Author's note

Hey there, lovely reader!

Before you dive into this story, I have one small request—please don't judge the book by its cover (or, you know, the first few pages). Give it a chance, and I promise, there's a world of twists, turns, and surprises waiting for you.

This is a work of pure fiction, born entirely from my imagination. Nothing in this story is real, so let's all take a deep breath and enjoy it for what it is—a fictional adventure meant to entertain, intrigue, and maybe even spook you a little.

So, relax, grab your favorite snack, and let's dive in together. And remember—chill. It's just a story. ;)

Thank you for giving it a shot.

Happy reading!

And Eid Mubarak!!

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YEAR - 2025

XYZ Fashion house,
09:00 am.

Advika stepped into the sleek glass façade of her office building, her heels echoing like hollow promises on the marble floor. Something was off. Deeply off.

The usual spark in her eyes was gone. The bright, infectious smile she wore like armor every morning was missing. Dark circles clung stubbornly beneath her eyes, like bruises from a battle no one could see.

Her long hair, usually styled in elegant waves or playful braids that made her friends roll their eyes in admiration, was piled into a careless, messy bun. Not the stylish kind. The "I couldn't care less" kind.

By the elevators, Nusrat and Chirag, Advika's best friends, were already chatting, laughing over something on a phone screen. The moment they saw her, their faces lit up.

"Hey, Miss Sunshine finally arrives!" Chirag teased.

"Rough traffic or just slept through half the morning?" Nusrat added with a grin.

Advika usually would've thrown back a sarcastic one-liner or scolded them for starting without her.

But today... she just offered a tired smile. A flicker of expression that vanished as quickly as it came.

Nusrat's smile faltered. Chirag exchanged a glance with her.

They didn't ask. Not yet.

But both of them knew... something was wrong.

Nusrat and Chirag followed silently, their usual banter replaced by quiet glances of concern. Their desks were right beside Advika's, and they knew her rhythms... the way she hummed while working, the way she arranged her pens just so, the way she always brought energy into the room like a walking cup of caffeine.

But today, she didn't even bother switching on her desk lamp.

Chirag broke the silence first, his voice gentle. "Adu, what is it? You okay?" 

Advika flinched slightly at his gentle tone. Her throat felt dry. Even blinking felt like effort.

Nusrat added softly, her brows furrowed, "Are you still having trouble sleeping?"

Advika placed her purse on the desk, the gesture slow, almost mechanical. She sank into her chair and exhaled deeply, her shoulders drooping as if the air had been holding her up all along.

"Yes, Nusu," she murmured, rubbing her temple. "I don't get it. Why am I still seeing that stupid dream?" Her voice was laced with frustration and exhaustion, but also something more... fear.

"I've tried everything from herbal tea, yoga, to those ridiculous sleep affirmations you made me download." She let out a bitter laugh. "It's like my brain refuses to let it go."

"Nine years," she continued, shaking her head. "Nine long years, and every single night, it's the same thing. You'd think I'd be used to it by now. But no."

She looked up at her friends, her eyes glassy. "Every time... it feels just as terrifying. Like I'm there. Like it's really happening to me." She paused for a beat, then added softly... almost like she didn't mean to say it out loud. "Like it did happen to me."

The words hung in the air, heavy, unsettling.

Chirag and Nusrat exchanged a glance. They'd heard her talk about this recurring nightmare before, even joked about it once, calling it her 'royal horror story.' But this... this was different.

Advika wasn't just tired anymore.

She was haunted.

... \- -/ ...

Later that day, Joseph, Advika's team leader and immediate boss, observed her from across the office. Her usual spark was gone... her movements sluggish, the dark circles under her eyes more prominent than ever. He frowned. This wasn't just a bad day.

Concerned, he made his way over to her co-workers. "What's going on with Advika?" he asked quietly. "She looks way too exhausted for a Monday morning."

Nusrat sighed, her voice low. "Adu's been having nightmares again. They keep her up most nights. Her doctor gave her sleeping pills, but she's too stubborn to take them regularly."

