📅 October 15 – Devgarh & Nandanpur
Morning Ride
The sun had barely risen, yet the four scooters rolled across the wet fields from Nandanpur to Devgarh.
Ishanvi drove with Vrinda behind her, Raghav followed with Vivaan, Abhay led with Vaidehi, and Aariv rode with Meera.
The air was crisp, smelling of damp soil and paddy fields. The usual chatter was subdued — a shared unease hung among the siblings.
"Feels strange today," Vrinda murmured. "Like the hills last week… something's in the air."
Ishanvi nodded silently, gripping the handlebars tighter.
Abhay glanced at the Sudarshini River flowing beside the road. Its surface shimmered faintly, silver-blue like it knew him. His chest tightened — a pulse of recognition, though he couldn't name why.
---
Meeting Simran
At the school gate, Simran waited as usual, waving when she spotted the scooters approaching.
"You all are early today," she said, joining Meera and Vivaan.
"Not early," Ishanvi replied dryly, "just faster than the river."
Simran laughed but caught the subtle tension on their faces. Something about them today seemed… different.
Vaidehi nudged Ishanvi quietly, whispering, "It's happening again, isn't it?"
Ishanvi could only nod.
---
During School
The day passed like any other, but small incidents made everyone uneasy.
During Physics, Abhay leaned over the beaker and water inside shimmered, forming tiny spirals. No one else touched it.
Ishanvi's hands glowed faintly near a Bunsen burner — enough to make the flame flicker unnaturally.
Simran noticed both incidents, her pulse quickening. She whispered to Meera, "They're… not normal."
Ishanvi caught her eye and gave a small warning shake of her head. Not yet.
---
Evening Ride Home
As the group mounted their scooters for the ride back, the sky turned dusky.
The Sudarshini reflected the fading sun, its surface moving oddly — small waves rising even without wind.
"I saw it," Vivaan muttered, pointing at the river.
"What?" Raghav asked.
"The water… it's moving like… it's alive," Vivaan replied.
Abhay slowed his scooter, staring at the river. The familiar pull rose in his chest again. Something beneath the water stirred — and for a heartbeat, he swore it was calling his name.
Ishanvi, following behind, felt her palms tingle. Sparks of heat rose along her fingers for a moment before vanishing.
Vrinda looked at her nervously. "Is it… happening again?"
"Yes," Ishanvi whispered, voice barely audible. "And it's stronger."
The scooters rolled into Nandanpur village as night approached, leaving the river shimmering under the last light of dusk.
Somewhere beneath the surface, two faint lights pulsed in unison — one red, one blue — waiting for the moment their chosen children would truly understand.