Tuesday, 15th August – Independence Day
🇮🇳 Flag Hoisting and Patriotic Cheers
Devgarh School glowed with tri-color flags fluttering.
Children in white, orange, and green danced on the field. Speeches, songs, poetry, and proud parents filled the campus.
Ishanvi led the march-past; Abhay held the school flag.
Their smiles were genuine — but inside, both felt something was… not normal.
As the national anthem ended, Ishanvi's hand tingled. She looked down — a soft warmth pulsed in her fingers.
Abhay, holding the flag, felt a coldness drip down his arm. Water from the pole?
No. There was no leak.
Just them.
Again.
🛑 The Incident
During the cultural events, a student backstage pulled the wrong curtain.
The pole slipped, swinging toward Meera and Vivaan.
In a blink—
—a blast of hot air and steam flew past, melting the edge of the pole.
Nobody saw it clearly — just confusion and teachers rushing in.
But Simran saw.
She saw Ishanvi's eyes glow faintly red.
She saw Abhay clutch his wrist, dripping water.
"I KNEW it," she whispered.
🌙 The Confrontation
Later, behind the old sports room, Simran blocked Ishanvi's way.
"You're not normal. Neither is Abhay. I saw what happened during the fire.
And today. Tell me the truth."
Ishanvi stayed still. Abhay came beside her.
"You won't understand," he said, voice quiet.
"Try me," Simran replied.
They didn't answer.
But the silence was loud.
"I'm not scared of you," Simran said. "I think you're amazing.
But… why are you hiding it from us?"
Ishanvi looked away.
Abhay swallowed hard.
"Because we don't understand it either."
🛵 Going Home
After school, the eight walked out together. Laughing, teasing, waving their flags.
Ishanvi and Simran rode with Meera on the scooter.
Abhay, Aariv, Vivaan, and the others rode together.
Nearby the school road, Simran hopped off and waved goodbye.
"Don't keep secrets forever, okay?" she whispered to Ishanvi.
Ishanvi smiled softly.
"When we understand it… you'll be the first to know."
Simran nodded and walked down her street — her house just two lanes from school, a cozy two-floor building with wind chimes on the porch.
😴 That Night — The Dream
Abhay couldn't sleep. Neither could Ishanvi.
In their separate homes, both had the same dream.
A cave.
A temple.
Two glowing stones: One red, one blue.
A man in shadows saying:
"The balance must not break. Fire and Water… must rise together. Or fall together."
Then everything blurred into waves and flames.
They woke up sweating.