"That, and we've all been burning out a little," Chirag added from his desk, spinning his pen between his fingers. "The spring fashion show has everyone running on fumes. She's just been taking on too much."

Joseph nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back to Advika. She was bent over her sketchbook, lost in her lines, headphones on, her world narrowed to graphite and paper. He saw the exhaustion in her posture, the tension in her shoulders.

He sighed, retreating to his office.

Advika, Nusrat, and Chirag were junior designers on Joseph's team, and the three were as close as family in a city far from their own. None of them had relatives here, so they leaned on each other for support and camaraderie.

As their team leader, Joseph was strict about maintaining professional standards, but he was also fair and compassionate. He'd earned a reputation for shielding his juniors from the demanding whims of other senior designers and their notoriously grumpy CEO, Ms. Tamanna Chauhan. Though he ran a tight ship, Joseph was the kind of boss who genuinely cared about his team's well-being.

Joseph realized that his team needed a lift. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his pen against the desk, thoughtful. A moment later, he pulled out his phone and opened the Starbucks app.

Half an hour later, a peon delivered a tray of colorful cups, setting them carefully on their desks.

Advika blinked at the cup in front of her. "Starbucks?" she asked, eyes wide, her voice laced with surprise. "This isn't... mine, is it?"

Nusrat giggled, lifting her own cup. "Apparently, it is now. Adu, we need to start working harder if this is what it gets us."

Advika smiled faintly as she took a sip. It didn't erase the nightmares. But for a moment, it tasted like normal.

Chirag grinned, raising his coffee like a trophy. "Cheers to our boss! Joseph, you're officially the best!"

Through the glass partition, Joseph watched the three of them with a faint smile. It wasn't much. Just a small gesture. But seeing their smiles, even tired ones, was enough to brighten his day.

He stepped out of his office and leaned against the doorway. "Don't let it go to your heads," he said dryly. "But seriously.. breathe, alright? We've got this. Together."

"Yes, sir!" the trio chorused in unison, saluting dramatically.

Joseph shook his head with a chuckle, disappearing back into his office.

Sometimes, small kindnesses were the loudest kind of leadership.

... - - ... - - ...

The office buzzed with anticipation as designers and their teams gathered for an all-hands meeting called by their CEO. The agenda was clear: the theme for their next bridal collection.

Ideas flew across the room. From vintage Parisian flair, royal Mughal grandeur, to coastal romance, but nothing felt groundbreaking. The chatter grew louder as debates sparked, until someone mentioned a theme that made everyone pause.

"Ancient Indian Province."

The room stilled for a moment, and then heads nodded. It had weight. History. Depth. A soul. But even with consensus, there was a lingering sense that the concept needed... more. Something visceral. Something alive.

That's when Joseph raised his hand, ever calm, ever calculated. "To truly do justice to this theme, we need more than Pinterest boards and books. We need to feel the dust of ancient roads under our shoes. What if we visit historical sites across India? A work trip. To study, observe, and draw from the real thing."

Gasps. Murmurs. Raised eyebrows.

Tamanna Chauhan, the stern yet sharp-eyed CEO, folded her arms and considered the idea. "That's... interesting," she said, the edge of a smile playing on her lips. "Let's make it happen. Five days. Fully funded."

Excited whispers rose around the room, but Tamanna wasn't finished.

"To keep things exciting and productive at the same time, each site will host two designer teams. That's 20 teams across 10 different historical locations. You'll compete to create the best designs inspired by your destination. Consider it... design meets adventure."

The announcement exploded through the room like fireworks.

A little later, as the Head Designer handed out the assignments, Joseph's team learned their destination: The ruins of Rajmanya.

A hush fell over Advika as the name landed like a whisper against her soul. Rajmanya. It rang in her ears like a forgotten lullaby, something long buried but strangely familiar.

She couldn't explain it, but the name alone made her heart race.

