Ch6: Unexpected Twist

Arjun was thrilled to be accepted into his dream college, and he quickly settled into a routine designed by AI.

This routine helped him manage his time wisely, ensuring he dedicated enough attention to his classes, studies, and staying fit.

Even on days when he didn't have classes, Arjun stayed productive. Sometimes, he used that extra time to learn self-defense techniques, helping him feel more confident and secure.

Other times, he delved into the world of computing, eager to pick up new skills that could open doors for him in the future.

On a typical day, Arjun laced up his running shoes and hit the pavement, the familiar route of his daily jog stretching out before him.

Each step propelled him forward, his thoughts drifting in sync with the rhythm of his stride.

Just when he settled into the comforting cadence of his run, suddenly, a faint ping interrupted his thoughts,

AI: The remaining charge is only 10%. The device is entering Power Saving mode, during which only basic functions will be available.

After receiving this notification, Arjun was surprised and asked the AI,

Arjun: What is this? You never mentioned that you needed to be charged.

AI: You never made a request.

Arjun: Is this some kind of joke? How in the world am I supposed to charge you? Do I have to endure another thunderstorm?

AI: No, there is another solution.

Arjun: What is it?

AI: You have to endure an electric shock.

Arjun: Are you kidding me?

AI: In my manual, it is written that power cells can be charged by passing electric current through the body.

Arjun: What! Never mind. Okay, how long will the remaining charge last?

AI: Approximately 4-5 days.

Arjun: Alright, let's explore another method to charge those power cells.

Grasping the implications of the AI's words, Arjun recognized the need for a more sustainable approach to charging the device, one that didn't involve the discomfort of electric shocks.

Though daunted by the challenge ahead, a spark of optimism ignited within him. With a sense of purpose, he delved into the depths of digital knowledge, his fingertips dancing across the screen in search of a solution.

Arjun's eyes flickered across the screen, each search yielding the same results—suggestions to charge the solar cells instead of power cells.

Frustration gnawed at him, a relentless tide threatening to engulf his resolve..

"Why do you keep searching for the same thing?" his friend questioned, brows furrowed in confusion.

Arjun's response came with a tinge of exasperation, a reflection of his mounting frustration. "I can't seem to find what I need," he confessed.

Observing Arjun's persistent typing, his friend's imagination spun tales of intrigue and suspicion.

With a furrowed brow, he couldn't help but leap to conclusions, his mind conjuring images of illicit transactions and clandestine dealings.

Leaning in, he offered his unsolicited advice, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "If you're looking for something that elusive, you'll only find it on the dark web," he remarked, his tone laced with a mixture of jest and curiosity.

The smirk playing on his lips betrayed his amusement, a silent acknowledgment of the irony that colored their exchange.

"And when did you start dabbling in power cells anyway?" he added, his words tinged with playful skepticism.

Arjun's jaw tightened at his friend's misguided accusation, a surge of frustration rippling through him like a tempest. "I'm not searching for drugs, you moron," he snapped, his words dripping with exasperation.

Refusing to dignify his friend's misconception with further explanation, Arjun returned to his solitary pursuit, his resolve unshaken by the unwarranted scrutiny.

As his friend persisted in prying, a wall of silence descended, Arjun's lips sealed tight against the tide of curiosity.

With a decisive click, he shut his laptop, the weight of unresolved questions lingering in the air as he retreated into the sanctuary of sleep.

As the sun rose on a new day, Arjun found himself ensnared in a web of doubt and uncertainty.

The elusive technique to charge power cells remained beyond his grasp, the allure of the dark web beckoned, promising a solution shrouded in shadows, yet fraught with perilous consequences.

With his options dwindling, Arjun faced the stark reality that only one solution remained.

With a heavy heart, he turned to the AI, his voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and determination.

Arjun: AI, how can I take an electric shock in a way that won't hurt me?

AI: There isn't a way to do so.

Arjun: Is one electric shock sufficient?

AI: I can't say for certain at the moment. If you undergo a shock now, perhaps I can calculate based on the resulting benefits.

Arjun: Ok, how can I safely endure an electric shock?

AI: The maximum current that a human body can withstand is approximately 10 milliamperes. Anything exceeding this threshold may result in fatality.

Arjun: Nice(sarcastically). So, what should I do next?

AI: You require certain equipment to safely endure an electric shock. They include... Once you have everything, you need to assemble the circuit to generate the desired shock.

Arjun: Ok

Upon receiving the precise directives from AI, Arjun embarked on a mission to gather all the necessary equipment, his mind buzzing with anticipation like a child on Christmas morning.

With a determined stride, he navigated the aisles of electronics stores, each purchase bringing him one step closer to unlocking the mysteries of the digital realm.

Back in his workshop, he meticulously followed AI's blueprints, soldering and connecting with the skill of a seasoned craftsman. With each wire secured and each component aligned, the circuit took shape.

As the final connections were made, Arjun's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

With a steady hand, he flipped the switch, the hum of electricity filling the room like a symphony of possibility.

As he reached out to touch the open end of the output wire, a jolt of electricity shot through his fingertips, sending a surge of energy coursing through his veins.

With a gasp of pain, he quickly shut off the circuit, his fingers tingling with residual shock.

Turning to AI for answers, he sought guidance in the wake of his painful electrifying experience.

