Soft golden morning sunlight slowly peeked into Malhotra Mansion through its large glass windows.
Filtered through blue curtains, the rays felt as if an old melody were playing inside the room.
The air carried a fragrance — jasmine and coffee. Outside, in the garden, the gardener was watering plants. Inside the grand mansion, in one of its luxurious bedrooms, a tall, broad-shouldered twenty-two-year-old boy lay sprawled across an extravagant bed in a strange position.
A pillow rested on his face, half of it covered, yet a faint smile curved his lips — the kind of smile that only appears in dreams.
In his dream, he was winning something — perhaps a trophy, perhaps the biggest award in the world!
And suddenly, an energetic voice echoed—
"And this year's Student of the Year award goes to… Mister Rivan Malhotra!"
The entire auditorium erupted in applause. Lights flashed, people stood cheering. Rivan, dressed in a sharp suit, brimming with confidence, made his way through the crowd and climbed the stage.
The principal extended the trophy toward him — and like a hero, Rivan raised it high and shouted—
"Yessssssss! I did it!"
Applause. Noise. Glitter.
And then—
THUD!
He fell straight off the bed onto the floor.
The moment he hit the ground, the dream shattered. The pillow flew aside, and our hero opened his eyes in shock.
Dragged out of the dream world and into the painful reality, he groaned while holding his back.
"Ouch… this earth just broke my back directly!"
Slowly sitting up, hair messy, eyes half-open, he muttered,
"What the hell… where am I? This place… wait, this is my room? So that means what I just saw was… a dream?"
For a moment, he stared at the ceiling, as if pondering —
Is winning easier in dreams, or is losing heavier in real life?
Then he lay back down on the floor again and said casually,
"Doesn't matter. Even if it was a dream, winning still felt good."
Smiling to himself, he closed his eyes again.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. No response.
A few moments later, the door opened gently and a dignified woman walked in — silk saree, hair in a neat bun, tray in hand.
"Oh God…" she placed a hand on her forehead. "What am I going to do with this boy?"
She was Shobha Malhotra, Rivan's mother.
She looked at Rivan, who was still asleep on the floor, hugging a pillow like a child. Taking a deep breath, she bent down and said,
"Rivan beta, wake up. Why are you sleeping on the floor? Don't you have college?"
No movement.
"Beta," she shook him again.
Rivan slowly opened one eye and murmured sleepily,
"Mom… today is Sunday."
Shobha laughed.
"Sunday? Son, today is Monday! Your vacations ended yesterday."
Rivan pulled the pillow over his head.
"Just five more minutes."
"If your father finds out you're still sleeping, you know what punishment you'll get."
The moment he heard father, Rivan shot upright like lightning.
"What, Mom! You always blackmail me using Dad's name!"
Shobha smiled.
"Because you don't listen to me. Your father is the only one who can straighten you out. Now hurry up, get fresh, and come down for breakfast. And Rivan — don't be late today."
She left.
Rivan watched her go, then muttered,
"The word 'Dad' chases sleep away faster than electricity disappears on a government holiday."
Grumbling, he headed toward the washroom.
A while later…
While buttoning his shirt and looking at himself in the mirror, his gaze suddenly fell on his back.
"Ouch."
He bent slightly in pain.
"Oh no… the pain starts right here."
His mind instantly went to Suman. He grumbled,
"I swear, her slipper must be made of iron! If I get an X-ray done, the shoe's design will be clearly visible on my back!"
Arguing with himself, he fixed his hair, shrugged, and said,
"Whatever. Why should I care about her anyway?"
Then he winked at his own reflection.
Dining Area
Golden light from a glass chandelier spilled onto the floor. The dining table was laid with toast, pancakes, sandwiches, fruit bowls, and fresh juice.
Seated at the table were Rakesh Malhotra — Rivan's father — beside him his elder brother Rajeev Malhotra, and across from them, Shobha ji.
Rivan came downstairs, hair still slightly wet, wearing his typical morning smirk. He pulled out a chair, sat down, and said,
"Good morning, Dad!"
Rakesh lowered his newspaper.
"What time did you come home last night?"
Rivan froze mid-sandwich.
"Uh… I mean… I came early, Dad! Just after you all went to sleep!"