Nusrat clapped her hands, practically bouncing in her seat. "This is going to be incredible! History, architecture, and culture. It's like walking through a living Pinterest board!"

Chirag leaned back with a lazy grin. "A paid trip to a heritage site with breathtaking ruins and ancient secrets? Where do I sign twice?"

But it was Advika who surprised them all.

Her eyes sparkled for the first time that day. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled; a real, unguarded smile.

"I don't know why," she said softly, "but I have a really good feeling about this trip. It's more than just a break or a project... it feels like something's waiting for us there."

Nusrat and Chirag exchanged a curious glance, but before either of them could speak, Advika let out a light laugh and shrugged it off.

"Anyway. I'm just excited to go. It's exactly what I need."

The countdown to the trip began, and anticipation hung in the air like an unspoken promise of something extraordinary.

... - ...

... - ...

... - ...

Joseph's team, along with the second designer team, arrived at the ruins of Rajmanya a week later, eager to begin their 5-day work camp. The late afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the rugged landscape as they stepped out of their vehicles. A soft breeze carried the scent of earth and old stone, and a ripple of anticipation passed through the group.

They were welcomed by a local guide. A man in his mid-40s with weathered skin, a salt-and-pepper beard, and eyes that held the weight of ancient stories. He introduced himself simply as Mr. Ashutosh Joshi, and spoke with a gentle but grounded authority.

"The land remembers," he said as he led them along a winding path. "Rajmanya may have crumbled, but her soul still breathes through these stones."

The designers followed in near silence, the hum of the city already forgotten. The air felt different here; older, heavier, but not oppressive. It was as though the ground beneath them pulsed with memory.

Their accommodations were set up at a nearby resort, modest but comfortable, just a short drive from the ruins. After dropping off their bags and freshening up, the group gathered for a quick lunch, chatting excitedly about the days ahead. Sketchbooks were pulled out mid-meal. Mood boards were discussed over bites of rice and curry.

By 4 p.m., they were ready. With three hours left before sunset, they followed Raghunath back through the path. This time with cameras, notebooks, and open minds.

What awaited them was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The ruins of Rajmanya stretched before them like a forgotten dream, crumbling yet majestic. Though weathered by over 800 years, the skeleton of the ancient palace still exuded grace and power. Towering stone walls, chipped and cracked, stood like tired sentinels watching over the land. Half-sunken pillars lined a once-grand walkway, their surfaces etched with intricate carvings; some faded, some still astonishingly intact.

"It's incredible," Nusrat whispered, eyes wide with wonder. "You can almost feel the history in the air."

Advika nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on a crumbled tower veined with moss. Something about this place... it stirred her in a way she couldn't explain. It felt familiar... not in a logical sense, but deep in her bones. Like a song half-remembered from a dream.

She shook the thought away, focusing instead on the sheer beauty around her. The long-lost grandeur of Rajmanya was written in every broken arch, every ornamental stone, every whisper of wind that passed through the ruins.

"This place must have been breathtaking back in its prime," Joseph said, running a hand along the side of a partially collapsed archway. "Immense. Powerful. But still so elegant. It's no wonder they built it like this. It was meant to leave a mark."

The group split into smaller clusters, sketching, snapping photographs, and recording voice notes. The guide pointed out key landmarks like the royal chambers, the throne room, and the queen's courtyard garden, where faint outlines of flower beds still lingered beneath overgrowth.

Advika trailed slightly behind the others, soaking in every detail. The carvings on the pillars, floral vines, mythical birds, even ancient script, called to her. She could almost picture them reimagined as delicate embroidery or bold motifs on bridal silhouettes. Even the color palette of the fading stones like ochres, dusty blues, deep maroons, sparked ideas for fabric tones.

She paused near a cracked mural, its once-vibrant paint clinging stubbornly to the wall. A faint chill brushed past her, and for the briefest moment, she thought she heard... a distant laugh. Light. Joyful. Feminine.

She turned.

Nothing but silence.

She smiled to herself, trying to shake off the eerie feeling. "Must be the wind," she murmured, though her fingers gripped the sketchbook tighter.

