<h4>Chapter 1: Echoes of Destiny</h4>


    <strong>*** India, Mumbai city , 14 February, 2024 ***</strong>


    The streets of Mumbai buzzed with traffic, but a guy of 28 years old navigated through it , lost in his internal thoughts. The noise of vendors and passing through cars permeated in the air but his mind is upied by thest advise given by his friend.


    <i>''Life doesn''t wait, Arjun. If you don''t act, you''ll miss your moment.''</i> Those words yed like a reel as he passed through the crowd, ignoring their presence.


    His thoughts raced, reying his life before this moment


    Orphaned at an early age, he was adopted by histe mother''s friend, who was a Muay Thai master. From a young age, he was trained in martial arts and forced to live a disciplined life.


    Just like others, he too had dreams, but they were not to be rich or too famous, but to be acknowledged by his adopted father. Despite being treated as a strict disciple, he was never given the love of a parent. He hoped that by bing perfect, his master might acknowledge him as his son.


    Finally being graduated as mechanical engineer he hoped to make his master proud . but upon returning home he discovered that his master died in truck ident leaving him with only house and dojo as legacy.


    The revtion caught him off-guard and directionless. That day he decided to change his life and live his fullest, but life turned out to be more cruel than the glimpse he already had.


    Forced to find work, he started tutoring to make ends meet. What began as a temporary solution became a full-time career. Soon he settled as an educator at cademy, teaching civil service aspirants.


    Over the years, he built a reputation as a dedicated and effective educator, teaching science andter expanding into history and other subjects.


    To cope, his days were filled with creating educational videos and teaching sses, while his evenings were dedicated to Muay Thai and his dojo, where he found sce in the rhythm of kicks and punches.


    Teaching sses also broadened his horizon. To satisfy his curiosity, he engaged in self learning, such as philosophy, economics, and his favourite: technology in science, particrly the transition from old to new. He also developed an interest in strategy games, which he often used to challenge his wits. He truly enjoyed his life in pursuit of perfection.


    Despite his career sess, his personal life remained dull. His dedication to work masked a deeper loneliness. Then, one day everything changed.


    A few months ago, Riya, a Bengali beauty, had joined cademy as a junior history teacher. While her striking appearance: graceful figure, wless jade-like skin, and bright eyes, drew attention, it was her personality that truly captivated him, catching himpletely off guard.


    She was bold in decisions, charming in conversation, and effortlessly kind in judgment. She treated everyone with sincerity, and her casual nature lightened the mood. She also had a clumsy side, which made her even more appealing. And her blue eyes were undeniably attractive.


    From their very first conversation, Arjun felt drawn to her. Initially, he tried to keep things professional, but somehow, she would bump into him for tasks only he could handle. Gradually, he got to know more about her, and the more they met, the more he melt.


    For the first time in years, Arjun felt something stir inside him.. a desire, not just for approval or sess, but forpanionship. He wanted Riya to be a part of his life.


    But there was one problem: he was too inexperienced in matters of love. Despite their good friendship and rapport, he was too scared to actually ask her out. He was too cautious and feared she might avoid him. She was his first crush, and he wanted to be perfect, but that day never came, and months passed by.


    As he watched others trying for Riya''s attention, his own feelings of jealousy and longing grew. Realizing that he could no longer remain passive, he sought advice from his friend, who urged him to seize the moment.


    "Life is not meant to be lived alone," his friend had said. "If you want something, you need to act now. You never know how this might be the echo of destiny that can link you to your true happiness."


    Inspired by this counsel, Arjun decided it was time to confront Riya. With Valentine''s Day approaching, he knew it was now or never. His usual confidence and drive pushed him to take this leap, convinced that pursuing this opportunity could change his life in ways he had only dreamed of.


    ''Pzzz!''


    His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back to reality. Without looking, he knew it was his friend again, his fifth reminder to be confident and seize the moment.


    He read, "<i>Bro, stop overthinking. Just do it.</i>"


    Valentine''s Day had arrived.. a day that would normally pass without meaning for Arjun. But this year would be different.


    He approached the entrance of the academy, his heart pounding. The sounds of the city faded as he stood at the threshold, his hand on the door.


    "All is well, Arjun," he whispered to himself. "You can do this." With that, he stepped inside.


    Arjun''s heart pounded as he walked through the academy''s corridors, rehearsing his n. He had arrived early, wanting to ensure the timing was just right. Today, he would finally ask Riya out and propose her.