Destiny or Accident?

Episode: 12 || Step One......Maybe?

"The best way to keep
a prisoner from escaping
is to make sure
he never knows he's in prison"

Karna was terrified—truly terrified. This wasn't the fleeting fear that comes and goes in a moment; this was full-blown terror. Just a moment ago, everything seemed fine. He had been waiting for Advika, who had gone to her room to get his birthday gift. He was playing his part as her dutiful husband—a role he longed to make real. He thought he was doing okay, enjoying the simplicity of being with her, the dream of them being together, walking through the woods, hands intertwined, feeling as if everything was finally right.

He had been so absorbed in this happy moment that he almost forgot about the strange encounter with the old man, Ashava. The cool air drifted in from the window, soothing the room, and Karna found himself leaning against the door frame, half sitting on the railing. His hand brushed his lips and chin—a familiar gesture when he was lost in thought. His mind wandered to memories of childhood birthdays, recalling his mother making doodh pedas and his father taking him to the market to buy something special. For a brief moment, he had closed his eyes, letting the air and the memories wash over him.

Then everything changed.

When Karna opened his eyes, the world had shifted. The familiar feeling of a strange, otherworldly transition washed over him, but this time, it was different. He was no longer in the hotel room. He was back home. He stood in front of his house, his hand gripping the door handle as if he had been about to open it. The sun was just dipping below the horizon, signaling the approach of dawn.

The realization hit him like a shockwave. He had somehow returned home, far from the hotel, far from Advika. Panic surged through him. He let go of the door handle and ran toward the woods behind his house, his mind racing. "ADVIKA!" he screamed her name, desperate for a reply, for anything that would prove she was still with him. He frantically searched the small woods, his heart pounding with fear and confusion.

Reaching the riverbank, he scoured the area, though he knew it was a long shot. He ran up and down the banks, scanning the water, calling her name again and again, but the silence that met him was deafening. A flood of thoughts tore through his mind. She had just gone to get his birthday gift, and now he was home. How? Why? He never even got to say anything to her—no words, no goodbye. Was she safe? Was she looking for him, too?

Karna fell to his knees on the sandy shore, staring blankly at the setting sun. His eyes reflected the fading light, but his mind played vivid memories—memories of Advika laughing, dancing, living. His only friend, Chandu, would surely try to find him, but even that thought brought no comfort.

His heart shattered, he staggered to his feet, legs wobbling beneath him. Slowly, he made his way back to his house, hoping for a glimpse of someone, anyone. But the house was empty. Perhaps everyone was still at work or on their way back, but it didn't matter. Karna felt like a lifeless shell. He collapsed onto his bed, closing his eyes in a desperate attempt to return to the moment with Advika. But the only thing that came were memories—not the world he wanted so badly to hold onto.

And so he lay there, lost in the ache of what he'd lost, his heart heavy with a longing he could not explain.

Karna woke up to the gentle shaking of someone's hands, blinking groggily until he saw his mother and father hovering over him. The relief that washed over him was overwhelming. Happiness bubbled inside him, and tears welled up in his eyes. Without a word, he stood up and wrapped his mother in a bear hug, holding her tightly. Tears streamed from his closed eyes as he relished the feeling of her warm embrace again. Then, he turned to his father, who stood waiting, and pulled him into a hug as well.