The moment Raman stepped off the school bus, he immediately regretted it.
Not because he disliked school.
Not because he hated studying.
But because he was currently being escorted across the campus like some important celebrity.
On his left was Sushmita.
On his right was Shruthi.
The two girls walked beside him with expressions so serious that anyone watching might think they were guarding a national treasure.
Raman felt helpless.
“I’m just going to class…”
Unfortunately, neither girl listened.
Sushmita proudly puffed out her chest while leading the way through the corridor.
Several younger students moved aside automatically as she walked forward with absolute confidence.
To make matters worse, she occasionally pointed at random students and whispered things that sounded suspiciously like warnings.
Raman didn’t even want to know what she was saying.
After several minutes of suffering, they finally reached the primary section of the school.
Only then did Sushmita reluctantly stop.
She crossed her arms and looked down at her younger brother.
“Brother, don’t worry.”
Raman immediately had a bad feeling.
“If anyone bullies you, tell me immediately.”
A few nearby students looked at Raman with pity.
After all, nobody in the school would dare bully him.
Most people were more afraid of his sister.
Sushmita nodded seriously.
“I will definitely protect my precious little brother.”
Raman smiled helplessly.
“Thank you, Akka.”
Hearing that, Sushmita instantly became happy.
Her earlier serious expression disappeared and was replaced by a bright grin.
She happily patted his head before finally heading toward her own classroom.
Even while leaving, she kept turning around every few seconds to make sure he was safe.
Raman honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Unfortunately, escaping one guardian only meant dealing with another.
The moment Sushmita disappeared around the corner, Shruthi immediately moved closer.
“So Ram, what did you do during summer vacation?”
“Did you miss me?”
“Did you watch cartoons?”
“Did you practice drawing?”
“Do you still like mango ice cream?”
Question after question attacked him without mercy.
Raman felt his head spin.
At this point he seriously respected teachers.
Anyone capable of handling dozens of children every day deserved a medal.
Fortunately, they finally arrived at their classroom.
The sight of the familiar room almost moved him to tears.
For the first time in his life, entering a classroom felt like entering a safe zone.
The room was already filled with students.
Children chatted happily with friends while waiting for class to begin.
Some discussed cartoons while others exchanged snacks they had secretly brought from home.
Since this was the beginning of a new semester after summer vacation, everyone seemed unusually energetic.
Raman and Shruthi made their way toward their usual bench.
The moment he sat down, Raman finally released a sigh of relief.
Peace.
At last.
Unfortunately, that peace lasted less than five seconds.
“Ram!”
He turned around.
A group of girls nearby immediately waved at him.
Raman politely waved back.
The girls instantly became excited.
Meanwhile, Shruthi narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
She looked like a tiny detective investigating a criminal case.
Raman had already become accustomed to this behavior.
Over the years, he had noticed something strange.
For reasons beyond his understanding, people naturally felt comfortable around him.
Children approached him more often.
Teachers treated him kindly.
Even strangers seemed to trust him quickly.
At first he thought it was coincidence.
Then he remembered the ridiculous beginner reward from the system.
Incubus Physique.
Even now, he didn’t fully understand what that gift actually did.
But he was starting to suspect it wasn’t as simple as the system had claimed.
As expected, Shruthi immediately activated her defensive mode.
Whenever another girl approached Raman, she somehow appeared beside him within seconds.
If a classmate wanted to share snacks with him, Shruthi would offer snacks first.
If someone wanted to sit beside him, Shruthi would somehow occupy the seat beforehand.
The entire situation was absurd.
Raman often wondered why nobody found it strange.
Apparently everyone considered it normal.
Meanwhile, a random boy sitting near the back of the classroom watched everything with envy.
His eyes landed on Raman.
Then on the girls.
Then back on Raman.
The boy sighed deeply.
“Damn…”
His friend looked confused.
“What happened?”
The boy pointed toward Raman.
“What happened?”
“Look at that lucky bastard.”
His friend followed his gaze.
