📅 30th August, Wednesday – Devgarh
The Morning Ride
The rain had softened overnight, but the roads were still glistening and slick. On their four scooters, the ten of them rode steadily towards Devgarh—first dropping Rehan and Rehana's extra bag at the school gate, then parking under the shed.
Simran was already waiting at the entrance, waving.
"You guys look like a motorbike gang!" she laughed.
"A drenched gang," Vivaan grumbled, shaking water off his jacket.
Extra Classes and Quiet Sparks
The 6 a.m. extra classes dragged on with mock test discussions. But Ishanvi barely heard the teacher. She could feel the strange heat in her palms again—mild, but enough to make her hide her hands under the desk.
Across the room, Abhay felt drops of water hovering unnaturally on his skin. He caught her glance and knew—they were both feeling it.
The Power Cut
By late afternoon, the skies darkened. Thunder rolled over Devgarh. During a science lab session, the power suddenly cut out, leaving only the flashes of lightning through the windows.
A deafening crack split the sky, and a bolt struck the metal fence just outside the building. Instinctively, Abhay pulled Ishanvi close, shielding her as if something inside him was warning of danger.
The others noticed.
"Wow, bhaiya," Vaidehi teased, "protecting her like a hero, huh?"
"Ooooh," Meera and Simran chorused, giggling.
Ishanvi, flustered but smiling, murmured, "Thanks, Ripple…"
Abhay, turning red, whispered back, "D-Don't… Firefly. Not here."
Rehan & Rehana's Observations
Later during the break, Rehan nudged Rehana.
"Did you see that? The way they move—it's like they're connected somehow."
Rehana nodded. "Something's… different about them. And not just the stuttering."
Simran overheard and grinned.
"Oh, you have no idea," she teased.
After School
The ride home was quieter. The storm had eased but the air felt heavy, charged with tension.
In Nandanpur, after dropping Simran home, Ishanvi and Abhay helped Rehan and Rehana settle their luggage—they'd stay one more night before heading back to their parents.
While putting away a box in the storeroom, Abhay tripped over a bucket and accidentally fell against Ishanvi, his hands brushing hers. For a second, her skin glowed faintly under his touch.
"Abhay…" she whispered.
"I… I don't know what's happening to us," he said, eyes wide.
The Night Storm
That night, lightning struck far off near the Sudarshini river. The families gathered inside, sharing hot khichdi while the younger kids played cards.
But Ishanvi and Abhay kept glancing out the window, the sound of rain mixing with the hum of their hearts.
Something was changing.