CHAPTER 1
From Ashes to Light
VEERLOK
Vivaan, Junior Baalveer, sits alone by the riverbank in Veerlok, the soft sound of flowing water barely masking his heavy heart. The sun sets behind the distant mountains, casting a golden glow over the land, but it does little to lighten his spirit. He looked down in flowing water recalling memories.
He clutches a small pendant that Debu, his Bhaiya, had given him — a symbol of their bond and the lessons he had learned.
FLASBACK
Vivaan sat in his room, arms folded tightly and lips pouted, a stubborn frown etched across his face. His frame was stiff with irritation, his eyes cast downward, occasionally sneaking a glance at the door, hoping Debu would show up.
He muttered to himself, "Aise kaise wo Gopu aur kisi ko bhi bol sakte hai? Baat hi nhi karunga! Meri jagah kisi aur ko dedi... Huh!"
Just then, Debu peeked into the room, Debu had something in his pocket, he caught sight of Vivaan's grumpy expression. Smiling softly, he stepped inside, went to the almirah as he was unknown of the disaster coming.
Debu (asked casually)— Arey Vivaan aise muh ka balloon bana ke kyu baithe ho?
Vivaan (looking away) — Mat baat kariye mujhse!
Debu got sensing that Vivaan is upset, he went in front of Vivaan and stood, concerned.
Debu — Are! Kya hua?
Vivaan (looking away, in anger) — Bola na kuchh nahi... aap jao nahane!
Debu — Gussa ho? Kis baat se...(thinking)... kuchh hua kya?
Vivaan (stood up to head study table but Debu stopped him, Vivaan in anger) — Nahi baat karni mujhe aapse!
Debu — Oho, itna gussa? Achcha chhotu mujhse gussa kyu hai?
Vivaan (turning away from Debu) — Apka chhotu toh ab Gopu hai na? uske paas jaaiye!
Debu was shocked that Vivaan is angry on just calling someone 'Chhotu'. That full of attitude — Vivaan is angry just because he saw Debu calling Gopu 'Chhotu' a while ago asking Ghee on shop. Just this made him so angry!
Debu (shocked, asked) — To tum bas isliye gussa ho ke maine Gopu ko Chhotu bula diya?
Vivaan folded his hands, still looking away as his posture saying - yes, he is angry only on that. Debu was confused seeing his childish behavior.
Debu — Arey Vivaan ye kya chhote bachcho jaisi harkate hai?
Vivaan — Achcha ab mai gussa bhi nahi ho sakta? Waah! Pura time Chhota bachcha! - Chhota bachcha! Kaun karta rahta hai?
Debu (sensing Vivaan's dangerous tone, smiling nervously) — Arey Vivaan! 'Chhotu' to ham kisi bhi chhote bachche ko bol sakte hai na! Isme itna gussa karne wali kya baat hai?
Vivaan (Smiling sarcastically dangerous, looking at Debu's) — To mai bhi Ray ko bhaiya bna ke le aata hu ghar!... 'Bhaiya' bhi apne se bade - kisi ko bhi bol sakte hai na!
Debu (looking him in disbelief) — Tum kaha ki baat kaha...
[mind- kyu apna sir okhali me daal rha hai Debu!... hai to akhir ye Ananya ka hi bhai na...]
Debu — Maaf kardo Vivaan... aaj ke baad kisiko chhotu nhi bulaunga, pakka!
Vivaan — Mujhe bhi nahi...?
Debu (totally scared) — ha...haa pakka!
Vivaan (going to bed and pretending to sleep) — Meri feelings ki kadar hi nahi kisiko! ... huh!
Debu (sitting on bed, gently) — Ab kya hua Vivaan?
Vivaan — Aap kisiko bhi chhotu nahi bula sakte... mere alawa... samajhe?
Debu felt a jolt realizing how possessive Vivaan was about being called his "Chhotu." He'd always loved Vivaan like a little brother but had doubted if Vivaan felt the same way. Now, seeing Vivaan's reaction, Debu's eyes glistened, touched by the depth of his brother's love.
Debu (tears in eyes) — Tu itna pyar karta hai mujhse! Aaj ke baad tere alawa kisi ko bhi 'Chhotu' nhi bulaunga... Mujhe maaf karde...
Vivaan sat straight because of his bhaiya's soft emotional tone.
Debu (hugged him) — Meri zindagi me aane ka shukriya Chhote...
Vivaan's pout slowly faded, a small smile creeping up as he realized Debu's words were just for him.
Vivaan (hugged him back) — Love you bhaiya!
Debu reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pendant with a gleaming blue gem – a blue diamond shaped crystal attached to a blue star shaped crystal [Pari Tara] - at its center.
Holding it out to Vivaan, he said softly, "Yeh mai laya... tumhare liye..."
Vivaan — Wow! You are the best Bhaiya! Thank you.
Actually Vivaan hates wearing something in neck but it was by his Debu bhaiya, how can he reject it?
END
He clutches a small pendant that Debu, his Bhaiya, had given him — a symbol of their bond and the lessons he had learned. Tears stream down his cheeks as he recalls the laughter and wisdom that filled their moments together.
"Bhaiya, apako nahi pata kitna miss kar raha hoon main apko... apko nahi dekh ke aise lagta hai jaise sab kuch bura hai..."
His voice quivers as he continues, remembering the strength and kindness of his bhaiya.
"Apne mujhe sikhaya tha ki kabhi haar nahi maan ni chahiye... ki hamesha achchai ke liye ladna hai... Bure log sirf dar se jeete hain... lekin... lekin mai kaise ladu bhaiya... usase jiska face bilkul aap jaisi hai... use dekhte hi aap yaad aa jate hai"
As he gazes into the water, he sees the reflection of his own despair. He recalls Debu's laughter, the way his eyes sparkled, and how he always stood by him, ready to fight against evil.
"Kaal kitna alag hai apse, Bhaiya. Apke bina, main itna akela mehsoos karta hoon... Kuchh achcha nhi lagta..."
His sobs grow louder, echoing off the stones of the riverbank. The weight of Kaal's looming threat fills his mind, but it is Debu's memory that truly breaks him.
"Kyun bhaiya...? Kyun chhod diya apne mujhe?... Meri wajah se kaal ne Happy bhaiya ke alawa sabko maar diya... huh?... Nahi bacha paya mai kisiko... hu mai Chhota bachcha bhaiya... Apne to mere sath rahne ka wada kiya tha na... kyu toda wada?... "
He wipes his tears but they keep flowing, each drop a testament to his pain. The world around him seems to darken as he grapples with the harsh reality of Kaal's presence, the cruel reminder of what he has lost.
"Mujhe apke teachings yaad hain, par kabhi kabhi yeh sab samajhna itna mushkil ho jata hai. Main koshish karta hoon, Bhaiya. Lekin yeh Kaal... usse kaise sambhalun?"
With a heavy heart, Vivaan stands up, gazing into the horizon.
"Main sambhaal nhi paa rha, bhaiya. Mummy aur Khushi didi bhi apki photo pakd ke roti hai bhaiya, veerlok suna ho gaya hai... pariya hasti hi nahi, Ananya didi to milti bhi nahi... sirf anpe kamre me rhti hai aur... jb bhi veerlok aati hai to saf saf... pata chalta hai ke ro rhi thi..."
As he wipes away the last of his tears. He knows that his partner would have wanted him to be brave.
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