THE EPICS OF VEDVERSE

The clock struck 5:00 a.m., the faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains of Arjun's modest apartment. The room was quiet except for the sound of Arjun's steady breaths as he rolled out his yoga mat. His nightmare still clung to him like a shadow, but he was determined to shake it off. As a disciplined yoga enthusiast and martial arts student, Arjun had a strict morning routine. He began with stretches, his movements precise, as if channeling his inner chaos into focus.

By 6:00 a.m., beads of sweat glistened on his brow, and his breathing was calm yet controlled. He folded his mat neatly, wiped his face, and stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection. "It's just a dream, nothing more," he whispered to himself, though doubt lingered in his eyes.

The sound of soft footsteps broke his reverie. His roommate, Shreyas, emerged from the adjacent room, yawning and stretching lazily. "Morning, champ," Shreyas mumbled, shuffling toward the small kitchenette. He began brewing coffee, the rich aroma quickly filling the air.

Arjun sat at their tiny coffee table, leaning back in his chair, still lost in thought. Shreyas joined him, a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and his favorite novel in the other. "What's up with you? You look like you've seen a ghost," Shreyas said with a playful grin, sipping his coffee.

Arjun sighed deeply. "You could say that. I had that dream again, Shreyas. The same one. The forest, the cave, the statue... it's been haunting me every single night for the past 15 days."

Shreyas raised an eyebrow but quickly dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Relax, bro. It's just a dream. Don't let it mess with your head. You've been overworking yourself anyway."

Arjun shook his head, frustration flickering in his eyes. "You don't get it. It's not just a random nightmare. It feels... real. Too real. Like it's trying to tell me something."

Shreyas put down his coffee and leaned forward, concern softening his usually carefree demeanor. "Okay, okay, chill. Look, you've been obsessing over your first film's success for the past month. It was a horror film, for God's sake. Maybe all that intense focus is messing with your subconscious. You just need a break."

Arjun frowned, though he knew there was truth to Shreyas's words. "Maybe. But why does it feel like something bigger?"

Shreyas shrugged, a teasing smirk returning to his face. "Because you're dramatic, my friend. Look, let's go somewhere. A trip, just you and me. We'll take a break, clear your head. I'll plan everything while you deal with your movie stuff."

Their conversation was interrupted by the shrill ring of Arjun's phone. He glanced at the screen and saw the name flashing: Raghunathan Films.

"It's Sir," Arjun said, standing abruptly. He answered the call, his voice steady despite his unease. "Hello, Sir."

A commanding voice boomed on the other end. "Arjun, come to the office immediately. I have something important to discuss."

"Yes, Sir. I'll be there shortly," Arjun replied, already heading to his room to get dressed.

As he tied his sneakers, Shreyas called out from the kitchen. "Don't worry about the trip, man. By the time you're back, I'll have something exciting planned for us."

Arjun nodded absentmindedly and left the apartment, the lingering effects of his dream still gnawing at him.

---

The sleek office of Raghunathan Films exuded grandeur. Posters of blockbuster hits adorned the walls, each a testament to the production house's legacy. Arjun entered the office, greeted by the bustling energy of assistants and creatives.

"Ah, Arjun!" Sir Raghunathan's voice boomed as he stepped out of his glass-walled cabin. His eyes twinkled with pride as he shook Arjun's hand firmly. "Your first film has done wonders, my boy. The audience loved it, the critics praised it, and the box office numbers speak for themselves. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Sir. It means a lot," Arjun said humbly, though his mind was racing, wondering why he had been summoned.

Raghunathan gestured for him to sit. "But let's not stop here, Arjun. I have a new project in mind, and I want you to helm it. A fictional film based on Indian folklore."

"Folklore?" Arjun leaned forward, intrigued.

"Yes," Raghunathan said, his voice taking on an excited edge. "There are so many chilling tales rooted in our culture—Naale Ba, Mankapya, Munjya, Hakamaari, and countless others. Imagine weaving them into a cinematic experience. And Shimla—Shimla would be the perfect backdrop for this story."

At the mention of Shimla, Arjun's stomach tightened. His dream, the eerie forest, the mysterious cave—all of it came rushing back. Why Shimla? Why did everything keep leading him there?

"Shimla, Sir?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Yes, Shimla!" Raghunathan said, oblivious to Arjun's inner turmoil. "Its haunting beauty, its dense forests—it's perfect for the atmosphere we want to create. So, what do you think? Shall we do this?"

Arjun hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Let's do this, Sir."

---

When Arjun returned home, he found Shreyas waiting for him with a mischievous grin. "Guess what?" Shreyas announced, practically bouncing with excitement.

"What?" Arjun asked, his mind still on the meeting.

"I've planned our trip! Pack your bags, buddy. We're going to Shimla!"

Arjun froze, his breath catching. "Shimla?" he repeated, the word heavy on his tongue.

Shreyas nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! It's perfect, right? A much-needed break for both of us."

Arjun sat down, his thoughts racing. Why Shimla? Why does everything keep pulling me there?

He looked at Shreyas, his voice barely a whisper. "Why is Shimla calling me?"