The World Is Grey

There was a different mist hanging in the air in the room—the stale, compressed air of the previous night scattering the light that filtered through the broken mesh of bars.

The resonance of his sister scrubbing cookware reverberated in his ears. Although he was asleep, he could still perceive the cacophony, yet it didn't perturb him. What could possibly unsettle a man who set an alarm for 5 AM but languidly woke at 10 AM?

It was the very reason he had grown used to the constant taunts from his sisters, and he had no issue with that. After all, who in their right mind sets more than fifteen alarms in a row, then casually unplugs the phone from the charger and sleeps through the blaring alarms?

Finally, he awoke. The bedsheet slowly slipped down the side of the bed, hanging limply. His hair was disheveled as he sat up.

"Oh, the prince has awakened," his middle sister said with a teasing smile, to which he smirked in reply.

He reached out for the water bottle on the study table beside his bed. Twisting open the lid, he took a few sips, as he usually did after waking up.

"Hey, can you just… go and buy cow's milk from the shop?" his sister requested, already knowing how he would react.

He replied grudgingly, "Okay, but first, I'm going to the toilet."

His sister shook her head in mild disdain—no surprise there. He stayed in the bathroom for half an hour before finally coming out.

"Okay, give me the money," he said, adjusting his tracksuit.

"Hehehe… hehehe," his sister gave a silly, sarcastic smile, making him grin uncontrollably as he tried to hide it. A wide laugh filled the air.

"Noo, don't do that again…" he said, laughing. He took the money from her hand and headed to the shop, stuffing his hand into his tracksuit pocket.

As he walked out, his body language shifted, his eyes darting around, taking in everything, here and there everywhere. When he reached the shop, he stammered, struggling to even ask for what he had come for.

Somehow, he got the milk and sighed. What was I doing…? No… He inhaled deeply, his eyes darting around, scanning the people—are they watching me?

I've never felt like this… my heart… it's like it's collapsing in on itself. He began steadying his breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Somehow, he reached the gate and gripped the knob, trying to control his racing heartbeat.

Why am I feeling this way…?

In some way, he made it back to the house and collapsed onto the bed, leaving the milk in the kitchen, where his sister continued working.

His breathing was heavy. He could feel every sensation in his body—his heart contracting and expanding, a sharp pain running through his chest, his legs trembling.

Am I… gonna die?

A soft, hopeless voice echoed in his mind, accompanied by a faint smile… as he fell back, and the darkness consumed him.

.....

....

....

.

"Kahh! Kahh!" He coughed, then laughed, exhaling.

"Fu#k..." he sighed. "Who would have thought I'd die?"

He stood up, inhaling deeply. After all that, he studied for three hours, then took a bath before getting ready for coaching.

Today feels different... He sat on the bed, putting on his shoes. I don't know what to say, but my heart feels full—hopeful, with a different yet lovely energy.

What am I going to do today? He nodded as he slipped his right foot into his shoe.

Hmm… I think today, something good is going to happen, he smiled faintly.

He properly wore his shoes, tapping them against the floor with a firm thud. Standing before the mirror, he ran his fingers through his hair, adjusting it with precision, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. Then, he sat down and dug into the meal his sister had prepared.

With a radiant energy, he departed for coaching, feeling happy, enthusiastic, and calm. As he walked, he gradually moved his head toward the infinite blue sky. His eyes sparkled.

In a few steps, the black gate came. He tightly grabbed the knob and, with a clank, turned it to the right before closing it back. There were cars adjacent to the house wall, leaving space for the drainage system.

He walked on the road, his heart moving with love and calmness. But things didn't always work as simply as he thought.

Why is this feeling today…?

He smirked, then sighed, before inhaling through his nose again.

Something isn't feeling right…

At that moment, he felt something— a sensation like an electric current surging through him, leaving his eyes wide in shock. He blinked rapidly, and just like that, the goosebumps were gone.

What… the heck…?

He flipped his hands again, inspecting his wrists.

Something passed through me… through me… He emphasized the words in his mind.

Taking a deep breath, he glanced at the time.

Fu#k, late again…

He dashed forward—then suddenly paused.

Wait…

He turned his face back.

The tree foliage spilling over the wall looked different… brittle. He narrowed his eyes, taking note of the change.

Then, he glanced at his wrist—as if checking the time.

Why… does it look a little grey? Am I getting darker? No way…

What—ahh, time!

Without wasting another second, he strode forward.

I have to reach early. No way… why do I always get late?

He walked with purpose, almost like a model—fast, as he had learned from look-maxing videos. He could feel a song playing in his mind… Ahh, fashion, fashion… Overtaking everyone, he moved swiftly until he reached the road.

Now I have to cross it… f#cking yes… yeah, I'm doing it, shut up… His mind started fighting against him.

Why? Shut up. Don't you think there was a place to go through?

Yeah… and I missed it because of you.

Okay, okay.

A car swooshed past him.

Yeah, now…

He extended his hand mid-step and crossed the road, finally stopping under the cacophony of rustling leaves.

As he watched the sun behind him, his gaze drifted toward the sky, then down to the bustling road, filled with the blaring horns and restless movement of the crowd.