A second later, he nodded solemnly.
“I understand.”
Both boys silently mourned their terrible luck.
Meanwhile, Raman remained completely unaware.
Soon, the classroom noise gradually decreased.
Everyone knew what was coming.
The first class of the new semester.
A few moments later, the classroom door opened.
Their teacher entered.
Instantly, the room became quiet.
The teacher was a young woman in her mid-twenties.
She possessed elegant features, kind eyes, and a gentle smile that made students feel comfortable around her.
Unlike many strict teachers, she genuinely cared about her students.
Even Raman couldn’t help admiring her.
Not because of anything inappropriate.
Simply because she carried herself with confidence, kindness, and grace.
Those qualities naturally attracted respect.
Unfortunately, Shruthi completely misunderstood his expression.
The little girl’s cheeks immediately puffed up.
Her eyes narrowed.
A dangerous thought appeared inside her mind.
“Hmph.”
She crossed her arms.
Raman glanced at her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you angry?”
“I’m not angry.”
The answer convinced absolutely nobody.
Inside her mind, however, Shruthi was making a dramatic declaration.
One day, she would become extremely beautiful.
Even more beautiful than any teacher.
Then she would—
At this point her imagination became wildly unrealistic.
The result was a bright red face.
Raman stared at her.
Now he was genuinely confused.
Why was she suddenly blushing?
Did she have a fever?
Before he could ask, the teacher clapped her hands.
The classroom immediately became attentive.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning, teacher!”
The students responded enthusiastically.
The teacher smiled.
Then she spoke words that instantly captured everyone’s attention.
“Today, we have a new student joining our class.”
The classroom exploded with excitement.
A new student?
Immediately dozens of curious eyes turned toward the classroom door.
Even Raman became interested.
New students always brought fresh energy to a classroom.
The teacher smiled mysteriously.
Then she looked toward the entrance.
“Come in.”
The classroom door slowly opened.
For a brief moment, every student turned their attention toward the entrance.
Even the usually noisy boys sitting at the back became quiet as curiosity filled the room.
Then a little girl stepped inside.
She looked around the classroom nervously before walking toward the teacher.
The girl had large expressive eyes, soft features, and neatly tied hair.
Combined with her shy smile, she looked incredibly adorable.
For a second, the classroom became completely silent.
Then chaos erupted.
“She’s cute!”
A boy whispered.
“Really cute!”
Another agreed immediately.
Several girls also looked at the newcomer curiously.
The teacher chuckled at the students’ reactions before gently placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“Go ahead and introduce yourself.”
The little girl nodded.
She gathered her courage before speaking.
“Hello everyone…”
Her voice was soft but clear.
“My name is Samantha.”
A bright smile appeared on her face.
“Please be friends with me in the future.”
The moment she finished speaking, half the boys in the classroom looked ready to volunteer immediately.
Several hands shot into the air.
“We can be friends!”
“Sit here!”
“No, sit here!”
The teacher immediately smacked the desk lightly.
The classroom became quiet again.
Meanwhile, Raman sat frozen.
His eyes remained fixed on the little girl.
Samantha.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu.
The future actress who would eventually become one of the most recognized stars in Indian cinema.
Yet right now she was simply a shy little girl standing in a classroom.
The feeling was strange.
Very strange.
Over the years, Raman had slowly accepted that he was living in a parallel world.
Still, seeing future celebrities as children always felt surreal.
Beside him, Shruthi noticed something immediately.
Raman was staring.
Very intently.
Her eyes narrowed.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
A few seconds passed.
Raman continued observing Samantha out of curiosity.
Another few seconds passed.
Shruthi’s patience finally broke.
Pinch.
“Ouch!”
Raman nearly jumped from his seat.
His cheek had suddenly become a victim.
The entire classroom turned toward him.
Even the teacher looked confused.
“What happened, Raman?”
He immediately sat straight.
“Nothing, teacher.”
The teacher looked unconvinced.
Still, she continued with the lesson.
