The morning was calm, with sunlight filtering through the windows and birds chirping softly. Kaliyug sat on his bed, lost in thought. Suddenly, faint voices echoed from outside his room. Curious, he got up to investigate and froze in shock—his father's spirit was sitting there, looking at him with a warm smile.
"Good morning, son," his father said gently.
"I'm fine, Dad," Kaliyug replied, though his voice betrayed the weight on his mind.
"You seem preoccupied. What's troubling you?"
"It's nothing," Kaliyug said quickly.
His father chuckled. "Is it about the new girl?"
Kaliyug blinked. "How do you know that?"
"I'm your father. I know more than you think," his father said with a knowing smile.
Kaliyug hesitated but eventually shared his concerns. His father listened patiently before speaking.
"Don't let fear hold you back. Be honest with her. If she truly cares, she'll see your sincerity."
Though still uncertain, Kaliyug took his father's advice. After breakfast, he walked to school with the intention of speaking to Pankhudi.
But something felt off as soon as he arrived. The school grounds were silent, and the halls were empty. As he walked through the building, a sudden whirlwind appeared out of nowhere, ropes tightening around him and trapping him in place. Before he could make sense of it, Pankhudi emerged from the shadows, followed by the rest of the students.
"What's going on?" Kaliyug asked, his voice trembling.
Pankhudi remained silent, her expression unreadable. Then Raghu stepped forward with his group, his eyes full of contempt.
"No powers this time," Raghu sneered. "Let's deal with him ourselves."
The students lunged at Kaliyug, hitting and kicking him relentlessly. Bound and defenseless, he could only endure the pain as his body bruised and blood dripped from his mouth. Through the chaos, his eyes searched for Pankhudi's, but she stood motionless, watching it all unfold.
"Pankhudi…" he whispered, his voice breaking.
She didn't respond. Raghu grabbed Kaliyug's hair, forcing his head back. With a sneer, he delivered another brutal punch, sending Kaliyug to the ground.
Something inside Kaliyug snapped. Tears mixed with anger as he let out a thunderous scream. A powerful force exploded from within him, shattering the ropes and blowing everyone back.
In seconds, he was free, his powers unleashed. The sky darkened, lightning crackled, and Kaliyug's glowing eyes burned with fury. He retaliated with a vengeance, fireballs raining down and the ground shaking beneath them.
The students, overwhelmed by the chaos, tried to fight back, but their attempts only fueled his rage. Raghu stood his ground, but he was no match for Kaliyug's power. Just as Kaliyug prepared to strike Raghu with a massive fireball, Pankhudi stepped forward.
"Look at what you've become," she said firmly. "How can anyone stand by you now?"
Her words cut through his rage. He froze, looking around at the destruction—the injured students, the ruined school, the fear in everyone's eyes.
"You're right," Kaliyug said quietly. "I am a monster."
He turned and walked away, the fire in his eyes extinguished.
Two Days Later
Kaliyug sat at the breakfast table, staring at his plate. His father approached and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Good morning," his father said warmly.
"I'm sorry, Dad," Kaliyug murmured.
"For what?"
Kaliyug thought back to the principal's office after the incident. He had been expelled for the destruction he caused. As he left the school for the last time, he passed Pankhudi in the hall. She looked at him with tear-filled eyes, but he couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze.
"Is my education over now?" Kaliyug asked, bringing himself back to the present.
"No," his father said. "I've arranged for you to attend a school near our old home. It's far from here, and you'll have to live on your own. I can't join you because of my work, but I'll visit as often as I can."
"I don't want to leave you," Kaliyug said.
His father gave him a small smile. "This is a fresh start. Use it wisely."
The next morning, Kaliyug packed his belongings. As he was about to leave, his father teased him lightly.
"Try not to destroy this school," he joked.
"I'll do my best," Kaliyug replied with a faint smile.
"You're not a monster," his father said firmly. "Remember that. You have a good heart. Never forget it."
Kaliyug nodded, his resolve hardening. He hugged a photo of his mother one last time before climbing into the taxi. As it pulled away, he looked back at his father, silently vowing to start over and make things right.
Present Day
Standing before his new friends, Rumi, Jeeva, and Kunal, Kaliyug recounted his story.
"That's why I chose to live without using my powers. I didn't want to become the monster I saw that day."
Jeeva stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"We're with you," he said. "Always."