As Alim walked home, lost in thought, he replayed the video he had just watched about learning to drive. The rain began to fall harder, soaking him to the bone. He quickly shut off his phone and tucked it into his pocket, focusing on navigating through the wet streets.
When he crossed the road, his heart sank as he noticed his girlfriend, Meera, entering a nearby hotel. At first, he thought she was just meeting friends. However, as he caught sight of a sleek Ferrari parked outside, doubt crept into his mind. Why would she be with someone who drives a Ferrari?
Driven by curiosity and a hint of anxiety, he followed her. Peeking through the glass door, his heart dropped when he saw Meera laughing with a new boy—his cousin, Rehan. The ground seemed to give way beneath him as betrayal washed over him, leaving him feeling hollow.
Stumbling back into the rain, he wandered aimlessly, thoughts spiraling. Memories surged through his mind:
"You're a waste of space, Alim! Get your act together!" his father had scolded one evening, his disappointment palpable.
"Why can't you be more like your cousin?" his aunt had said, shaking her head at family gatherings, her words laced with judgment.
"You'll never amount to anything if you keep being lazy," his friends had warned during their basketball games, pushing him to try harder.
"I don't know why we even bother with you," his relatives would say, dismissing him with disdain, their words echoing in his mind.
"You might as well die if you can't do anything right!" the harsh words of a childhood bully surfaced, intensifying his feelings of inadequacy.
In a surge of anger, Alim ran to a nearby park and shouted into the storm, "I'm not worthless!" But doubt clawed at him. With his heart racing, he pulled out his phone, ready to hurl it against the ground. Just as he was about to let go, a blinding flash of lightning struck, knocking him unconscious.
The crowd gathered, gasping in shock as Alim fell. They called for help, voices panicking, "Someone call an ambulance!"
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows of the park, an assassin observed the unfolding scene. He was a tall figure clad in dark clothing, his presence blending with the night. Rehan had hired him to keep an eye on Alim, suspecting the boy might become a threat to his plans.
As the assassin watched, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Rehan. "What's going on? Did you see him?"
The assassin typed back, "Yes, I saw him follow Meera into the hotel. He looked broken when he found out."
"Is he still a problem?" Rehan's message came through, laced with tension.
"Not anymore," the assassin replied, watching as Alim lay motionless on the ground. "Lightning struck him. He's unconscious."
A moment of silence followed before Rehan responded, "Good. Make sure no one finds out what happened."
"Consider it done," the assassin replied, turning away from the scene. He melted into the darkness, leaving the chaos behind.
As paramedics arrived and loaded Alim onto a stretcher, the rain continued to pour, and the storm raged on. Alim lay unconscious, oblivious to the dark forces now converging upon his destiny.
As Alim lay in the hospital bed, the sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, mixing with the faint sounds of machines beeping rhythmically. He blinked, trying to process what had happened. The last thing he remembered was the searing pain of lightning striking him. Now, he was alive—thankfully alive.
Dr. Rohan, standing beside him, noticed Alim's confusion. "Welcome back, Alim. You've had quite an experience."
Alim's eyes darted around the room. "Where am I? Did anyone come to see me?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Rohan smiled gently. "You're in the hospital. Your father came to see you earlier."
Alim's heart sank. "My dad? What did he say?"
Rohan hesitated, sensing the tension in the air. "Well, he was concerned... but more about the hospital bills than your well-being."
Alim couldn't help but let out a laugh, surprising Rohan. "He came and went without asking about my health? Just typical."
Rohan's brow furrowed. "You're not taking this seriously, Alim. You were in danger."
"I know, but that's just how he is," Alim replied, chuckling softly. "Did anyone pay for my treatment?"
Rohan's expression turned serious. "I covered the fees for now. Your mother—she saved me once, and I couldn't let you suffer because of your father's... well, attitude."
Alim's laughter faded as the weight of Rohan's words sank in. "My mother? What happened?"
Dr. Rohan took a deep breath, his gaze distant. "She died saving me in an accident when you were just a year old. Ever since then, your father has blamed you for her death, believing you're bad luck."
Alim's heart ached. "So that's why he… why he never cared for me like a father should. He thinks I brought misfortune upon him."
Rohan nodded, sympathy in his eyes. "It's not fair to you, Alim. You didn't ask for any of this."
"I'm not bad luck," Alim murmured, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "I want to prove him wrong. I want to show everyone that I can change my fate, starting with this lightning strike."
A flicker of determination ignited within him. He had always been seen as the lazy one, the underachiever, but this incident could be the turning point. Perhaps this was the moment to embrace his potential and rewrite his story.
Just then, the hospital room door swung open, and Alim's father entered, his face stormy with frustration. "Rohan, how much do I need to pay for this? I want him out of here. If he's fine, then he doesn't need to stay."
Rohan stepped forward, keeping his tone steady. "He's safe now, but I recommend keeping him for observation. Lightning strikes can have lingering effects."
Alim's father scoffed. "If he's fine, then why are we wasting time? Just let him leave or die. I don't care."
Alim's heart pounded in his chest as he listened to his father's callous words. He clenched his fists, fighting back tears. "Dad, I—"
"Shut up!" his father barked, cutting him off. "You're a burden, Alim. Just like your mother was."
Rohan's expression darkened, and he stepped between them. "That's enough. Alim deserves better than this. You can't keep punishing him for something he didn't do."
Alim felt a surge of hope as he looked at Rohan. Maybe, just maybe, he could break free from the chains of his father's expectations.
With a sudden burst of energy, Alim resolved to take control of his life, starting right then and there. The storm outside mirrored the turmoil in his heart, but within him, a new fire was igniting—a desire to rise above the shadows cast by his past.
He was determined to uncover his true potential and confront the darkness surrounding him, no matter what it took.