Chapter 21 "Droughts of the Family Members"
Earlier, he had changed into formal attire in the park restroom to avoid questions about his sudden shift to casual clothes instead of formal ones.
As Shivam entered the gate of his house, the weight of the day's struggles sat heavily on his mind, yet he pushed it aside, putting on a facade of cheerfulness.
His body, which was always resilient, showed no outward signs of the mental fatigue he felt.
He felt no pain at the moment because his vitality was constantly pumping his body with the surrounding vital energy.
While entering, he turns off this ability so that he does not harm anyone.
"Hello, ma," Shivam greeted his mother with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting an unspoken weariness.
She looked at him with concern, her maternal instincts picking up on his hidden turmoil.
"Dinner is almost ready, make sure to freshen up quickly," she gently reminded him, aware of his long day at work.
Thanking his mother with a quick peck on her cheek, Shivam hurried to his room, shedding his work attire and the weight of the day.
The warm water of the shower washed away some of his exhaustion, rejuvenating him slightly.
As he dressed for dinner, he tried to push aside the remnants of stress about his plans, which he needed to put into action tomorrow, because he was currently focused on the comfort of his home, the love of his mother, and some curious gazes waiting for him downstairs.
As Shivam entered the dining room, he was taken aback by the curious and suspicious gazes fixed upon him, especially from his cousins.
Several key family members, including his parents, were notably absent, as there were still a few minutes left to start the dinner.
The room buzzed with conversation, centered around a video and photos displayed on a screen.
Curious chatter and questions filled the air as everyone scrutinized the footage, which showed a figure resembling Shivam sprinting through traffic with remarkable agility.
Despite the mask obscuring the individual's identity, many speculated that it was Shivam himself.
The family members were eager to confirm whether the person in the video was indeed Shivam.
Despite their doubts, certain similarities, such as the hairstyle featuring a bald spot at the back, and the resemblance in body structure, led them to entertain the possibility.
They were intrigued by the uncanny resemblance and sought confirmation from Shivam himself.
"Shivam had no idea what was going on in the room. Everyone was on their smartphones, and they were looking at him as if they had a question that only he could answer. This alarmed him."
Shivam's heart raced with apprehension as he considered the possibility that someone had captured him on camera during his leisure time, perhaps at the mall or engaging in other non-work activities.
The thought that such a photo or video could have made its way to his family filled him with dread.
The curious gazes directed at him now seemed to confirm his fears—that they were doubting his claim of going to work today.
He felt a surge of panic, fearing that he might be exposed and confronted for his actions.
With a deep breath, Shivam steadied his nerves, preparing himself to face whatever questions might come his way.
He understood that he needed to handle the situation tactfully, or else he could find himself in serious trouble.
Unaware of what was being watched on their screens, Shivam remained oblivious to the fact that a video of him had already circulated online like wildfire, spreading far beyond his knowledge or control.
Mohan, never one to waste time, quickly approached Shivam with a wide range of questions plastered on his face.
He whipped out his smartphone and eagerly showed Shivam the video of his epic sprint.
As Shivam watched the footage without betraying any emotion, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach.
He realized the magnitude of the disaster he had unwittingly caused by pulling off that reckless stunt on the road just to catch his train.
However, a small glimmer of hope flickered within him as he noticed that the footage only captured a partial view of his face, obscured by his mask.
Furthermore, his recently acquired stylish attire, with its unique design, made it difficult for anyone to discern his true identity.
It seemed that, for the time being, his secret remained safe.
Without missing a beat, Shivam decided to play it cool and not let on that the video had rattled him. Instead, he adopted an air of curiosity, casually running his hand over his bald spot as he remarked,
"Hey, this guy in the video has the same bald spot as me!"
His remark elicited uproarious laughter from everyone in the dining hall, even the usually stoic maids couldn't help but join in the merriment.
Despite Shivam's clever remark, his cousins, who often looked down on him, remained unmoved by his attempt at humor.
After the laughter had subsided, Shivam decided to switch tactics.
Pretending to be embarrassed by his bald spot, he feigned vulnerability while saying this guy in the video didn't have a cap, using the reason that Shivam wouldn't go outside without a cap and this isn't him.
It was only a move, but Shivam knew he had to do something to diffuse the situation.
Turning to Mohan, Shivam adopted an air of curiosity as he questioned the identity of the person in the video.
"He looks like me from the back, but he's got incredible speed.
He could pass for an athlete. But why was he running on the road?" Shivam pretended to be genuinely puzzled by the situation.
Mohan let out a sigh of relief as he responded, "We all thought it was you at first, but the speed in the video ruled you out.
We know you're not exactly known for your athleticism."
