A Different Path
Date: July 20, 2009
Time: 6:15 PM
Location: Streets of Kolkata – En Route to Home
The streets of Kolkata in the evening carried a unique charm, a mixture of chaos and warmth that was unmatched. The air was thick with the aroma of food, the chatter of pedestrians, and the occasional honking of cycle rickshaws trying to squeeze through impossible gaps in traffic.
Aritra strolled past the roadside vendors, his mind still replaying the day's classes, but he was more focused on what lay ahead.
He had already decided against going to class tomorrow. There were no lab sessions, no practical work, and in JU, if something wasn't compulsory, you skipped it.
His focus was elsewhere—on the entertainment company he was building from the ground up.
Pulling out his phone, he dialed Ishita. She answered almost instantly.
"Already deciding to skip classes?" she said, her tone carrying a mix of amusement and sarcasm.
"No classes worth attending tomorrow," Aritra replied. "Which means I have time to handle something more important. I want two meetings scheduled—one with the entertainment division in the first half, all key members present. The second, in the afternoon, with the electronics company for an update on production."
"Noted," Ishita replied. "The first meeting at 10 AM, entertainment division. The second at 3 PM, electronics. Anything else?"
"Yeah," Aritra said, glancing at a nearby street food stall, his stomach suddenly reminding him he hadn't eaten since lunch. "I need to eat before I go home."
Ishita chuckled. "Have fun with your unhealthy Kolkata street food. See you tomorrow."
Aritra hung up and slid his phone into his pocket.
The city felt alive in the evening—vendors shouting to attract customers, people standing around small tea stalls, sipping on clay cups of steaming chai, while others grabbed quick snacks before heading home.
A small fuchka stall caught his attention, and his stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten since lunch.
"Ten pieces," he said casually, watching as the vendor cracked the crispy shells, stuffed them with spicy mashed potatoes, and dipped them into tangy tamarind water.
He popped the first one into his mouth—the explosion of flavors hitting instantly. The crunch of the shell, the cold, spicy-sour burst of the filling. Kolkata's street food never disappointed.
Further down the road, he saw a small chowmein stall, where a man stood tossing noodles in a giant wok, the flames flaring up dramatically.
"Kolkata-style chicken chowmein," Aritra ordered, watching as the vendor tossed in finely sliced chicken, cabbage, and soy sauce, before finishing with a sprinkle of black pepper and spring onions.
By the time he finished his meal, the sun had already dipped below the Howrah Bridge in the distance, and the streetlights flickered on.
He took a cab back home, his mind already on the next phase of his plan.
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Aritra's Private Residence, Jadavpur, Kolkata
The house greeted him with silent efficiency. The lights adjusted to a warmer tone, the temperature regulated automatically to match the cool night air. The AI system had everything perfectly calibrated.
LUMEN, the AI butler, was already waiting for him at the entrance.
"Welcome home, Master Aritra," he greeted. "Dinner has been prepared as per your usual preferences. Would you like it served now?"
"Yeah," Aritra replied, placing his bag on the couch. "What's on the menu?"
"Grilled chicken with herbed rice, sautéed vegetables, and freshly squeezed orange juice."
"Good," Aritra said, taking a seat at the dining table.
As the food was served by the automated kitchen arms, Aritra took the first bite. The flavors were balanced, precise—a stark contrast to the bold, messy explosion of the street food he had earlier.
As he ate, EMBER, the logistics AI, spoke up.
"Would you like to review the animation production progress?"
Aritra nodded, wiping his hands before moving to his workstation, where multiple screens lit up with a single command.
Ongoing Animation Projects – Created by Aritra's Secret TeamChrono Dominion – Season 1Episode 1: Final Rendering CompletedEpisode 2: Editing & Sound SyncingEpisode 3: Animation Final Touch-upsEpisode 4: Character Animation 80%Episode 5: Storyboard FinalizationCelestial Contracts – Season 1Episode 1: Editing & Sound Design Final StageEpisode 2: Background Art CompletedEpisode 3: Character Animation 70% DoneEpisode 4: Voice Acting in ProgressEpisode 5: Script FinalizationNeon Rajdhani – Season 1Episode 1: Lighting & Shadow AdjustmentsEpisode 2: Animation Phase 60%Episode 3: Sound Editing ScheduledEpisode 4: In Pre-ProductionThe Seven Divine Paths – Season 1Episode 1: Final Sound MixingEpisode 2: Character Design RefinementsEpisode 3: Script AdjustmentsEpisode 4: Concept Art Revision
Aritra leaned back, satisfied with the progress.
Each of these series was high-quality, handcrafted by his secret team of animators, developers, and writers. No AI shortcuts—just raw human talent.
"Play Episode 1 of Chrono Dominion," he commanded.
The screen faded to black before the opening scene began.
The city of Kolkata in 2095, bathed in neon lights, towering skyscrapers standing beside centuries-old temples. The protagonist, Arin Sen, stood atop a high-rise, his eyes scanning a holographic blueprint of time distortions.
"Time isn't linear," his voice narrated. "It's a cycle, a rhythm… one we've been blind to for too long."
Then—a sudden energy surge. A device in his hand began pulsing with an ethereal blue glow, and in the next instant, everything warped.
Aritra watched in silence, nodding to himself. The animation quality was fluid, the storytelling sharp.
This was going to change everything.
As the credits rolled, he stretched and exhaled.
Tomorrow, the real work would begin.
The entertainment industry wasn't ready for what was coming.