It was raining very hard. I was standing under a small bus stop. I was helping because my thin watchman clothes were totally wet. They smelled like old food and sweat. My old bike had a flat tire, and I was stuck.
I looked at the road in front of me. The holes (potholes) in this street were very deep. In the rain, they looked like small ponds of muddy water. I hated this road, and I hated my life.
I took out my phone. The screen was broken. I checked my bank balance. I had only 942 rupees. But I needed 25,000 rupees for my sister Rani's college fees. If I don't pay by tomorrow, she cannot study.
"Why is my life so hard?" I said loudly. "I work 9 hours every day, but I am still poor!"
Suddenly, I heard a sound in my head.
Ding!
Weak? I felt a little angry. I work twelve hours every day. I carry heavy food trays and run around all the time. How can this blue screen call me weak? But then, I looked at my thin arms. My skin was pale, and I was shivering from the cold. Maybe the screen was right. I was weak because I had no money and no power."The timer on the screen started: 56:56... 57:54...
I had no choice. I started walking towards my home. The rain was hitting my face like small needles. The road was terrible, and the deep potholes were filled with dirty water. I stepped into a big hole and almost fell. My old shoes were now completely filled with mud. It was the worst night of my life."Every step was tired. My legs felt heavy like lead. But every time I wanted to stop, I thought about my sister Diya. I thought about how she worked so hard for her studies. I cannot let her dream die. 'I will reach home,' I shouted at the wind. I didn't care if the siblings Finally, I reached the gate of my small chawl. I was gasping for air, and my heart was beating very fast.thought I was crazy."
Suddenly, a warm feeling started in my back and went to my arms. It felt like a battery-powered was charging inside me. My tired just vanished. I felt like I could run another ten kilometers! I picked up a heavy water bucket near the tap with just one finger. It felt light as paper. I was shocked. This power was unreal.This system is real! I am going to change my life!"
As soon as the message appeared, I felt a strange heat in my chest. It felt like a warm current of electricity was moving through my arms and legs. All the pain in my muscles just... disappeared. I was not tired anymore. My body felt light, like I was walking on air."
I looked at the heavy iron water tank kept near my door. Usually, it takes two men to lift it, and I could never even move it. I reached down he cold metal with one hand. I gave it a small pull, and my eyes went wide. The heavy 9 came off the ground as if it was made of plastic! It was so light! 'This is impossible,' I shouted my heart beat fast . I really got stronger!"
"I said the word 'Status' in my mind, just like in the video games. Immediately, a new screen popped up.
I saw the numbers change. It was a small increase, but I could feel the massive difference in my body."
"I looked at my cracked phone again. 942r upees. The strength was good, but I still needed 25 thousand by tomorrow for Rani a. 'System,' I whispered into the dark night. 'Can you give me money too?' The blue screen , but there was no answer. I opened my door and went inside, my mind spinning with a thousand questions. My life was never going to be the same again."