In a dimly lit bedroom, another woman’s world was shattering. Aadhya Verma shifted in her sleep, a crease forming between her brows. Her breath hitched, her body tensing as images flashed through her mind—blurry, fragmented memories that belonged to her.

In the depths of her nightmare, flames roared around her, the scent of blood thick in the air. She saw a battlefield, swords clashing, cries of agony filling the sky. And amidst it all, a man’s voice calling her name—urgent, desperate.

“Mrudula!”

She turned, her heart pounding, and saw him—his face hidden by the haze of smoke, but his presence unmistakable. A dagger. Blood soaking into the cold stone floor. But this time, something was different. She could see his eyes—desperate, filled with love and agony, staring at her as his life slipped away.

“Devadutta!” she gasped, reaching for him just as darkness consumed her.

Aadhya jolted awake, her body slick with sweat, heart hammering against her ribs. The name still lingered on her lips, an echo from a past she did not remember—but one that refused to stay buried.

This dream had haunted her since childhood, the same flashes of war, death, and sorrow. But there was always one thing missing—the man’s face. Every time she tried to see him, something would happen. The smoke would thicken, the darkness would swallow him, or she would wake up just before she could lay eyes on him. But tonight, for the first time, she saw his eyes. A pair of hauntingly familiar eyes filled with emotions she could not name but somehow felt deep within her soul.

Who was he? Why did he appear in her dreams night after night, making her heart race in both fear and longing? She had never spoken about this to anyone giving much details , dismissing it as a figment of her imagination. But was it truly just a dream?

Shaking off the lingering unease, Aadhya sighed and ran a hand through her damp hair. The dim glow of her bedside clock read 5:47 AM. There was no point in trying to sleep again.

Dragging herself out of bed, she went through her usual routine. A quick shower, a cup of strong black coffee, and a few minutes of silent staring at the city skyline from her apartment window. The early morning breeze was cool against her skin, but it did little to calm her restless mind. Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her thoughts.

It was a reminder—her shift at the art studio started at 9 AM. As a professional painting artist, her days were spent surrounded by colors, emotions splashed across canvases. She grabbed her car keys, locked her apartment, and drove to her studio.

Upon arriving, she placed a white chart on the board and clipped it securely. With a deep breath, she picked up her pencil and started drawing his eyes—the ones she had seen in her dream today. She tried multiple times, adjusting every stroke, every curve. And then, at last, she got them right. Exactly the way they had appeared in her dream.

A sudden wave of emotions hit her as she stared at the eyes she had drawn. It felt as though she had seen them after ages, like she had been longing to look into them for years without even realizing it. Unknowingly, her fingers traced the delicate lines, stroking his eyes gently as a whisper left her lips.

"Deva..."

The moment she said it, her breath hitched. Her heart stopped for a second. Why had she called him that? Where had that name come from? Shocked, she took a step back, staring at the drawing in disbelief. Before she could process it further, a sudden burst of laughter echoed behind her.

Startled, she quickly folded the chart and stuffed it into her handbag before turning around. Her best friend, Riya, was standing by the door, chatting animatedly on the phone.

"Yeah, yeah, I know! Ugh, you're impossible. Fine, I'll be there in an hour. No, don’t start without me!" Riya rolled her eyes and ended the call before glancing at Aadhya with a smirk. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

Aadhya forced a chuckle, trying to compose herself. "Just lost in thought. Who were you talking to?"

"That was Neel. He’s been bugging me about the exhibition plans for next week. You know how he is. Always in a rush."

Aadhya nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Oh, right. The exhibition. How’s everything coming along?"

"Chaotic, as expected. But it’s getting there. We still need to finalize a few displays, and Neel wants us to do a live painting session. You up for it?"

Aadhya hesitated for a moment, still rattled by her dream. "Yeah, of course. Just let me know the details."

Riya studied her curiously. "You sure you're okay? You seem a little off today."

"I’m fine," Aadhya reassured with a small smile. "Just one of those mornings."

Riya didn't press further, simply nodding before grabbing a stool. "Alright then, let’s get to work. We have a lot to do."

As Aadhya turned back to her workspace, she could still feel the weight of those eyes on her soul. No matter how much she tried to push it away, she knew deep down—this was just the beginning.