Arjun: AI, is it fully charged?

AI: No

Arjun: Then, by how much has the charge increased?

AI: The charge has only increased by 0.01%.

Arjun: What! Then, how many more shocks do I have to endure to become fully charged?

AI: You have to endure 8999 more shocks to fully charge the power cells.

Arjun: What! I'll die if I continue this continuously. Isn't there an alternative method?

AI: I don't have a proper solution to this problem.

Realizing the challenge of fully charging the power cells in one go, Arjun contemplated an alternate approach.

With a strategic mindset, he devised a plan to endure electric shocks at measured intervals, a sacrifice he deemed necessary for the greater good.

Determined to adapt to his circumstances, he resolved to minimize his reliance on AI, reserving its assistance for critical moments alone.

After triumphing through three rigorous semesters, Arjun stood on the precipice of anticipation as he awaited the outcome of his final exams.

With his academic journey culminating in this pivotal moment, he braced himself for the revelation, his nerves tingling with a mixture of apprehension and excitement.

Despite his unwavering trust in AI's guidance, a faint thread of doubt lingered in his mind, a testament to the gravity of the occasion.

As the results unfolded before him, Arjun's heart pounded with a fervor akin to a drumbeat, each passing moment fraught with anticipation.

Yet, as the grades materialized on the screen, a wave of relief washed over him, his fears dissipating like mist in the morning sun.

With a triumphant smile, he wasted no time in sharing the news with his parents. So, as soon as he saw the result, he tried to call them.

In the wake of his academic success, Arjun's future shimmered with promise, his placement in the esteemed company 'Woogle' serving as a testament to his hard work and dedication.

With a decent CTC secured and his power cells charged to a commendable 82%, he stood poised on the threshold of a new chapter, ready to embrace the opportunities that lay ahead with unwavering resolve and boundless optimism.

As Arjun eagerly dialed his parents' numbers, anticipation mingled with a growing sense of unease as each call went unanswered. Even the home landline remained silent, amplifying his concern with its eerie stillness.

Undeterred, he persisted, his fingers dancing over the keypad in a desperate bid for connection, but the void of response persisted.

With a knot of worry tightening in his chest, Arjun cast his net wider, reaching out to relatives and friends in a bid to unravel the mystery shrouding his parents' absence.

Yet, like him, they too found themselves met with silence, their attempts at communication thwarted by an impenetrable barrier of uncertainty.

Fueled by a gnawing sense of foreboding, Arjun's mind raced with possibilities, each more ominous than the last. With no time to waste, he made a decisive choice, booking a flight to his hometown as soon as possible.

With determination etched in his features, he steeled himself for the journey ahead, determined to uncover the truth lurking beneath the surface of his family's inexplicable silence.

As Arjun busily prepared for his impending flight, a jarring interruption shattered the routine. His phone rang, and the screen displayed the name of one of his dad's friends.

Anxious yet hopeful, he hastily answered the call, his voice laden with anticipation as he inquired about his father's whereabouts.

The response he received, however, was a gut-wrenching blow that echoed through the phone's receiver.

"Sorry, Arjun," his dad's friend uttered, his voice carrying the weight of unbearable sorrow. "Both of your parents were involved in a fatal accident yesterday morning."

Time seemed to come to a standstill for Arjun as he grappled with the unimaginable news.

The phone, once firmly held in his grip, slipped from his numb fingers as the harsh reality sunk in. The words, laden with the finality of loss, hung heavy in the air.

Arjun's dad's friend attempted to offer solace, words of consolation that fell on deaf ears as grief enveloped Arjun in its suffocating embrace.

Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably as he struggled to process the incomprehensible truth that had shattered his world.

The once-bustling preparations for a flight now lay forgotten, eclipsed by the profound grief that gripped Arjun's heart.

As Arjun wiped away his tears, a torrent of emotions surged within him, mingling with the confusion that clouded his thoughts.

Despite the disbelief that gnawed at his soul, he pressed forward, driven by an urgent need to confront the truth firsthand.

Boarding the flight with a heavy heart, he braced himself for the harrowing journey that awaited him.

Arriving home in the somber light of afternoon, Arjun's worst fears were realized as he beheld the heartbreaking scene before him.

Two figures, shrouded in white cloth and adorned with flowers, lay still in silent repose, their presence now a haunting absence that echoed through the halls.

Surrounded by the murmurs of grieving relatives, Arjun stood frozen, his heart heavy with the weight of unbearable loss.

His father's friend, a pillar of support in the midst of chaos, approached him with gentle words of comfort, yet Arjun remained adrift in a sea of sorrow.

Clinging to his father's friend, he surrendered to the flood of grief that threatened to consume him, his tears flowing freely in a tide of anguish.

This devastating loss cut deeper than any physical pain Arjun had ever endured, eclipsing even the fury of a thunderstorm.

The absence of his beloved parents left a void in his heart that seemed insurmountable, a wound that would forever mark his soul with its indelible imprint.

On what should have been a day of joy and togetherness, Arjun found himself thrust into the cruel reality of final farewells and unending sorrow.

As he navigated the solemn rituals of mourning, he knew that the wounds inflicted upon his heart would never fully heal, a poignant reminder of the profound love he held for those he had lost.