The suspension from school hits Mirshad harder than he expected. Walking home, his mind races with thoughts of how things went wrong. For weeks, strange sensations had been coursing through his body—like an invisible force, just beneath the surface, that he couldn't control or understand. His friends, too, noticed that something about him had changed, but Mirshad kept most of it to himself. Now, after the suspension, he feels lost.
As he steps through the door of his home, his father is waiting. There's no anger in his father's eyes, only concern. That concern breaks the last bit of strength Mirshad had been holding on to, and the tears he had fought back all day finally spill over.
His father approaches him and puts a firm hand on his shoulder. "Mirshad," he says gently, "you haven't done anything wrong. You're not like the others, and I know that. I've always known."
Mirshad is stunned by his father's calm reaction. He had expected disappointment, even frustration. Instead, his father's understanding feels like a lifeline in the storm.
"You've told me before about how things feel different for you," his father continues. "We even saw the doctor about it. You're not like other kids, son. I've always known there was something inside you—something hidden, something powerful. As your father, it's my job to protect you, but I can't shelter you from what's inside you."
Mirshad listens in silence. The weight of his father's words sinks in, and a deeper truth stirs within him. This is more than just a phase, more than just a rebellious moment in his school days.
"I don't want to go back to school," Mirshad says suddenly. "I'm done with it."
His father pauses, worry flashing across his face. "Are you sure? Your education—your future—is important. But if you truly don't want to return, I won't force you. You can study at home. I'll find you a teacher."
Mirshad hesitates. The thought of continuing to study feels pointless, but something in his father's eyes convinces him to give it a chance. After some resistance, he finally agrees. His father arranges for a personal tutor, and over the next few years, Mirshad studies from home, completing his 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. His father watches proudly as Mirshad pushes through, despite the inner turmoil that continues to simmer beneath the surface.
After graduation, Mirshad's restlessness only grows. "I don't want to study anymore," he tells his father one evening. "I need to find myself, my peace."
His father, ever supportive, agrees. But as the years pass, financial troubles strike the family. Mirshad's father's business falters, and he is forced to leave for Qatar to provide for them. During this time, Mirshad finds work as an electrician, enjoying the simplicity of the trade. The physical work gives him a sense of release, but the strange feelings inside him remain.
Years go by, and Mirshad settles into his routine. But the weight of responsibility never leaves his shoulders. One day, his father calls him from Qatar. "Son, the situation here is tough. I can't manage everything on my own. I need you to come and help."
Mirshad's heart sinks as he realizes the sacrifices his father has been making all along. He had been lost in his own world, enjoying his work and life, but his father had been carrying the burden of the family alone.
Without hesitation, Mirshad agrees to go. His father arranges a visa for him, and as the day approaches for him to leave India, Mirshad finds himself reflecting on his life. He knows that this journey is not just about helping his family—it feels like a pivotal moment in his life, one where his path will forever change.
As he boards the plane to Qatar, he feels the familiar pulse inside him—the strange energy that had been growing over the years. This time, however, it feels stronger, more focused. Something is waiting for him in the future, and though he doesn't know what it is yet, Mirshad senses that his true journey is about to begin.