Mid-September – Devgarh & Nandanpur
Distant Rumblings
The storm that had followed them home refused to quiet. By dawn, thunder cracked over Nandanpur, rattling the windows of the Kumar house. The children were up early, trying to study, but every gust of wind seemed to tug at their concentration.
Raghav frowned at the flickering lamp. "Electricity's gone again. Great."
"I'll bring candles," Vrinda offered, already running to the kitchen.
Ishanvi closed her book, palms tingling with warmth. She flexed her fingers under the table. The glow was faint—almost invisible—but enough to make her stomach knot.
Across the veranda, Abhay leaned against the pillar, watching droplets fall from the roof. Instead of splashing onto the ground, they curved, sliding around his shoes as though obeying him.
Their eyes met briefly. The air between them was charged with something beyond the storm.
Simran's Curiosity
By the time they reached Devgarh High, the rain had softened to a drizzle. Simran waited at the gate, waving excitedly at Meera and Vivaan.
"Finally! I thought you'd melt in the rain," she teased.
Vivaan rolled his eyes. "I'd rather melt than miss recess!"
But Simran's playful grin faded when she caught sight of Ishanvi drying her hands. For a heartbeat, she swore steam rose from her fingertips.
Her gaze shifted to Abhay, who shook water from his hair. The droplets seemed to drift sideways, avoiding his shoulders altogether.
Simran blinked hard. "Weird…" she muttered under her breath.
Subtle Questions
During class, a loud crack of thunder made Vrinda jump, nearly spilling ink across her notebook.
"I swear storms hate me," she grumbled.
"They hate everyone," Vaidehi replied, scribbling fast. But her eyes flicked toward Ishanvi, who didn't even flinch at the thunder. Calm. Too calm.
Later, while collecting chalk from the front, Abhay brushed past the window. A bead of water clung to the glass, refusing to slide down—until his hand moved, guiding it. Rehan caught it, his brows knitting.
He whispered to his sister, Rehana. "See that?"
Rehana nodded, eyes narrowing.
After School Shadows
Classes ended early again. The children rode back through Chandravan, mist curling between the trees. Ishanvi's scooter lights flickered over the forest path.
"Feels different today," Vivaan said, clinging to his bag.
"Storm air," Raghav replied. "Always feels heavy before a bigger one."
But Ishanvi knew it wasn't just the storm. Every drop of rain, every shift in the wind, seemed alive—responding to her and Abhay.
Abhay slowed beside her scooter. His voice was low, meant only for her.
"You feel it too, Firefly?"
Her fingers tightened on the handle. "More than yesterday, Ripple."
Behind them, Simran watched from Meera's seat. The way the two spoke in hushed tones, the way the rain curved around them—it wasn't her imagination.
Nightfall Unease
That evening, the families gathered for dinner. The children laughed, teased, and argued over the last roti. Everything seemed normal… but the storm outside pressed against the windows like an uninvited guest.
As lightning lit the courtyard, Ishanvi's reflection caught her off guard. For a split second, her eyes seemed to glow faintly in the glass.
And in the Sharma house across the lane, Abhay dreamt of drowning—not in terror, but in peace. The water carried him, whispering secrets he could almost understand.
The storm wasn't done with them. It had only just begun.