1 Aug,2021
Laxmi Nagar, East Delhi
Raj opened his eyes and slowly sat up on his bed. Sunlight was just beginning to enter the room. The house felt unusually quiet. He didn't hear his mother's voice calling him for breakfast, and he understood why—his parents were still being careful after the accident. They didn't want to pressure him to return to college so soon.
Raj walked into the bathroom, freshened up, and stood quietly for a moment. Without touching anything, he focused his mind. His clothes moved toward him, folding themselves into his hands. One by one, his books, pen, water bottle, and project files slid into his backpack. Everything was perfectly controlled.
After getting ready, he looked at himself in the mirror—and froze.
The scars on his face and body were gone.
"My injuries…" he whispered. "They're completely healed."
He clenched his fist, feeling strength flow through his body.
"I'm stronger than before," he said to himself.
"And this power… it's a gift. But I don't need to become a superhero. I just want a normal, good life."
Raj walked into the kitchen. His father was reading the newspaper, his sister was having breakfast, and his mother was busy cooking. Seeing him healthy again brought relief to all their faces.
Raj sat down and smiled.
"Sister, you should learn how to cook," he teased. "After marriage, how will you cook for your husband? People will say our family didn't teach you anything."
Alia turned red immediately.
"Hey, Kumbhkaran, don't teach me how to live my life," she snapped.
"And marriage? I'm not interested. Forget it."
Everyone laughed. Even Aditya smiled quietly as he watched his family together again.
"Raj," his father said, turning serious, "if you don't want to go to college for a few days, it's okay. Your health comes first."
"Yes, beta," his mother added softly. "Don't push yourself."
Raj shook his head.
"No, Mom, Dad. I'm completely fine. I can run faster than Milkha Singh now," he joked.
"Oh really?" Alia said, picking up her new phone.
"Before running like Milkha Singh, learn one thing first—manage your time. You're already late for college."
Raj's eyes widened.
"Mom, Dad—I'm going!" he said quickly, rushing toward the door.
"Raj, wait," his father called out.
Raj stopped. Aditya walked toward him and opened a small box. Inside was a key.
"This is your new Activa," Aditya said. "I know you wanted one. Ride slowly. No speeding."
Raj's face lit up with happiness. He touched his father's feet, hugged his mother, waved at his sister, and stepped outside.
As he rode through the streets of Delhi, he saw the familiar life around him—crowded roads, tea stalls, shopkeepers talking, people rushing to work. Everything felt alive.
Raj smiled to himself.
"This is India," he thought.
"Safe, protected by law. Who needs a superhero?"
He rode ahead toward college.
Delhi Science and Technology College
Raj arrived at the college on his scooter. After showing his ID at the gate, he parked his Activa in the college parking area and walked toward the main building. He felt different today—lighter, freer, more confident than before.
He headed straight to his classroom, but the lecture had already begun. Embarrassed, Raj stood at the door.
"Hello, sir. May I come in? I'm sorry, I just—"
Professor Mehra raised his hand.
"It's fine, Mr. Verma. I'm aware of your accident. Go to your seat and collect the notes from your classmates."
Raj smiled with relief.
"Thank you, sir."
He quietly took his seat.
Karan leaned toward him.
"Raj, how are you feeling? You should've taken more rest. I'll give you the notes after college. Why are you always so crazy about studies?"
Raj smiled confidently.
"I'm perfectly fine, Karan. Look at me. Do I look weak?"
"Alright, Mr. Perfect," Karan laughed.
"After the lecture, let's go to the library. I'll help you cover the topics."
"Thanks, yaar."
After Professor Mehra completed the lecture on quantum physics, they attended their remaining classes. By noon, both of them headed to the canteen for lunch.
As Raj ate, a voice nearby caught his attention.
"Pooja, what's your dream?"
Raj looked toward the sound. Pooja was sitting with her friends, speaking seriously.
"I want to become a reporter," Pooja said calmly.
"I want to expose people's dark identities."
Raj listened quietly, surprised by her ambition.
Pooja suddenly glanced in his direction and noticed him looking. Raj quickly looked away. Karan, however, noticed everything and smiled knowingly.
"Brother," Karan whispered, "you try too hard and still fail. Just tell her you like her. What's the problem?"
Raj's face turned red.
"Karan, stop it. Let's finish lunch. I already missed too many notes yesterday."
"Okay, lover boy," Karan teased.
At Pooja's table
"Hey, Priya," Pooja asked softly, "who was that guy looking at me?"
"The one in the blue jacket?" Priya replied.
"Black pants, blue backpack?"
"Yes, him."
"That's Raj. Science department. Top student of his class. He doesn't have many friends. He won first prize in the science project last semester."
"Oh," Pooja replied casually.
"Pooja, he studies well, but he's not your type, right?" Priya asked.
"Yes," Pooja said honestly.
"I like guys who are fashionable and sporty."
She didn't think much more about it. After all, why would a popular arts student be interested in a quiet book-loving science guy?
After lunch, Raj and Karan spent nearly two hours in the library. Karan explained the missed lectures and shared his notes. Once they were done, both of them walked toward the exit.
Karan's black luxury car was parked near the gate. As he got inside, he looked at Raj seriously.
"Raj, no more accidents," he said.
"Drive safely. I can't handle another scare like that."
Raj smiled.
"Don't worry. I know. Bye."
Karan waved and drove off.
Raj started his Activa—but instead of heading home, he turned toward an unfamiliar road.
Toward an unknown destination.
Raj parked his Activa near an old petrol pump and walked toward the empty construction site. Cracked ground, broken walls, rusted iron rods—no people, no cameras. Perfect.
He closed his eyes and focused.
The air around him shifted.
Loose stones, iron scraps, and broken bricks began to rise, spinning faster and faster, forming a violent circular motion around him. With a sharp movement of his mind, Raj hurled them forward.
The objects slammed into the wall.
Boom.
The entire structure shook. Deep cracks spread across the surface as dust filled the air.
Raj stared at the damage, breathing heavily.
"Too powerful," he muttered.
"I need control. This kind of force can be dangerous."
He looked around again, excitement and fear mixing inside him.
"I can control many objects at once," he said slowly.
"Now… let's try flying."
Raj lifted his feet from the ground.
For a second, his body floated.
His face lit up with a smile.
Then
He shot forward at full speed and smashed straight into a wall.
Thud.
Raj dropped to the ground, groaning.
"Damn," he said, rubbing his shoulder.
"I need more time. More practice."
He sat up, thinking carefully.
"Small objects are easier to control," he realized.
"Like my clothes, books, daily things. Heavy objects take more effort."
He took a deep breath.
"My physical condition and mental focus decide how long I can use this power. I don't feel weak now… but if I push too far, it could break me."
Raj stood up and dusted himself off.
"Enough for today," he said.
"It's getting late. I'll need to explain myself at home."
He walked back to the petrol pump, picked up his Activa, and started riding toward home—his mind filled with questions, fear, and a power that was growing faster than he could control.