The Enigma of Chitterpari

Chapter 6 - "A Morning Walk"

The morning greeted Ali with yet another relentless pounding in his head.

"That same fucking dream again..."

he muttered, blinking away the remnants of sleep. An uneasy feeling lingered like a shadow in his mind. With a heavy sigh, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. The room was bathed in a soft glow, the first rays of dawn filtering through the curtains in streaks of golden light. Ali squinted against the brightness, his senses slowly awakening to the world beyond his window. The memories of last night still clung to him, fresh and vivid. He had barely slept, and yet, the dream the same unsettling vision had visited him once more. He couldn't remember all the details, but the creeping dread that came with it lingered. It was then that he heard them the familiar voices of his friends drifting through the stillness of the morning air. His name danced on the breeze, mingling with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. Ali felt a twinge of guilt tug at his heart as he realized he had overslept yet again, leaving his friends waiting outside his door, calling for him.

With a muttered curse, he pushed himself to his feet, the ache in his head intensifying with each movement. Dragging himself across the room, he approached the window. Peering down, his gaze fell upon the scene below.There they were, his four friends, their figures silhouetted against the soft hues of dawn.
"Come on, you sleepyhead! It's supposed to be a morning walk, not an afternoon one!" Daniyal called up, shielding his eyes from the sun as he looked at Ali with a teasing grin.

"Five minutes, I'll be right there," Ali replied, his voice hoarse but laced with determination. He rubbed his temples, trying to push through the discomfort, and made a silent promise to himself: to seize the day, to push aside the weight of the dream and focus on the world outside. His friends were waiting, and for now, that was enough.

He stepped away from the window, throwing on his clothes with a mixture of haste and reluctance. The anticipation in their voices had stirred something within him, a reminder that despite the lingering unease, there was solace in their company. His steps felt lighter now, and as he opened the door, the fresh morning air greeted him, carrying the faint scent of dew.

As the group stepped out into the crisp morning air, the chill seemed to invigorate their senses. Backpacks slung over their shoulders, the cobblestone path stretched before them, winding like an ancient road through a landscape untouched by time. The quiet morning wrapped around them, the cool air carrying the scent of damp earth and wildflowers. A few stray clouds hovered above, painted golden by the rising sun, while the early light cast long shadows that clung to the ground, adding a soft glow to everything they passed.

For the first few minutes, they walked in comfortable silence, the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps the only sound breaking the stillness. Ali trailed behind slightly, his gaze drawn to the way the sunlight flickered over the cobblestones, the interplay of light and shadow forming a dance with each gust of wind. Despite the weight of sleep still pulling at his body, he felt more awake now, the cold air pushing away the remnants of his unsettling dream. Daniyal was the first to break the silence, his voice a sudden burst of energy.
"Would you look at that," he laughed, pointing ahead. "A royal council in session."

The others turned their heads to follow his gesture. A cluster of stray cats lay sprawled out in the middle of the path, their bodies soaking up the warmth of the rising sun. One of the cats, a large tabby, stretched lazily, its eyes half-closed in bliss.
Hamza grinned. "Must be nice, huh? No responsibilities, no deadlines. Just living their best lives."
Ali, walking beside him, chuckled. "bet."
Daniyal's eyes twinkled with mischief as he elbowed Abbas. "Honestly, Abbas, you should've been born a cat. Sleep all day, no one will bother you."
Abbas smirked, giving Daniyal a light shove. "Jealous, are we? I just value my rest. Unlike you insomniacs."
"Lazy days and endless naps," Abdullah chimed in, his voice filled with mock envy. "Sounds like a dream, really. What more could you ask for?"
Abbas rolled his eyes but smiled, his usual retort softened by the morning's calmness. "Trust me, it's not all it's cracked up to be. You miss out on the beauty of a quiet morning like this."