✵THE FIRST DAY AGAIN✵

Rain poured endlessly over Aryaveth City.

Aryaveth was known as the "City of Gods"

A place where ancient temples stood beside glowing skyscrapers, while monsoon clouds hid the stars above.

"No one knew the legends buried beneath the city were real"Khushira adjusted her earphones as she walked through the rain-soaked streets of Aryaveth, her coaching books pressed tightly against her chest.

In a city filled with glowing skyscrapers and endless dreams, she felt painfully ordinary-just another exhausted NEET aspirant trying not to drown beneath expectations.Sleepless nights, unfinished mock tests, constant pressure, and the fear of failure had become a part of her life.

Next week was supposed to be different.

"A new college"

A fresh beginningYet an unexplainable heaviness lingered inside her heart as thunder echoed across the monsoon sky.

The city lights blurred before her eyes for a moment, and suddenly, everything around her went silent.

Beep!🕐

Khushira stopped walking. The strange sound disappeared instantly, leaving only the rain behind....

A sharp headache suddenly pierced through Khushira's mind.

The rain around her grew distant as the crowded streets of Aryaveth blurred into streaks of light.

Her breathing became uneven.

People continued walking past her beneath umbrellas and glowing signboards, unaware of the strange dizziness pulling her deeper into darkness.

Beep!🕑

The sound returned again. Louder this time.

Khushira pressed a trembling hand against her forehead as thunder cracked violently across the sky.

For a brief second, she felt weightless-like she was sinking beneath an endless ocean.

"Then everything went black"

...........

"Warm sunlight touched her face softly. Khushira's eyes fluttered open

She was back in her room. The scent of jasmine and fresh coffee drifted through the air while the familiar sound of utensils echoed from downstairs.

Confused, she slowly sat up on her bed, staring at the sunlight pouring through her curtains as if nothing had happened.

Khushira frowned

slightly before stepping out of bed.

"Her mother walked toward her with a worried expression"

Khushira's Mother:- You scared me yesterday," *she sighed* , placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"A stranger brought you home in the rain. You were completely soaked and unconscious outside the metro station."

*Khushira froze*

For some reason, she couldn't remember anything after hearing that strange sound in the storm.

But before she could think further, her mother smiled softly and fixed a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to lighten the mood.

Khushira's Mother:- Anyway, get ready quickly. We're going to the beach today before your college starts next week.

Khushira nodded slowly.

Yet somewhere deep inside her chest, the sound of rain still echoed strangely.

And just beneath it, the faint, chilling echo of a mechanical rhythm lingered.

Beep!🕧