Once again, I was trapped in the same dream, the one that had followed me for as long as I could remember. But this time, it was different. It felt real. Too real. I wasn't just watching anymore. I was there, standing at the edge of something I couldn't escape, watching someone's life slip away right in front of me. And the worst part? I cared. Deeply. Even though I didn't know who they were. I tried to speak, to warn them. "Run…" But my voice wouldn't come out. My body refused to move. I was forced to watch as it happened. And then… they died. Right in front of me.
I jerked awake, sitting straight up in bed, my heart hammering violently against my chest. For a few seconds, I stayed frozen, trying to catch my breath. Slowly, reality returned, and I realized I was back in my room. Safe. Or at least… I was supposed to be. My eyes darted toward the clock on the wall.
8:00 AM.
"Shit."
If I didn't move now, I was definitely going to be late. I forced myself out of bed, still shaken, and rushed through getting ready. My mind kept replaying the dream in fragments, refusing to let go. It felt heavier than usual, like it meant something. Grabbing my breakfast in one hand, I headed straight for the garage. I started the car and pulled out, taking quick bites of my sandwich as I drove. Normally, I would have ignored the dream like always. But today… I couldn't. It lingered in the back of my mind.
Just as I was about to take another bite, my phone started ringing. Mom. I answered and switched it to speaker. "Hi, Mom," I said, trying to sound normal.
"Hi, Vicky," she replied warmly. "Anything new happening?"
"Not really. Same old," I said, then hesitated. "…Actually, I had that dream again."
There was a brief pause before she spoke. "That's strange. Maybe you're just overwhelmed, sweetheart."
"Yeah… maybe," I said quietly, though I didn't believe it. This felt different.
"But you're still coming for your birthday party, right?" she asked.
"Of course," I said, forcing a small smile. "I'll come home right after school."
"Good. Be careful."
"I will. I'm almost at school anyway. I'll call you later."
"Alright. Love you."
"Love you too."
I ended the call just as I pulled into the school parking lot.
As I walked into the classroom, something felt… off. It wasn't obvious. Just a strange, quiet feeling sitting in the back of my mind. There were only two people inside, Ms. Zare and a girl I had never seen before. She was sitting by the window, the morning light falling softly across her face. Her dark brown hair rested gently over her shoulders, and her eyes were fixed outside, distant, almost lost in thought. I didn't know her. She was new.
"Good morning, Ms. Zare," I said.
"Good morning, Vikram," she replied with a smile. "Take a seat."
I nodded and sat down beside the girl. For some reason, my heart started beating faster. I glanced at her, trying to look casual, like I wasn't paying attention. But something about her felt… familiar. Too familiar.
By 8:25, the classroom had filled up. Just before the lesson began, Ms. Zare stood up. "We have a new student today," she announced. "Please introduce yourself."
The girl stood up. "Hi, I'm Sahasra," she said with a small smile. "I hope we can all be good friends."
My entire body froze. No way. It was her. The girl from my dreams, the one I had watched die over and over again. And somehow… I already knew her name. Sahasra.
She sat back down, and I leaned slightly toward her. "Hey, Sahasra," I said quietly. "I'm Vikram. Vikram Aditya Swarna. I'm sure we'll be friends."
She smiled politely, but there was confusion in her eyes, like she felt something too but couldn't explain it. Then she tilted her head slightly and asked, "Wait… what's your middle name again?"
"Aditya," I replied without thinking.
For a split second, something shifted in her expression, like that answer meant more than it should have. "Oh, I almost forgot," she said quickly, as if brushing it aside. "You're invited to my birthday party. It's two days from now. Bring your parents too."
I blinked. "Thanks… I'd love to come."
Something about this felt too coincidental. Too perfect.
Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at it. "Mom."
"Answer it," I said.
At the exact same moment, my own phone started ringing. Mom. I answered immediately. "Hello?"
"Hi, Vicky," she said cheerfully. "Change of plans. We're not celebrating your birthday at home. We're going to a restaurant with a family friend's daughter."
I frowned slightly.
"Her name is Sahasra Bhatia."
My brain stopped working. "Wait—WHAT?!"
I turned toward her. She was staring at me, just as shocked. From her phone, I could faintly hear, "…you'll be celebrating with a family friend's son. His name is Vikram Aditya Swarna."
She slowly lowered her phone, her eyes wide. "What's your last name?" she asked.
"Swarna," I said, still trying to process everything. "Why?"
She didn't answer. She just stared at me.
And then it hit us.
At the exact same moment.
We looked at each other, completely stunned.
"What the fuck," we both said.