gold.

"It may seem really confusing, but thanks for opening" soft, but husky, sweet but spicy voice filled in her surroundings making her heart beat rose in anticipation. It was surely not a real world, she thought.

She turned her head, cautiously opening her eyes only to be met with a pair of different coloured eyes. One turquoise blue and the right was like grey cloud. His skin didn't reflect any rays back but she could see his pale skin a much more clear. Messy waves of dirty blond hairs fallen on her forehead with wide grin plastered on his face, made him look adorably handsome.

Adorably handsome, that's not even a word. She thought.

"Umm, Hi" she said moving a little far from.

He moved back with wide eyes as his mouth opened rambling-"Hi! I am so sorry, I just thought, it was nice to thank you." His hands moved in air as he strutted in front of her.

"No worries, but-"

"Ahh, I know you must be thinking who am I and what am I doing here. Well for starters, I am Ryan, a well skilled magician. But I always happens to miserably fail in teleport part. That's a real hard thing but as I have been trying, I will get to it" he cut her off, enthusiasm dripped from his voice as his octave grew more deeper and deeper.

For the first time ever she noticed her surroundings. It was not just a room, green fluffy grass tickled her palm as she touched it. And the light was the sun, so bright not dull like a winter sun; it was a spring sun. Flowers bloomed from creaks of the wall, she was leaning on to and the door was just disappeared into a thin air.

Scared, she stood up on her toes. Horrified to be caged with an unknown guy in a mysterious place.

"Oh no, Ciel Doré. Do not worry, for I have never dared to harm anyone" a calm soothing sensation fell on her heart, calming her. It was not his who calmed her, it was his voice filled with calmness and surety.

Her eyes were filled with cautiousness as she gingerly walked to him. Her eyes squinting on his huge form taking in his appearance. A white ruffled button down shirt paired with pants upto his ankle and his shining black leathered shoes tied neatly with lace.

"How do I get out of here?" Her lips moved softly as she questioned him. Her eyes wandering to the huge trees standing behind him. Ignoring the pretty nickname he used for her, which caused the zoo rumbling in her stomach.

He noticed her wavering gaze behind him and waved his left hand in air.

"Ahh, as same as you entered. And my own magic betrayed me. I wanted to teleport myself but I teleport a whole garden. What a drag!" Exclaiming he clapped his hands, falling into a deep thinking about his magic.

Her phone rang bringing them back from their mind.

"Is that the phone?" He asked squinting at the device in her hands, blaring to be picked or hanged up.

"Umm, yes" her voice was hesitant and filled with confusion as she answered him.

"Oh, I am surprised to see it for a first time. I heard many people talking about it, but never saw it; God is really great and The Al-Mighty" she realized he has a thing for exclamation. As he again exclaimed.

"Why did you never saw it?" She asked ignoring the silent voices and jumping she could feel when he gazed at her softly.

"Ahh, nineteenth century people never really thought about having a small device which could ring. Ofcourse, this magic has given me a pleasure to go in past and future. But, I have never interrupted any being to change any thing; Because a single change can lead to a big difference and I do not like to be a cause of any other world war" she again heard his ramble, this time with interest as she took in all the words he said.

"You are pranking?" Her finger rose accused-ly at him.

"I am afraid I am not. And I have told you enough about me now tell me about you" he demanded leaning to shorter frame ignoring the little specks of red on her cheeks.

Something about his demeanour calmed her made her spill some talks she never dared to enclose to anyone.

"I am struggling to find a right way. I wanted to pursue my dream but at the same time I am bound to the duties which are never mine to be fulfilled." She softly let the words out. Exhaling deeply she continued.

"I wanted to become a doctor, a psychologist who treats patient with talks and medicines, if required. But I was trapped in this worldly things. I mean the financial condition dropped day by day and my parents could no longer support my dream. Without their support, my dream shattered upon me and made me realise, I could no longer chase the dream I have been seeing from my childhood." Every word was hard to let out but she did it. Today, she could express her sorrow of leaving her dream behind.

"And I now I have been studying literature, surprisingly it is only way to calm myself when I am stressed. The only worry I have now is, was I delusional?"

Like a thunder he jumped in the talk making her slide down on the wall. They sat side by side, their shoulders touching, teasing the fabric of their clothes.

"You were not delusional. For the first time ever I have seen parents support their daughter in literature field. No matter how bad I sound, but when something wants you it reaches, even when it is buried beneath the earth. And my dear Ciel Doré. You were just made believe that it was your dream. We do not dream until someone plants a seed of hope inside our mind" he tapped on his forehead and continued.

"Are you happy with what you are doing?" He asked irrespective to the situation.

"Yes, I am"

"Then, my dear, Ciel Doré. You deserve a treat." As soon as he said, a sparkle dust surrounded her making her float in a air.

"Woah" a shriek was heard and followed by his loud rumble.

Soon, she forget about her worries and giggled as they float in the air, laughing.

"Why me?"

"Because you are my Ciel Doré"

And in a second she was back to where she was.

"Emilia dear" a strong yet old voice brought her back where she was standing and reading her book. Confused eyes saw around her, realising she was back where she was standing. Near the shelf a book in hand.

"Emilia" a call again made her realize, it was a dream. But was it really a dream? She contemplated and turned to the voice smiling softly at the owner.

"Its late, I need to close the shop" Hana informed keeping the book back.

She nodded and without much thinking walked near the door. As just she opened the door. She heard a whisper making her eyes pop wide and realize, it was never a dream.

"We will meet soon, my dear Ciel Doré"

Smiling, she walked out sparring the shop a glance.