"Zenes… they're not supposed to exist."
The thought crossed his father's mind—and then disappeared.
Vivaan didn't know any of that.
"Vivaan… wake up. You'll be late," his mother said.
"Mom… not today," he murmured, pulling the blanket over his head.
"It's already seven. You'll be late," she said. "And take your B12—you forgot yesterday."
"Take it regularly, Vivaan… we don't want a repeat."
Vivaan sat up suddenly.
"Seven? Why didn't you wake me earlier?"
"I did," she said. "You just didn't get up."
Still half-awake, he rushed out of the room toward the washroom.
Brushing quickly, he stepped into the shower.
A moment later, he was humming—holding the soap like a mic, moving slightly to his own rhythm.
"Vivaan!" his mother called out. "It's already 7:15."
"And take your B12 today—even if you skip breakfast!"
When he came out, his father was already at the table.
He was eating quickly… faster than usual, avoiding eye contact.
"You're late," he said, not looking up.
Vivaan paused. Something felt… off.
"I'm not late. There's still time," he said. "I'll just take my B12 and go."
His father didn't respond. He just kept eating.
A moment later, he stood up, washed his hands, and walked over.
He pulled Vivaan into a brief hug.
"Be safe," he said quietly.
His father stepped out of the house.
A moment later, his mother walked in.
"He doesn't hug much these days," Vivaan said.
She paused for a second.
"Hmm… not really," she replied. "Something's been on his mind."
"I'll skip breakfast," he said, grabbing his bag.
"At least take your B12," his mother replied.
He picked it up without thinking.
He grabbed his bag and stepped out.
A moment later, the bike engine started.
He didn't look back.
Vivaan reached the college and parked his bike.
"You're late," Anika said.
He turned toward her.
"Oh, I'm late—" he stopped.
"Wait… if I'm late, why are you still here?"
Anika smiled. "Guess that makes me late too."
Vivaan smiled back.
"You took your B12?" she asked. "I heard people explode if they don't."
Vivaan frowned. "Explode?"
She nodded, still smiling.
"I don't believe that," he said.
"Whatever," Anika said. "Come on, let's go to class."
As they walked toward the class, Anika said,
"Hey, did you hear yesterday's news? That doctor just increased the B12 dose again."
Vivaan didn't respond. His steps slowed for a moment.
Even she knows, he thought.
They hurried toward the classroom as the bell was about to ring.
"We're definitely late," Anika said.
They reached the classroom just as the bell rang.
Both of them slowed down, relieved.
Anika went to her bench. Vivaan took his seat beside Araj.
"Late again, huh?" Araj said.
"Not really," Vivaan replied, settling in.
Arnav leaned back in his chair. "You still don't get it, do you?" he said. "Zenes are real."
The teacher hadn't arrived yet.
Araj let out a short laugh.
"Yeah, real," Vivaan said casually. "Just waste. Doctors say it leaves the body anyway—that's why—"
"Exactly," Araj cut in, grinning. "Arnav thinks it's some big secret."
He laughed again.
Arnav shrugged. "Whatever. I believe in conspiracy theories. Some of them have to be real."
"Why were you late?" Araj asked.
"Got distracted," Vivaan said. "There was a girl on the way."
Araj and Arnav exchanged a smile.
Araj smirked. "Anika again, huh?"
Vivaan smiled shyly.
The professor walked in.
The students stood up.
"This is my class?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," a student replied.
The professor began teaching.
The class passed quickly.
Soon, the bell rang.
As everyone started packing up, Araj nudged Vivaan.
Anika looked away as soon as he noticed.
"She was looking at you," he said, teasingly.
Vivaan glanced up. "Oh… really?"
The professor walked out.
Araj leaned closer. "So… what do you think about Anika?"
Vivaan paused for a second.
Before he could answer, another professor walked in.
Vivaan exhaled. "Saved," he muttered.
The professor looked around the class.
"How many of you didn't take your B12 today?"
No one raised their hand.
"Good," he said. "Keep it that way."
He went back to teaching.
Arnav leaned slightly toward
Vivaan. "This feels… weird," he whispered.
"Don't talk too much," Araj muttered. "He's strict."
Vivaan stayed silent.
The second class ended, and the professor walked out.
Arnav leaned forward. "In one of the theories, they said—"
"Shut up," Araj cut in. "No one wants to hear that."
Vivaan smiled faintly.
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
A message from his mother.
