Saru stood by the roadside, trapped between three unfamiliar faces—Detective Kwen, Professor Ravikant, and the persistent whispering of Maya.
Kwen (In a serious tone): "We know you went to that Park yesterday. And the way you ran away... Our camera footage, though captured from a distance, clearly shows that you were talking to someone. Do you have anything to say about that?"
Hearing Kwen's words, Saru felt a sudden rush of panic. His heart rate accelerated. He forced himself to regain composure, speaking slowly and deliberately:
Saru: "I don't recall much about that moment. And yes, I was using Yonk's camera there. You might find some pictures of me trying to motivate myself... maybe. That's all I remember."
Maya (Whispering urgently in Saru's ear): "Lies! If you had told the truth, I wouldn't be stuck with you right now!"
Kwen (In a stern voice): "You are trying to hide something from us. Look, this case isn't about your arrest. This is about a family that has lost their child. Look at what they must be going through—their child isn't home today."
The Time Traveler's Confession
Professor Ravikant gestured towards Ritik, picking up the thread of the conversation.
Professor Ravikant: "This boy isn't a regular member of our team. He's just a Time Traveller who has survived similar phenomena. And he's with us today... You shouldn't be afraid; you should help us."
Hearing the Professor, Ritik stepped forward, a strange melancholy in his eyes.
Ritik: "Yes, I also went through a time travel-like event once. The day I came home from the office, I saw my Mom and Dad in their younger years, and my mother was pregnant. That's when I realized something had gone wrong. At that time, no one could hear me, or even see me. I was unable to touch anything. I realized that this was the time of my birth."
Ritik's voice trembled slightly: "And after that, I woke up directly in my bed. I found out that I had been missing for six days, and my family had filed a complaint."
Saru (Frustrated, rubbing his forehead): "I apologize, but whatever you are saying makes no sense to me. And I remember nothing from that day. If you need anything, you should check the camera by going to my classmate, Yonk."
Kwen (Calming down): "It's alright. Don't be scared; we won't bother you. Just tell me this—who is Yonk?"
Saru (Calmly): "He's my classmate."
Kwen nodded in satisfaction. Following this, Kwen, the Professor, and Ritik began to leave. The police officers also started to clear out, and the crowd slowly dispersed.
Mother's Fret and Saru's Lie
As the police cars drove away, Saru's mother, Reena, rushed toward Saru. Deep anxiety and distress were clearly visible on her face.
Reena (In a loud, anxious voice): "Saru! What is going on? All those police officers, and that Detective... what were they asking you about? Did you get into a fight at school?"
Saru (Hugging his mother, feigning relief): "No, Mom, calm down! I didn't do anything. They were here because... a 12-year-old child went missing near our park last night."
Reena (Pulling back abruptly): "Missing? Oh, God!"
Saru (Emphasizing his manufactured story): "Yes, missing. And because I went there last night—they were just asking me if I had seen anything."
Reena (Tearfully): "Are... are you okay? Are you hurt? If anything happens to you..." Her voice broke. "You are not going out alone anymore, Saru. I'll send you to a hostel!
Saru (Consoling his mother): "Mom, please. I am perfectly fine. Nothing happened to me. I promise I'll tell you everything, but please calm down first."