As the sun dipped lower and the shadows lengthened, Joshi called the group together. "There's more to see tomorrow," he said. "But today, you've seen the heart of Rajmanya palace."

The team returned to the resort, minds buzzing, hands full of sketches, and hearts strangely full.

... - - ... -  - ...

The night sky was illuminated by soft lights surrounding the poolside, where a lively barbecue had been arranged for both designer teams. The aroma of grilled food filled the air, making everyone even hungrier as they gathered around. The warmth of the flames from the barbecue cast a cozy glow on the guests as Mr. Joshi, their guide, joined them at the table.

The teams had been enjoying the food and conversation, but it was clear they were all eager to learn more about the place they were visiting. After a while, Chirag, ever curious, couldn't contain his excitement any longer.

"Joshi ji, we're not interested in the recent histories of this place. " he said with a mischievous grin. "Tell us about the real history about the Rajmanya kingdom."

Mr. Joshi chuckled, wiping his hands and settling back in his chair. "Very well," he said, his voice shifting into a storyteller's cadence. "The name 'Rajmanya' comes from 'Raj' meaning royal, and 'Manya' meaning honored. Over 800 years ago, this land was a symbol of strength, dignity, and grace. A kingdom where the rulers were admired and the people lived in harmony with their traditions."

A hush fell over the group, the flickering barbecue flames casting shadows that made the tale feel even more alive.

"The king and queen of that era were beloved rulers. They had two children; a son, the crown prince, and a daughter... a princess renowned for her beauty, grace, and heart. But what stood out most was her knee-length, flowing hair."

"Omg!" Nusrat gasped, eyes gleaming. "Knee-length hair? Just like our Advika's!"

Everyone turned, eyes landing on Advika, whose long braid rested gently down her back. She flushed under their amused stares.

Mr. Joshi chuckled, glancing at her. "Exactly like Ms. Advika's," he said with a wink.

The group laughed, and someone from the other team leaned forward eagerly. "What was the princess's name?"

Before Mr. Joshi could respond, Advika spoke up, her voice dropped to a whisper, almost trance-like. "Saanvi... Princess Saanvi Rathore."

The name hung in the air like a ghost. Even the fire seemed to crackle quieter for a moment. The table fell silent for a moment, and then the entire group stared at Advika, their jaws dropping in unison. The shock was palpable.

Even Joshi paused, visibly surprised. "How did you know that?" he asked, brows raised.

Joseph jumped in smoothly, flashing a proud smile. "Obviously, our Advika must've done her research before coming here."

Advika tried to smile along, but her mind was racing. 'I didn't research anything...' she thought, her fingers tightening around her glass. 'I don't even know how I knew that name.'

Unaware of the internal storm brewing within her, Mr. Joshi took a thoughtful bite before continuing, his tone more somber now. "Princess Saanvi was betrothed at the age of three to Crown Prince Surya Aditya of Simhapatra, a vast and powerful neighboring kingdom. Everything was progressing peacefully. But when she turned sixteen, tragedy struck. An epidemic ravaged Rajmanya, claiming hundreds of lives... including the king, queen, and her elder brother, the crown prince."

He paused for dramatic effect, the firelight flickering in his eyes. "Saanvi was the only direct heir left, apart from her uncle's family. Her father, who adored her deeply, had left a will stating that if the crown prince could not take the throne, the next ruler of Rajmanya would be Saanvi's future husband, King Surya Aditya. but only if he married her within a month of her parents' passing. If not, the kingdom would go to her uncle."

"So... did King Surya marry her and become king?" someone asked, leaning forward.

Mr. Joshi shook his head. "No. On the day of their wedding, Princess Saanvi disappeared. She eloped... with whom, no one knows. The betrayal shattered King Surya, who valued loyalty above all. The wedding never happened, and her uncle became the ruler."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

"Enraged, King Surya declared war. With thousands of warriors, he conquered Rajmanya, forcing its people to relocate to Simhapatra. He refused to live in or be associated with what he saw as a kingdom of betrayal. He let Rajmanya fall to ruin, never allowing anyone else to claim it either. And he never returned."

