7:00 AM – Garden(Infront of the house)
Sarvani hummed an old folk tune as she watered the blooming marigolds lining the garden's edge. The early morning sun painted everything gold, and the world felt slow and kind.
Clink! Clink!She gently tapped the watering can to shake out the last drops near a tulsi plant when—
"Namaste, Didi!" a cheerful voice called out from across the low wall.
Sarvani turned with a soft smile. "Om Karki! Up early today?"
A wiry man with messy white hair and the brightest smile in the neighborhood leaned over the wall, holding a small basket of guavas.
"Always! Can't let the birds steal my breakfast," he laughed, tossing a fruit up and catching it. "Here—fresh from my tree!"
Sarvani accepted it graciously. "Thank you. Your guavas are always the sweetest."
Om beamed. "Nature knows how to spoil me. So! Any exciting news in the house lately?"
Sarvani chuckled. "Not much. Just the usual. Little Anvitha and Avantika are keeping me busy. And Shapra's been more active than ever lately."
"Oh? Has he finally joined a sports club?" Om asked, eyes twinkling.
She smiled, keeping it vague. "Something like that."
They chatted for a while about weather, neighborhood gossip, and which flower bloomed better in what season. Om didn't notice that just twenty feet behind Sarvani's back, inside an invisible barrier, a shirtless, sweaty Shapra was getting slammed into the ground by Ridhir's illusions.
8:00 AM – In the Backyard
"AHHHH—my spine!!" Shapra yelled dramatically.
"It's just a fall," Ridhir said, totally calm. "Breathe and get up."
"I am breathing! Through the pain!"
From outside, all anyone would hear was birdsong and the faint rustling of wind. Ridhir's barrier was flawless—no sound, no light, no hint of what was going on within.
12:30 PM – Lunch Time
Sarvani served a light thali for everyone.
Avantika whispered to Anvitha, "Guess what? Aama got flirted with."
Anvitha gasped. "Om Karki again?"
Sarvani rolled her eyes but smiled. "He's just friendly. And nosy."
Shapra limped in and collapsed on his chair. "No more training today. I saw my ancestors."
"No you didn't," Ridhir said, sipping buttermilk. "You only passed out for four minutes."
Everyone laughed.
5:00 PM – Evening Calm
Om Karki passed by again, waving from the gate. "I'm baking guava pie tomorrow! I'll bring some for everyone!"
Avantika called back, "Only if it's not made of just guava!"
He laughed. "No promises!"
As he disappeared around the corner, Sarvani murmured, "He's harmless. But let's keep the training a secret."
Ridhir nodded. "The less people know, the safer they'll be."
Later That Night
Shapra stood under the stars, arms bruised, body sore, but heart content. The day may have been simple on the outside—but within the silent walls of their yard, he was growing stronger.
And somewhere, fate was watching.
To be continued…