Convergence of Fates

"Oh my goodness, you've achieved immortality? Are you kidding me?" Raj exclaimed with a grin.

Aryan, a mysterious and enigmatic individual, calmly nodded. "Yes," he replied in his usual serene manner.

Raj couldn't help but respond playfully, "So, you've been alive for 2000 years? That's mind-blowing!"

Aryan maintained his composed demeanor and affirmed, "Indeed, I have witnessed everything the world has endured."

Intrigued by his friend's claim of immortality, Raj couldn't help but remark, "Wow, you're like a true deity!"

"Bullshit!" Siddharth, who had just come back from the bathroom break, interrupted, skepticism apparent on his face as he settled comfortably in his chair. Siddharth, a staunch rationalist, wouldn't believe anything easily, unlike Raj.

Siddharth narrowed his eyes at Aryan and asked, "Don't bullshit me, Mr. deity. Tell me, when were you born? 2000 years ago?"

The charismatic Aryan responded mysteriously, his voice carrying a subtle intensity, "And I will continue to observe beyond that."

Siddharth furrowed his brows, unrelenting in his pursuit of answers. "That doesn't answer my question!"

Aryan paused, a hint of intrigue in his eyes, before replying, "I have never been born." Reflecting on his observations, he continued, "As a passive observer, I have witnessed the emergence of numbers."

Siddharth's skepticism remained intact, and he pressed on, determined to uncover the truth. "So, you will never age?"

Aryan's voice remained steady and enigmatic. "No, I will not."

Undeterred, Siddharth inquired further, "If you're a passive observer, shouldn't you simply observe without interacting with the world?"

Aryan, unaffected by their expectations, posed a counter-question, his eyes piercing into Siddharth's, "How does that relate to the matter at hand?"

Siddharth's annoyance grew at Aryan's evasiveness, but the room erupted in laughter as Raj jokingly interjected, "My brain might crash if we delve any further!"

The lightheartedness of their gathering permeated the air, but an undercurrent of tension lingered between Siddharth's skepticism and Aryan's mysterious nature. Siddharth, now amused, clarified, "I thought being a passive observer meant refraining from interaction."

Aryan's answers remained cloaked in mystery, and he cryptically admitted, "I… I am, but there are aspects I cannot fully comprehend."

Knowing he won't get a straightforward answer, Siddharth excused himself, claiming work to be done. "Guys, I have got some work to do, so I have to go!" he said, bidding his friends farewell and leaving the room.

Siddharth went about his daily routine, contemplating the recent invitation he had received from Aryan. The enigmatic nature of Aryan's personality had always intrigued him, making him a mysterious and fascinating individual to be around.

"I should probably go," Siddharth muttered to himself, acknowledging his curiosity and the desire to delve deeper into the enigma that was Aryan. With a nod of determination, he accepted the invitation, ready to embark on another evening of mysterious and profound conversations.

Siddharth arrived breathless, aware of his tardiness, and eagerly joined the gathering. Aryan, in the midst of his narrative, began to tell a story. "Once upon a time, in a mystical land, there lived a king. The king had not been born into royal blood; he had overthrown the tyrannical king who ruled his land. The king's presence had a captivating effect on those who encountered him. But no one knew his past. Where was he from? Was he from another country? Or was he from the same country? No one knew."

As Aryan continued his storytelling, Siddharth couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. Throughout the entire narrative, Aryan locked eyes with Raj, and Raj's gaze held an equal intensity in return.

Aryan's voice trailed off, choked by a sudden interruption. Two deafening gunshots shattered the air, their echoes reverberating through the room. Siddharth's heart raced as he witnessed the horrifying turn of events unfolding before his eyes.

The lifeless bodies of Aryan and Raj now lay motionless on the floor, their fates tragically intertwined in a twisted dance of fate. The room fell into a suffocating silence, pierced only by Siddharth's gasps of disbelief.

Shocked and trembling, Siddharth bolted out of the house, his mind racing with disbelief and his body consumed by panic. As he tried to calm himself, he took deep breaths, reminding himself, "It's going to be okay. Just breathe in and breathe out slowly."

Siddharth reached for his phone and dialed 128. "Hello, Vidyanagar Police Station. How can we help you?" a voice on the other end responded.

"Hello, sir. I am near the old temple. I had come to meet my friends, and they killed each other…" Siddharth replied, his voice trembling with panic.

"Are you okay?" the voice on the other end asked.

"Yes, sir," Siddharth replied, trying to steady himself and regain control. He sat on a rock in front of the house, contemplating the tragic turn of events. Questions flooded his mind - why would Aryan and Raj do such a thing? How would he answer Raj's mother? And Aryan's family… well, he didn't know much about Aryan. He had only met him through Raj. Siddharth stared at the boulder in front of him, his gaze fixated on the solitary object in this secluded place.

"Murmur, mur mur, mrmrmmr r…" Siddharth stirred, slowly waking from his slumber. He had been hospitalized due to the shock he experienced. Dr. Vikram, who stood by his bedside, greeted him with relief.

"I'm glad to see you finally woke up," said Dr. Vikram, introducing himself as Siddharth tried to gather his thoughts. Memories of the previous day rushed back, and Siddharth remembered the tragic events that unfolded.

Dr. Vikram reassured Siddharth, "You were admitted last night after fainting due to excessive stress. Losing friends is never easy, but you must try to move forward for the sake of your health."

"How can you say such a thing? You think I can just erase what I saw yesterday? The once lively Raj was laying there on the floor with blood oozing out of his forehead… I could see his brain!", Siddharth said, his voice trembling as he recalled the horrifying scene.

Siddharth suffered another panic attack, and fortunately, Dr. Vikram was there in the room to assist him. He put Siddharth on sleep medication.