Kartik's eyelids flickered open, heavy with the residue of a dream that clung to him like morning mist. The sunlight streamed through the curtains, warm and golden, yet it felt different today — almost… aware. The voice from his dream lingered in his mind, gentle yet commanding, tugging at something deep inside him that he couldn't quite name.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, the wooden floor cold beneath his feet. The air in the room carried an odd weight, subtle yet undeniable, as if the universe itself were holding its breath. Kartik shivered, sensing a presence he had never felt before — faint, distant, yet oddly familiar.
Outside, the world moved with its usual rhythm. Birds chirped, and the hum of early morning traffic seeped through the open window.
A familiar voice broke through the quiet.
"Kartik, wake up, dear! Go take a bath and have your breakfast, or you'll be late for school again," his grandmother's gentle call floated from the kitchen, warm and comforting.
Kartik smiled faintly. "Ha ha, I'm coming, Dadi ji!" he called back, his voice still heavy with sleep. Stretching his arms, he got up and began his usual morning routine — folding his blanket, brushing his hair, and heading toward the washroom.
Kartik sat at the dining table beside his grandmother, quietly eating his breakfast while the soft clatter of dishes filled the room. The television played in the background, the morning news echoing through the small living space.
On the screen, cheerful reporters spoke about the upcoming Dussehra celebrations — colorful pandals being set up, children practicing for school plays, and the streets filling with laughter and festive decorations.
Kartik watched absently, nibbling at his toast. His grandmother smiled, pouring him another cup of milk. The smell of fresh parathas mixed with the sound of temple bells drifting from outside.
Kartik finished the last bite of his breakfast, quickly washed his hands, and grabbed his school bag.
"Jaldi aata hoon, Dadi!" he called out with a grin, already stepping toward the door.
She waved from the kitchen, a warm smile on her face as he closed the gate behind him and strode out into the bustling morning streets. The sunlight touched the rooftops and the leaves, painting everything in a golden glow.
Kartik walked slowly down the street, letting his thoughts wander as he began to speak to himself, almost like a quiet narration of his own story.
"Hi… my name is Kartik, as you might have already heard my grandmother call me. And yes, she is my grandmother — the one I love more than anything in this world. I'm just an ordinary student at school, though I like to think I'm a bit more sensible than most of my classmates.
I don't really know who my parents are, and I've never asked my grandmother about them. She's never let me feel the absence of anyone in my life. Well… once I did ask, and I remember it clearly. She just said, 'Beta, don't ask again. When the right time comes, I will tell you myself.'
Apart from my studies, I have a few friends at school. There's Dhruv — a little crazy, a little mischievous, but pure-hearted. He knows how to respect everyone, especially girls.
And there's also a girl… her name is Anaya. She has a crush on me — or at least, I know she does. But she doesn't know that I know. I just let things be, acting normally, because for now, I only consider her my friend."
As Kartik walked briskly down the street, a familiar voice called out from behind him.
"Hey, Kartik! Wait up for me! Don't walk so fast!" Dhruv shouted, jogging to catch up.
Kartik slowed down and turned, a grin spreading across his face. "Haha, alright, alright! Didn't know you'd be left behind so easily."
The two friends fell into an easy conversation, teasing and laughing as they walked side by side. Dhruv talked about some funny incident from his morning, while Kartik responded with witty remarks of his own.
Before long, they reached the gates of their school, the chatter of students and the morning bell greeting them.
The lecture was in full swing, but Kartik's mind wandered far away. He couldn't stop thinking about the strange dream from that morning — its vivid images, the golden light, the mysterious feeling that had lingered even after he woke up. What kind of dream was that…? he wondered, lost in his thoughts.
Suddenly, a sharp voice snapped him back to reality.
"Kartik, read this," the teacher called, pointing to a passage on the board.
Kartik blinked, startled, completely caught off guard. He hadn't realized the teacher was calling on him. Just then, Anaya, who was sitting right beside him, leaned over and whispered, "Kartik, sir is asking you… read it."
Shocked, Kartik stammered, "Ahh… hhh… yes, sir!" He quickly composed himself and began reading aloud, his voice steady now, though his heart was still racing from the sudden interruption.
As the class ended, Kartik's friends gathered around him, nudging and teasing with playful grins.
"Yrrr, Kartik! Where were you today? I've never seen you so lost in thought in class before. What was going on in that head of yours?" Dhruv asked, raising an eyebrow, a teasing smirk on his face.
Kartik let out a small, embarrassed laugh and shook his head. "Nothing… really. It's just… I had a strange dream this morning. That's why I've been thinking so much."
Dhruv's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't press further. "A dream, huh? Well, whatever it was, it's got you spacing out more than usual. You better not start daydreaming during lunch too, or I'll make fun of you all over again."
School was finally over, and students began heading home in their usual chatter and bustle. Kartik and Anaya, whose homes were not far from each other, naturally walked together as always. Dhruv, however, had some work to take care of and went off in a different direction.
Anaya's voice came softly, almost shyly, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "So… today, it's just the two of us going home together."
Kartik blinked, a little surprised, and replied carefully, "Oh… well, you know, if you don't want, you can go alone."
But Anaya shook her head quickly, her cheeks tinged with pink, and said in her usual stubborn way, "No, no… I want to go with you."
Kartik felt a small shock ripple through him at her words. He opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it, simply nodding quietly as they continued walking together.
After walking together for a while, they finally reached Anaya's house. She paused at the gate, turning to Kartik with a small, shy smile.
"Bye, Kartik," she said softly.
"Bye, Anaya," Kartik replied, returning her smile.
With that, she went inside, and Kartik continued on his way, heading toward his own home.
A little while later, Kartik reached home and stepped inside, calling out as he entered.
"I'm home, Dadi!" he said cheerfully.
His grandmother came over, a warm smile on her face, and said, "Ahh, my little Munna is home! Come on, quickly freshen up and get ready for dinner."
Kartik and his grandmother sat together at the dining table, chatting as they usually did, the warmth of their bond filling the room.
After finishing his meal, Kartik stood up, smiling at her. "Dadi, I'm going to my room now. I'll study for a little while and then get some sleep," he said.
Kartik walked to his room, closing the door softly behind him. He set his bag down and sat at his study table, opening his notebook. For a few moments, he just stared at the pages, his mind still wandering back to the strange dream from that morning.
As he worked, Kartik's thoughts once again drifted back to his strange dream. Lost in his own world, he barely noticed when his eraser slipped from his hand and fell beneath the study table.
Kartik bent down to pick up his eraser when, suddenly, a sharp, blinding light erupted behind him. With a gasp, he lost his balance and tumbled backward.
Before he could even react, a swirling portal opened up right in his room, glowing with an otherworldly light that pulsed and shimmered, casting strange shadows across the walls. 👀
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