The crackling fire filled the quiet that followed.

"Whoa... that's deep," Chirag whispered, wide-eyed.

"I wonder why she ran away," a junior designer murmured.

"Maybe she fell in love with someone else?" Nusrat offered thoughtfully.

Advika stared into her drink, a strange unease blooming in her chest. Something about the tale didn't sit right. A flicker of doubt, of something missing... like an unfinished sentence, a puzzle with a wrong piece forced into place.

What if the story wasn't what it seemed?
What if the betrayal... never really happened?

Everyone was engrossed in their conversations, but Advika found herself drifting into thoughts about the history of Rajmanya. Her musings were abruptly interrupted by the unmistakable sound of her best friends squabbling. She glanced to her side to see Chirag and Nusrat bickering like children.

"CHIRAG!" Nusrat yelped, smacking his hand. "Stop stealing my food, you parasite!"

Chirag grinned shamelessly. "Sharing is caring, Nusrat. Right, Adu? Tell her!"

Advika raised a brow. "Touch my paneer, and you'll lose that hand."

"You guys are the worst!" Chirag huffed, crossing his arms.

"There's literally a full buffet five feet away. Go get your own!" Nusrat snapped, blocking her plate like a goalie.

"But stolen food has zero calories," Chirag reasoned.

"That's it. One more move and I'm smacking you too," Advika warned, joining Nusrat's side.

With a dramatic sigh, Chirag trudged toward the food table. "Ugh. Why are we even friends?"

"Because no one else would put up with you," Advika and Nusrat said in perfect sync, dissolving into giggles.

From across the pool, Chirag glared playfully. "I heard that!"

Which only made them laugh harder.

... - - ... - - ...

An hour later, the senior designers had called it a night, retreating to their rooms with tired smiles and full stomachs. The junior team from the other camp left for a casual stroll around the resort, their laughter fading into the distance.

By the poolside, only three remained. Nusrat, Chirag, and Advika were basking in the cool breeze and the peaceful lull of the evening.

"Guys," Chirag said, sitting up with a grin, "it's only 10 PM. Let's take a dip in the pool before we crash for the night."

Nusrat groaned, dramatically tossing her head back. "Ugh, no way! I'm not changing my clothes for the third time today. I already showered after that dusty trek through the ruins."

She turned to Advika with a grin. "How about we play antakshari instead?"

Advika stretched her arms overhead, stifling a yawn. "Nusu, Chiru... let's just call it a night. We've got an early start tomorrow, and exploring the palace grounds is going to be exhausting. It'll take us at least five hours just to walk from the entrance to the exit. Add in all the gears like our cameras, tripods, lenses, it's going to be intense."

Nusrat raised an eyebrow, her smirk playful. "Adu, you're such a nerd! You even calculated the palace walk-time?" She chuckled, nudging her friend. "You're amazing, girl. Creepy... but amazing."

Advika froze, blinking. Wait... how did she know that? She hadn't checked the map. She hadn't asked the guide. So... where had that information come from?

Chirag groaned dramatically, cutting through the moment. "Advika, you're officially banned from making plans. I suggest a late-night swim, and you hit me with a full-blown itinerary!"

Advika just shrugged, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes. "Do whatever you want," she said with an amused smirk on her face as she rose. "But don't come whining tomorrow when your feel like your legs are falling off."

"Too late," Nusrat muttered, rubbing her calves.

With that, Advika turned and headed back toward her room, her thoughts spinning faster than her steps. 

That strange name. 

That uncanny sense of familiarity. 

And now, this palace estimate? 

Something wasn't adding up.

... - - ... - - ...

Back in their shared room, Advika barged in, grabbed her laptop from her bag, and collapsed onto the bed with a determined look on her face. A few minutes later Nusrat entered the room and gave Advika a puzzled look.

