Chapter 2: The Price of a Good Deed

Aryan had always been a meticulous planner, someone who prided himself on being able to anticipate problems and prepare for them in advance. His daily routine revolved around his goal of getting into IISc Bangalore, and he had sacrificed many things for this dream—sleep, social life, and even his personal interests. Yet, despite his intense focus on academics, he had always been someone who cared deeply for others. It was this very nature that would lead to his untimely end.

It was a chilly evening in early April, the air still carrying the remnants of winter as the city transitioned into summer. The results of JEE Advanced had just been announced, and Aryan's heart was racing as he refreshed the webpage. When the final scores appeared on his screen, he felt a rush of emotions—relief, joy, disbelief. He had done it. He had secured an All India Rank of 47.

His parents were overjoyed, his sister congratulated him with a tight hug, and for the first time in a long while, Aryan allowed himself to relax. The next few weeks were filled with the process of counseling and college selection. After carefully considering his options, he finally secured a seat at IISc Bangalore, the dream he had worked tirelessly toward for years.

That night, they celebrated with his favorite dishes, and he even indulged in a few extra episodes of anime—a rare treat. Life felt perfect.

But fate had other plans.

The next morning, he decided to go for a walk in the neighborhood park, a habit he had developed to clear his mind. As he walked past a quiet street, he heard the sharp sound of a child's scream. His head snapped toward the source of the noise, and what he saw made his blood run cold.

A little girl, no older than six, had wandered onto the road, oblivious to the speeding truck hurtling toward her. The driver honked frantically, but the child was frozen in fear. The people nearby gasped, but no one moved fast enough.

Aryan didn't think—he acted.

His body moved on instinct, sprinting toward the child with everything he had. Time seemed to slow as he reached her, pushing her out of the truck's path with all his strength. The little girl fell onto the pavement, safe and unharmed.

But Aryan wasn't as lucky.

The impact was brutal. The truck's momentum sent him sprawling onto the asphalt, pain lancing through his body like fire. The world blurred, his vision dimming as muffled screams echoed in his ears. He tasted blood, his body refusing to move as darkness began to consume him.

As he lay there, his mind strangely calm despite the pain, a single thought surfaced: So, this is how it ends.

His dreams, his ambitions, everything he had worked for—it all faded away. Yet, there was no regret. He had saved a life. That, at least, was something worth dying for.

The last thing he saw was the tear-streaked face of the little girl he had saved, her tiny hands clutching his as she sobbed. Then, the darkness swallowed him whole.

Somewhere beyond the veil of life and death, Aryan found himself floating in a void. It was neither warm nor cold, neither welcoming nor hostile. Just an endless expanse of nothingness.

A presence made itself known, ancient and unfathomable. Aryan couldn't see it, but he could feel its immense power.

"You have done much good in your life," a deep, resonant voice echoed through the void. "But you have also made your share of mistakes. Now, your karma shall be weighed."

A vast balance scale materialized before him. On one side, his good deeds—the times he helped others, his kindness, his sacrifices. On the other, his flaws—his selfish moments, his arrogance, the times he ignored the suffering of others.

The scale wavered, shifting back and forth. For a moment, it seemed perfectly balanced, as if his good and bad deeds had canceled each other out. But then, ever so slightly, the side of virtue dipped lower.

"You have accumulated just enough good karma to be given a second chance," the voice declared. "However, fate is not so kind as to return you to the life you once knew. You must start anew, in a world unlike your own."