"Check it later," Araj said. "After class."
Vivaan slipped the phone back into his bag.
The conversation continued, but his attention wasn't fully there.
As the class was about to settle, the class representative stood up.
"No classes tomorrow," he announced. "It's B12 Day."
A few students nodded casually.
No one seemed surprised.
The final class began as the professor entered.
A mandatory subject: B12.
No one questioned it.
The professor began speaking.
Vivaan's mind drifted for a moment—he was still thinking about food.
"Zenes is a byproduct of the body," the professor said.
"In excess, it can lead to instability."
He paused.
"That's why regular B12 intake is important. It helps maintain balance."
"Make notes on Zenes from the textbook," the professor said.
"You'll need it."
No one questioned it.
Pens started moving.
After a while, the bell rang.
Students began packing up and heading out.
"Canteen?" Araj asked.
Vivaan nodded, a little too eagerly.
"I can't come," Arnav said. "I have to go to my aunt's place."
"Alright," Araj replied.
Vivaan was already thinking about food.
They headed to the canteen and found a seat.
"Burger?" Araj asked.
"Fries," Vivaan replied.
"I'll get both," Araj said. "My treat."
Vivaan smiled. "Alright."
They waited for the order, talking casually.
After a while, they stepped out of the canteen and walked toward the college gate.
"Bye," Vivaan said.
"You coming Saturday?" Araj asked.
"Yeah."
Vivaan reached home and parked his bike.
He walked up to the door… and stopped.
It was locked.
He frowned.
Then he remembered.
His phone.
He took out his phone and unlocked it.
A message from Advika.
His mother.
He opened it.
Your father is in the hospital.
Come fast.
Police said he was attacked… he's serious.
His grip tightened around the phone.
He froze for a second.
Then he ran.
He rushed to his bike, fumbled with the keys, and started it.
A moment later, he was already on the road.
How…? he thought.
My father… attacked?
Who would do that?
His hands trembled slightly on the handle.
Vivaan rushed into the hospital.
He stopped at the reception.
"My father… where is he?" he asked, his voice unsteady.
"Name?" the receptionist said.
"Aaryaman," Vivaan replied quickly.
She checked the system.
"Wait a moment."
He stood there, barely blinking.
"Room 6," the receptionist said.
"Ground floor. ICU."
She glanced at him. "Your mother should be in the waiting area."
"The police were just here," she added.
Vivaan didn't wait.
He rushed down the corridor.
He slowed as he reached the waiting area.
His mother was sitting there.
She looked up as he approached.
Vivaan stopped in front of her.
"What happened?"
She didn't answer. She just looked at him—then pulled him into a tight hug.
"Who did this?" Vivaan asked. "Why?"
She shook her head. "I don't know… the police don't know either."
Vivaan sat down slowly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"He left this," she said quietly, handing him a folded paper. "He said we both should read it."
Vivaan opened it.
If you're reading this… things have gone wrong.
Don't trust what they say about Zenes.
It's not what they teach you.
Be careful.
Vivaan stared at it.
"What is this…?"
"I don't know," she said, her voice breaking. "I don't understand anything…"
She covered her face and started crying.
Vivaan didn't move.
A doctor stepped out of the ICU.
He looked at them for a moment.
"We're sorry," he said.
"We couldn't save him."
His mother was already crying.
When the words sank in, her body went still.
"No…" Vivaan said quietly.
He looked at the doctor.
"Check again."
The doctor hesitated.
"We did everything we could,"
He said. "I'm sorry."
Vivaan didn't move.
His hands slowly clenched.
His vision blurred.
For a moment, everything felt quiet.
The doctor turned and walked away.
Vivaan stood there.
His breathing became uneven.
He lowered his head.
His shoulders trembled.
A tear slipped down his face.
He wiped it quickly… but more followed.
He tried to hold it in.
He couldn't.
She didn't even react to his crying.
A nurse approached them after a while.
"You'll need to complete some formalities," she said gently.
She hesitated for a moment.
"Since it's a police case… the body will be sent for post-mortem."
His mother nodded and stood up.
"I'll take care of it," she said.
Vivaan didn't respond.
She walked away slowly.
While his mother spoke to the nurse, Vivaan sat there.
Arnav's words came back to him.
Zenes are real.
He tightened his grip on the letter.
My father…
He wrote about this… right before—
His jaw clenched.
This isn't normal.
His hands trembled slightly.