Ch.2: A Day Well Spent

________________________________________________________________________________

- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India -

- June 1, 1991 -

Arthav sat still, his thoughts swirling as he processed everything. His reincarnation, his mutation, the hidden turmoil in the world—none of it was something an almost eleven-year-old should have to think about. And yet, here he was, grappling with the weight of it all.

Before he could sink any deeper into his thoughts, a soft knock came at his door.

"Art?"

The familiar, gentle voice pulled him back to the present. He turned just as the door creaked open, revealing his mother, Emily Carter Nair.

She was breathtakingly beautiful, with long black hair cascading down her back and warm brown eyes that held a natural kindness. Her delicate features, smooth skin, and well-maintained figure made it hard to believe she was the mother of an almost eleven-year-old boy. If anything, she looked like someone in her mid-to-late twenties rather than a woman who had faced war, fled her homeland, and built a life in an entirely different world.

Her gaze settled on him with concern. "You're still in bed? Are you alright?"

He blinked, momentarily caught off guard. For a second, he hesitated, but then he smiled—a warm, reassuring smile.

"Yeah, Mum. I just overslept. I'll be down soon."

Her lips curved into a small smile, but the concern in her eyes lingered for a moment before she nodded. "Alright, but don't take too long. Breakfast is getting cold."

With that, she turned and left, closing the door softly behind her.

Arthav let out a slow breath.

That short exchange had felt… normal. And right now, normal was exactly what he needed.

After his mother left, Arthav swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. His body felt light, brimming with the boundless energy of youth. A stark contrast to the mental weight pressing on him.

He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. There was no point in brooding over things he couldn't change—not right now, at least. Right now, he needed to start the day.

He headed to the attached bathroom, quickly freshening up. The cool water on his face helped clear his lingering grogginess. As he reached for a towel, his gaze drifted to the large mirror mounted on the wall.

And he paused.

He had seen his reflection countless times before, but now… now he looked at it through a different lens.

His face was still youthful, undeniably cute in that way most children were, but there was potential. His black hair was slightly messy from sleep but had a natural softness to it. His skin was fair, a clear trait inherited from his mother, while his overall facial structure—sharp jawline, high cheekbones—was unmistakably from his father.

And then there were his eyes.

Sapphire blue, deep and mesmerizing, with faint star-like patterns flickering within them, though the patterns became visible only if focused on them hard enough, but still whoever looked at his eyes they felt mysterious charm in them. A reminder that he wasn't just an ordinary boy, that there was something different about him. They were beautiful, but they also marked him as unique.

He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "Handsome future confirmed," he muttered with a small grin before shaking his head and heading out of the room.

------

By the time he reached the dining hall, the scent of food had already filled the air. His stomach rumbled in anticipation.

His mother had set the table with a classic English breakfast—crispy toast, scrambled eggs, sausages, grilled tomatoes, and baked beans. She was moving about the kitchen, making sure everything was set, while his father sat at the table, reading the morning newspaper.

Rahul Nair was an impressive man. He had a fit, lean build with muscle in all the right places, the result of years of discipline and dedication to both physical and mental well-being. His sharp features and confident posture gave him a strong presence, making it clear why he was successful in his business empire.

Hearing footsteps, his father looked up from the newspaper and met his gaze. His sharp brown eyes softened slightly as he gave him a warm smile. "Here you are champ. Finally awake, huh?"

Arthav grinned, taking a seat. "Yeah… I guess I was just extra tired today."

His father hummed, closing the newspaper and placing it aside. "Well, get a good meal in you. You'll need the energy for tonight."

Arthav blinked. "Tonight?"

His father chuckled. "Hahaha! Did you forget? Your birthday is at midnight. We're having a celebration with close relatives and friends. Your mother's been planning for weeks."

His mother scoffed playfully from the kitchen. "Excuse me? You had just as much input, if not more!"

Rahul chuckled, then turned back to Arthav. "I'll be coming home early from work today to help with the final preparations. Make sure you're ready."

Arthav nodded, a small warmth spreading in his chest. His first birthday in this life… a moment that should feel ordinary but now held so much significance.

This world might be different. His life might be more complicated than he ever imagined.

But right now, in this moment, surrounded by his family, things felt normal. And for now… that was enough.

-------

The morning passed quickly, following the usual rhythm of his routine.

Even though he was different—special—his parents had always insisted on him maintaining a structured lifestyle. That included daily exercise, though it was nothing extreme. His father, despite his busy schedule, had always emphasized the importance of discipline and health, and his mother wholeheartedly agreed. So, his workouts were light but consistent, keeping his young body active without overexertion.

After finishing his exercises and freshening up again, he sat down to complete his homework.

Today was Saturday, and unlike the magical children who were homeschooled or attended hidden magical institutions, he studied in one of Mumbai's prestigious schools. The school followed a five-day schedule, giving him weekends off, and while he didn't need to put too much effort into his studies, his parents—especially his mother—made sure he did.

Emily Carter Nair had come from a Muggle family and was sorted into Ravenclaw during her time at Hogwarts. Not only was she one of the brightest students of her year, but her natural curiosity had also led her to explore the magical world beyond just the British Wizarding system. Because of that, she firmly believed that knowledge—both magical and non-magical—was equally important.

"Magic is incredible, but never let it blind you to the value of intelligence and progress."

She had told him this countless times, and despite his unique abilities, she ensured he learned everything a normal child his age should know.

After finishing his work, he spent the rest of the afternoon passing time between the garden and his room. Sometimes, he would sit outside, watching the sky, other times, he would play a few games, letting himself relax. His mother was busy preparing for the birthday celebration, instructing the servants on decorations, food, and arrangements, but despite her work, she still checked on him every now and then, making sure he wasn't bored or feeling left out.

-------

As the evening arrived, so did his father.

Rahul Nair returned home earlier than usual, just as he had promised. His presence instantly brought a sense of warmth to the house.

In his hands, he carried a beautifully decorated cake, the rich scent of chocolate and vanilla filling the air as he placed it on the dining table.

By now, the entire house had been prepared for the celebration. The servants had finished their tasks, the decorations were in place, and the entire mansion felt festive. With his father back, the final touches were added—adjusting a few lights, arranging seating, and making sure everything was perfect.

-------

At exactly 12 AM, the party began.

Surrounded by close relatives, family friends, and cousins, Arthav stood in front of the cake, feeling the warmth of everyone's presence. Even some of his school friends had come, accompanied by their parents, making the celebration even more special.

The candles flickered In the dimmed lights, casting a soft glow over his face. His parents stood beside him, their eyes filled with love and pride.

As everyone started singing the birthday song, he closed his eyes for a brief moment.

This was his first birthday in this life. A life so vastly different from before. A life filled with mysteries and unknowns.

But here, in this moment—surrounded by his loved ones, hearing their laughter, feeling their joy—he allowed himself to just be a child.

And with a deep breath, he blew out the candles.

________________________________________

For more chapters, you can check out my patreon:

patreon.com/MJ_0422

________________________________________

Thanks for reading 🙏 🙏.

If you are liking this story so far please support this novel through the power stones and let me know your thoughts in the comments and please review this novel as ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ if you deem it worthwhile.