Veer's eyes fluttered open as his head dipped back, and he let out a loud, unrestrained sneeze, breaking the quiet focus of the classroom. Every head turned toward him, some surprised, others grinning. Blinking, he muttered an embarrassed "Sorry, everyone," just as Mr. Raghav chimed in with his familiar, dry humor.
"Well, it seems our young virtuoso has mastered the art of the 'sneeze crescendo,' just as bold as his singing skills."
Veer grinned, hearing laughter ripple through the room. He thought with a smirk, *Alright, who's talking about me?* They say if you sneeze out of nowhere, someone's thinking of you, and he scanned the room playfully, half-expecting a culprit to be in this room.
The guitar lesson resumed, and despite Mr. Raghav's sometimes-irritating remarks, Veer had to admit that the teacher's guidance was solid. Mr. Raghav's fingers moved effortlessly over the guitar strings as he demonstrated a tune, his skill unmatched, and he shared his tips earnestly, giving the students pointers on hand positioning and rhythm.
During lunch, Veer joined Sonia, Suhana, Aryan, and the rest of the group in the bustling cafeteria. Aryan animatedly shared details of his dad's recent birthday bash—stories of grand decorations, gourmet food, and live entertainment.
"Next time, you have to be there," Aryan said with a grin. "No excuses. We'll make sure it's a party to remember."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Veer replied, laughing. "Sounds like it'll be a night to remember." The group swapped jokes and memories until the bell signaled the end of the break, and everyone reluctantly returned to class.
After classes and his book club meeting, Veer headed home. Eager for a nutritious meal, he made a quick stir-fry with paneer, a staple he tried to keep in his diet. Rupa, the family's kind but no-nonsense housemaid, walked in and spotted him cooking.
"Leave the cooking to us, Veer," she scolded, hands on her hips. "That's why I'm here. Just tell me what you want, and I'll make it."
Veer held up his spatula, laughing. "But Rupa, I can't risk you worrying about me, can I?" Rupa, clearly charmed by his lighthearted defiance, smiled but insisted, muttering how he was the first she'd met who actually wanted to cook.
After eating, he set off for his martial arts training with Mr. Rao, who was waiting with his usual steely expression. Today, however, he had an announcement.
"We'll be having a friendly match today," Mr. Rao said, pacing before the group. "The students from Mr. Ramesh's club will join us. Remember, your opponent won't consider your age or height in a real scenario. Treat this as practice, but I expect respect. No grudges after today."
Soon, Mr. Ramesh entered with his students—a group of older and younger kids who greeted Mr. Rao and Veer's classmates politely. Mr. Rao actually cracked a smile, surprising his own class. Mr. Ramesh responded with a nod, setting a competitive but friendly tone for the matches.
The first few rounds were between students, and Veer watched, taking in the techniques. One match had a younger boy from Mr. Ramesh's group, who had speed but lacked power, against a slightly older student from Veer's class. Despite his disadvantage, the younger boy managed to dodge repeatedly until he landed a surprise sweep that took down his larger opponent.
Another match was between two girls—one from Veer's class and one from Mr. Ramesh's. They were evenly matched, both agile and quick on their feet. After a flurry of blocks and counters, Veer's classmate managed a clever feint, making her opponent overreach, and she seized the chance to trip her with a quick maneuver, securing her win.
Finally, it was Veer's turn. His opponent was older and taller, giving him a slight advantage in reach and strength, but Veer felt ready. They bowed to each other before the match began. The older boy lunged forward, forcing Veer to dodge and shift his stance. Veer stayed light on his feet, countering whenever he could, and managed to catch his opponent off guard with a side sweep, almost tipping him.
The fight continued with increasing intensity, their movements fast and focused. Veer could feel the strain in his muscles, but he stayed sharp, determined to keep up. Just when it seemed he had a chance to win, his opponent pulled an unexpected move—a playful but effective fake stumble that made Veer hesitate for just a split second. In that moment, the older boy swept his leg under Veer's, knocking him down.
Veer hit the mat with a thud, surprised but grinning. He shook his head, chuckling at the sly trick, and got up, dusting himself off. Both Mr. Rao and Mr. Ramesh nodded, clearly pleased with the spirit of the match. Veer took the lesson to heart—skill wasn't just about strength or speed but cleverness, too. As he bowed to his opponent, he felt a quiet satisfaction, already planning how to use what he'd learned for the next match.
...................
After the matches wrapped up, with no trophies or prizes due to their friendly nature, both Mr. Rao and Mr. Ramesh took the time to share insights and techniques with students from both classes. Veer absorbed the tips eagerly, grateful for the day's experience and the little tricks he'd picked up from watching the others fight.
Finally, he made his way home, feeling pleasantly tired. As soon as he stepped through the door, Sheena greeted him, asking how his day had gone. Sonia, in her usual teasing manner, tossed in a few playful jabs about his fighting skills. Their warm banter and occasional laughs relaxed him, making the evening feel cozy and familiar.
After dinner, Veer retreated to his room, beginning his nightly routine of meditation. He sat cross-legged, closing his eyes, letting his breath flow naturally as he calmed his body and focused inward.As usual he started to feel energy around him but still he did not felt anything today as well but He chuckled softly to himself, thinking, *Who knows if i can be a young master in the modern world, "cultivating" in some martial arts story?* The thought amused him as he visualized the energy around him, trying to attune his mind and body.
As he meditated, his thoughts wandered to the events of the day. He grinned as he thought about Aryan's group and the world they seemed to move in. *Maybe I should exchange contacts with Aryan's father* he thought. *Having a Bollywood connection could be my golden ticket.* His mind wandered further, amused by the thought. *And if Bollywood movies love anything, it's a good song sequence! Maybe I'll get to work with Shah Rukh Khan someday…*
He chuckled, imagining himself pitching a movie idea to Suhana's dad, casually suggesting he should be cast in it too. Veer settled deeper into his breathing, allowing his mind to quieten, the musings fading as he embraced calmness. Soon, sleep took over, wrapping up his day in peaceful rest.