📅 October 17 – Devgarh & Nandanpur
Morning Ride
The fields between Nandanpur and Devgarh were golden under the early sun.
Four scooters zipped along: Ishanvi+Vrinda, Raghav+Vivaan, Abhay+Vaidehi, Aariv+Meera.
"Feels like Diwali already," Vrinda laughed, glancing at scattered marigolds along the roadside.
Vivaan groaned. "Just don't blow up anything before Dhanteras, okay?"
Abhay's gaze lingered on the Sudarshini. Its surface shimmered unusually — almost as if it reflected his pulse. Ishanvi, driving ahead, felt the air around her fingers flicker, subtle warmth that only she noticed.
School Hints
By the time they reached Devgarh High, the hallways buzzed with excitement over the upcoming Diwali vacation.
Simran was already at her desk, waving at Meera and Vivaan.
Ishanvi felt a familiar tingle — subtle, like a reminder from the hills and river. Abhay, seated across from her, tried to ignore it, but the water in a nearby glass formed faint ripples without any touch.
No one else noticed. The group joked about sweets and pujas, oblivious to the small but growing signs of power.
After School Ride Home
As the siblings mounted the scooters for the ride home, the sky was streaked with orange and pink.
The Sudarshini reflected the colors, but for a brief moment, its surface pulsed — a faint glow circling Abhay's reflection.
Ishanvi felt her palms grow warm as if responding to the river. She glanced at him subtly; he met her gaze, understanding without words.
Vrinda nudged Vivaan. "Slow down, you're scaring the river!"
They all laughed, unaware of the silent pulse between fire and water guiding the ride.
Evening at Home
That night, the households prepared for Dhanteras. Lamps were polished, sweets lined the tables, and Rangoli dusted the floors.
Abhay sat quietly by the window, staring at the river beyond Nandanpur. The pulse he had felt that morning lingered — like a heartbeat in the water, waiting.
Ishanvi, in her room, traced the edge of a candle flame with her fingertips. It danced, almost willingly, around her fingers.
Neither spoke to anyone else — not Vrinda, not Vaidehi, not Simran. Only the two of them knew that the river and fire were stirring… and that Diwali might bring more than just lights and sweets this year.
Outside, the Sudarshini glimmered in the fading sun. Two faint pulses — one blue, one red — mirrored the children's hearts.
And somewhere deep beneath, the river whispered:
"The chosen awaken in the time of light."