Chapter Five: The Breath Between Worlds
As soon as Arpit exited the coaching building, his pace quickened. He moved directly toward the teachers' parking area, flanked by Raman and Ansh. Without saying much, he pressed a button on his key fob, and the sleek white Rolls Royce Mansory greeted him with a smooth mechanical hiss, its doors unlocking with elegance.
"Get in," Arpit said calmly.
Raman and Ansh exchanged wide-eyed glances but didn't hesitate.
The moment the doors closed, Arpit started the engine and rolled out of the lot.
The city blurred around them.
"I'm in a bit of a mood," Arpit said suddenly. "Call your parents. Tell them you'll be late tonight. You're coming to my place first."
"Uh… okay," Ansh said, pulling out his phone. "Hello, Mom? Yeah, I'm with Arpit… Yeah, group study. Coaching doubts. I'll be late."
Raman was already saying something similar to his dad.
Both looked at Arpit after ending the calls. "We're cleared. What now?"
Arpit grinned. "Something that's been on our bucket list for a while."
He tapped the car's console and set the GPS to Tigra Dam, located on the route to Morena. When the location appeared, both Raman and Ansh gasped.
"No way!" Raman shouted.
"Tigra Dam?! Bro, that's literally the first thing on our 'Three Bros Adventure' list!"
They laughed and pretended to hug and kiss Arpit, who rolled his eyes and hit the accelerator.
The road stretched long and quiet, the stormy skies rolling gently above. After a scenic 46-kilometer drive, they finally arrived.
It was July—the monsoon had transformed the dam into something magical. Lush green hills surrounded the glistening reservoir. The smell of wet soil, the cool breeze, and the distant calls of birds painted a perfect scene.
They stepped out.
Even the simple act of exiting a Rolls Royce caught a few wandering eyes. Arpit, ever cautious, pulled his hoodie up and handed caps to Raman and Ansh.
"Let's keep things chill."
They locked the car and walked toward the shoreline. There, three jet skis rested like mechanical stallions.
Before Arpit could say anything, Ansh rushed forward. "We're renting these!"
He paid the vendor for all three. Arpit, smiling, quietly took out his card and upgraded the rental—two full hours.
Within minutes, they were skimming across the surface of the dam, engines roaring.
Ansh zipped dangerously close to the rocks before making a sharp turn.
Raman attempted to stand on his jet ski mid-ride, flailing and splashing down into the water with a loud yelp.
Arpit spun in tight circles, spraying water high into the air before shooting forward like a bullet. They screamed, laughed, and pulled wild stunts, forgetting the world.
Until—
Arpit, scanning the horizon, noticed something odd.
A figure. Splashing. Struggling.
Someone was drowning.
His instincts took over.
He gunned the throttle and raced toward the figure.
As he approached, the shape grew clearer—a girl, young, maybe his age. Her arms flailed, her head bobbed beneath the water.
Without a second thought, Arpit leapt from the jet ski.
The cold water wrapped around him like a vice. He dove deep, his eyes locking on her sinking silhouette.
She had long, jet-black hair that spread like ink in the water. Her skin was pale, her frame delicate. Her eyes, half-closed, hinted at a fading consciousness. A single silver bracelet glinted on her wrist.
Fighting the pressure building in his lungs, Arpit reached her. He grabbed her hand—cold, lifeless—and pulled her to him.
But she was slipping. Drowning bodies were heavier than they seemed.
With a burst of adrenaline, Arpit wrapped one arm around her and, using his t-shirt, tied her securely to his back. Then, he kicked upward, muscles burning, vision blurring.
The surface felt miles away.
He screamed silently underwater, lungs screaming for air.
Finally—
Gasp!
He broke the surface.
Dragging her limp body onto the jet ski, he collapsed for a second, breathing hard. His head pounded from the lack of oxygen. His limbs shook from the effort.
But she was still unresponsive.
"No. No no no."
He placed her gently across the jet ski and began emergency CPR.
"One… two… three…"
He tilted her head, pinched her nose, and gave a breath.
Nothing.
Again.
Another breath.
Suddenly, she coughed violently and pushed him away with force. Arpit fell back onto the waterlogged seat.
She gasped, her eyes wide. "You… you kissed me?!"
Arpit blinked. "I saved your life. That was CPR."
Her face flushed with color. For a moment, she looked stunned—angry, confused… and something else.
Then, under her breath, she muttered, "So… my first kiss…"
She looked at Arpit again.
"…was to my savior."
[End of Chapter Five]