Chapter 8: Bonds and Revelations
College Football Ground
The afternoon sun beat down on the bustling football field, where a friendly but intense match was underway. Laughter and competitive shouts filled the air as friends dashed across the green turf. Among them, Nivan played with a determined energy, perhaps trying to outrun the shadows that had clung to him since morning.
During a particularly aggressive play, Nivan stretched for a tricky pass, his fingers just brushing the ball when his foot caught on an uneven patch of grass. He stumbled forward with a sharp cry, landing hard on his ankle.
"Ayy! It hurts…" he gasped, clutching his foot as searing pain shot up his leg.
Almost before the words had left his mouth, Ruhan was at his side, his face etched with concern. "Hey man, you okay?" he asked, his voice soft but urgent. Without waiting for an answer, he gently took Nivan's foot in his hands, examining the already swelling ankle. "Let's get you off the field and apply some medicine."
Nivan's cheeks flushed with a mixture of pain and embarrassment. "It's nothing… just a minor injury…" he mumbled, trying to wave it off.
But Ruhan was already rummaging through his backpack, pulling out a small, well-stocked first-aid kit. He worked with a quiet efficiency, applying a cooling cream with gentle, circular motions before carefully wrapping the ankle in a clean bandage. His touch was surprisingly sure and comforting.
Nivan watched him, the pain ebbing slightly under his friend's ministration. A small, grateful smile touched his lips. "Thanks, Ruhan…"
Ruhan looked up, his own smile warm and reassuring. "Hey, this is what friends are for. Don't worry about it."
From the sidelines, Ishika watched the entire exchange, her arms crossed. A slight frown creased her forehead as she observed Ruhan's unwavering focus on Nivan. Hmm… she thought, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. Why does Ruhan keep rushing to Nivan's side?
Their moment was soon interrupted as Neerav and Anvesh came jogging over, water bottles in hand, their faces full of concern.
"Nivan, you okay, right?" Neerav asked, his usual cheerful tone replaced by genuine worry.
Anvesh nodded in agreement. "Yeah, don't strain too much. We can continue the match later."
Soon, Kavya, Nisha, and Sadhya had also gathered around, their playful jokes and light laughter doing more to lift Nivan's spirits than any medicine could. "Come on, champion, let's get you seated," Sadhya said, helping him to a nearby bench amidst everyone's chuckles.
Surrounded by this wall of support, Nivan's smile finally reached his eyes. The pain was still there, but it was overshadowed by a profound sense of belonging. After a few minutes of rest and reassurance, he insisted on standing up. "The match isn't over yet," he declared, taking the ball.
With cheers and friendly taunts, everyone returned to their positions. The game resumed, the earlier incident forgotten in the renewed spirit of competition.
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Chapter 9: The Hypnosis Session
Dr. Bhargav's Clinic - The Next Morning
The following day, Nivan woke before dawn, a knot of anxiety already tight in his stomach. He left the hostel without telling anyone, the silent streets echoing the solitude he felt. His heart hammered against his ribs—today, he would learn the secret of his dreams.
He entered the clinic slightly breathless. "Sorry, Doctor, I couldn't make it yesterday..."
Dr. Bhargav, a picture of calm in his serene office, simply gestured to a chair. "It's okay, Nivan. Today, we will proceed with the therapy and hypnosis. Are you ready?"
"Okay, Doctor," Nivan replied, his voice barely a whisper.
"Come, lie down here," the doctor instructed, pointing to a reclining chair designed for such sessions.
Nivan settled into the chair, his body tense. Dr. Bhargav began the process, using a swinging pendulum and his own steady, compelling voice to guide Nivan into a hypnotic state. The world slowly faded away, replaced by the landscape of his subconscious.
"Tell me, Nivan," Dr. Bhargav's voice floated into his mind, slow and deliberate. "What do you see in your dreams? Why do you see them? Tell me in detail..."
Under hypnosis, Nivan's voice became a flat, distant monotone. "I... I see many dreams every day... where someone keeps burning someone else..."
"Remember carefully, Nivan. Tell me in detail what you see."
A subtle pain flickered across Nivan's face. "I see... a boy... his clothes are black... he looks like he's a king or a prince from somewhere... He has long hair, a radiant face. He's tall and broad, dressed in royal attire. There's a small crown on his head and a sword at his waist... a tilak on his forehead and a small locket around his neck... a red thread on his wrist... He smiles at me as if... as if he knows me."
"Tell me more, Nivan. What else do you see?"
The images shifted behind his closed eyelids. "And... and I see that... I am in an old Gurukul... I am wearing beautiful clothes, white and golden, like a merchant's son... I am receiving education there... and... and that same boy is there with me—the one who cuts his own throat in my dreams. We are together in the Gurukul... learning horse riding... and I... I fell from the horse! I'm falling down a hill! Save me! Save me!"
Nivan's body began to thrash on the chair, his breathing becoming ragged and panicked.
"Nivan, get up! Nivan, come back! Nivan, get up now!" Dr. Bhargav's voice was sharp and commanding as he quickly guided him out of the trance.
He splashed cold water on Nivan's face. Nivan jolted upright, gasping for air, his body drenched in a cold sweat and his heart pounding as if he had truly just survived a fall.
"Doctor... what happened?" he panted, disoriented.
"You saw something you couldn't handle, Nivan. You saw yourself falling from a great height. The fear was so real it triggered a physical panic response."
"Did I fall from a hill?" Nivan asked, his voice full of shock and confusion.
"Yes, Nivan, that's what your mind showed you. Don't panic. You need to rest now. We will continue the next session later, okay?"
"Okay, Doctor," Nivan mumbled, shakily getting to his feet and stumbling out of the clinic.
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The Warning
As Nivan stepped out into the daylight, the world seemed too bright, too loud. His mind was a whirlwind of royal attire, Gurukul lessons, and the terrifying sensation of falling. He pulled out his phone, his hands still trembling, and saw the screen flooded with missed calls—all from Ruhan. A wave of guilt mixed with his confusion.
Just as he was about to call back, the phone buzzed with a new message. It was from an unknown number.
Unknown Sender: "We know you visited the doctor. Stop digging into the past. The fire you see in your dreams can become very real. Forget. Or everyone will remember."
Nivan's blood ran cold. He stared at the screen, the words searing into his mind. He wasn't just uncovering a past life; he was being watched in this one. The danger was no longer a ghost in his sleep; it was a tangible threat in his waking world.
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