Chương 2: 2."Three Years Later"
"THREE YEARS LATER"
"INDIA, TELANGANA"
"HYDERABAD"
"SHIVAAY'S POV"
The first light of dawn began to pierce through the horizon, casting a soft glow over the quiet city of Hyderabad. The alarm clock by my bedside began its insistent ringing, pulling me from the depths of sleep. I reached over, silencing it with a firm press of my hand.
Still groggy, I stretched, feeling the tension ease from my muscles as I began to wake fully. The cool morning air brushed against my skin as I moved to the window, pulling back the curtains. I slid open the door to the balcony and stepped outside, greeted by the serene silence of the early morning.
The city, usually bustling with life and noise, was calm at this hour. It was just past 5 AM, and the sun was slowly ascending the sky, painting the horizon with hues of orange and pink. The sight was breathtaking—a reminder of the beauty that often goes unnoticed in the rush of everyday life.
I took a deep breath, savoring the freshness of the morning air as it filled my lungs. The gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and distant earth, awakening my senses. The world felt still, as if it were holding its breath, waiting for the day to begin.
After taking in the tranquility of the sunrise, I made my way to my small gym room. The familiar scent of rubber mats and metal weights greeted me as I entered. This room had become my sanctuary, a place where I could push my limits and clear my mind. As I began my daily workout, my thoughts wandered back to the peculiar nature of my existence.
It's been 21 years since I reincarnated into this world—a world that's eerily similar to the one I remember from my previous life. Although my memories of that past life are fragmented, they've always felt distant, like echoes from a dream that I can barely grasp. But I don't dwell on it too much; it's been easier to adapt to my new identity without the baggage of a former self.
I didn't receive any kind of system or special abilities like the protagonists in those classic reincarnation stories. There were no overpowered skills or mystical guidance to help me navigate this life. But what I do have is wealth. Yes, you heard that right—I'm rich.
As I lifted weights, a faint smile crossed my lips, remembering a quote from Batman: "My superpower is that I'm rich." It felt oddly fitting. In this world, money might not be a superpower in the traditional sense, but it certainly opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.
I try not to dwell on the past too much. It's a chapter I'd rather leave closed, but sometimes, the memories creep in, unbidden and persistent. When I first opened my eyes in this world, I found myself in the arms of a man who would come to define much of my life—Lorenzo Vallente, one of the wealthiest men in the world. But wealth was only part of his story. Behind the polished exterior and the vast empire he controlled, my father was also deeply entwined with the underworld—a mafia king in every sense.
From the moment I became aware, I knew that my life was anything but ordinary. But what has always eluded me, like a shadow just out of reach, is the identity of my mother. My father never spoke of her, and no matter how many times I asked, I was met with silence or vague dismissals. It was as if she had been erased from the world, leaving no trace but the blood that runs through my veins.
Instead, I was left with a stepmother, Valentina—a woman of icy beauty and a heart to match—and a stepbrother, Alex, whose ambitions were as dangerous as his vices. From a young age, I learned that in our world, trust was a luxury I could not afford. The chill in Valentina's eyes whenever she looked at me, and the thinly veiled disdain in Alex's smirk, told me all I needed to know: they saw me as an obstacle, something to be removed.
I don't like to revisit those memories. The tension, the constant need to watch my back, the subtle and not-so-subtle threats that pervaded my childhood—it's not a past I care to relive. But there's one event that stands out, one that changed everything for me: three years ago, something happened that forced me to make a choice.
That night, after the fire that consumed the mansion, I knew there was no turning back. I had to leave—to carve out my own path far from the shadows of my father's world. I didn't tell him where I was going; it was better that way. For both of us.
Leaving Lorenzo was not easy. Despite everything, there was a part of me that still saw him as my father, the man who had raised me, who had taught me so much. But I knew that staying would only put both of us in more danger. Valentina and Alex would not stop until they had eliminated every threat to their ambitions, and I was the biggest threat of all.
After leaving London behind, I embarked on a journey that took me far from the life I had known. My first destination was China, followed by Nepal—places where I could lose myself in the anonymity of foreign lands, where no one knew my name or the weight of the past I carried.
In the mountains of China, I found solace in the stillness of the monasteries. The monks lived simple lives, detached from the material world that had defined my existence. Here, I immersed myself in meditation, learning to quiet the storm inside me, to find clarity in the chaos that had become my mind.
But I didn't just seek peace—I sought strength. In the remote martial arts schools nestled among the peaks, I honed my skills, pushing my body to its limits. Every strike, every form, every movement was a step toward mastering not just the art, but myself. The rigorous training was a crucible, burning away the weakness, sharpening me into a weapon that could protect and, if necessary, destroy.
After months in China, I crossed the border into Nepal, drawn by the allure of its spiritual heritage. The Himalayas, with their towering peaks and sacred sites, felt like a place where the earth touched the heavens. I spent hours trekking through rugged terrains, testing my endurance against nature's might.
Here, the monks spoke of balance, of the need to find harmony between strength and wisdom, between action and stillness. Their words resonated with me, echoing the lessons I had learned in China but taking them further. I realized that true power wasn't just physical—it was also mental and spiritual.