And he quickly stuffed the sandwich into his mouth.
Rakesh folded the paper.
"Hmm. And how were your semester results?"
The sandwich nearly lodged in Rivan's throat. He started coughing, searching for water.
Shobha quickly pushed a glass forward.
"Eat slowly, beta. No one's snatching it."
Rajeev chuckled.
"Why do you always eat like you're competing in a race?"
After finally swallowing water, Rivan stammered,
"Uh… the result was fine. Just a little—"
Rakesh raised an eyebrow.
"Just what, Rivan? Another backlog?"
Rivan lowered his gaze.
"Dad… I… uh…"
Just then, a voice came from behind—
"Oh uncle, he won't tell you, so I came to update you myself!"
Everyone turned.
Standing at the door was a boy with a mischievous grin and a bag slung over his shoulder — Yash, Rivan's childhood friend.
Rivan looked like his world had just spun.
"Oh God… trouble has walked straight into my house."
Yash casually walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat directly opposite Rivan.
Rivan stared at him like a villain from the Mahabharata, but Yash was completely unfazed.
Taking a bite of a sandwich, Yash said,
"Well, uncle, we've created history this time!"
"At least two papers have backlogs for this guy. And same for me! So technically, we're brothers in failure!"
He laughed and grabbed another sandwich, stuffing it in shamelessly, like it was a proud achievement.
Rivan's face screamed — please let the earth crack open and swallow me.
Everyone stared at him.
Rakesh said calmly,
"Will either of you ever amount to anything?"
There was no anger in his voice — only concern and love.
Softly, he continued,
"Rivan, I'm not the kind of father who gets angry over bad marks or compares his child to others."
"I know numbers alone don't decide a future."
"But it's important to turn what you learn into something useful."
"The world is moving very fast, son. And I don't want you to be left behind."
He paused, then smiled lightly.
"Do you understand?"
Rivan nodded.
"Yes, Dad."
Yash, speaking with his mouth full, added,
"Don't worry, uncle! One day we'll make such a name together that news channels will come begging for interviews!"
Rakesh laughed.
"I'll be waiting for that day."
He checked his watch and stood up.
"Alright, time for office. Rajeev, let's go."
Father and son walked out.
The room fell silent.
Rivan slowly looked at Yash — a look that said, you're dead today.
Yash understood instantly. Escape mode activated.
He stood up casually.
"So… uncle left. Great! Rivan bro, shall we head to college?"
Shobha laughed.
"Stop staring at each other and leave for college. Or you'll be late again and get an extra lecture from the HOD."
Once Shobha left, Rivan glared at Yash like he was about to conduct an autopsy in the garden.
Yash grinned, bared his teeth, then suddenly jumped off the chair and ran—
"Run for your life!"
Rivan sprang after him.
"Stop right there, idiot! You're dead today!"
Yash looked back and ran faster.
"Bro please! Just listen first!"
"Let me catch you first!" Rivan shouted.
They ran into the garden.
The air was moist; rain had just stopped, and the smell of wet soil filled the space.
Yash zigzagged between trees like a deer escaping a hunter. Rivan, who considered himself a champion in every field, grabbed a nearby water hose without hesitation.
Turning it on, he yelled,
"Now I'll show you the real fun of being a hero!"
A strong jet of water shot straight at Yash — SPLASH!
Yash yelled,
"Hey! What are you doing? I got ready with so much effort for college! Are you taking revenge on my hair now?!"
Rivan narrowed his eyes.
"If there were an ocean in front of me right now, I'd throw you into it! Why did you have to play hero and tell my dad my results?"
Yash shook water from his hair like he was on a fashion ramp.
"Why are you getting so angry, man? This isn't new. You always hide your results. I thought you'd already told uncle!"
"Told him? And then collect my dead body from his stare?" Rivan scoffed.
"I didn't have the courage! And you — you turned out to be a full-on news reporter!"
Yash smiled.
"Come on, bro. What's done is done. Now listen — want some good news?"
"This time, a lot of beautiful girls have taken admission in our college!"
Rivan's eyes lit up instantly.
The hose fell to the ground.
He smiled.
"Really?"
To be continued..