The afternoon sun filtered softly through the classroom windows.
Ashlain sat near the last row, quietly turning the pages of a philosophy book . each word felt like it carried the hidden meaning wanting to be understood.
"Ashlain"
Meera's voice broke his silence. she stood by his desk, smiling
Did you forget ,we have a cricket match with the senior class today.
Ashlain blinked ,then smiled.
"Ah right Thanks meera. I actually i did forget"
Come on then Aarav's already waiting at the ground.
They hurried through the corridors , their footsteps echoing softly.
At the field ,Aarav waved
"You are late ashlain ,The match's about to start"
Their team batted first Aarav and Neil opened with clear strokes . Cheers filled the air
When nail was finally out , ashlain stepped in calm but focused. by the end their team scored 150 runs.
The seniors fought hard but stoped at 140
Ashlain's team was victories.
As the match ended, everyone went home.
Laughter fading with the evening wind.
Later that night,meera called.
"Hey want to go watch the fireworks"
Sure ashlain replied, let's meet at seven.
At the open field, the sky looked like a canvas of Stars.
"The Stars look like pearls scattered across the night,and the moon it's like the sky wearing crown" ,meera whispered.
She turned towards him.Can i ask something
Ashlain looked towards the sky,seeing its beauty and said "sure"
What's your dream
He hesitated ,I... have not decided yet.
Meera smiled. Time's flying, you should decide soon.
Ashlain said don't worry. i will decide when time is right.
She smiled gently, you always say that.
Sometimes i feel like you already know more than you admit.
I only know what I notice,he said softly. and right now, this moment is enough.
The fireworks painted the sky,their reflection simmered in ashlain's calm eyes.
For a brief moment the world seemed to stop.
Just as he turned to live, a strange shadow moved at the edge of the field. a figure moving silently as almost blending with night.
Ashlain blinked, when he looked again, it was gone.
Let's go meera said, unaware
Ashlain shivered , something felt different tonight.
The next morning, sunlight spilled through windows.Ashlain quietly prepared his breakfast before heading to college , philosophy book in hand.
He was so deep in thought he didn't even notice when he reached campus.
From across the courtyard ,meera waved.
Hey where were you lost this time that book must be giving you secret knowledge or something.
Ashlain smile faintly ," maybe or maybe it just shows that how little we understand"
Come on ,meera laughed.class about to start, you don't want to be let again.
They walked together through the corridors,with the soft sound of footsteps echoing,a quite proof of the boud between them.
As they entered classroom, silence fell for a brief moment,and every pair of eyes turned towards them.
They quietly walked to their desks and sat down before teacher could notice their arrival.
After class ended, they parted ways and headed home.
On his way home, ashlain notice a group of strange people walking down the street , Their clothes were dark and they carried weapons with them.
Who they are.he wondered,i have never seen them before and why are they armed.
The group spoke in low tones.
"One of them said, we have to find him.he lives somewhere near this Town—his deed must be judged"
Curiosity stirred in ashlain.he wanted to follow them to know ,who they were but he thought may be they are just some actors rehearsing for some play,he told himself,and kept walking
Unaware of what fate awaited the man they sought.
Later that night, the group found the man . they moved like a shadow , silent and swift, capturing him before anyone noticed.
He was bound in strange place and cried out , who are you why have you brought me here
One stepped forward
Whe have brought you to deliver justice for your deeds.
But"What have i done the man pleaded"
"You have sinned" the figure replied coldly.
Because of your action,many lives were lost.
"It was not sin, it was just a mistake i never meant to anyone die"
The leader's voice grew sharp.
"Every action in this world is tested and weighed on the scales of justice. And when one is found guilty, only justice awaits their fate"
Before the man could speaks again, judgment fell.His scream faded into silence.his body hit the ground
"This world runs on justice. There is no place for forgiveness here"
Ashlain returned home that night, unaware of what had happened.The street was quite.
The town slept.And the world carried on, leaving him lost in thought.