This is strange…

His auto arrived. He gave his location and sat down, wearing earphones—something he had grown accustomed to. He used to feel ashamed, even hated wearing them while traveling.

Opening Spotify, he played a song that matched his mood.

Killer…

After some time, he noticed the driver taking a shortcut.

Wow, the universe is with me today, I guess…

He faintly smiled. Soon, they passed by the buildings he had always dreamed of living in. He subtly tilted his head upward, trying to take in the full view of the towering apartments.

Then, his gaze lowered, and reality sank in.

What am I now?

Nothing...

His eyes wandered—people shopping from high-end stores, Gen Z kids with curly, voluminous hair and trendy glasses, a luxury car showroom displaying the finest vehicles.

"I will come soon," he muttered.

But then, something felt off. Whenever he looked at his palms, they seemed darker. Not just his hands—the trees too, there's shadows.

They were grey...

Like someone had drained the color from them.

And the buildings—polished, dark, glistening whenever the sun arced over their tops.

The auto stopped subtly, and he immediately removed his earphones.

He never trusted anyone—what if the driver stopped before reaching the destination? He always had this fear. And this time, he was right.

"Hey, come outside," the driver said casually. "Auto isn't going further."

He stepped out, wanting to question him, but his heart raced with anxiety.

Instead, he simply handed over the money. The auto turned back and disappeared down the road.

He sighed...

"Fu#k off."

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he continued walking.

As he reached the exact spot where the auto had stopped, he muttered under his breath, I could have said something… chewing his lip.

Just as he was about to cross the road—

A voice called from behind.

A girl... His mind stopped for a second. He turned back, his gaze settling on her even before he could say a word.

"Hey," she greeted, a cheerful smile on her face.

She wore a pink tracksuit, white pants, and matching sneakers.

She was almost his height. Unconsciously, he found himself comparing.

He smirked in reply.

Fuck, what are you doing? He tried to suppress his anxiety.

"Hey, can you take me—I mean, can I go with you?" she asked calmly.

Her fingers trembled, nervously fidgeting as she touched her first finger with the other hand, the shaking persistent.

His mind stalled in shock.

His heart stretched and tightened as he tried to stay composed.

"With me…?" He smiled faintly. "Why not?"

"Really?" She looked like she might jump in excitement.

"Yeah…" At this point, his expression and his mind were two different things.

He subtly studied her face.

She had nothing in mind, he noticed.

She looked good, but— But why do you want to go with me?

She went quiet, lost in thought. He observed her carefully.

Does she have a plan? What is she thinking?

His eyes locked onto her like they were about to draw out her soul. But he managed to control his gaze.

"Actually, I have already met you previously," she exclaimed.

Me? How… how wasn't I able to recognize her? His mind raced.

"Oh," he replied, glancing around.

"Yeah…" she said slowly.

"But why me?" He asked

"Because… you are looking good," she replied in a soft tone.

What…!! "What?" He laughed.

"Yeah…" she lowered her pitch, "I had shelter at an aunty's house, but her son tried to… do something inappropriate… so I left without telling her."

"Oh." He shook his head, unsure of what to say next.

"Yeah… but you looked clean," she said politely, her hands fidgeting.

"Haha," he chuckled in a low pitch. "Okay… but why haven't you gone to the police yet?"

"My father told me not to," she blurted out.

Oh…

"Yeah."

"Who is your father?" he asked carefully.

"Are you just going to ask me questions?" she blurted again.

Oh… well… He faintly smiled. "I just can't take you with me like that. I don't know you…"

She sighed. "Okay. My father is Rajiv Shah. He's a billionaire."

"Oh." He didn't look as flabbergasted as he should have. "But I've never heard his name before."

"Maybe… because there are many billionaires in India, and people just know the top three-four," she explained.

"Yeah… okay, I'll take you," he replied calmly, "but I'm going to my coaching."

"Coaching?!! Okay… but I'm hungry right now," she said in a longer pitch.

He remembered his purse—the one he never used money from. "Okay, let's go."

As they walked together, his mind raced with thoughts about her. Is she trying to fool me? No… she can't be. She's wearing good quality clothes. Even if not… she doesn't look fake… I can't be wrong. I believe in my intuition

"Hey, what are you thinking?" she disrupted his thoughts.

"Nothing," he replied.

"You're walking like I'm going to kidnap you. You look concerned… don't worry, I'm not harmful," she laughed.

"Nothing… nothing like that," he replied with a soft chuckle. But he was seriously concerned about her.

As they reached a turn, he glanced at it with a faint smile. She came from here…

When they arrived at the café, he looked up at the board. Fuck… will my money even be enough to eat here?

They entered. At the table, they ordered food and ate.

"Now, I think we can go," he said, standing up.

She nodded and got up.

At the counter, he asked for the bill, but the man didn't hear him.

"Is this how you ask?" she said sarcastically. "You're an introvert, aren't you?"

He smirked helplessly.

She paid the bill, and they left for coaching.

On the way, he kept thinking about how he would take her inside.

"Hey…" With much hesitation, he stopped her.

"Yeah? What happened?" she asked.

"Don't you think the world is looking grey…?"