Shivam's heart sank as Neel, his cousin, who harbored a deep resentment toward him and his family, spoke up with his usual air of superiority.
"Shivam, you're working at the Thane location now, right?"
Neel's tone was more accusatory than inquisitive, lacking any semblance of respect or familial courtesy.
Despite the disrespectful behavior of his younger cousin, Shivam chose to remain silent.
He understood that respect was something earned through actions and integrity, not merely demanded based on age or position.
While Neel may have wielded a perceived superiority for now, Shivam knew that true respect was earned through kindness, humility, and perseverance.
And he was confident that, in due time, his own character would speak volumes, garnering the respect he deserved.
For now, he chose to stay composed, knowing that his response would ultimately define his character more than any words spoken in haste.
Shivam took a deep breath, steadying himself before responding to Neel's inquiry.
"Yes, I am.
Regarding the joining letter, I can certainly provide that to you today," he began, his voice betraying a hint of tension despite his efforts to appear composed.
"However, there are certain details that are blurred and cannot be disclosed, even to you. I hope you don't mind."
As Neel caught wind of the blurred content, a knowing smirk played on his lips.
He could easily surmise that Shivam was referring to sensitive information, like salary details.
Though he refrained from commenting directly, the gleam in his eyes hinted at his desire to taunt Shivam further.
As Neel continued to taunt him while his aunt Pushpa as well joined Neel to taunt Shivam, having smiles of sarcasm, Shivam remained unfazed, determined not to let the negativity affect him.
Instead, he focused on his own dignity and the importance of maintaining a sense of grace in the face of adversity.
With a subtle nod and a polite smile, Shivam brushed off the taunts, knowing that his actions spoke louder than any words could in proving his worth.
As Neel fell into a moment of silence, Shivam felt a twinge of relief, knowing that his cousin's disbelief offered him a small reprieve from the usual ridicule.
"So, every member at the dinner table, who had been suspicious of Shivam being the runner in the video, no longer suspected him. They felt that the guy in the video was too skilled a runner, which seemed unlikely to be Shivam."
Meanwhile, Pushpa, his aunt, seemed on the verge of questioning Shivam about his work today but halted as their grandfather entered the room, accompanied by Shivam's parents.
The sudden shift in atmosphere brought about an instant hush among the cousins, each quickly composing themselves in the presence of their elders.
It was a silent acknowledgment of the respect and reverence owed to their grandfather, a figure whose mere presence commanded reverence and demanded decorum.
Shivam exchanged a quick glance with his parents, conveying his gratitude for their timely arrival and knowing that their presence had diffused the tension in the room.
And as they all settled into a more subdued atmosphere,.
Amidst the tranquil lunch with his family, Shivam couldn't shake the apprehension looming over him.
While relieved that his parents and elders remained unaware of the viral video capturing his impromptu sprint, he couldn't ignore the possibility that well-meaning family members might inadvertently bring it to their attention.
With each passing moment, Shivam's unease intensified. He knew he had to be prepared for the inevitable revelation to his parents.
Thankfully, a stroke of luck had graced him—the casual clothes he wore during his impromptu dash were recent acquisitions, unknown to his mother.
This fortunate coincidence spared him the immediate risk of being recognized in the video.
Despite this stroke of luck, Shivam understood the gravity of the situation.
He resolved to handle it tactfully when the time came, ensuring his parents understood that he wasn't the one in the video but someone else.
As Shivam retreated to his room after dinner, he was greeted by his curious younger sister, Rajeshwari, who bombarded him with questions about the viral video.
However, Shivam found it relatively easy to convince her that the person in the video wasn't him, but rather someone else.
With a mixture of sincerity and persuasive storytelling, he explained his own limitations and tendencies, emphasizing his reluctance to run without his trademark cap due to his self-consciousness about his bald spot.
("Shivam never mentioned his bald spot to anyone in the family, not even to his mother or sister. His newfound confidence, fueled by the rewards he received from the Dark Web and the hope they provided, made him reticent about discussing his insecurities.")
As he elaborated on his reasoning, Shivam's mother overheard their conversation from the corridor, catching snippets of their discussion.
Though she remained unseen, Shivam could sense her presence, adding a layer of urgency to his explanations.
He knew that his mother's understanding was crucial, and he continued to reassure Khusi with conviction, all the while hoping that his explanations would suffice to assuage any doubts his mother and his little sister might have.
With a sense of relief washing over her, Ankita, Shivam's mother, approached him with a loving gaze, her concerns alleviated by his explanation to Khushi.
She had been aware of her sister Pushpa's intentions, understanding the potential for misunderstandings that could arise from the forwarded video.
However, hearing Shivam's clarification directly from his own mouth lifted a weight off her shoulders.
