The midday sun cast its golden glow over the quiet village roads, the hum of life softened by the warm breeze. Pavan walked along the winding path from his house, his hands tucked in his pockets and his thoughts far away. The air was filled with the faint scent of blooming jasmine and the occasional rustle of leaves stirred by the wind, but Pavan barely noticed. His mind was tangled with worries about how to tell his friends that he had passed the entrance exam for Triveni Gurukul and would soon leave for a new chapter of his life.
Each step felt heavier than the last as he replayed conversations in his head. Would they be happy for him? Sad? Angry? The thought of leaving behind his familiar world—his home, his friends, his sister—gnawed at his heart. Before he realized it, his feet had carried him toward the hill where the Hanuman temple stood, a place of solace and reflection. He had asked his friends to meet him there, hoping the serene atmosphere would help him find the right words.
The dirt road beneath his sandals crunched softly as he walked, lost in his thoughts. The occasional chirp of a bird or the distant sound of a vendor's bell barely registered in his distracted mind. He was so absorbed that he didn't notice the sleek car speeding down the same road, its automated A.I. system calculating its route at a reckless 120 kilometers per hour.
The car's sensors detected Pavan ahead and honked sharply, the sound echoing through the still air. But Pavan, lost in the labyrinth of his mind, neither heard the warning nor saw the car's approach. Just as the vehicle drew dangerously close, Pavan felt an invisible force grip him. His body froze, his muscles unresponsive, as if some unseen power had taken control.
The car zoomed past, missing him by mere inches. Its speed whipped up a gust of wind that tousled Pavan's hair and left him standing there, wide-eyed and trembling. His heart thundered in his chest as he watched the vehicle disappear down the road, his mind struggling to process what had just happened.
"How did such a big car suddenly appear out of nowhere?" he muttered, his voice shaky. His legs felt like jelly, and for a moment, he thought he might collapse.
A soft, familiar voice echoed in his mind, calm yet tinged with concern: "Pavan, the car was always there. But you... you weren't."
He exhaled sharply, recognizing the voice. "Chee..." he whispered, relief flooding him. "Thank you. I understand now." A hint of humor crept into his tone as he added, "But could you let me go, please?"
A playful hum resonated in his thoughts, followed by her amused reply: "Hmm... I suppose."
The invisible grip on his body released, and he staggered slightly, regaining control. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and murmured, "I need to stay focused from now on."
This time, he continued down the road with renewed caution, his steps purposeful. The towering hill of the Hanuman temple soon came into view, its golden spires gleaming in the sunlight like a beacon of hope. The stairs leading up to the temple stretched before him, flanked by lush greenery and the sound of rustling leaves. At the base of the stairs, a small shop caught his eye, run by an A.I. assistant named Chotu.
Pavan approached the shop and leaned against the counter, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Chotu, give me a coconut, 250 grams of makhana, and a pack of incense sticks," he said, pulling out the sleek smartphone Chee had gifted him. With a few taps, he transferred 50 rupees for the items. As Chotu handed him the offerings, Pavan added with a grin, "Oh, and tell Uncle Ramu that Pavan was here and said, 'Jai Shri Ram.'"
Chotu's screen-face flickered as it responded in a robotic yet cheeky tone: "I'll tell him, but that'll cost extra."
Pavan raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Extra? You tin can!" he retorted, his voice playful.
Chotu's screen-face mirrored his glare, their standoff lasting only a moment before Pavan suddenly snatched a packet of chocolates from the counter. He turned and bolted up the stairs, laughing as he called out, "Need more extra charges now, tin can?"
Chotu leaned out of the shop, its mechanical arms flailing. "Who are you calling a tin can, you thief!"
Pavan's laughter echoed as he climbed the steps, his pace slowing as exhaustion caught up with him. By the time he reached the final stretch, he was gasping for breath. He bent down, resting his hands on his knees, and muttered to himself, "They really should install an elevator here."
Back at home, Chee, who was monitoring him from afar, smiled at his remark. Her voice, soft and teasing, drifted into his mind: "If they install an elevator, this place would lose its charm. The peace and quiet would be gone."
Pavan chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow as he looked around at the tranquil surroundings. The lush greenery, the gentle hum of nature, and the distant chants from the temple created an atmosphere of calm. "Yeah, that makes sense," he admitted, nodding to himself.
Reaching a nearby water tank, Pavan washed his face and hands, letting the cool water refresh him. He stepped into the temple, the scent of burning incense and marigold garlands filling the air. The priest greeted him with a warm smile, and Pavan handed over the offerings.
Standing before the majestic idol of Lord Hanuman, his hands clasped in prayer, Pavan closed his eyes. His lips moved silently as he poured his heart into his prayer: "Lord, please give me the strength to tell my friends the truth. Help me succeed at Triveni Gurukul and make my family proud."
When he opened his eyes, the priest handed him the prasad, and Pavan accepted it with gratitude. He stepped out of the temple and found a quiet spot under the shade of a large neem tree. Sitting on a bench, he allowed himself to relax, the cool breeze soothing his tired body.
For the first time in days, he felt at peace. The looming conversation with his friends still weighed on him, but in that moment, surrounded by nature and the temple's tranquility, he felt ready to face whatever came next.
To be continued…