THE DARK PHASE BEGINS !!!

Rohit, sprawled on his bed engrossed in a horror movie, had succumbed to a day of laziness. Eating and sleeping had consumed his hours, leaving him feeling sluggish. However, just as he was about to settle into the comfort of his idle routine, his phone rang, shattering the tranquility of the moment.

Startled, Rohit fumbled for his phone, only to see the caller ID displaying his school friend Rishabh's name. Irritated by the interruption, he swiftly declined the call. Yet, Rishabh's persistence was unwavering as the phone rang once again, prompting Rohit to answer, albeit reluctantly.

"Hello?" Rohit grumbled, already anticipating the conversation to be brief.

"Hey, Rohit! It's Rishabh. What's up, buddy?" Rishabh's voice crackled through the phone.

Rohit sighed audibly, contemplating whether to cut the call again. But before he could act, Rishabh's words echoed through the phone, "Bro, open the door! It's all ready here!"

Perplexed by the cryptic message, Rohit set aside his laptop and ambled towards the door. With a mixture of curiosity and annoyance, he swung the door open, only to be greeted by Rishabh's towering figure.

Rohit furrowed his brow. "What's ready? And why are you here, Rishabh?"

A mischievous grin stretched across Rishabh's face as he replied, "You are coming with me on a tour to Uttrakhand forest reserve."

Rohit replies, "Brother, I respect your idea, but I can't come. You know how busy I am, and also, I'm too exhausted today."

Just as Rohit was about to protest, his mother's voice resonated from downstairs. "You spent the entire day eating and sleeping! Now get ready. I have packed some snacks for you."

Rohit's eyes widened, and he darted towards his mother in a desperate attempt to escape the impending outing. "Mom, please! It's too hot outside, and honestly, I'm just not in the mood to go anywhere."

His mother's expression remained resolute. "First, the weather is cool, and second, I'm only sending you to refresh your mind. So, hurry up!"

Defeated, Rohit trudged back towards his room, only to be intercepted by his younger sister, Shruti. She stood there, backpack in hand, sporting oversized sunglasses.

Teasingly, she inquired, "You're still unready?"

Annoyed, Rohit retorted, "Listen, I am the only one going, so go and watch cartoons."

His mother intervened, her tone firm yet playful, "First, you listen. She will also go with you."

Rohit's frustration mounted as he packed his bag, grumbling under his breath. The prospect of company on his unwanted adventure added another layer of annoyance to his already begrudging disposition.

As he stepped outside, Rishabh, with a sly smile, reminded him, "Don't forget the car keys."

Rohit, his irritation reaching its peak, snapped, "My car?"

Shruti, joining in, playfully echoed, "Yes, brother, your car!"

Grimacing, Rohit grabbed the keys and made his way to the car, where Ashish sat patiently. Startled by Ashish's presence, Rohit blurted out, "Hey man, are you also coming?"

Ashish, wearing a sly grin, replied, "Yes, bro. This person had ruined my day too!". They exchanged a knowing look, understanding each other's frustrations.

They embarked on their journey, with Rohit at the wheel, Shruti seated next to him, and Rishabh and Ashish occupying the backseat. The rain continued to pour, forming a curtain of water that danced on the windshield. As they drove along the winding road, the atmosphere inside the car was filled with laughter and animated conversations.

Sitting in the backseat, Rishabh seized the opportunity to narrate his tales of adventure in his booming voice. "You won't believe it, guys! My father, being the lead forest commissioner, has access to all the mysteries hidden within the forest reserve we're heading to in Uttarakhand. Get ready for an epic journey!"

Shruti, engrossed in her own world, popped her sunglasses on and bobbed her head to the music streaming through her headphones. The cool winds of the rainy evening caressed her face, creating a serene and carefree atmosphere.

After an hour of driving, the rain intensified, and the sky grew darker. The hunger pangs in their stomachs became impossible to ignore. Rohit spotted a nearby restaurant and skillfully parked the car. They dashed inside, seeking shelter from the relentless downpour.

Once inside, they claimed a table and settled down, their clothes slightly damp from the rain. Rishabh, ever the food enthusiast, took charge and ordered an extravagant feast. "We need something to lift our spirits after this rain-soaked journey," he declared, flashing a mischievous grin.

Rohit excused himself and made his way to the washroom. Rishabh sprinkled some bhang (cannabis) powder into his own lassi, confident that he could handle its effects. Waving the empty glass at the waiter, he asked for a spoon, but his request went unnoticed.

Meanwhile, Rohit returned from the washroom, his eyes scanning the table for his lassi, he spotted a glass of lassi and assumed it was his own. He picked it up and settled onto the bench, joining in the conversation with his friends.

Just as Rohit took a sip from the lassi, Rishabh returned to the table, noticing his friend holding a glass identical to his own. Without a second thought, Rishabh reached for the glass, thinking it was his, and took a long gulp. Little did they know that their innocent act would lead to unforeseen consequences.

As they finished their dinner, the effects of the bhang powder began to manifest. Laughter filled the car as the road stretched out before them, illuminated by the glow of the car's headlights. Rohit's senses started to blur, and he felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him.

