After the prasadam at the temple, Pavan stepped outside with the holy s in hand. He waoward a majestic tamarind tree nearby, its branches swaying slightly in the soft summer breeze. Beh it, the grass shimmered in a soft, weling green, a perfect spot to escape the world. He slipped off his shoes, letting the cool earth touch his bare feet, and sat down on the grass, lost in thought.

  Pavan's mind raced as he pondered over how to tell his friends about his uping jouro the Gurukul. The weight of the decision pressed on his chest, and his mind swirled with ay. But as he sat there, a cool breeze swept through, carrying with it the st of distant flowers. It gently tousled his hair and brushed across his face, as if nature itself was him fort.

  He blinked, pulled from his thoughts by the sensation of the wind. For a moment, he was no longer weighed down by worry. Instead, he found himself rexing. With a deep breath, Pavan decided to set aside his s about the future. For now, he would live in the present. He let out a soft sigh, leaned bato the grass, and stretched out his arms and legs, allowing the earth to cradle him.

  As he y there beh the sprawling branches of the tamarind tree, the summer heat of midday felt distant, repced by the cool shade that enveloped him. The soft grass tickled his bare feet, like the pyful fingers of nature, and the gentle breeze sang through the leaves, creating a melody that whispered in his ears. Every breath he took was filled with the mingling aromas of fresh blooms from the temple's garden, along with the faihy fragranoist soil.

  Pavan was lost in the serenity of the moment, his senses pletely attuo the nature around him. His mind, once filled with worries, now dao the rhythm of the wind. Sensing Pavan's rexation, Chee, far away, also felt a sense of relief. To help him unwind even further, she sent a soft, melodious tune directly into his ears. The lulby was soothing, and in no time, Pavan's eyes grew heavy, and he drifted into a peaceful sleep uhe shelter of the tamarind tree, leaving his s far behind.

  Se Shift:

  Meanwhile, Vikram had already asked Krishna to meet him at the temple on the hill. He stepped out of his house and began walking along the winding path that led up to the hill. Before long, he arrived at the foot of the path leading to the temple. He paused for a moment, taking in his surroundings before heading toward Chotu's store.

  As he approached the store, Vikram gnced around and asked, "Where's Ramu Chacha, Chotu?"

  Chotu, who had been annoyed by Pavan and Krishna earlier, snapped ba frustration, "'t you see? I'm the only one here!"

  Vikram, unfazed by Chotu's anger, quickly realized that Pavan had likely already gone up the hill. Pavan and Krishna often teased Chotu, so it was clear that Chotu's current frustration was only with Pavan. If Krishna had passed by, Chotu would have been mugrier. With this in mind, Vikram calmly replied, "Alright, pack me a box of those milk sweets with cashews and almonds."

  Still fuming, Chotu hurriedly packed the sweets and hahem over, his voice thick with irritation. "Now hurry up a out of here."

  Vikram took the box and began his climb up the hill, his mind swirling with thoughts of how to tell his friends about the difficult decision he had made. Step by step, he asded, lost in thought, until he reached the temple. Gng around, he searched for Pavan but couldn't spot him anywhere. Deg to ehe temple, he asked the priest to offer the prasadam to Lord Hanuman.

  The priest looked at Vikram with mild surprise and asked, "Did you have a falling out with those two rascals?"

  Vikram, equally surprised, shook his head. "No, nothing like that. Why do you ask, Pandit Ji?"

  The priest chuckled softly. "It's just strao see you alone. Usually, those twlued to your side. But if you're looking for Pavan, he's uhe tamarind tree."

  With a grateful smile, Vikram thahe priest and headed toward the tamarind tree. As he he spot, he sed the area, but there was no sign of Pavan. For a moment, he wondered if the priest had been teasing him. Then, a soft snore reached his ears. Vikram followed the sound, walking around to the other side of the rge tree.

  And there he was - Pavan, sprawled out on the grass, sound asleep. Vikram felt a fsh of irritation as he took in the sight. Pavan had called him out here, g there was something important to discuss, and now he eacefully napping without a care in the world. For a brief moment, Vikram sidered waking him up, but instead, he sighed and sat down beside his friend. Looking at Pavan, Vikram's irritatioed into a quiet sadness. Who knew whehree of them would be together like this again? Lost in thought, Vikram y down beside Pavan, and soon enough, sleep cimed him as well.

  Se Shift:

  Krishna, having just stormed out of his house after an argument with his father, was walking angrily toward the hilltop temple. His mind was rag with a whirlwind of emotions, and he barely noticed the path ahead of him. Suddenly, his foot brushed against something soft, but he paid no attention, too lost in his thoughts.

  A low growl from behind snapped him back to reality. Krishna turned around and saw a brown dog, fur bristling and eyes gring at him. It was Bhura, the neighborhood dog. Unfazed, Krishna smirked. "Not today, Bhura. I'm already in a bad mood."

  He turned away a walking, but Bhura wasn't about to let the insult slide. The soft thing Krishna had stepped on earlier was Bhura's tail, and the dog wasn't going to let him off so easily. With a furious bark, Bhura chased after Krishna, who kept ign him at first. But as Bhura's barks grew louder and closer, Krishna's patienapped.

  He stopped, turned around, and gred at the dog. "I warned you, Bhura. Now you've do!"

  Bhura froze as Krishna lu him. The dog's heart pounded in his chest, and in a panic, he darted away. Krishna gave chase, and the two of them ran through the vilge, with Bhura yelping in terror and Krishna ughing as he sprinted after him.

  After a while, Krishna mao grab hold of Bhura near Ramu Chacha's store, pinning the dog down with a triumphant grin on his face. "Got you now, Bhura!" Krishna growled pyfully, his grin turning mischievous. "Today, I'm going to turn you into a tle snack. Maybe fry you up with some chili and salt."

  As Krishna tauhe p, a pair of eyes watched the se unfold from behind the ter ihe store. It was Chotu, trembling in fear. He muttered to himself, "That monster's going to turn Bhura into dinner!"

  Bhura, desperate for help, looked pleadingly at Chotu, but Chotu only shook his head. As much as he wao help Bhura, there was no way he was getting involved. He knew Krishna too well. If he tried to intervene, Krishna would turn on him instead. The boy could already picture his limbs being sold off for scrap metal while Krishna ate sweets from his store. Chotu decided to stay hidden, hoping the storm would pass.

  Just as Krishna was about to tinue his mock threats, a sandal flew through the air and hit him square on the head. Startled, Krishna looked around in fusion, gripping the sandal. "Who dares interfere with my business?" he shouted angrily.

  A deep, gravelly voiswered from behind him. "Oh, you're in for it now."

  Krishna turned around and froze. It was Ramu Chacha, and he was already pulling off his sed sandal, ready for a. Krishna stammered, "Ra-Ramu Chacha... I-I was just pying with Bhura..."

  Ramu Chacha raised his sandal, ign Krishna's excuses. "Oh, you were pying, huh? Well, now it's my turn!"

  Before Krishna could react, Ramu Chacha gave chase, wielding his sandal like a on. Krishna bolted up the hill, running as fast as he could, with Ramu Chacha hot on his heels. Eventually, Krishna reached the temple, panting and gasping for breath, finally safe from Ramu Chacha's wrath.

  To be tinued.......