"Whoa, what's with the mission mode?" she asked as she went towards the dressing table to brush her hair.

"I need to check something," Advika mumbled, already typing.

For the next hour, the only sounds in the room were the soft taps of the keyboard and Nusrat's occasional sigh as she scrolled on her phone.

Eventually, Nusrat glanced over. "You're still researching that kingdom? Adu, what's going on?"

Advika didn't answer right away. Her brows were furrowed, lips pressed into a frustrated line. "There's barely anything online about Rajmanya," she finally muttered. "And the stuff that is there? It's full of mistakes."

"Like what?" Nusrat inquired curiously.

"Some articles got the princess's name wrong. Others described the kingdom as smaller than it had actually been. A few websites claimed it had been ruled by someone entirely different. One blog even listed Princess Saanvi's betrothed as a fictional character from folklore. It's infuriating. Because somehow, I know they are wrong. I know the palace doesn't have four gates... it had seven. I know the throne room faced east, not north. I know Saanvi Rathore was real. Not a myth. Not folklore like some claimed."

Nusrat put her phone down. "Wait... How do you know that?"

"I... don't," Advika said slowly. "That's the problem. I've never read about it. Never even heard of Rajmanya before this trip. But it's like... I already know these things. Not facts I memorized but facts I somehow know."

Nusrat stared at her. "You mean like... muscle memory? Adu, are you saying you've been there before?"

"No. Yes. I don't know!" Advika sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I mean... earlier this evening, when Joshi ji mentioned the lost princess, I just blurted out her name. Saanvi Rathore. I don't know how I knew it. I just did. And now... the palace dimensions, the gate count... it's all in my head like I've lived it before."

A long silence settled between them.

Nusrat sat up straighter, her tone calm but curious. "Okay. First of all, take deep breaths. Maybe you picked up more from the guide than you realized. Your brain stores things in weird ways, especially when you're in a new environment. And sometimes, when you're hyper-focused, your instincts pick up on patterns. You've always had a good memory."

Advika shook her head. "This wasn't just memory. It felt... personal."

Nusrat tilted her head thoughtfully. "Okay, then here's another possibility... maybe you've read about it before somewhere. Maybe in a book, a random documentary, something forgotten. Or maybe it's one of those déjà vu things. I've had dreams that feel more real than real life. Maybe you're just dreaming while awake."

"Dreaming while awake?" Advika echoed.

"Yeah. Like your brain's connecting dots subconsciously. Stress. Curiosity. This eerie location. Your imagination could be building a narrative before you even realize it. Writers do that all the time."

"But this feels deeper than imagination," Advika whispered. "Like it's not something I'm making up but something that already happened."

Nusrat walked over and sat beside her. "Adu, even if something weird is going on, don't let it rattle you. You're not crazy. Just... stay grounded. Keep asking questions, sure. But don't let it consume you. Start with facts. Let's talk to the guide again tomorrow morning."

Advika nodded slowly, the tightness in her chest easing a little. "You're right. I should start with what's real."

"Exactly," Nusrat said gently. "Let your curiosity guide you, not haunt you."

As the lights dimmed and the night settled around them, Advika closed her laptop and lay back on the bed. But her mind refused to rest.

Because deep down, beneath logic and reason...

A whisper still echoed in her soul.

A whisper of a name.

A life.

A past she couldn't remember... yet couldn't forget.

... - ...

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To be continued...

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A/N:::  Thank you so much for reading Chapter 2! 💫

Advika's strange connection to the Rajmanya Kingdom is just beginning to unfold—and with every step she takes, the line between memory and mystery blurs a little more. Is it just coincidence? A hidden past? Or something far deeper waiting to be uncovered?

And let's not forget Nusrat—the voice of reason and the anchor to Advika's whirlwind of thoughts. We all need a best friend like her, don't we?

If you're enjoying the story so far, don't forget to vote, comment, and share your theories. I love hearing what you think! 💭

See you in Chapter 3—where the palace walls may just start whispering back... 👑✨