The ride back home from the shrine was strangely quiet.Paras kept his hand closed around the ring in his pocket, the metal cold against his palm as if it were alive. Mira kept glancing at him from time to time, but she didn't say anything. Even his father's usual calm felt heavier, weighted with something unspoken.
By the time they reached the Bais mansion, the rain had stopped.The afternoon sun was out again, shining brightly over the fountains and gardens as if the storm had never existed.But Paras knew better. Something had changed.
He headed straight to his room the moment they entered the house.Mira called after him,
"Hey, at least wash your—"
But he closed the door gently behind him, exhausted.He didn't want dinner.He didn't want to talk.He just wanted answers.
He lay on the bed, the ring still on his finger.It felt warm now. Much warmer than before.
Within minutes, sleep swallowed him whole.
He was standing in an open field — one he had never seen, yet somehow recognized. The grass was tall, swaying, and mist rolled across the land like white waves.
Then he saw him.
A young man.Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in old-fashioned warrior clothes. Brown hair flowing in the wind. Eyes fierce, yet kind.
Arjun Bais.His grandfather — but not the one he remembered.This was the Arjun from stories.The legendary Arjun.
Paras froze, breath caught in his throat.
"G… Grandpa?"His voice cracked, trembling with confusion, fear… and love.
The young Arjun turned toward him, smiling faintly.
"Paras," he said, as though he'd been waiting. "The time is coming."
Paras felt his chest tighten.
"What time? What's happening?"
Arjun looked beyond him, toward the mist shifting on the horizon.His expression hardened.
"They will come to the surface again."
Paras stepped forward, panic rising inside him.
"Who?! Who is coming?"
Arjun chuckled softly, almost teasingly, like he always did when Paras got scared as a child.
"Don't worry, boy. You think I became the strongest Bais clan head for nothing?"
His figure flickered—like static.His voice softened.
"You will understand everything… eventually."
The world blurred.His grandfather faded into the mist—and Paras lunged forward desperately.
"WAIT—GRANDPA!"
But it was too late.
Darkness swallowed everything.
When Paras woke up, the sun was breaking into his room.His heart was still pounding, his forehead damp.
But the ring…The ring was glowing faintly.
He touched it and whispered,
"What are you trying to show me, Grandpa…?"
THE NEW FACE
On the next day school felt normal enough at first — annoying teachers, sleepy lectures, Mira nagging him to pay attention.
But everything changed at 10:27 a.m.
The class door slid open.A tall boy with messy jet-black hair walked in.His eyes — sharp, serious, unreadable — scanned the room like he was memorizing every detail.
The teacher announced,
"We have a new student. His name is Sparsh. Treat him well."
He didn't bow.He didn't greet.He just looked at everyone — blank, silent.
Girls immediately whispered, giggling.
"He's cute.""No—he's too cute.""Bad-boy vibe toh dekh…"
Paras wasn't paying attention to the girls.Because Sparsh had suddenly turned…
And looked straight at him.
Paras felt a chill rip through his spine — sharp, cold, unnatural.His fingers instinctively curled around the ring.
Sparsh stared for one long, heavy second.Then another.
Paras whispered to Mira,
"Why is he staring like that?"
Mira shrugged.
"Maybe you remind him of someone? Or maybe he thinks you're the class idiot."
"Wow. Thanks."
But Mira wasn't smiling.Even she had felt something off about the boy.
During break, three seniors swaggered over, jealousy dripping from their faces after seeing some girls swooning over Sparsh.
"Oye hero," one of them said, cracking his knuckles. "Stay in your limits.""Don't act too cool.""This is OUR school."
Sparsh didn't even turn his head.He just kept looking at Paras.
The first senior got irritated.
"Oye! Don't ignore when we're talking to—"
He swung a punch.
No one even saw Sparsh move.
One moment the punch was flying—the next, the senior was on the floor, gasping, eyes wide with shock.
Paras blinked.Mira's mouth dropped open.The hallway went silent.
Sparsh still hadn't broken eye contact with Paras.
The other goons ran instantly, tripping over each other.
Sparsh finally looked away and walked to the corner, calm as if nothing had happened.
Paras muttered,
"Bro… who the hell is he?"
Mira whispered,
"I don't know… but he's dangerous."
Paras didn't disagree.
The rest of the school day passed smoothly, almost unnaturally so.No more fights.No whispers from shadows.No strange visions.
