Kaliyug - A Cursed Prince

This story begins during my first experience in school. Back then, the world felt small, and my pride was as big as the sky. My old school wasn't as dangerous as the one I later attended. Most of the kids there were weak, and I towered over them both in strength and confidence. I ruled that school with ease, my powers making me unstoppable. But my life took an unexpected turn when a girl named Pankhuri came into the picture.

It was a crisp morning, the kind that promised nothing unusual. Kaliyug was at home, lazily packing his school bag while his father, growing more impatient by the second, paced back and forth.

"Kaliyug! What's wrong with you? Why are you always late for school?" his father snapped, his frustration boiling over.

Without looking up, Kaliyug replied, "Dad, I've told you a hundred times—I hate that school. It's full of losers!" His tone was dripping with disdain.

"Kaliyug," his father said, his voice more serious now, "you need to respect everyone, even those without powers. If you don't learn this lesson, one day the cursed prince will return, and he'll destroy every last one of the powerful people like you. He'll ensure the weak inherit the world!"

Kaliyug laughed mockingly. "I'm not scared of some 'cursed prince,' Dad." He grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out the door, leaving his father shaking his head.

At school, Kaliyug arrived late, as usual, and slouched into his seat in the back of the classroom. Just as he settled in, the teacher walked in, followed by a new student.

"Class, this is Pankhuri. She'll be joining us starting today," the teacher announced with a smile.

Pankhuri had short, wavy hair that framed her face perfectly, a glowing fair complexion, and a confident air about her. She greeted the class with a polite "hello," and every boy in the room immediately noticed her. Most hoped she wouldn't sit next to Kaliyug—it was common knowledge that sitting beside him invited trouble. But to their horror, Pankhuri scanned the room and walked straight over to Kaliyug's desk.

"Hi, I'm Pankhuri," she said, smiling warmly as she slid into the seat beside him.

Kaliyug, who was rarely caught off guard, found himself at a loss for words. "Uh… I'm Kaliyug," he managed to stammer, avoiding her gaze.

Throughout the class, Kaliyug's attention was fixed entirely on Pankhuri. He couldn't explain it, but something about her drew him in. It was as if, for the first time, he was seeing someone as more than just another face in the crowd.

When the bell rang for lunch, Kaliyug stood to leave, but Pankhuri stopped him.

"Hey, Kaliyug, are you going to the café?" she asked, her smile as bright as the sun.

Kaliyug nodded, still too nervous to speak.

"Great! Mind if I join you?" she asked, her voice cheerful.

Unable to say no, Kaliyug nodded again.

At the café, something unusual happened. As Kaliyug and Pankhuri entered, the students who were seated in Kaliyug's usual corner scrambled to leave. They whispered among themselves, throwing glances at the duo but keeping their distance.

Unbothered, Pankhuri pulled out a small tiffin box from her bag. "Do you like cake? I made this myself," she said, holding out a neatly sliced piece.

Kaliyug hesitated for only a second before grabbing the cake and devouring it. The other students watched in shock, whispering to one another.

"He's such a beast," someone muttered.

"He eats, fights, and does whatever he wants," another added.

But Pankhuri didn't seem to care. In fact, she laughed. "You must really like cake!" she said, her voice full of amusement.

Kaliyug nodded, his mouth too full to respond.

"You've got cake on your face," she said, giggling as she reached across the table to wipe his face with a handkerchief.

For the first time, Kaliyug felt… different. Normally, if someone touched him without permission, they'd regret it. But with Pankhuri, he didn't feel anger. Instead, his heart raced, a strange warmth spreading through his chest.

Later that day, Kaliyug followed Pankhuri into the library, though he kept a safe distance. He wasn't sure why he was there—libraries weren't exactly his thing—but he couldn't help but watch her. She sat at a table, flipping through a book, and Kaliyug found himself captivated.

"What are you staring at?" Pankhuri's voice broke through his thoughts, startling him.

"I… uh… just came to read," he lied, grabbing the nearest book from the shelf.

Pankhuri glanced at the cover and burst into laughter. "Really? Adult transgender comics? That's your choice of reading material?"

Kaliyug's face turned crimson as he quickly shoved the book back on the shelf.

Still laughing, Pankhuri said, "Well, see you later, Kaliyug!" and left.

From that day on, Kaliyug found himself spending more and more time with Pankhuri. They became inseparable. He loved being around her, and before he knew it, he had fallen for her completely.

One afternoon, as they sat in the café, Kaliyug nervously asked, "Pankhuri, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?" she replied, taking a bite of her burger.

"What kind of guy would you want to fall in love with?"

Pankhuri thought for a moment before answering. "Someone who's my best friend and treats everyone with kindness, especially those who don't have powers. I can't stand arrogant people who use their strength to bully others."

Kaliyug felt his heart sink. He knew he wasn't the kind of person Pankhuri described. If she ever found out the truth about him, she'd never forgive him.

Trying to change the subject, Pankhuri said, "By the way, I'm thinking of auditioning for the dance team today. Should be fun!"

Later, in the school auditorium, Raghu, the captain of the arts department, was holding auditions. He was tall, confident, and feared by many. As the dancers performed on stage, a shadow appeared, interrupting the performance.

"Who's this idiot?" Raghu shouted, his voice echoing through the auditorium.

When the spotlight fell on the shadow, revealing Kaliyug, Raghu and his crew froze.

"Kaliyug…" Raghu whispered, his confidence draining away.

Kaliyug stormed onto the stage and grabbed Raghu by the collar. "Listen carefully," he growled. "Pankhuri is joining your dance team. If anyone bothers her or tells her about me, they'll regret it. Got it?"

Raghu nodded, trembling.

Just then, a boy ran into the auditorium, out of breath. "Kaliyug! Boys from another school harassed Pankhuri!"

Without a word, Kaliyug turned and bolted out of the room.

As he disappeared, the others whispered in fear, "He's not going to leave that school standing."

With fire in his eyes, Kaliyug ran to protect Pankhuri, unaware that his actions would soon change everything—for better or worse.