In his haze, Ashish decided to call his friend Veer, eager to share the day's adventures, veer was laughing and asks him to give the phone to Rohit, with his speech slurred and words muddled by intoxication, Rohit muttered into the phone, "Oh my god, Veer, my friend! This stupid fellow Rishabh has ruined my day!"

The call abruptly disconnected, leaving Rohit puzzled and drowsier than ever. The rhythmic sound of raindrops on the car's roof lured him into a deep sleep, and his grip on the steering wheel loosened.

Suddenly, disaster struck. Rohit's heavy eyelids betrayed him, and the car veered off balance, colliding with an unsuspecting pedestrian on the side of the road. The impact jolted everyone awake, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. But while the car's bumper bore the brunt of the collision, the pedestrian stood rooted to the spot, seemingly unfazed by the accident.

To their surprise, the person stood firm as if glued to the spot, while the car's bumper suffered the brunt of the impact. It was a peculiar sight—the person seemed unscathed, almost like a quirky character from a comedy movie.

Rishabh and Ashish quickly grabbed their umbrellas and rushed out of the car, ready to assess the situation. Shruti, who had been dozing off, jolted awake at the sound of the collision. Her eyes widened, taking in the absurdity of the scene unfolding before her.

Before anyone else could react, Rohit stumbled out of the car, fueled by his intoxicated state, stumbled out of the car, a wave of anger consumed him. His face turned crimson, and his voice echoed through the rain-soaked air as he shouted, "Who the hell are you, you insolent bumbler, to have audaciously damaged my prized possession?"

The person, standing before him with an unwavering calmness, maintained a serene smile, which infuriated Rohit even more. "Do you have any idea what you've done? This car is the love of my life! It shines brighter than a thousand suns, and you, you hapless wanderer, have tarnished its impeccable beauty!"

Rishabh and Ashish exchanged bemused glances, struggling to keep a straight face. They knew Rohit's melodramatic outburst was going to take this encounter to a whole new level of hilarity.

Undeterred by the absurdity of the situation, Rohit continued his tirade, his words intertwining with the raindrops falling from the sky. "I demand an apology! No, not just an apology! I demand that you kneel before me, kiss the ground, and beg for forgiveness!"

The person, seemingly unfazed by Rohit's dramatic performance, raised an eyebrow and responded, "Brother, I apologize sincerely for any inconvenience caused. But perhaps, instead of seeking retribution, we can find a way to resolve this peacefully?"

Rohit's anger grew exponentially, his voice reaching new heights of exasperation. "Peacefully? How dare you suggest peace when my heart throbs with rage? I shall teach you a lesson you'll never forget!"

In his intoxicated state, he lunged forward, his hand extended to grab the collar of the person standing before him. However, to everyone's astonishment, as Rohit's hand made contact, the person's hand transformed into a mesmerizing, magical flaming appendage in shades of blue.

With a fierce gaze and an angry tone, the person retorted, "Here I am, trying to resolve this matter peacefully, and yet you persist in frustrating me, provoking my powers." He held Rohit suspended in the air, a bewildering sight that silenced the group.

Shruti, witnessing her brother's predicament, couldn't bear to see him in distress. She stepped forward, her voice filled with determination. "Hey, leave my brother alone! It's not wise to anger someone like him," she exclaimed, her words carrying a hint of warning.

The person's gaze shifted from Rohit to Shruti, and a sudden change came over him. His anger dissipated, replaced by a sense of awe and admiration. He realized the gravity of his actions and the need for restraint. Gently, he released his grip on Rohit and uttered nervously, "I'm sorry. Please don't think I'm a bad person. I was just overwhelmed."

Rohit, still seething with anger, continued his barrage of insults, his words muffled as Ashish covered his mouth to prevent further escalation. Ashish whispered, "Calm down, brother. Let's not make things worse."

The boy, visibly shaken, began to retreat, hoping to put an end to the confrontation. However, Rishabh, with his towering physique, stood in his way, blocking his path. Nervously, the boy asked, "Now what do you want, big brother?"

Rishabh's eyes widened with excitement as a realization struck him. "You're a teenager, right?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with anticipation.

Confused, the boy replied, "Yes, so what?"

A mischievous grin spread across Rishabh's face. "Oh my God! You're a teenage superhero with magical powers!" he declared, unable to contain his excitement.

The boy's expression turned somber, and he responded, "Please, don't give me that title. I don't deserve it."

Meanwhile, Rohit, battling the intoxicating effects of the bhang, found himself succumbing to drowsiness. In his inebriated state, he turned to Ashish and slurred, "Hey, my brother, you're very lucky. Take this key to my airplane. I'm going to sleep."

Amused by Rohit's offer, Ashish chuckled and replied, "Okay, my brother," before gently guiding him back to the car. Rohit settled into the window seat, drifting into a deep slumber.

With Rohit out of the picture, Rishabh persisted, his curiosity piqued. "Tell us more about your powers! We'd love to hear your story."

The boy hesitated, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "I'm not a hero. My powers are a burden. I struggle to control them," he confessed, revealing the weight he carried on his young shoulders...

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. TO BE CONTINUED ...

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