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The Book of Aarav – 0.7
Close to Peace The leaders of the various factions of the Pranvar clan had gathered in the immaculate, richly decorated palace courtroom, accompanied by their families. Among the attendees were Ashura, head of the Avantaveera military and chief of external affairs, along with his five squad leaders; Elder Jeron and his new wife, the twenty-one-year-old…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.6
Duty and Desire “Did you inform the King before coming here?” Rudhra asked, lifting the trident and handing it to Yodhika. “No. They’re all busy with something,” she replied. With a soft click, the trident retracted into a compact rod, which she slid into its holder. She then took out two kerchiefs—one to cover her…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.5
Rudhra’s Home “Are you not going to the palace today, Rudhra?” Rudhra’s mother, Kousala, asked as she covered the plate of puttu and black chickpea curry. “Not today. They asked me to take a day off,” Rudhra replied, lying on his bed, still groggy from sleep. “Rest? Really?” Kousala said, unconvinced. “Why would you need…
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The Book of Aarav – 0.4
Sword and Dagger “Sir Ashura, Dr. Chaithra says it is time.” The soldier in a black combat uniform entered the captain’s cabin only after Ashura permitted him to do so. “Okay. You may leave now,” Ashura said, rising slowly from his chair. He lifted the knee-long overcoat draped over the backrest and slipped it on.…
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The Book of Aarav – 3
Who are you? A policeman sat at a desk near the doorway, flipping through a file. The station wasn’t crowded, a rare calm for a city office—walls painted in warm cream, polished floors reflecting the sunlight streaming through the high windows, and neatly trimmed plants lining the entrance. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant, and…
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The Book of Aarav – 2.5
The Opposition Leader At PMO, South Block, Raisina Hill, New Delhi Mr. Bheeshma Sinha, Prime Minister of India, sat behind the heavy teak desk—a decorated soldier and the boldest presence in the country. At sixty, he carried a tall, commanding frame and a clean-shaven face, sharp cheekbones, and piercing eyes that seemed to measure everything…
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The Book of Aarav – 2
Aarav and His Mother Aarav ran out of the elevator the moment the doors slid open. He glanced at his phone mid-stride, realizing with a jolt that he was already an hour late. Swiping his access card, he pushed through the office doors. The glass panels opened into a cool, softly humming world of polished…
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The Book of Aarav – 1
The Alley and the Masked Man A hand slipped out from beneath the covers, reaching for the phone vibrating sharply on the bedside table. 6:00 a.m. The alarm cut through the early hush of Whitefield, one quiet corner of a city already stirring. The phone disappeared under the blanket. Silence returned. Aarav sat up, rubbing…
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The Book of Aarav – Prologue
A few shrubs stood proud and still, resolute as the tall grasses danced in the sea’s night breeze. The wail of sirens rose across the land, drowning the breeze’s quiet murmur. A baby’s cry echoed from the dense, dark forest near the beach. A flickering light shone upon the dancing grasses at the forest’s edge…
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When the Clock Strikes Two-4
Shocking News I swiped my ID card on the reader and entered the office, following the man who had shared the lift ride up.Even though I had expected it, the change in the office layout still unsettled me. Until yesterday, the workspace had been open—rows of desks arranged side by side. Today, everything was different.…
Karun G Nath 