The Second Chance

Year 2023, Chatgpt wreaked havoc in every industry, and soon after, a recession followed, leading to mass job losses.

In Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley, a person could be seen working in a cubicle, rapidly typing code on his computer, occasionally fixing his glasses while glaring at the screen.

"Sanjay, the manager has called you to his office," his colleagues told him with a rough attitude.

Sanjay knew that his manager would inquire about the project's progress. A few months back, his manager had tasked him with developing a Chatgpt-level AI, a task he knew was impossible without substantial infrastructure and a deep understanding of AI.

Due to his hard work, he had been promoted to team lead within two years. Although he had been given a team of five people, he was well aware that the project would require extensive research and development, time, and funding. He was confident that he could complete the task within a year.

"Sanjay, what is the project update? The client is asking if the project will be completed by next week," his manager asked in a harsh tone.

"No, Sir , I am sorry. There is no way an AI will be completed with such limited resources," Sanjay replied.

"Then why are we keeping you here? You were assigned to complete it within the simulated time. Now you are telling me you can't do it. Do you realize how valuable our client is? I don't want to hear any excuses. I want it completed by this week. Now go and do your work," his manager commanded.

Sanjay started walking back to his cubicle, reminiscing about how he had envisioned his life after graduating from college. Although he was not the brightest, he was still considered average in his class. He had dreamt of his ideal job, a beautiful wife, and a fast car, but everything seemed to be falling apart.

What was the point of studying so much when YouTubers and TikTokers earns more than him?

He sat back down and resumed working on the project. For the past two days, he had been overworking, barely getting any sleep. He couldn't even remember when he had last slept. Suddenly, his eyes went black, and his head slumped down onto the desk.

When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a big white space.

"Soul number 77777777777, please proceed to the counter," a robotic voice announced.

Sanjay woke up, his head still spinning.

However, he found himself inexplicably heading towards the counter, almost as if he had no control over his own body.

"No. 77777777777, Sanjay. Died from a heart attack at the age of 28. The luckiest soul on Earth-2092. Please proceed to our supervisor's office for your prize," the elderly woman at the counter stated, her eyes fixed on the book in her hands.

As Sanjay's dizziness began to fade, he realized he had no control over his actions. It felt as if he were following someone else's commands, unable to utter a single word.

Upon entering the supervisor's office, he saw an old man engrossed in a book. The man looked up, smiled, and said, "Welcome, child, to determine your destiny."

Sanjay was puzzled. Am I dead, who is this man?

"Yes child you are dead and I am in charge of all the souls, and you are the lucky number 77777777777. In every world, this particular soul no. is granted the opportunity to relive life with a chosen power," the old man explained.

Before Sanjay could respond, the man brought out a large wheel, larger than what Sanjay's eyes could perceive.

Sanjay could see all sorts of powers listed on the wheel—Mangekyō Sharingan, Shapeshifting, Telekinesis, Cultivation, and more. Every imaginable power was there.

The old man spun the wheel swiftly, and after a few moments, it came to an abrupt halt.

The needle pointed to NZT-48. Sanjay knew what it was—the drug from the movie "Limitless."

"What the hell? With all those powers, I only got NZT-48."

With a wave of his hand, the old man said, "Everything is done here. You can go now."

Far away in the city of Guwahati, inside a classroom, a child could be seen sleeping at his desk.

"Sanjay, Sanjay!"

Sanjay woke up, rubbing his eyes.

"Why are you sleeping in my class? Did your parents spend their money for you to sleep in class?" he heard a lady shouting at him.

"Go and wash your face," she continued, as all the students stared at him.

Sanjay was confused. He didn't know what was happening, or where he was.

He stood up and started walking towards the bathroom. As he washed his face and looked into the mirror, he was taken aback. His face looked young, and he noticed that his hands were smaller.

He gazed at his reflection once more, and his pupils contracted.

He didn't know what was happening, but he could hear people talking, birds chirping, and the teacher's voice explaining various lessons. He had no trouble distinguishing between different voices.

Countless voices melded together, yet there was a clear distinction between them. He could visualize every single thing happening in his surroundings.

It felt like a grand symphony.