Paras, Mira, Deva, and Vardh spent their usual time joking around, arguing, eating momos after school — completely normal.
Almost too normal.
But the ring stayed warm.And once, just as Paras was leaving school…Sparsh walked past him, their shoulders barely inches apart.
Without looking back, Sparsh whispered under his breath:
"You're not ready."
Paras froze.
"What…?"
But Sparsh was already gone.
Paras touched the ring again.It pulsed softly — like a heartbeat.
Something was coming.Something bigger than dreams.Bigger than the Bais clan.Bigger than anything Paras had ever imagined.
And for the first time…he wondered if his grandfather's warning wasn't about danger at all.
The walk home after school felt normal on the surface… but Paras couldn't shake off the weight of last night's dream and the strange tension he felt earlier. Mira was talking about some school gossip, but Paras barely registered half of it.
When they reached home, the main door was already open, and their father stood waiting inside with an expression Paras had seen only a handful of times — excited, nervous, and proud all at once.
"Ah, you two are finally here! Come inside, come inside!" he said, gesturing urgently.
Paras exchanged a confused look with Mira."Dad… what happened?" Mira asked.
Their mother peeked from behind the living room wall with a wide smile."We have someone special to introduce."
Paras and Mira stepped in —
And froze.
A boy stood in the living room.Black shirt. Calm posture. Eyes sharp enough to sense every movement in the house. The same boy who brought terror to the school hallway just a few hours ago.
Sparsh.
Paras's brain stopped working for a second.Mira's jaw dropped.
Their father clapped a hand on Sparsh's shoulder."Kids, meet Sparsh. He's the son of my closest friend — practically family."
Their mother added gently, "His father passed away recently. Cancer… It was sudden."
Sparsh bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry for the trouble. I'll try not to be a burden."
His tone was respectful but distant — like he was used to handling himself.
Paras found his voice."You… you're living here now?"
Sparsh nodded once. "If it's okay."
Mira blinked rapidly. "O-Okay? You literally folded a senior like a paper toy yesterday— I mean— yes, of course it's okay!"
Their mother laughed. "Mira! Mind your words."
Paras still felt stuck on one line.Living here.Right next door.The same guy who gave him chills with just one look.
His father continued, "Sparsh's mother is taking care of their entire business empire alone. It's too much work, so until things settle, he'll stay with us."
Mira leaned close to Paras and whispered, "Our house is turning into an action movie set."
Paras didn't disagree.
Settling In
Time passed in a blur of introductions, luggage being placed, and house rules being explained.
Sparsh's room was assigned right next to Paras's.Paras felt strangely uncomfortable… yet oddly relieved. Like something dangerous but necessary had just entered their lives.
Later, during dinner, the atmosphere was soft. Fresher. Sparsh didn't talk much, but whenever he did, it was polite and measured. Mira tested him with random questions — hobbies, likes, dislikes, favorite color — making the mood lighter.
Paras mostly observed.
There was a moment when their mother served Sparsh an extra roti, and he hesitated before accepting it.A hesitation that said he wasn't used to being cared for.
Their father placed a firm hand on Sparsh's back."You're home now. No need to act formal."
A tiny shift flickered in Sparsh's expression — gratitude, almost hidden.
Paras noticed it.For some reason… he felt like he wasn't the only one carrying something heavy.
The night was peaceful for once.
No strange dreams.No whispers.No heavy breathing from the ring.
Just silence.
Paras lay in bed staring at the ceiling, knowing Sparsh was in the room next to his. He could faintly hear the soft rustle of blankets. Sparsh seemed like the type who slept lightly — or maybe barely slept at all.
Mira walked past Paras's door, humming, probably satisfied with all the chaos of the day.
Paras murmured into the dark,"This house got weird real fast…"
But somehow, it didn't feel wrong.
Just… the beginning of something.
Morning came with warm sunlight slipping through the curtains.
A new day.A new housemate.A new, strange shift in the universe.
Paras got up, stretched, and walked into the hallway—
Where Sparsh was already standing, fully ready, hair neat, uniform perfect, expression unreadable.
Paras blinked."You woke up at what time…?"
Sparsh simply replied, "Early."
Mira poked her head from her room, hair messy like a startled cat."Ugh, you two are up so early? It's Saturday. Why?"
Paras shrugged."School. Remember?"
