The school bus screeched as it stopped, its doors swinging open.
"Avu!" Kunal waved wildly from the front seat.
Avu climbed in and collapsed beside him with a grin.
"Morning, alien," Avu teased, eyeing Kunal's unusually large forehead.
"Shut up," Kunal muttered. "You're the one who eats like a monster."
They laughed as the bus rattled through the narrow roads of Almora.
The back seats were already occupied—the loudest boys sprawled across them like kings. Avu avoided looking their way.
Soon, Sharda Public School came into view.
Class 3.
Small bags.
Smaller worries.
Inside the classroom, Avu and Kunal took their seats. Just as Avu sat down, a voice cut through the chatter.
"Oi! Look who's here."
Avu stiffened.
"Hey, red pig!" Kartik shouted from across the room, smirking.
Laughter followed.
Avu paused for half a second—then ignored him completely and focused on his desk.
Kunal clenched his fists. "You gonna say something?"
Avu shook his head. "Not worth it."
At that moment, Avu didn't realize how small this insult truly was.
Because one day, the world would stop calling him names.
And start calling him a monster.
"Power always demands a price.
Avu just didn't know he would pay it with his heart."