"Gurukul."
"Gurukul?" Anaya frowned, confusion flickering across her face. "That sounds like some kind of school."
"Something like that," Arjun replied quietly. "But it's not something you'd understand right now."
"Then help me understand, Arjun," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Tell me where you've been all these years."
Arjun sighed and reached out a hand to help her up. When she took it, he guided her to sit on the edge of the bed and knelt in front of her. Looking straight into her eyes, he said,
"Gurukul… lies millions of light-years away at the very heart of the universe. It's a sacred place, the meeting point of knowledge and power. The greatest warriors and the wisest beings in the cosmos are trained there. That's where I was."
Anaya's lips parted in disbelief. "You're joking, right? Are you saying there's life beyond Earth?"
"The world is far bigger than what your mind can grasp, Anaya. Compared to the vastness of existence, Earth is just a speck of dust on an endless page."
She shook her head. "But… how did you even get there?"
"That's a long story," Arjun said softly. "And it's not the right time to tell it yet. But I promise, one day I will."
"Arjun—"
"Shhh." He placed a hand over hers. "You asked me for the truth, and I gave it. But knowing too much right now could put you in danger. Trust me, Anaya. That's all I ask."
Her eyes filled with tears. She suddenly threw her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. "I trust you more than my own life. Don't ever say something like that again…"
He held her close, running a hand gently through her hair until her trembling stopped.
A few moments later, she pulled back slightly and whispered, "Then promise me one thing, Arjun. Promise me you'll never leave me again."
He smiled faintly, sadness in his eyes. "That's my promise. From now on, I'll always stay by your side. I won't ever leave you again."
Then he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Alright then," she murmured, wiping her tears and trying to smile.
He sat down beside her. "Now tell me about you… about the last eight years."
Anaya took a deep breath. "There's not much to tell. For me, you were everything. And then one day, you just… disappeared. Everyone said different things some said you were dead, some said you ran away. I cried for days, Arjun. Weeks. Then years. After a while, I stopped crying… because I got used to the emptiness. But when I heard you were back, I didn't know how to react. Should I be angry? Should I be happy? I just… left it to time."
She leaned her head gently on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Anaya," he whispered, guilt heavy in his voice. "I truly am."
She looked up at him, her eyes soft. "You don't need to say sorry anymore. Just… tell me how you ended up in that Gurukul."
Years ago…
"Where's Arjun gone?" Priya asked as she climbed into the train. Vijay, following with their bags, looked around. "He was just behind us."
Vijay jumped back onto the platform, searching. "Arjun! Where are you, man?"
The answer came from behind a wall — shouts, grunts, and the sound of a scuffle. Vijay ran toward it and froze. Ten men had surrounded Arjun. Five of them — the same ones he'd beaten up days ago — now stood ready for revenge.
Their leader smirked. "You remember that girl, huh? The one you tried to play hero for? Guess what — she's mine now. When I want something, no one else gets it."
Arjun didn't move. His silence was colder than anger.
"Didn't you get it, idiot?" the man sneered. "The day you hit me, my guys have been tracking you. That girl? I sent her. The drink you had? I drugged it. And now, I've got you right where I want you. My dad always says — when strength fails, use your mind. Look around — your childhood, your love, everything's destroyed. And now you'll die here, alone."
A faint smile curved Arjun's lips. "You really think you brought me here?" He chuckled. "Poor fool. The same girl you paid to trap me—she told me everything. And if you were that scared of my strength, maybe you should've brought an army instead of ten scared dogs."
Before the leader could react, Arjun's kick smashed across his jaw. Chaos erupted.
Three men charged at once. One swung a metal rod, but Arjun caught it mid-air, twisted it free, and drove his elbow into the man's throat. In one motion, he spun and sent the rod flying into two others. They dropped instantly.
The rest attacked together, flashing knives and chains. Arjun ducked low, swept their legs, and moved like lightning — every hit precise, every move ruthless. Within seconds, the alley fell silent except for groans.
Rocky, the leader, staggered up and grabbed a knife. But before he could strike, Vijay grabbed him from behind, choking him out.
When it was over, Arjun turned to him.
"Sorry…" Vijay began, guilt flooding his face.
"Don't," Arjun interrupted. "You know, Vijay… I valued our friendship more than anything. And you insulted it. You, of all people, should've known I never lie. And when I swore on our friendship, you still didn't believe me." His voice broke slightly. "So hear this — from today, that friendship is over. Don't ever talk to me again. For both our sakes."
And with that, Arjun walked away.
Vijay stood frozen, his heart heavy. The sound of police whistles snapped him back. He slipped away just as the officers reached the scene.
As he boarded the train, Arjun appeared out of nowhere. "One more thing," he said quietly. "What happened out there… Priya should never know. She doesn't deserve to carry that guilt."
Vijay nodded weakly. "But what about you two?"
Arjun turned away. "Staying away is the best thing I can do for her."
He said nothing more and disappeared into the crowd.
That night, he went to the washroom on the train—and never came back.
"That's what happened, Anaya," Arjun said quietly.
She blinked. "But you still haven't told me how that led you to Gurukul."
"I will," he promised. "After dinner. It's late, and Mom must be waiting."
She narrowed her eyes. "Promise?"
He smiled. "Promise. Now go. I'll freshen up and join you."
She nodded, but before leaving, she suddenly leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Don't be late," she whispered and walked away.
A few minutes later, Arjun came downstairs. Dinner was ready, and Meera fussed over him like old times. As he ate, the TV blared in the background:
> "Breaking News: In last night's gang war, new details have emerged. According to post-mortem reports, none of the 24 victims had a single drop of blood left in their bodies. Police now suspect this was not a gang war, but a mass killing done with terrifying precision."
Arjun froze for a moment, staring at the screen.
Later, alone in his room, a whisper echoed around him three voices speaking as one:
"Wherever you go, we will follow. Each time you near your destiny, you'll find us waiting on your path. We are the pain you must overcome before you move forward…"
"Arjun? You okay?" Anaya's voice broke through his thoughts. She stood at the door, worry etched across her face.
He turned, startled. "Yeah… just lost in some old memories."
"Liar." She folded her arms. "You're tense. It's because of that news, isn't it? Tell me the truth, Arjun. Please. I swear I'll never ask again."
"Don't," he said softly. "Never swear like that, Anaya. Not on yourself. Not for me."
"Alright," she said quietly. "But at least tell me, why did that news disturb you so much?"
He hesitated before answering. "Because… in Gurukul, I had allies. But I also had enemies. And if I'm here now, it means they can be, too."
Her eyes widened. "So… you think your enemies did that?"
"I don't know," he murmured. "I don't even know what they are anymore, friends or foes."
"Who are they?"
He looked up, his eyes dark and distant.
"Trini Bhagni."
"What?"
"In our language…" He paused, his voice low and heavy.
"The Three Sisters."