The Unknown Peace – Chapter 1: The Spark of Change
Aarav, a quiet boy from the slums, walks home from school. Just outside the school gates, three bullies stand waiting. Their leader, Arjun, smirks and calls out, "Oye haddi! Come here."
Aarav walks toward them hesitantly. In that moment, he narrates to the reader:
> "I don't hate school. I just hate the kind of people who act strong by making others feel weak."
As he approaches, Arjun's sidekicks flank Aarav from both sides. Aarav keeps his head low, silent.
Arjun sneers, "What's up, loser? Why so quiet?" He turns to his boys. "Look at this clown. Did a snake bite his tongue?"
Then, coldly, Arjun orders, "Go get us three cigarettes."
Aarav silently walks off.
> "Ever since I joined this school, I've been nothing but a target," Aarav reflects to himself.
At the local shop, he mumbles, "Umm… Three cigarettes, please."
The shopkeeper asks, "Which ones?"
Aarav thinks sadly, "Last time they asked for Gold Flake… but they still beat me."
"Three advance," Aarav says hesitantly. The shopkeeper hands them over but grumbles:
> "Kids these days… The moment they leave school, they're already hooked."
As Aarav walks back, he notices a narrow alley. A boy and a girl walk out of it. Behind them, seven or eight older boys stand in a line, watching. As the couple steps away, Aarav gives the girl a brief, melancholic smile.
He reaches the bullies again.
Aarav (to Arjun): "Here are your cigarettes."
Arjun looks at the pack, frowns, and without warning, punches Aarav in the stomach.
"You idiot! You didn't even get the right ones."
Suddenly, a figure walks in — the same boy Aarav saw with the girl earlier. His name is Vansh, though most call him Vanshu Bhai.
Vanshu: "What's going on here?"
Arjun quickly bows and lies, "This guy… he was harassing a girl. I was just teaching him a lesson."
Vanshu looks at Aarav. Aarav looks back. Then, without a word, Vanshu strikes Arjun down.
His right-hand man steps in and knocks Arjun's sidekicks to the ground.
Aarav is shocked and a bit frightened. Vanshu turns to him:
> "Flirting's fine. But don't harass. Got it?"
Then Vanshu grins and says, "I've got a date today. You guys go home."
Arjun nods in fear. "Y-yes…"
Aarav notices the girl watching from a distance — the same one from earlier. He freezes. She's not just any girl — she's Priya, his childhood friend.
Moments later, Vanshu walks over to her and says, "Let's go to my place."
Aarav stands in silence, his mind drifting to a distant memory — a promise made under the sun.
---
Flashback:
Priya: "Aarav, when we grow up… let's get married, okay?"
Aarav (laughing): "Yeah. Okay."
---
Back in the present, Aarav sighs.
> "Those were just childhood dreams… nothing more."
At home, Aarav's mother greets him warmly. She has a kind face and a graceful presence.
Mom: "You're back, beta. I made dinner — check the fridge."
Aarav eats at the table when suddenly his phone buzzes.
Buzz. Buzz.
Mom: "Beta, your phone's ringing."
Aarav (while eating): "Please check, mom. I'm busy."
She picks it up. It's an unknown number.
Mom: "Hello?"
Unknown: "Is this Aarav's house? I'm calling on behalf of his father's old company."
Mom freezes. "This is Mina, his wife. My husband… is no longer with us."
Unknown: "Ahh… no worries, bhabhi ji. I was his colleague — also a childhood friend. Just wanted to ask how Aarav is doing in school."
Mom: "He studies better at home than at school. He says the school environment isn't great."
As she speaks, Aarav overhears the name —
> "Suryavanshi Academy."
---
Flashback:
A year ago, officials from Suryavanshi Academy visited Aarav's school. A tall man in a suit, 6'2", walked into the classroom carrying brochures.
"Hello, students. You've all heard of Suryavanshi Academy, right?" he said.
"It's the most prestigious school in Asia. Handpicked by the Indian government to produce the best minds."
He handed out fee structures:
Year 1: ₹1.5 lakh
Year 2: ₹1.75 lakh
Year 3: ₹2 lakh
Year 4: ₹2.25 lakh
The students were shocked.
Priya turned to Aarav: "Next year, I'm applying there."
Flashback ends.
---
Back in the present — Aarav asks his mom, "Who was that?"
Mom: "Someone from your father's old company. He said he'll sponsor your admission into Suryavanshi Academy."
Aarav: "No, mom. We can't afford it. It's too much."
Mom: "They said they'll pay for all four years. It's a rare opportunity. That academy is world-class."
Aarav thinks deeply.
> "Is this fate… or another trap?"
Mom smiles: "Just fill the online form. We'll take care of the rest."
Aarav: "Alright… Okay, Mom."
---
End of Chapter 1: The Spark of Change