Somewhere in the universe, a small moon-sized planet housed an ancient house, a humble hut made of dense black stone. It stood alone, devoid of any other presence. As the creaky door swung open, an old man and a young teenager emerged, their eyes fixed on the expanse of stellar space. The teenager, around 16 years old, possessed a slender frame, wore an old-fashioned dress, and had a radiant face with sparkling eyes. She turned to the old man and asked, "Is this the moment you've been waiting for, old man?"
"Yes, it's finally happening. The mortal realm is about to connect with the spiritual realm after all these years," replied the old man, gently patting the girl's head. They stood side by side, their gaze fixed upon a particular galaxy emanating a vibrant blue glow.
Earth, 2100.
The Era of Space Expansion had witnessed tremendous technological advancements, driven by AI, leading to the eradication of most diseases and the resolution of environmental issues. However, resources were nearly depleted. By 2080, humanity had explored every planet and asteroid within the solar system, exploiting their resources for the betterment of civilization. Yet, the exploration of the wider cosmos remained uncharted territory, a domain yet to be discovered.
On a serene night, under the radiant glow of a full moon, amidst the quiet suburbs of Mumbai, a weary young man named Amit made his way home after a long night of toil at his part-time job. As he approached his house, he hummed a tune, oblivious to the surprise that awaited him. "It's quite late already. Let me get some sleep, so I can wake up on time for college," Amit mumbled to himself, realizing the lateness of the hour. He retrieved a card from his pocket and unlocked the door.
"Kacha..."
"I'm home, guys!" he called out, removing his shoes and placing them in a tray. Silence greeted his voice. "Well, it's late, so they must be asleep," he thought, assuming his roommate Vijay had retired for the night. Stepping into the darkened hall, he decided to switch on the lights and prepare a late-night dinner. Suddenly, the room flooded with light, and a collective voice rang out, "Surprise!" Amit's eyes widened as he witnessed his roommate and friends from the neighborhood gathered behind a cake, holding confetti, and singing in unison, "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Amit. Happy birthday to you."
Applause đź‘Źđź‘Źđź‘Ź
Amit stood stunned, having completely forgotten about his own birthday amidst his busy schedule. Yet, his friends remembered, and they had orchestrated a surprise celebration for him. As he stood there, unsuspecting, they approached him with a beautifully adorned cake. However, in a comical turn of events, a wire was accidentally tripped, causing the cake to soar through the air before landing squarely on Amit's face with a messy splat. The room erupted in laughter, and amidst the initial shock, Amit's expression transformed into a mix of surprise and amusement. Joining in the laughter, he wiped the cake off his face and attempted to stifle his own mirth. His friends surrounded him, patting his back and making jests about his impromptu "cake facial." It was a moment that would forever be etched in their memories, a perfect blend of surprise, hilarity, and camaraderie.
"What a waste of cake!" Amit exclaimed, laughing heartily as he grabbed the remaining pieces and playfully flung them at his friends. "Well, do we have a backup cake to eat or..." he quipped, casting asarcastic glance at everyone.
His friends exchanged glances, realizing that they had overlooked the need for a backup cake, resulting in the complete consumption of their celebratory treat. Amit's roommate nervously replied, "Um, well, we kind of forgot."
Amit chuckled, his amusement evident. "No worries," he said. "The surprise was fantastic, and I almost forgot it was my birthday. I did bring some pizza though. Who's up for a late-night feast?"
"Me!" exclaimed everyone in unison. They gathered on the balcony, basking in the soft moonlight, and savored the slices of pizza Amit had brought. Laughter filled the air as they shared stories, jokes, and cherished moments together.
By the time Amit's friends bid their goodbyes and left his house, it was already 12:30 am. It had been a day to remember for Amit as he responded to the birthday wishes from his other friends. Standing on the balcony, he gazed at the moon, feeling a sense of gratitude for the wonderful friendships he had forged. "May my life continue to be as amazing as it has been recently," he whispered to himself, content with the day's events.
As Amit relished in his contentment and reflected upon the day, he noticed a star shining brilliantly in the sky, its peculiar blue hue distinguishing it from a falling star. "That's odd," he murmured. "It can't be a satellite; they're designed to be invisible at night due to nanoparticle technology. They were specifically created that way to preserve the pristine view of the stars and facilitate space research during nighttime."
Pondering this anomaly, the brightness of the star intensified, transforming into a radiant beam of blue light that engulfed the entire Earth. Astonished, Amit watched as the ethereal light cascaded upon him and the world.
Across the globe, scientists, researchers, leaders, and ordinary people alike were left bewildered, grappling to comprehend the origin and purpose of this enigmatic light. It felt benign as it touched their skin, yet in the next instant, all living beings vanished. Humans and animals alike disappeared not just from Earth but from the entire Milky Way galaxy, which now radiated with the brilliance of the mysterious light.
In an expansive sea, where the water extended only a few inches above the ground, yet seemed boundless on the horizon, Amit materialized. He was a slender boy, approximately six feet tall, seemingly formed from magical orbs converging to shape his figure. Confused and disoriented, Amit opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. "Where am I?" he muttered softly, examining his body to ensure its intactness. He checked his pants briefly, relieved that everything seemed normal. "Thank goodness, everything's fine. Just for a moment, I feared... no, no, don't even think about that," he admonished himself, rising to his feet and cautiously exploring his unfamiliar surroundings.
After taking a mere five steps, a white mist materialized nearby, causing Amit to stumble backward and plunge into the water. "Argh! I'm going to die! It's a ghost! Run!" Fear gripped him as he sprinted away, glancing over his shoulder to observe the mist assuming a shape resembling his own. Halting abruptly, curiosity overcame his trepidation, compelling him to approach the mist cautiously. Step by step, he inched closer until he stood beside the mist, only to witness it surging toward him and entering his head, triggering a throbbing pain. Overwhelmed, his consciousness faltered under the influx of information, and his body vanished from that spot, reappearing in an entirely different location.