September 19, 2024 in Delhi

In a laboratory on the first floor of a two-story house in Delhi, a young Indian scientist, Aariz Kapoor, was sitting at his desk, reviewing his research documents with intense focus. After carefully examining his notes for some time, he finally leaned back, satisfied, and placed the documents into a suitcase, securing it with a lock. Feeling relieved, he left the lab and returned to his bedroom.

Aariz was filled with excitement—tomorrow was the big day. He would be assisting in a major experiment, set to take place in front of the Prime Minister and other distinguished dignitaries. Although he wasn't the lead scientist, the opportunity was thrilling. As he sat on the edge of his bed, lost in thought, his mother's voice called from the ground floor.

"Aariz, come down for dinner!"

"Okay, Mom! Just a second," he replied, before heading downstairs.

At twenty years old, Aariz was already a standout in his field. He had graduated at the top of his class from IIT and had quickly been appointed as an assistant professor and researcher at the prestigious institute. His father, Aarav Kapoor, a 49-year-old Deputy Commissioner of Police, was a proud Hindu, while his mother, Ayesha Aarav, a 48-year-old Muslim, worked as a doctor in a hospital. When they were in college they fell in love and then got married. Due to her early marriage at the age of 18, she still looked youthful and radiant. Aariz also had a younger brother, an 18-year-old genius who had just been admitted to IIT as a first-year student.

As the eldest son, Aariz carried the weight of expectations, but tomorrow's experiment offered a chance to prove himself on a much larger stage.

As Aariz came down the stairs, he saw his father already seated at the dining table, his mother serving dishes, and his younger brother sitting quietly, waiting for dinner. Aariz joined them, sitting down to eat as his mother placed food on his plate.

"How's everything going with the experiment tomorrow?" she asked, her eyes filled with pride.

Excitedly, Aariz shared the details of the project with her, explaining the significance of the experiment and how honored he felt to be a part of it at such a young age. His family listened intently, beaming with pride at his accomplishments.

After dinner, Aariz returned to his room, laid down on his bed, and closed his eyes, eager yet anxious for the day ahead.

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The next day, September 20, 2024, the site of the experiment buzzed with high security and anticipation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in attendance, along with renowned professors in various scientific fields, high-ranking politicians, and military generals and reporters.The area was heavily guarded by special forces and intelligence personnel, ensuring the highest level of protection.

The experiment, related to quantum physics, was set to be groundbreaking. As the machines powered up and the process began, everything seemed to be proceeding as planned. But amid the heavy security, no one could have imagined that a terrorist could infiltrate the site.

Suddenly, an explosion rocked the facility. The machine was destroyed, and Aariz, who had been standing near it, was caught in the blast. His body disintegrated in an instant, leaving behind only silence.

Chaos ensued as the Prime Minister who was injured in the blast was quickly rushed to safety. Ambulances and helicopters swarmed the scene, and all hospitals in Delhi declared a state of emergency. Reporters flooded the site, and news channels began covering the tragic event, describing the explosion and the injuries. The incident sparked international concern, with various countries gradually issuing statements. The nation was thrown into turmoil, riots erupted, and martial law was temporarily imposed. Intelligence agencies became highly active, and the stock market teetered on the edge of collapse before it was shut down to prevent further damage.

Aariz's parents were devastated. His mother fainted upon hearing the news, but was quickly revived with the support of her husband and younger son. Although deeply grief-stricken, they managed to calm her down.

One week after the incident, on September 27, 2024, investigations revealed that an insurgent group linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)—the group responsible for assassinating former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991—had resurfaced. Following this revelation, special forces launched several operations, eliminating various terrorist factions. One month later, the Prime Minister, having recovered from his injuries, addressed the nation. In his speech, he condemned the group responsible for the attack and urged the Indian people to remain calm.

Six months later, Aariz's parents were still grieving but had begun to return to their daily lives. On the day his mother fainted, a hospital test revealed she was pregnant, news that helped shift the family's focus. The upcoming arrival of the baby gave them strength. One year later, when the new baby, a girl named Aaliyah Kapoor, was three months old, the family had found a new sense of normalcy and happiness which was also good for them and Aariz also.

But for Aariz, who woke up somewhere else with his mind in turmoil, his previous life had come to an abrupt end. He had been reborn—reborn as a baby