As she neared Shivam, her gaze softened with affection and reassurance.
With a gentle smile, she initiated a conversation about his day, genuinely interested in hearing about his work and well-being.
It was a moment of connection and understanding between mother and son, a testament to the bond they shared and the trust they held in each other's words.
With a genuine smile on his face, Shivam began to recount his day's activities, focusing on the technical aspects of his role as a data analyst.
He painted a picture of an environment filled with joy and camaraderie, emphasizing the ease of his work and the positive atmosphere within the company.
As he spoke, Shivam couldn't shake the twinge of guilt he felt for glossing over certain aspects of his day.
There were things he simply couldn't divulge to his mother, details that would only worry her unnecessarily.
Despite his remorse, Shivam knew that sometimes a lie was necessary to protect those we love from unnecessary concern.
With practiced ease, Shivam disguised the complexities of his day behind a veil of technical jargon, knowing that his mother would find comfort in the illusion of simplicity.
And as their conversation drew to a close, Shivam couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for the secrets he harbored, but only by not reveling in what he was doing, which was only possible at present for his own good.
As Shivam bid his mother a good night and retreated to his room, a wave of relief washed over him.
He sank into his chair, mentally exhausted from the day's events.
Despite the physical vitality coursing through his body, thanks to the energy derived from the Kundalini Optimizer Stone, he knew he needed to calm his mind before tackling his next task.
With an hour and a half remaining until he had to start his Dark Web Daily task, Shivam took a moment to reflect on the events of the day.
His experience with inadvertently sapping vitality from train passengers during his exercises had left him shaken.
Determined to avoid causing harm to others, Shivam made the conscious decision to disable the suction function of the Kundalini Optimizer Stone while in the presence of his family or others.
Though physically energized, Shivam felt a weight of responsibility on his shoulders.
He understood the importance of using his powers responsibly and ethically, ensuring that his actions never caused harm to those around him.
With a deep breath, Shivam focused on calming his mind and preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
Seeking a tranquil environment, Shivam locked his room to avoid disturbances and opened the windows for fresh air.
He activated the Kundalini stone's ability to absorb surrounding vitality and settled into a meditative posture for a calming nap.
This wasn't his first time attempting this method, and he recalled feeling peaceful and undisturbed after his initial experience.
He hoped that this meditation would soothe his mind and provide clarity for his plans the next day.
As this meditative state could potentially calm his mind, he was willing to prioritize his mental well-being in this moment of need.
(Unbeknownst to Shivam, the stability he felt was greatly influenced by the powerful mantra he recited daily as part of his tasks assigned by the Dark Web. This mantra, infused with the divine power of Durga Mata, held immense calming properties that transcended ordinary meditation techniques. Without the mantra's soothing influence, Shivam would have likely struggled to calm his mind despite the vitality absorption ability of the Kundalini stone. It was the divine energy encapsulated within the mantra that alleviated his stress and provided him with inner peace, enabling him to navigate his challenges with a stable demeanor.)
Just when the time to start the task was up, Shivam began applying the herbal mixture to his scalp, and he simultaneously immersed himself in the chanting of the Durga Mata mantras.
The process proved to be both calming and empowering, enabling him to focus his mind entirely on the rhythmic recitation of the sacred chants.
With each repetition, he felt a profound sense of connection to the divine energy encapsulated within the mantras.
In addition to chanting, Shivam also performed mudras, intricate hand gestures that accompanied the recitation of the mantras as instructed in his daily tasks.
These mudras were physical manifestations of his spiritual practice of yoga, which began to detoxify inner impurities from the body.
Together, the chanting of mantras and the performance of mudras created a harmonious synergy, allowing Shivam to delve deeper into his spiritual connection and experience a profound sense of inner peace and fulfillment, which started to regulate the inner self of the body.
Immersed in the rhythmic chanting of the Durga Mantra and maintaining intricate hand mudras, Shivam continued to absorb vitality at an accelerated pace through the Kundalini Stone.
With each repetition of the mantra, he delved deeper into a state of serene calm, feeling the gentle release of inner toxins from his body's pores.
Hours passed unnoticed as Shivam remained steadfast in his practice, embracing the blissful experience of spiritual connection.
The continuous flow of energy through his being brought a sense of profound contentment and clarity to his mind.
Suddenly, the tranquility was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing,
Ding with an AI audio reminder
This was bliss for the ears because he had completed the daily task.
Congratulations on completing the daily task of the day; your reward is ready for you to open.
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"Author's Note: Sometimes, you'll see brackets like () or {} in the text. These are used to help explain tricky words or situations in the story. For example, if there's something important about Shivam or another character that needs clarification, you'll find it explained in these brackets."
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