New Character Introduction
Ashwara (Aashu) – Age: 9
Yami (Aashu's Aunt) – Age: 19
Rahuya – Age: 9
Upali – Age: 8
Guruji – Age: Late 40s
The morning sun rose gently over the quiet village, spilling golden light across the thatched roofs and fields. Mist still clung low to the earth, vanishing slowly with each warm breath of daylight.
Inside a modest hut, Vajji stirred awake. He washed, bathed quickly in the cool water from the clay pot, and prepared himself for the day. With practiced ease, he cut fresh vegetables, bundled them neatly, and returned home after sipping a hot, refreshing cup of tea. The day had begun like countless others—yet, somewhere else, a very different morning was unfolding.
At the same time, in another place—
Ashwara (Aashu) crept barefoot through the wooden corridors of his gurucool. His two mischievous friends, Rahuya and Upali, hovered near the doorway, their faces twisted with nervous excitement.
"Alright…" Aashu whispered, "I'll go inside and get the stick. You two—guard the door. If Guruji comes, warn me immediately."
"Done!" Rahuya grinned.
"Okay… let's go!" Upali nodded.
Aashu slipped into the dim hut. Shelves lined with scrolls, pots of ink, and wooden slates loomed around him. He searched—opening drawers, peeking behind shelves, crawling under tables. But the stick was nowhere.
Outside, Rahuya whispered urgently, "Aashu! Did you find it?"
"Not yet… just give me a minute."
But then—footsteps. Heavy. Echoing closer.
"Someone's coming!" Rahuya panicked.
"Hurry up!" Upali hissed.
Aashu's eyes darted around. Behind a wooden board—something! He reached for it, trembling fingers brushing against it… only to find not a stick, but a writhing snake.
"Ahhh!" he gasped, dropping it.
At that exact moment, Guruji appeared, dragging Rahuya and Upali by their ears. The boys cried out in pain.
"Aashu! Save us!" they shouted.
"I-I didn't do anything!" Aashu stammered.
Guruji raised his brows. "Oh? So you weren't here to steal my stick?"
"Of course not!" Aashu blurted. "I just… came for extra lessons!"
"Yes! Extra lessons, Guruji!" Rahuya and Upali chimed desperately.
Guruji smirked darkly. "So eager to study, hmm? Then take your first lesson… from my stick!"
The wooden staff rose high in slow motion.
"Nooooo, Guruji!" Aashu cried—
CRACK!
The dream shattered.
Aashu's eyes flew open. He was back in his own bed, clutching his aching head. Over him stood Yami, his Aunt, wielding a wooden ladle like a weapon.
"Why are you hitting me!?" Aashu groaned.
"Because you're late for gurucool," Yami grinned. With a mischievous tug, she yanked his bedding, sending him tumbling to the floor with a thud.
She laughed. Loud. Unapologetic.
"You… old lady," Aashu muttered, rubbing his head.
Her laughter froze. "What did you just call me?"
"You heard me. Old… lady." He smirked, half-teasing.
"HNnnn!" WHACK! The ladle cracked down again.
A swollen bump rose instantly. The comedy of it would have made even the gods chuckle.
Later that morning, the two sat cross-legged, sharing a simple meal of poha and tea. Yami's cheeks puffed in mock anger while Aashu ate casually, ignoring the bump throbbing on his head.
Their mother entered, her smile warm as sunlight.
"My, my," she said cheerfully. "What a pretty day it is."
The quarrel froze, if only for a moment.
Dust rose from the village road as they walked toward town. Yami balanced a basket of vegetables gracefully on her head. Aashu trudged behind, dragging his feet like a lazy bullock.
"Walk properly, Aashu," Yami scolded. "You're not a snake to crawl like that."
"Why do I even have to go? Gurucool is boring," he yawned.
"Because Guruji said if you skip again, he'll tie you to the tree!" she snapped.
Aashu smirked. "Better than walking with you, old lady."
WHACK! She bonked him with the basket handle.
"Say that again, and you'll be eating raw brinjals for Dinner!"
He rubbed his head, sulking… then muttered softly, almost to himself:
"…But I like walking with you."
Yami froze. Just for a heartbeat. Her cheeks warmed, but she quickly masked it with an eye-roll.
"Idiot," she muttered, hiding her smile.
The narrow road spilled into a bustling marketplace alive with voices, smells, and colors. Vendors shouted prices. Children darted between cows. Oil crackled in frying pans, filling the air with the fragrance of snacks.
Aashu wrinkled his nose. "So noisy… and smells weird."
"That's the smell of work, lazy boy," Yami replied, faintly smiling.
But their peace was short-lived.
From a dark corner, a group of drunken men laughed crudely, their eyes sharp and dangerous.
"Oiii… look at her," one slurred. "Like a lotus in the mud."
"Come with us, girl," another jeered. "We'll make you queen of our hut."
Yami lowered her gaze, clutching the basket, walking faster.
But Aashu saw. His fists tightened.
"Did you hear that!?" "Let me fight them!"
"No, Aashu," Yami whispered firmly. "Ignore them."
But the leader stepped forward, grabbing her wrist. His voice oozed with filth.
"Soft hands… I wonder what else you hide soft inside."
Yami's face went pale. She tried to pull away, lips trembling—but silence bound her.
And then—Aashu's voice exploded.
"HEY! Donkey-face! Cow-dung head! Let go of her, or I'll break your teeth!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Yami jerked her hand free, clutching Aashu's tightly.
"Quiet, Aashu… come," she whispered.
But he shouted again, fury blazing:
"Next time, I'll smash your face!"
She dragged him into the crowd, their shadows swallowed by the market's chaos. The bullies laughed, but their leader cracked his knuckles, eyes dark with promise.
"We'll see that brat again…" he growled.
The noise of the market faded behind them. Yami's steps were quicker now, her face tight with unspoken fear. Aashu trailed beside her, still seething.
"Don't tell your father about this," Yami murmured.
"Why would I?" Aashu spat. "He won't do anything anyway."
Her heart clenched at the bitterness in his voice, but she said nothing. Only gripped the basket tighter.
Soon, they reached the wooden cart stacked with shining vegetables. Vajji stood tall, arranging spinach bundles, his face cheerful.
"Arre! Good morning! You came early today, ha!" he beamed.
"Thanks to me," Yami replied, relieved. "Otherwise, this lazy fellow would be late again."
Aashu made a face. "Ya, ya… whatever."
Vajji chuckled, shaking his head. Yami handed him the basket, and Aashu picked up his small cloth bag for gurucool.
"Fine, I'm going," Aashu muttered, then added with a grin, "Bye!"
Without waiting, he jogged off, leaving the market behind with his heart already carrying a storm.