As they settled into the comfortable seating area, Gowthami's eyes were drawn to a particularly ancient-looking book on the shelf. She reached for it and gently opened the cover, revealing pages filled with a script that seemed both familiar and foreign.
Rajeev, glancing over her shoulder, was taken aback. "You can read that?" he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
Gowthami nodded, her fingers tracing the delicate lines of the script. "Yes, I can. This is written in Brahmi, one of the oldest scripts in India."
Rajeev's eyes widened in amazement. "Brahmi? Can you tell me more about it?"
Gowthami smiled, clearly pleased to share her knowledge. "Brahmi is one of the earliest writing systems developed in ancient India. It was used primarily during the Maurya Empire, around the 3rd century BCE. The script is the ancestor of many modern Indian scripts, including Devanagari, which is used for Hindi and Sanskrit."
Rajeev listened intently as she continued. "The Brahmi script is known for its distinct characters and was primarily used for inscriptions on stone and metal. It played a crucial role in recording the edicts of Emperor Ashoka, which spread messages of Buddhism and ethical governance throughout his empire. It's fascinating how such an ancient language has influenced so many scripts we use today."
As Gowthami spoke, her passion for the subject was evident, and Rajeev found himself mesmerized not just by the content of her words, but by her enthusiasm and depth of knowledge. He marveled at how seamlessly she could read and interpret the ancient text, a skill that seemed almost otherworldly.
"You really are incredible, Gowthami," he said softly, admiration clear in his voice. "I never expected to meet someone who could read and understand Brahmi."
Gowthami blushed slightly, her eyes meeting his with a shy smile. "It's just something I've always been interested in. Languages, especially ancient ones, have always fascinated me. They hold so much history and culture within their characters."
Rajeev nodded, feeling a deep sense of respect and connection. "You've brought so much light into my life, Gowthami. I'm grateful for every moment we share."
As Gowthami finished explaining the intricacies of the Brahmi script, Rajeev's curiosity grew. He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Can you read other languages as well?" he asked, the excitement in his voice palpable.
Gowthami shrugged slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I'm not sure," she replied honestly. "I think I might be able to, but I haven't tried many."
Rajeev's face lit up with an idea. "How about we play a game?" he suggested. "I'll bring out some books in different languages, and we can see if you can read them."
Gowthami's eyes twinkled with amusement and curiosity. "Alright," she agreed, nodding. "That sounds like fun."
Rajeev jumped up and began scouring his shelves, pulling out books in various languages. He returned with an armful of texts and laid them out in front of her. "Let's start with something simple," he said, handing her a book in Sanskrit.
Gowthami took the book, scanned the first page, and began reading aloud effortlessly. Rajeev listened in awe as she moved from Sanskrit to ancient Greek, Latin, and even Old Chinese. Each time, she read the text with ease, translating the words fluently.
"Try this one," Rajeev said, handing her a book in Arabic.
Gowthami glanced at the page and began to read. "This is a simple poem about the beauty of the desert," she explained as she translated the verses smoothly.
Rajeev's amazement only grew with each book she read. "You're incredible," he said, shaking his head in wonder. "You can read all these languages without any difficulty."
Gowthami blushed slightly, a modest smile playing on her lips. "It seems like I can," she said softly. "But I don't know how."
Rajeev placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with admiration and something deeper. "You have a remarkable gift, Gowthami. Perhaps it's part of the mystery of who you are."
Gowthami looked at him, her expression a mix of gratitude and bewilderment. "Thank you, Rajeev. I just wish I could remember more."
Rajeev gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll figure it out together," he promised. "For now, let's just enjoy discovering your talents."
They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the various texts, their laughter and shared enthusiasm filling the room. In that moment, surrounded by ancient languages and new discoveries, they both felt a connection that went beyond the written words, a bond that grew stronger with each passing day.