Morning arrived, and the school was buzzing with activity. Children gathered around decorated stalls, excited for the annual festival. Everyone seemed busy with preparations, but Kaliyug sat quietly under a tree, far from the crowd. He preferred solitude.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called his name. Kaliyug turned to see Pankhuri standing before him.
"Kaliyug, it's my dance performance today, and you're sitting here?" she asked.
"I don't like crowds," Kaliyug replied. "You go ahead." He started walking away, but Pankhuri grabbed his hand.
Without saying a word, she placed his hand on her waist. As Kaliyug tried to speak, she gently pressed her finger to his lips and smiled.
"I know you're not who you pretend to be," she said.
Then, she began to sway gracefully, drawing Kaliyug into a spontaneous dance. Kaliyug couldn't take his eyes off her, his affection for her deepening. He felt he could face the world for her. Eventually, he joined her in the dance, his movements matching hers.
But as Pankhuri's voice echoed again, Kaliyug snapped out of his thoughts and stepped back.
"Why are you so afraid of everyone?" Pankhuri teased, laughing.
"I have my reasons," Kaliyug muttered, stopping himself from saying more.
"I know you're not the strongest, that's why you keep to yourself," Pankhuri said softly. "But I like that about you. You have a good heart." She hugged him briefly before pulling away.
"I wish I could tell you the truth, Pankhuri," Kaliyug thought. "But if I do, you'll misunderstand me, and I can't lose you."
"Come watch me dance," Pankhuri said before leaving, her presence lingering like sand slipping through his fingers.
Later that day…
Backstage, Pankhuri searched anxiously for Kaliyug but couldn't find him. The announcement for her dance had already been made. With a heavy heart, she stepped onto the stage.
As she prepared to perform, she spotted Kaliyug emerging from the crowd. Relief and joy lit up her face, and she began dancing with renewed energy. Her smile was infectious, and the audience couldn't help but cheer for her.
In the crowd, Raghu scowled. Furious, he stormed off when Pankhuri playfully winked at Kaliyug.
Suddenly, Pankhuri slipped and fell. The audience erupted in laughter. Embarrassed, she began to leave, but Kaliyug stepped onto the stage. His presence silenced the crowd.
The music resumed, and Kaliyug extended his hand to Pankhuri. They danced together, mesmerizing everyone. When they finished, the audience erupted in applause. Kaliyug gently held Pankhuri's hand and led her backstage.
"Thank you, Kaliyug," Pankhuri said, smiling through her tears.
"There's no need to thank me," he replied, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
"You're amazing," she said, laughing softly. "Let me go change." She walked away, leaving Kaliyug deep in thought.
"Should I tell her how I feel?" he wondered, sitting alone.
Just then, he overheard a group of boys talking about Pankhuri. Their crude remarks filled him with rage.
"What a beauty she is!" one said.
"Imagine just one night with her," another added, laughing.
Kaliyug clenched his fists, his anger boiling over.
Meanwhile, Pankhuri ran into Raghu.
"Raghu? What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I need to talk to you," he said, avoiding her gaze.
"About what?"
"Kaliyug has been lying to you," Raghu claimed. "He's not who you think he is."
"What are you talking about?" Pankhuri demanded.
"He's dangerous. He only pretends to be kind, but he's a bully who uses his power to hurt others," Raghu said firmly.
"I don't believe you," Pankhuri said, her voice shaking.
"Then let me prove it," Raghu said, leading her to the other side of the school.
There, Kaliyug confronted the boys he had overheard. His fury was unmistakable.
"Forgive us, Kaliyug!" one stammered.
But Kaliyug didn't listen. He hurled them aside and glared at them.
"If you ever talk about Pankhuri like that again—"
"Kaliyug!" Pankhuri's voice interrupted him.
Kaliyug turned to see her standing with Raghu.
"I didn't know you were this kind of person," she said, tears streaming down her face. "You betrayed me."
"Pankhuri, it's not what it looks like—"
"Don't say anything!" she shouted and ran off.
Kaliyug watched her go, his heart heavy with despair.
That evening, Raghu and his friends gathered the students in the auditorium. Pankhuri, still distraught, joined them.
"We have to stand up to Kaliyug," she declared. "Together, we can stop him!"
The students cheered, united in their resolve. Meanwhile, Raghu and his friends smirked in the shadows.
"Tomorrow, Kaliyug will fall," Raghu said with a sinister grin.
Under a torrential downpour, Kaliyug walked aimlessly through the streets, his mind clouded with guilt.
"Maybe this is all my fault," he whispered.
A little girl approached him, holding a small umbrella.
"Sir, bend down," she said.
Kaliyug knelt, and the girl held the umbrella over him.
"Thank you," he said, smiling faintly.
"You're Kaliyug, right?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, confused.
"Thank you for saving my brother from those bullies," she said. "You're a good person."
Her words touched Kaliyug deeply.
"Sometimes, we have to bow to the relationships that matter most," he thought. "Tomorrow, I'll make things right with Pankhuri."
With renewed determination, he walked into the night.