Title: The Cave of Time
Ankit and Mohit were best friends who lived in a small, peaceful village. They did everything together—playing games, exploring the forests, and dreaming of grand adventures. One sunny morning, with nothing better to do, they decided to explore the dense jungle on the outskirts of their village.
The jungle was full of towering trees, chirping birds, and rustling leaves. As they ventured deeper, Mohit pointed ahead, "Look, Ankit! What's that?"
In the middle of the dense undergrowth stood a mysterious cave, its entrance shrouded in shadows. The air around it felt strangely cold despite the sun overhead. Curiosity got the better of them. "Let's go inside," said Ankit, trying to sound brave.
Both friends stepped into the cave, lighting their way with a small torch Mohit always carried. As they walked ten steps forward, the air grew heavier, and an eerie silence surrounded them. Suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the cave.
"Did you hear that?" Mohit whispered, his voice trembling.
Ankit nodded, fear flashing in his eyes. "Maybe we should go back..."
Without another word, they turned and sprinted toward the entrance as fast as they could. Bursting out of the cave into the sunlight, they collapsed on the grass, panting.
But something was different.
The wind felt unfamiliar, the village in the distance looked slightly changed, and when they looked at each other, their eyes widened in shock.
Ankit's voice cracked as he stammered, "M-Mohit… you look… older!"
Mohit touched his face and realized his hands looked larger, his body taller and stronger. "You do too!" he replied, stunned. Running to a nearby pond, they saw their reflections.
The two boys—who had only been 10 years old—were now young men, 20 years old.
Confusion and fear overtook them. How could walking into a cave for mere moments make them age ten years? They rushed back to the village, but it was not the same. Familiar faces were older now; some younger kids they knew had grown into teenagers. Even their own families looked different, shocked to see them.
Their parents hugged them in disbelief, "Where have you two been for ten years? We thought you were lost forever!"
But to Ankit and Mohit, it had only been a few minutes.
Days passed, but the mystery of the cave haunted them. Had they stumbled upon a portal through time? Were there other secrets hidden inside the cave if they dared to go deeper?
One evening, Mohit said, "Ankit, what if we go back? Maybe we can find a way to fix this… or at least understand what happened."
Ankit hesitated. The thought of stepping back into that cave terrified him, but curiosity tugged at his mind. "We'll go," he finally said, "but this time, we'll be ready."
And so, the two friends prepared for a new journey—this time not just into the cave, but into a mystery far beyond their understanding.
What secrets would the cave reveal? Only time would tell.