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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: First Love

[NARRATOR – gentle, warm tone]Morning again. A new day stretches ahead… and somewhere in its shadow, something quietly waits.

Leo's Bedroom — Morning"AAAHHH! What time is it!?"Leo shoots up, eyes darting between the clock and the calendar.

"10:30… Monday the 20th… WAIT — I need to reach school by 11:35 for my results!"

He throws on his uniform, forgetting breakfast entirely, and bolts out the door.

School OfficeTeacher: "Leo, you're late. Latecomers get their results last."Leo sighs, forcing a smile: Why does this always happen to me? Not even breakfast… great.

Nearby ShopLeo: "One RedBull and ₹10 chips, please."Shopkeeper: "₹130."Leo: "Ah, crap… I forgot my wallet. And my phone's still on ma'am's desk…"

A soft voice behind him:Anny: "Uncle, I'll pay for both. Same for me."Shopkeeper: "₹260. Thank you."Leo (grateful): "Anny! I'll pay you back tomorrow—"Anny (smiling warmly): "Don't be silly. Go get your results. I'll wait."

Five Minutes LaterLeo bursts out of the office.Leo: "Anny! I came first! I actually topped!"Anny (grinning): "Two people topped this year — you and me."Leo (nervously): "Congrats. And… uh… I wanna tell you something…"Anny: "I'm listening."Leo: "Can we… spend some time together? Like… a date?"Anny (pretending dramatic shock): "Ooh, a date? Okay, okay… sure."Leo (laughs): "Really?"Anny: "Let's go."

And the day slips by — aquarium, park, restaurant, movie theatre. Just the two of them, laughing, teasing, sharing little secrets, the world shrinking to just their moments together.

Café — NightAnny: "You know, Leo… you're the first guy I've seen who loves someone with his heart, not just words."Leo: "My little brother once told me something…'Don't waste time chasing love. But if you ever find the real one, be so loyal that even death and hate get scared to come near the people you love.'…And Anny, I'm sorry about your aunt."Anny: "It's okay. And your brother… he's right. By the way, this Friday we're having a party. You should come."Leo: "Done. But it's already 9 PM. I should head home."Anny steps forward, pulls him in. A silent moment stretches.Anny (whisper): "They say… after the first kiss, love starts to fade."Leo (soft smile): "But you told me I'm different. Thank you… for tonight."

At Home — Family Sitting TogetherMom: "So… who's the girl? Can I accept her as your girlfriend?"Dad: "First kiss? Good job, son."Sister: "Does she have Insta?"Leo: "Uh… I proposed. She said yes."Mom: "Just don't hurt her."Dad: "Exactly."Sister: "What's her name?"Leo: "Anny."Grandpa: "Good."

Leo's thoughts: How do they know everything already? And why are they all so chill about it?

He calls Anny:Leo: "Anny, my family already accepted you. They said the same things."Anny: "Really? Okay… goodnight."Leo: "Goodnight."

He looks up at the sky. Something feels… wrong.

Friday — Outside the SchoolAnny: "Leo! Why didn't you come to the party?"Leo (quietly): "My aunt passed away. And… I don't know… something feels off. The sky feels strange. People are dying too quickly."Anny (gently): "Leo… you've been watching too many movies. I'm sorry for your aunt."Leo: "Thanks. Goodnight."Anny: "Goodnight."

[NARRATOR — chilling, distant]Leo forced himself to believe her. That the uneasiness meant nothing. But it wasn't nothing. It was coming. And it was coming fast. Be ready.

[NARRATOR]A beautiful morning.New technology. New advancements.And yet… the same old human heart.

Leo's Bedroom — Early MorningLeo: "What's the date… ah—Sunday. Okay… five more minutes."

Suddenly, his phone rings.Leo: "Huh? Who's calling this early—Anny? What happened?!"

On the CallLeo: "Hello? What's wrong?"Nanny: "Are you Leo? I'm Nanny—Anny's middle sister."Leo: "Yes. Is Anny okay?"Nanny: "She asked me to call you. She's at the School Park. She wants you to come."Leo: "Okay. I'm on my way."

The Park — 4 a.m.The air is crisp. Dawn creeps over the horizon. Leo runs, hoodie pulled tight, heart pounding.

Leo: "Anny? Your sister said you wanted to see me."Anny (quiet, almost trembling): "Yes… Leo. My family is shifting from Earth-12 to Earth-8. I'm changing schools too."Leo (shocked): "What? Can't you stay… at least two more years?"Anny (lowering her head): "No. Rules… political restrictions. We won't be able to call. Or message."

She turns and runs before he can stop her. Leo stands frozen, the chill of the morning matching the emptiness in his chest.

Back Home — LaterLeo opens his PC, trying to distract himself with games. Hours pass. Then he stops. The sky outside feels wrong. Something is coming…

[NARRATOR]Leo senses it. A storm is forming. But he doesn't yet know its name.

Two Years LaterLeo, sixteen, lives quietly with his sister on Earth-10.

Mom: "Leo, what are you doing? Have you cleaned the house?"Leo: "Yeah, Mom. I'm good. How are you all?"Mom: "We're fine. How's school?"Leo: "All good. I'll call tonight."Mom: "Okay. Take care."

After hours of chores, Leo collapses into a chair. His eyes drift to the old PC, a relic from his grandfather. Curiosity sparks.

Leo: "We're selling this in two years anyway… let's see what's inside."

Photos load — his grandfather, a woman he doesn't recognize. A folder: Brian Shadekai & Sofia Caro. Inside, pictures of his father, his aunt, and the mysterious woman.

Leo (whispering): "Who… is she?"

A message pops up on his phone. Anny:

"I'm on Earth-10. I heard you're here too. Can we meet? The place where we first went together. I'll wait at 6."

6:15 p.m. — The Park on the HillThe city glows below. Sky painted in warm tones, soft breeze carrying the scent of flowers.

Anny: "I thought you weren't coming."Leo: "Sorry, I got stuck… I brought your favourite—4-in-1 cone. Catberry flavour."Anny (smiles): "You're too sweet. I love you."Leo smiles, but his heart is heavy.

Anny: "You're worried, aren't you?"Leo (forcing a smile): "No—"Anny: "Don't lie to me, baby."

Leo shows her the photo folder. Anny's face changes.Anny: "…She's my aunt."Leo: "What?"

[NARRATOR]Can Leo accept the truth? Will it make him stronger… or break him? The storm he sensed long ago—finally, it's coming.

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