Mira blinked twice. "Oh… right."Then she pointed at Sparsh."You look like you're ready to conquer the whole country."
Sparsh blinked once. "It's just a uniform."
"That's the problem," Mira muttered, disappearing back into her room.
Downstairs, their mother had already set breakfast. The aroma of fresh parathas and steaming tea wrapped the room in warmth. Their father sat at the table, reading the newspaper with an unusually proud smile — like bringing Sparsh home was a decision he was genuinely satisfied with.
"Good morning, kids!" their mother said brightly. "Sparsh, hope you slept well?"
"Yes," Sparsh replied politely. "Thank you for everything."
"You're family now," she said, patting his shoulder. "No formalities."
Paras caught it again — Sparsh's eyes softened for a moment. A crack in the cold mask. Something almost vulnerable.
But Sparsh hid it quickly.
Mira yawned so wide she nearly dropped her spoon."Can I skip school today? My soul is tired."
"No," their father answered without even looking up.
Paras smirked. Mira groaned.
Breakfast went on like a strange dance — Mira talking too much, Paras zoning out too often, Sparsh being observant and silent. A dynamic that felt new yet weirdly natural.
When they finished, the three stepped out together.
The sun was bright, the city alive — vendors shouting, cycles ringing, kids yelling across the streets.
But Sparsh's presence changed everything.
He walked a step behind Paras and Mira, quiet, composed, eyes scanning every corner with a calm but calculated gaze. Like he wasn't walking to school, but evaluating threats.
Paras glanced back."You always this quiet?"
Sparsh took a moment."…Talking is optional. Observing isn't."
Mira frowned."You talk like someone who came out of a suspense movie."
Paras chuckled under his breath.
Then Sparsh added in a low tone, not dramatic but real:"It's safer to know what people hide… than what they show."
Paras slowed for half a second.What does that even mean?
Sparsh noticed his reaction but simply turned forward again."Don't mind it. Old habit."
They kept walking.
At School
The moment they stepped through the gate, the air shifted.
Whispers floated around.Stares followed them.Some excited. Some cautious.
The story of the "transfer kid who dropped a senior without trying" had spread like wildfire.
Mira elbowed Paras."Congrats. You two are celebrities now."
Paras sighed."Exactly what I didn't want."
A group of girls walked by.
"Oh my god, he's even cooler in daylight—"
"Look at his eyes…"
"Who's he walking with? Those two?"
Paras pretended not to hear.Sparsh remained expressionless.
But then—Sparsh subtly slowed down and matched Paras's pace, walking beside him rather than behind.
A silent gesture.
As if saying:If they stare at me… they stare at you too.
Paras didn't know whether to feel proud… or scared.
Lunch Break —
The same goons from yesterday spotted them from afar. Their expressions twisted between fear and disbelief.
"Don't look at him— he'll throw us into the sun.""I swear he didn't even blink yesterday…""Let's GO!"
Paras saw Sparsh glance at them — not threatening, just calculating.
The goons bolted out of sight instantly.
Paras whispered, "Dude… what was THAT look?"
Sparsh answered honestly, "Checking for intent."
"Intent?"
"Whether they wanted trouble."
Paras rubbed his forehead.This guy was either a genius… or a walking storm.
The rest of the day passed surprisingly calm. Classes normal. Teachers formal. Everyone whispering about Sparsh but not brave enough to approach him.
After school, the three walked home again.
A normal day.
Almost.
At Night
Paras lay on his bed later that evening, staring at the ceiling. The room felt too quiet.
The dream of his grandfather.The warning.The ring.The strange weight in the air.
Sparsh's presence…Something about it felt connected.Like invisible threads were tightening around him.
Then—
Knock.
A soft sound from the wall.
Paras sat up instantly.
Another knock.Rhythmic.Like someone wasn't asking for attention… but signaling.
He pressed his ear to the wall.
Silence.
And then Sparsh's voice came through — calm, unshaken, too clear for comfort:
"Don't ignore your dreams."
Paras went stiff.
"How do you—?"
A pause.
Sparsh answered in a quiet, steady tone:"Some things… you feel without being told."
Paras stepped back from the wall, heart thumping once — heavy and deep.
The weight he felt earlier…Returned.
And the ring on his finger —
Suddenly felt heavier than ever.
As if it too… had heard Sparsh's words.