There was a photo on the living room wall that Isha had never noticed before.
It showed her family — her parents, Aarav, and a much younger version of herself in a school uniform, missing a front tooth and holding a plastic trophy. The photo frame was ornate, gold-trimmed, and tucked between two old paintings.
But she couldn't remember that day.
"Was this from a school function?" she asked, pointing at it over breakfast.
Her mother didn't even glance up from her phone. "Hmm? Yes, must've been."
"You don't remember?"
"Isha, you've had so many events. They all blend together." Her tone was sweet, casual. But dismissive. Too quick.
Her dad chimed in, "You were the only one who didn't cry during the anthem. Brave girl!"
They laughed. Isha didn't.
The memory didn't exist. Not even faintly.
---
🏫 At School
Things were normal — irritatingly so.
Math was boring. Nina was silent. Riya made up a new conspiracy: "What if schools are actually memory suppression facilities?"
Isha almost choked on her water.
"Too many late-night reels, Riya."
"I'm serious! You ever get that feeling where, like, this isn't real?"
Isha didn't laugh.
She'd felt it that morning. She was feeling it now.
Later in class, she zoned out and accidentally drew the exact same temple from her dreams — cracked roof, twisted stone god, altar stained in red.
When Aniket peeked at her notebook, he frowned.
"That's...cool. Creepy. Where'd you see it?"
She blinked. "I… I don't know."
---
🏙️ That Evening
Her father was on the balcony, talking on the phone — voice low, serious.
"No. She's not showing any signs. Yet. The seal's holding."
Isha froze behind the half-open kitchen door.
"What about the dreams?" the voice on the other end crackled faintly.
"She thinks they're just nightmares."
Then silence.
Then laughter. "Yes, sir. We'll keep her stable. She still trusts us."
Isha stepped back quietly, heart thudding in her chest.
---
🌙 That Night
She didn't dream.
She remembered.
Fire. Betrayal. A god's voice in her mind.
A woman's scream — he
r own.
She woke with tears on her face and whispers in her head.
> "Wake up."