Beyond Today

Prologue

People often say dreams disappear the moment we wake up.

But some dreams refuse to let go.They linger quietly in the corners of our hearts, waiting for the day they become memories.

Or perhaps... warnings.

Chapter 1:Ten Missed Calls

Morning arrived without asking anyone's permission.By eight o'clock, the city had already slipped into its familiar rhythm. Trains rumbled across the bridge that overlooked the river, their windows flashing briefly in the sunlight before disappearing into the distance. Students hurried along the sidewalks with backpacks slung over one shoulder, some laughing loudly enough to turn heads, others staring sleepily at their phones as if they were walking on instinct alone.

Inside Apartment 304, Kabir looked at the clock and immediately regretted it.

8:23 A.M.

"...No way."

His eyes narrowed.The time didn't change.He turned toward the hallway.

"Aarav!"

His voice echoed through the apartment.No answer.Kabir frowned.That wasn't unusual. Aarav had always been a heavy sleeper, but this was pushing it.He walked to the bedroom door and knocked three times.

"Oi! Wake up!"

Silence.He knocked again, harder this time.

"Aarav, I'm serious. We're already late."

Still nothing.Kabir rested his forehead against the door for a brief second and sighed.

"Don't make me come in."

The only reply was the faint hum of the ceiling fan from the other side.

"So that's how we're doing this."

He pushed the door open. Sunlight spilled through half-drawn curtains, filling the room with a warm glow. The desk beneath the window was unusually tidy. Textbooks were stacked neatly beside a sketchbook that had been left open the night before. A small alarm clock sat beside a framed photograph of Aarav with his parents. The alarm had long since fallen silent. Its owner hadn't. Buried beneath the blanket, Aarav slept peacefully, completely unaware that the rest of the world had moved on without him. Kabir picked up the bag. Weighed it.

"... Last warning."

He threw it. The bag landed squarely on Aarav's face.

"MFF—!"

Aarav shot upright so quickly that the blanket wrapped itself around his legs.

"What was that for?"

His hair stood in every direction imaginable, and his eyes struggled to stay open. Kabir didn't answer. He simply pointed toward the clock.

8:25 A. M

Aarav looked. Then looked again.

"... We're dead."

Kabir folded his arms.

"We were dead ten minutes ago."

For exactly one second, neither of them moved. Then Aarav launched himself out of bed. His first step landed on a slipper. His second nearly landed on the floor. He caught himself at the last moment, arms flailing wildly. Kabir burst into laughter.

"There goes today's attendance."

"Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"

Kabir slowly pulled his phone from his pocket.Without saying a word, he held the screen in front of Aarav's face.10 Missed Calls Aarav blinked.

"...Fair enough."

A grin tugged at the corner of Kabir's mouth.

"You've got five minutes."

"I only need three."

"You said that yesterday."

"And I was only twenty minutes late."

"You call that an achievement?"

Aarav ignored him and disappeared into the bathroom.

"Three minutes!"

he called."You've got two,"

Kabir replied.

"I'll make it."

"That's what you said yesterday."

The apartment slipped into its usual morning chaos.A toothbrush clattered into the sink.A drawer slammed shut.

"Where are my shoes?"

"Under the bed.""...Why are they under the bed?"

"You tell me."

A moment later, Aarav stepped back into his room, fastening the last button of his uniform.He reached for his notebook.Then stopped.His gaze drifted to the framed photograph resting on the corner of his desk.For just a moment, the rush of the morning faded into silence.He picked up the frame carefully, brushing a thumb across the glass.A small smile touched his lips.

"Good morning..."

The words were quiet.Almost a whisper.He placed the photograph back exactly where it had been, making sure it sat perfectly straight.Then, as if nothing had happened, he slung his bag over his shoulder and walked toward the door.

"Come on,"

he said with his usual grin.

"We're already late."

Kabir watched him for a second.He had seen that little ritual countless times.He never interrupted it.Kabir held the door open.

"Race you to the station."

Aarav laughed.

"In your dreams."

They disappeared into the morning, still arguing about who was responsible for making themlate.The apartment fell silent once again.The framed photograph remained on the desk, catching the first rays of sunlight.