"Ouch!" the girl exclaimed as she stumbled.
"I—I'm sorry! I'm really sorry," Vyom said quickly.
"You should watch where you're going," she replied, her voice sharp.
"I said I'm sorry," Vyom repeated.
They both crouched down, gathering the scattered books. Vyom handed them back carefully. The girl's traditional attire looked priceless—her pink saree elegant yet simple, as if it belonged to another era.
Vyom hesitated before asking,
"Why are you carrying so many books alone?"
The girl paused, then replied coldly,
"Because I don't have money to waste on trivial things."
Vyom nodded.
"Okay… If you need help, you can tell me. And—can you tell me the name of this territory?"
She thought for a moment.
"There's no need. This place is called Thalyron."
"I've never heard of it," Vyom said. "Do you know about India?"
She shook her head.
"No. I haven't heard that name before."
"Oh… okay. Sorry for disturbing you."
"Mention not," she replied briefly.
As Vyom handed her the remaining books, he noticed how the stack nearly hid her face.
"You're carrying too many," he said. "If it's okay, I don't have any work right now. I can help."
She studied him for a moment before nodding.
"Fine. Take some and walk with me. But if you try to steal anything, guards are everywhere."
Vyom took half the books and raised an eyebrow.
"Do I really look like a thief?"
"I don't know," she answered flatly.
They began walking side by side. The street grew quiet, the air calm and heavy with silence.
Suddenly, Vyom spoke,
"What's your name?"
"Aysha." she replied
"That's a nice name," Vyom said. "But why are we bringing all these books?"
She glanced at him.
"Why do you need to know? Mind your own business."
After that, neither of them spoke.
A few minutes later, they reached a massive house—far larger than the others. In front of it stood a sign forged in metal, its letters glowing faintly like they had been born from fire.
Aysha stepped through the gate, then turned back.
"Thank you."
She placed four silver coins into Vyom's hand.
"Buy yourself proper clothes."
Before he could respond, she closed the gate.
Vyom stood there silently, staring at the coins—
and at the strange city that felt older than time itself.
---