As Arushi's lifeless body lay still, a light began to emanate from within her, slowly healing her wounds. Unbeknownst to Ayush, who was consumed by grief and pain, Arushi's soul and mind were stirring.
Arushi's memories began to resurface, fragmented and unclear. I suddenly started to recalled my father's loving care, but my mother's absence.i remembered my uncles' brief visits, bringing food and joy, but always leaving hastily. My schooling was a blur, with me struggling to learn and facing mistreatment from others I don't understam d wh I was so dumb and why I am sudeenly remberimg my whole life like a film
One conversation stuck with me - whispers of a white crystal appearing at night, guiding seekers to a treasure that would answer all their questions. Driven by curiosity, I ventured into the jungle one night, where a crystal energy ball materialized before her.
As I followed the crystal energy ball, I reached a cliff's edge, where my father screamed my name, "Arushi!" I felt myself falling, and everything went dark. I thought I was dead.
But I woke up to find myself lying on the ground, my dress stained with what looked like blood or paint. My father rushed to my side, relief and joy etched on his face. He hugged me tightly, squeezing the air out of me.
"Father, what are you doing?!" I shouted, trying to catch my breath. "Why won't you let me breathe?"
My father finally released me, still grinning from ear to ear. "Are you okay, Aysha? Let me check you." He began to examine me, undressing me to inspect my body.
I protested, "I'm fine! If I wasn't, how could I talk?" My father's expression changed from concern to amusement, and he burst out laughing.
Seeing him laugh, I couldn't help but join in. We both sat there, holding our bellies in laughter, relief washing over us. The tension and fear melted away, replaced by warmth and love.
As we laughed, my uncles suddenly appeared, their faces stern and shocked. But as they saw us laughing, they too cracked a smile, albeit a small one. "Brother, we should leave now," one of them said, their expression turning serious. "Arushi's energy is weakening, and war is looming in two years. We must avenge our bhabhi."
My father's face darkened with anger, and I sensed a deep-seated pain. But as they mentioned "bhabhi," I realized they were talking about my mother. "Uncles, are you talking about my mother?" I asked, confusion and concern etched on my face. "Did someone hurt her? Why wouldn't she come to meet me? What war are you talking about?"
Their faces fell, shocked by my questions. My father approached me, his eyes searching mine. "Do you know what 'bhabhi' and 'war' mean, Arushi?" he asked, his voice gentle but laced with a hint of sadness.
I shook my head, unsure of what to make of their cryptic words. But as I looked into my father's eyes, I saw a deep pain and a story untold. But to light a tension I say
"I'm a big and smart girl now!" I exclaimed, laughing. My father hugged me, beaming with pride. "You truly are becoming smart, my daughter."
But then I asked, "When will I meet my mother?" Their faces fell, and I sensed a deep sadness. My father's expression turned serious, and he said, "Nothing's happened to your mother, Arushi. You don't have to worry. I'm your father and mother. I'm here for you."
I looked up at him, my voice firm but curious. "I know, Dad. But you're not a woman. A mother is a woman. And you never came to pick me up from school, not even once." My father's face contorted, a mix of emotions: happiness, sadness, and anger.
Just then, my uncle stepped forward and placed his hand on my head, channeling a surge of energy into me. I felt a sudden jolt, and my uncle exclaimed, "Bhaiya, Arushi's brain-damaged cells have become normal! 80% recovery!"
The room erupted in joy. My father and uncle hugged me tightly, their faces split with ear-to-ear smiles. I laughed, feeling a bit suffocated. "Leave me some space, I can't breathe!" I said, giggling.
"I don't have any damage, okay? My face is good-looking without any scars," I said, laughing along with them. After some time, my father said, "Aysha, be ready tomorrow. We're leaving this place, okay? So come home directly after your class."
I agreed, "Okay, Father. I'll come as fast as I can after class." But then I asked, "Can I take a holiday? I don't want to go to class tomorrow. I feel a little weak."
My father smiled and said, "Okay, Arushi. Sleep in. Don't go to school tomorrow."
The next day, I woke up at 12 pm, feeling refreshed. My father entered the room with a paper in hand and said, "Here's your passing result, Arushi. You've passed 10th grade! Now you can study higher classes and start cultivation classes too."
I was shocked but thrilled. "Thank you, Father!" I exclaimed, eager to begin my new journey.
My father smiled, proud of me. "You're growing up, Arushi. It's time to unlock your true potential."
"I will cultivate and become strong, and find out who hurt Mom!" I declared, determination burning within me.
My father's eyes misted as he hugged me again, but I pushed him away, laughing. "Please, don't hug me again and again so tightly! It's hard to breathe!"
He chuckled and released me, then began packing my bag. I asked, "Father, where are we going?" He smiled, "We're going to the city, Arushi!"
I squealed with delight, dancing around the room. I had always dreamed of visiting the city, with its towering buildings and bustling streets. I eagerly helped my father pack, my excitement growing.
As we left the village, I bid farewell to the people I had grown up with. My father reminded me to touch their feet as a sign of respect, and they were surprised and happy by the gesture. We took a cart to the station, where we waited for our transportation to Shantinagar, a peaceful and serene city.
The name itself filled me with a sense of calm, and I couldn't wait to explore this new place. I felt a sense of adventure calling, and I was ready to embrace it.
As we prepared to board the train, my excitement got the better of me, and I let go of my father's hand. But in the chaos of the crowd, I was swept away from him. I tried to look for him, but it was like searching for a familiar face in a mirror - he was in another compartment, out of reach.
"Father, I'm here!" I shouted, hoping he would hear me. He looked up, saw me, and stretched out his hand, but the compartments were sealed until the next station.
"Aysha, stay there! I'll come to you at the next station, don't leave!" he called out, his eyes locked on mine.
I nodded, standing frozen in the crowded train car. But as the train lurched forward, I was dragged to the corner, and my father disappeared from view.
Suddenly, I felt a strange sensation on my back, and a cold voice whispered in my mind, "Who's there?"
I spun around, trying to locate the source, but there was no one in sight. Then, a voice boomed in my mind, "Congratulations, host, on activating the Unknown and Time Warrior system."
I was taken aback, unsure what was happening or what this system meant. But as the train rumbled on, I felt a strange energy coursing through my veins,
As I heard the voice, I exclaimed, "System? What system? Is this like some legendary hero stuff?" The voice replied, seemingly amused by my reaction.
But then, a stranger interrupted, sneering at me. "Are you mentally ill, girl? There's no system. Maybe you're just a mentally ill person."
I bristled at his words, my anger rising. "Mental illness? You, your family, and your entire generation are the ones who are mentally ill! I'm smart and intelligent!"
The stranger's face turned red with rage, and before I knew it, he touched me, his hand entering my back. I felt a searing pain and screamed, "What are you doing?!"
The surrounding people gasped, and some women started attacking the stranger. I joined in, unsure what he had done, but I knew it was wrong. As we fought, I felt another sensation, unlike anything I understood.
It was as if my body was awakening, responding to the stranger's touch. I couldn't explain it, but I knew I had to make him pay for what he had done. The train car erupted into chaos, and I was at the center of it all.