"Vikram!" A booming voice echoed through the corridor as Vikram made his way back to his dorm. Turning around, he met eyes with a dorm mate a bit taller than him. Aditya, a bit taller than Vikram, had a robust physique that towered over him, and his short and dark hair was neatly combed. A clean-shaven face revealed youthful features, and his brown eyes exuded warmth and curiosity, making him approachable and easy to get along with.
"Hey... Aditya," Vikram greeted him.
Aditya, however, looked at Vikram strangely, as if he were sizing up someone else entirely. After a brief moment, he seemed to shake off the odd thought.
"Vikram, where have you been these days? You're not coming out of your room, and you not hanging out with us anymore? Don't tell me! Did you meet someone else and start to forget about us?" Aditya dramatically clutched his heart, feigning heartbreak with exaggerated gestures.
Vikram stared at him in disbelief, taken aback by Aditiya's theatrical display. After a moment, he managed a response, "Aditiya! what are you talking about? I've just been dealing with some personal stuff. It's not about forgetting anyone..."
"Dont tell me you already had a sister-in-law and broke up with her, and you didn't even tell me about it! sniff~ sniff~" Aditiya continued, interpreting Vikram's words in a comical way.
Vikram chuckled at Aditiya's attempt to inject humor into the situation. "No, no sister-in-law drama, Aditiya. It's more like a... bizarre journey. Something I'm still trying to wrap my head around."
Aditiya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A bizarre journey? You're not secretly a superhero or a spy, are you? Because that would be awesome!"
Vikram laughed, appreciating Aditiya's sense of humor. "Unfortunately, no capes or secret missions. It's just a strange series of events that I can't quite explain."
Aditiya leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Come on, spill the beans, Vikram! We're friends, right? Friends share secrets, especially the bizarre ones."
[Ding~]
[Warning: Disclosing information about the system and parallel world to others is prohibited. It may lead to unforeseen consequences. Exercise caution.]
Vikram hesitated, the warning from the system echoing in his mind. The cautionary message played a significant role in his decision. Instead of revealing the truth, he opted for a partial truth—a story that mirrored his experiences but withheld the fantastical elements.
"Aditiya, it's been a tough time for me," Vikram began, his tone serious. "I had this vivid dream where my parents and my little sister passed away while I was still in university. It threw me into a deep depression, and I struggled for a long time. Eventually, I managed to pull myself together and founded a company. I married a beautiful woman who also worked as my secretary."
Aditiya listened intently, his eyes reflecting genuine concern. "I can't believe you went through all that, Vikram. It must have been incredibly challenging."
Vikram nodded, appreciating Aditiya's empathy. "It was, but life has its ups and downs, right? Anyway, things took a dark turn when I discovered my wife was having an affair. The betrayal was too much to bear, and she ended up taking everything from me, even my life."
Aditiya's eyes widened in shock. "That's brutal, Vikram. Even for a dream, experiencing something like that gives me goosebumps. I hope it doesn't affect your life too much. I can't even imagine how it would feel. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you, buddy," Aditiya offered sincerely, his empathy evident.
He then tried to lighten the mood with a touch of humor. "But hey, if you ever need a drink pick-me-up, I can treat you to a couple of drinks. Of course, you'll have to cover the bill for me. We don't want your dream debts transferring over to the real world, do we?" Aditiya added, flashing a playful grin to ease the tension.
Vikram chuckled at Aditiya's attempt to inject humor into the situation. Playfully, he kicked Aditiya's leg and said, "You're going to make me pay for the drinks just because you want some company? I should be charging you for the privilege!"
Aditiya feigned innocence. "Hey, it's called friendship tax, my friend. Every laugh comes at a price."
The two friends shared a laugh, the camaraderie helping to dissipate the lingering heaviness of Vikram's bizarre experiences. As they continued their banter, Vikram couldn't help but feel grateful for Aditiya's light-hearted approach to life, a welcome distraction in the midst of his own introspection and uncertainty.
As Vikram returned to his room, the dilemma weighed on his mind. Should he continue living the life of a university student, embracing the familiar routine, or should he leverage the knowledge and abilities granted by the system to pursue a different path, perhaps starting a business and achieving even greater success than his previous life?
Before making such a pivotal decision, Vikram felt a compelling need to visit his parents and his little sister. In his previous life, they had perished tragically in a car accident, but now, with the possibility of a parallel world, he couldn't shake the hope that they might be alive. The need for closure and the chance to reconnect with his family tugged at his heart.
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Author's Note:
Dear readers, your support and engagement mean the world to me. As we dive deeper into Vikram's journey, I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas for the upcoming chapters. Your creativity and input can add exciting twists and turns to the narrative. Don't hesitate to share your suggestions, and let's make this story even more captivating together! Thank you for being a part of this adventure. 📖💡
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