And if you're wondering how I managed to travel across the world without being discovered, well, didn't I mention that I'm rich? Money, as it turns out, is a powerful shield. It buys anonymity, it opens doors that would otherwise remain closed, and it ensures that those who need to look the other way do so. On top of that, I'm a freaking genius. Planning my escape and maintaining my cover was almost too easy, like a game of chess where I was always ten steps ahead.
After finishing my workout, I made my way to the bathroom, muscles still warm from the exertion. As the steam from the shower began to fill the room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Even though I'm half Indian and half British, it's my mother's heritage that's more dominant in my appearance.
My reflection told a story of contrasts—my father's sharp features paired with my mother's rich, dark complexion. Though I never had the chance to meet her, I see traces of her in my black hair and deep, dark eyes. Sometimes, I wonder if she saw the future in those same eyes when she named me Shivaay. My father told me that it was she who chose the name, and though I've never known her, I feel a connection to her through it.
My father, Lorenzo, had a face that commanded respect, a visage that could both comfort and intimidate, depending on the situation. I see that same face staring back at me in the mirror, but softened somehow—perhaps by the influence of my mother's gentler nature, or maybe by the life I've chosen to lead, far from the world of power and deceit I once knew.
My body, honed by years of training, reflects the discipline I've imposed on myself. I've inherited an athletic build, strong and lean, shaped not just by genetics but by the countless hours I've spent pushing myself to the limits.
As the hot water cascaded over me, washing away the remnants of my morning workout, I felt a sense of renewal, as if each drop was cleansing not just my body, but the lingering doubts and shadows of my past.
Oh, I haven't told you about Alfred, have I? Well, let me paint you a picture. Imagine the iconic Alfred from Batman—wise, loyal, and always a step ahead of everyone else. Now, that's exactly what Alfred is like in my life, minus the British accent and butler suit.
When my stepmother refused to accept me, my father made a decision that changed the course of my life. He entrusted me to Alfred, his most trusted confidant, and in many ways, the only father figure I truly had. Lorenzo Vallente may have been my biological father, but Alfred… Alfred was the one who raised me.
From a young age, Alfred taught me everything. And when I say everything, I mean it. He trained me in various martial arts—everything from aikido to Krav Maga. He didn't just stop at physical training; he also made sure my mind was sharp. He poured knowledge into me, teaching me about politics, history, science, and more. There wasn't a subject he didn't touch upon, and he made sure I was prepared for anything life might throw at me.
Sometimes, when I look back, I can't help but laugh at the parallels between my life and Batman's. I mean, seriously, a wealthy young man trained by a man named Alfred, mastering martial arts, learning the ways of the world—if only I had a Batcave! But all jokes aside, Alfred is more than just a mentor or guardian. To me, he's the father I needed, the one who was there in the moments that mattered most.
Growing up, the world knew me as Alfred's son. Lorenzo Vallente might have been my father in blood, but it was Alfred who shaped me into the man I am today. In the eyes of the world, I was the son of a humble butler, not the heir to one of the most powerful families in the world. And you know what? I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Alfred's influence on me went beyond lessons and training. He taught me about integrity, honor, and the importance of standing by your convictions.
Even now, as I stand on my own two feet, far from the life I once knew, I carry Alfred's teachings with me.
So yeah, maybe sometimes I do feel like Batman. But if there's one thing I've learned from both Alfreds—the one from Gotham and the one who raised me—it's that true strength doesn't come from wealth or power. It comes from the people who believe in you, who guide you, and who stand by you no matter what.
And for that, I'll always be grateful to Alfred—the man who made me who I am today.
Now, back in the present, I'm settling into life in Hyderabad. It's been a year and a half since I arrived here, seeking a new chapter away from my previous existence. Next week, I'll be starting classes at Mahindra University, a prestigious institution known for its excellence in various fields. I've enrolled in Political Science, not because I need the degree but because, honestly, I was feeling a bit restless. Sometimes, a new experience is all you need to reignite the spark of curiosity.
I finished my shower, the warm water still lingering on my skin as I stepped out, toweling off. I pulled on a pair of black pants and a black hoodie, the simplicity of the outfit contrasting sharply with the complexity of the life I'd left behind. I slipped on my glasses, which always seemed to add a touch of scholarly seriousness to my look.
Glancing at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but chuckle. My hair was tousled, sticking up in all directions, giving me the quintessential "nerd" look. It was a stark departure from the meticulously groomed appearance I once maintained. For a moment, I felt like I was playing a part in some quirky college drama—a nerdy student experiencing campus life for the first time.
I took a deep breath, letting the serene morning calm settle over me. This new life in Hyderabad was more than just a change of scenery; it was a chance to immerse myself in a different kind of reality, to engage with people who had no idea of my past or the vast resources at my disposal.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Who knew? Maybe this "nerd" life was exactly what I needed to find a new kind of fulfillment, to experience a slice of normalcy that was both refreshing and invigorating.
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(Word's Count:-2286)
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