📅 Mid-September – Devgarh & Nandanpur
The Morning Ride
The skies were dark, heavy with swelling clouds. The scooters left Nandanpur at 5:00 a.m. sharp, heading toward Devgarh for the 6 a.m. extra classes.
"Looks like a storm's coming," Aariv muttered, holding his notebook tightly.
"I hope it doesn't rain on our first mock test of the week," Vaidehi added, adjusting her scarf.
Ishanvi rode in front, feeling a strange warmth rising from her palms. Across the lane, Abhay's skin prickled as water droplets hovered in the air around him unnaturally.
First Hints of Power
During the first class, sudden gust rattled the windows. A metal ruler fell from the shelf toward Meera.
Without thinking, Ishanvi's hand shot out, and a faint heat glowed around her fingertips. The ruler slowed in midair, landing gently on the desk.
Abhay, sitting opposite her, noticed a small puddle forming near the window. The drops swirled around his hand, refraining from touching anyone.
The siblings and Simran noticed something — but didn't say anything. Only Rehan and Rehana exchanged curious looks.
Recess Chaos and Bonding
At break, the drizzle began. Vivaan and Meera ran toward the puddles, splashing around. Simran joined, laughing, while Raghav tried to keep his new shoes dry.
Ishanvi jogged to help Meera slip on the wet ground, but as she touched her, a tiny wave of heat rose from her hand — Meera didn't feel it, but Ishanvi noticed the glow.
Abhay helped Vivaan steady himself near the pond. Water rippled unnaturally, moving around him instead of splashing.
Simran gasped quietly, nudging Rehan:
"Something's… different about them."
Ishanvi smiled faintly at Abhay.
"Calm, Ripple?"
"Always," he replied, voice soft, hiding the awe in his eyes.
Class Dynamics & Teasing
Back in class, Rehan whispered to Rehana:
"Did you see that? Heat and… water?"
"Yeah… it's subtle, but obvious if you know them."
The younger siblings teased freely as usual. Vrinda whispered to Vaidehi, "They act like normal, but I saw Ishanvi's hand glow!"
Even Simran joined in playfully, teasing Abhay, who flushed but stayed calm around others — only stuttering when Ishanvi complimented him later.
The Storm Builds
By afternoon, thunder rumbled closer, and wind gusted across the playground. Teachers dismissed students early for safety.
The eight rode back to Nandanpur together. On the scooters, small touches of power manifested: heat warming cold hands, droplets hovering and avoiding the children entirely.
"Do you feel it too?" Ishanvi asked Abhay as they rode side by side.
"Yes… it's stronger now," he whispered.
Evening Reflection
At home, the children discussed the day, teasing and laughing as always.
"You two are acting weird today," Raghav said, looking between Ishanvi and Abhay.
"We're fine!" Abhay stuttered when Ishanvi smiled at him.
Simran laughed, "Yeah, fine… sure!"
Later, watching the rain from the veranda, Ishanvi and Abhay shared a quiet glance. Their powers were awakening, and the bond between them was more undeniable than ever.
"Storm's only going to get stronger," Ishanvi murmured.
"And so are we," Abhay replied."