Meanwhile, Raman rubbed his cheek.
He turned toward Shruthi.
“Why did you do that?”
Shruthi crossed her arms.
Raman sighed.
“I was just looking.”
“Hmph.”
“I wasn’t doing anything.”
“Hmph.”
The conversation wasn’t very productive.
Fortunately, the teacher soon interrupted the situation.
“Samantha.”
The teacher pointed toward the empty seat beside Raman.
“You can sit there.”
Samantha nodded obediently.
Then she carefully walked toward the bench.
Every boy in the classroom watched with disappointment.
Their hopes and dreams had been crushed.
The cute new student had been assigned somewhere else.
Meanwhile, Samantha sat down carefully.
She glanced toward Raman.
Then toward Shruthi.
Then back toward Raman.
The atmosphere felt slightly strange.
Especially because Shruthi was still pouting.
Samantha wasn’t sure what was happening.
After several seconds of silence, she finally gathered her courage.
Slowly, she extended her hand.
“Can we be friends?”
Her smile looked slightly nervous.
Raman smiled warmly.
“Of course.”
He shook her hand.
The handshake lasted only a moment.
Yet the sunlight streaming through the classroom windows happened to fall directly on them at that exact moment.
Neither child understood it.
Yet years later, both would remember this day—their first meeting, their first conversation, and their first friendship.
Meanwhile…
There was a problem.
A certain little girl was becoming increasingly unhappy.
Shruthi stared at the joined hands.
Then she stared at Samantha.
Then she stared at Raman.
The result was immediate.
Pinch.
“Ouch!”
Raman almost cried.
His poor cheek had suffered another attack.
Samantha blinked.
Then she looked at Shruthi.
Then at Raman.
Finally she asked the obvious question.
“Why does she keep pinching you?”
Raman opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
How exactly was he supposed to explain this?
Fortunately, before things became awkward, Samantha smiled toward Shruthi.
“Let’s be friends too.”
Shruthi paused.
Her anger immediately weakened.
Although she was reluctant, she wasn’t unreasonable.
After a few moments she nodded.
“Okay.”
Samantha smiled brightly.
Just like that, a new friendship quietly began.
The rest of the morning passed smoothly.
The teacher started introducing the new semester curriculum while students listened attentively.
Occasionally, small conversations occurred between lessons, but overall the classroom remained lively and cheerful.
Raman found himself enjoying the atmosphere.
This was one of the things he had missed in his previous life.
Simple school memories.
Making friends.
Laughing during class.
Enjoying childhood without worrying about adult responsibilities.
For once, he wasn’t rushing toward the future.
He was simply living in the present.
Meanwhile, somewhere else in Chennai…
Inside a modest office filled with papers and notebooks, a man sat alone at his desk.
Several crumpled drafts lay scattered around him.
Empty tea cups occupied one corner of the table, while the ceiling fan rotated lazily overhead.
The man rubbed his tired eyes before looking back at the pages before him.
For the past several hours, he had been working continuously—writing, editing, crossing out ideas, and then rewriting them again.
Finally, he leaned back in his chair.
A sigh escaped his lips.
The script was nearly complete.
He reached for a glass of water and took a long drink.
Then his eyes returned toward the title page resting on top of the stack.
Written boldly across it was a single word.
“Teja.”
The man smiled slightly.
Perhaps this story would become something special.
Perhaps it would change someone’s future.
Of course…
Neither he nor anyone else knew that somewhere in Chennai, a certain five-year-old boy named Raman Konidela would one day become deeply connected to the world of cinema.
A world that was already beginning to move around him.
Even if he didn’t realize it yet.
Far away, inside the classroom, Raman suddenly sneezed.
“Achoo!”
Shruthi immediately looked concerned.
Samantha blinked.
The teacher paused.
Meanwhile, Raman rubbed his nose in confusion.
For some reason…
He felt like someone had just started writing the next chapter of his destiny.
To be continued…
Author’s Note:
Thank you for reading!
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