A Second Chance

Mumbai, India.

A 20-year-old boy suddenly woke up on a bed in a luxurious room. He felt a sharp headache, his mind throbbing as though a hammer was pounding inside his skull. Groaning, he instinctively pressed his temples and slowly opened his eyes. The ceiling above was unfamiliar, yet there was something strangely familiar about it. Confused, he sat up, his breathing uneven. His eyes scanned the room, a lavishly decorated bedroom, its grandeur speaking volumes about the wealth of its owner.

He frowned. "Where am I?" he murmured, rubbing his temples as he tried to recall what had happened. But the moment he attempted to access his memories, an excruciating pain shot through his head. He clutched his head, his vision blurring as flashes of memories flooded his mind like a dam breaking open.

Suddenly, his body started undergoing an inexplicable transformation. His height surged from 1.7 meters to 1.9 meters, his bones cracking and muscles stretching as if being reshaped by an invisible force. A strange sticky black impurity began oozing from his pores, covering his skin with a foul-smelling substance. His entire body burned as if it were being purified. The agony was unbearable, each second stretching into eternity. He gritted his teeth and endured, his body trembling as the process continued for nearly an hour before finally subsiding.

He collapsed back onto the bed, his body drenched in sweat and filth. His eyelids fluttered, and exhaustion consumed him as he lost consciousness.

An hour later, He woke up again, gasping for breath. His mind felt clearer now, as if the chaos had finally settled. He lay there for a moment, trying to comprehend what had just happened. And then, everything clicked.

His name was Arjun Malhotra. But he wasn't just Arjun Malhotra of 1990; he was Arjun Malhotra from 2025, reborn into his younger self.

"I'm back… I have returned to the past!" he whispered in disbelief.

The memories of his previous life flashed before his eyes. He remembered 2025, the year of his death. According to the original trajectory of his life, he had been the son of a rich businessman, living a comfortable and luxurious life. But everything changed in 1991, when India's economic liberalization opened the market to foreign competition. His father's business, which had thrived in a closed economy, collapsed under the pressure of multinational corporations.

His father had tried desperately to save the company, taking loans from banks and investors. But nothing worked. Bankruptcy followed, and soon all their properties were seized. His father, unable to handle the shock, suffered a heart attack and became paralyzed. His mother, once a respected socialite, was forced to work multiple jobs just to keep the family afloat. Arjun, who had grown up as a privileged rich kid, had to fight tooth and nail just to survive.

He eventually managed to secure a stable job at a financial company, working tirelessly to rebuild his life. But just when things started looking up, fate struck him down.

A truck accident. A blinding light. The unbearable pain. And then… darkness.

And now, he is back, this time he will not end up like in his previous. He will change everything.

"This is my second chance," he realized, his heart pounding in his chest. "I won't let history repeat itself. This time, I will protect my family and ensure our business survives. No, I will do more than just survive, I will dominate the market!"

His thoughts were interrupted by a foul stench. He looked at his body and grimaced at the sticky black filth covering his skin. Without hesitation, he rushed to the bathroom.

Thirty Minutes Later, after a long and thorough scrubbing, he finally stepped out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed. He stood in front of the mirror and stared in shock.

The man looking back at him was not the same Arjun Malhotra from before. He was taller, his once average frame now sculpted with lean, well-defined muscles. His face, which had been ordinary in his previous life, had become sharper and more attractive. His jawline was more prominent, his cheekbones well-defined. His eyes, once soft, now carried a sharp glint, an intensity that reflected his newfound determination.

He flexed his arms, surprised by the strength coursing through his veins. This must be a benefit of being reborn, he thought. Whatever had happened to him during the transformation had enhanced his physical capabilities.

As he was admiring himself, his landline phone rang.

He turned toward the bedside table and picked up the receiver. A familiar voice filled his ears.

"Arjun, son, are you awake?" It was his mother.

His throat tightened. In his past life, he had lost so much. His mother had suffered greatly after his father's downfall. But now, hearing her voice again, healthy and full of life, brought a lump to his throat.

"Yes, Mom," he said, trying to keep his emotions in check.

"Good, come downstairs. Breakfast is ready," she said warmly.

"I'll be there in a minute," he replied.

As he placed the receiver back, he took a deep breath. This was it. His new life had begun. A second chance to rewrite his destiny.

He walked to his wardrobe, picking out a crisp shirt and trousers. As he dressed, his mind was already racing with ideas.

He knew what was coming. The economic liberalization of 1991 was just around the corner. He had one year to prepare before the market opened. This time, he wouldn't watch helplessly as his father lost everything.

He would act now. He would take control.

"This time," he whispered, his eyes blazing with determination, "I will become the king of the market."

And with that, Arjun Malhotra stepped out of his room, ready to change the course of history.

The aroma of freshly prepared parathas and warm masala chai filled the air as Arjun stepped into the dining hall. His mother was setting the plates while his father, Rajesh Malhotra, sat at the head of the table, reading the newspaper. The scene was warm, something he had longed for in his past life.

"Come, Son, have a seat," his mother said, smiling as she placed a bowl of freshly made kheer in front of him.

As Arjun took his seat, he realized how much he had missed these simple moments. The conversations, the laughter, the care in his mother's voice, it was all priceless. He vowed to protect this happiness.

"You seem different today, son," his father said, setting down his newspaper and looking at him curiously.

Arjun smiled. "I just realized how important family is, Dad. And how lucky I am to have you both."

His mother Sunita Malhotra chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Oh, look at you! Talking like a grown-up suddenly!"

Laughter filled the room as they enjoyed their meal together. Arjun cherished every bite, every word exchanged. This was more than just a meal; it was a new beginning, a promise to himself to cherish and protect the people he loved.

Little did they know, this was just the start of a journey that would change all their lives forever.