Project-M : Lovely Days Before The Day Of Nightmare

Arc 1: Days Before The Day Of Nightmare Chapter 3: The Crowning Glory - Part 2

Ayaan’s gaze finally settled on the stage as he saw the President of the country for the first time in real life. Having seen the president’s image countless times on television and in the media, he was struck by the difference between the image and the person standing before him. The president exuded a calm and graceful aura, his presence commanding immediate respect. Ayaan couldn’t help but admire the man for the dignity and composure he carried with him, even in such a high-profile ceremony.

In the back of his mind, Ayaan found himself quietly praising the president. He’d always believed that true leaders had a way of making everyone around them feel safe, secure, and assured, and the president was no exception. Ayaan could see that the man wasn’t just a figurehead—there was something genuine about his presence, as if he truly understood the weight of his position. It was something Ayaan respected deeply, but his thoughts quickly shifted to more pressing matters.

As the ceremony continued, Ayaan’s mind wandered back to the Tragedy of NUMN University. The memory still haunted him—over 600 innocent lives lost in the blink of an eye. Only five survived, and those few were now known as The Survivors of NUMN University. The incident had shaken the country to its core, leaving scars that would never fade. Ayaan remembered reading articles about the incident, and one detail that had caught his eye: the marks of an axe, etched into the walls of the university. How could something as primitive as an axe cause that level of destruction? It was a question that lingered in his mind, unanswered.

The most troubling part for Ayaan, however, was the realization that even Project M, a highly secretive gathering of exceptional individuals, had been unable to prevent the disaster. Only a few knew of its existence, and currently, only four individuals—President, Rathore, Rohit, and Ayaan—were aware of its existence. Despite the project’s remarkable resources and its members’ skills, the tragedy at NUMN University still occurred. Ayaan couldn’t help but feel disappointed. If Project M—with all its talent and secrecy—couldn’t stop the catastrophe, then what was the point of such an initiative? The failure of Project M to prevent the Tragedy of Numn University left a bitter taste in Ayaan’s mouth, making him question the very purpose of their efforts.

Captain Rathore’s voice broke through Ayaan's thoughts as he began calling up some of the other honorees for their awards. Ayaan barely paid attention as several individuals were recognized, each one receiving applause from the audience. His mind remained preoccupied with the thoughts of NUMN University and Project M. He felt an uneasy weight settle on his chest, as if the answers he sought were just beyond his reach.

When Rathore’s voice rang out again, calling Rohit to the stage, Ayaan’s focus snapped back. He could hear the murmurs of the crowd as Rohit stepped up to receive his award, his posture oozing self-assurance. Rohit’s eyes immediately locked with Ayaan’s as he made his way to the stage. Ayaan felt a familiar smirk spread across Rohit’s face, a look that instantly made his irritation flare.

As Rohit stood there, accepting his award, he leaned slightly toward Ayaan and Dev, who were seated just a few rows away. With a smug expression, he whispered to Ayaan, “I was selected to Project M.” The words were barely audible over the applause, but they cut through the air like a sharp blade. Rohit knew the power of his words, and he relished in the opportunity to remind Ayaan of his place. The mocking glint in his eyes said everything.

Dev, noticing the interaction, shot Ayaan a concerned glance. But Ayaan didn’t react, his eyes narrowing slightly as he held his focus on Rohit. The tension in the air was palpable, but before anything more could unfold, Rathore’s voice rang out once again, calling the attention of the crowd. It was time to move on with the ceremony.