The Dream That Stayed

9.TheLastNormalDays

# Part 9 The Last Normal Days

Days passed.

It was Preet’s graduation ceremony, and everyone attended the function. During her thank-you speech, she thanked Lily and said that she was the reason she had secured second place in the university.

Later, everyone took photos with her, and in the evening they celebrated with a beer party.

Two days later, Ethan also had his graduation ceremony at his college auditorium. Everyone attended. Preet was told to wear her graduation gown and hat so they could take pictures of both graduates together.

During the photo session, Ethan proposed to Preet.

The moment Lily saw it, she remembered the future. Ethan had once told her that he would propose to Preet on his graduation day, and he had also said that Preet would thank Lily during her graduation speech.

Lily was happy for them, but at the same time she felt terrified.

The future was repeating itself once again.

Later that evening, Bright, Arjun, and Ryan organized a celebration party for both Ethan’s and Preet’s graduations.

At the party, all their friends and family members gathered together. Everyone had a great time. To everyone’s surprise, Lisa also attended the celebration.

By the end of the night, everyone returned home with their families.

The next day, Lily and Ethan drove to the bunker after receiving a call from Arjun about a possible lead.

When they arrived, the other members had already reached the bunker.

Everyone gathered inside the computer lab and began reviewing surveillance footage.

Bright looked at Arjun.

“When did you come here?” he asked.

“This morning,” Arjun replied. “While I was having breakfast, my father was talking on the phone. He was congratulating a friend’s son who is Dr. Ron’s apprentice. Suddenly, something clicked in my mind.”

Everyone listened carefully.

“Every time Dr. Ron visited Win Corporation or the new hospital, there was always a student following him. They were constantly discussing something.”

Arjun paused.

“I don’t know whether both Dr. Ron and that student are involved, or if only one of them is involved. But I’m certain the answer lies with one of them.”

As they continued watching the footage, they noticed Dr. Ron’s student repeatedly looking toward the security cameras.

“Why is he staring at the cameras?” Lisa asked.

Arjun frowned.

“I don’t know. At first, I thought it was normal curiosity. But now it feels suspicious. It’s almost as if he’s studying them… or planning something.”

Ethan stared at the screen.

“Why do I feel like he’s looking directly at me? As if he knows we’re watching him.”

Ryan immediately looked at him.

“Wait… that could actually be possible. Maybe he knows about our plans. Maybe he’s the one who spread the infection.”

Lily quickly shook her head.

“No. That’s impossible.”

Everyone looked at her.

“When the outbreak happened, he was still inside the hall. If he had intentionally spread the virus, he would’ve escaped somewhere safe before the infected started attacking.”

She folded her arms.

“I don’t think he’s involved.”

Preet nodded.

“Okay. Let’s sit down and think about this properly before jumping to conclusions.”

Lisa stood up.

“You guys continue. I need to get back to the base.”

She grabbed her jacket and headed toward the door.

“Oh, and come to the arena this evening. Update me on any progress.”

“Okay, Lisa.”

“Bye. Take care.”

With that, Lisa left while the others continued investigating the mysterious footage.

Everybody sat around the table and began discussing the situation. After a long conversation, most of them agreed that Dr. Ron’s student was suspicious.

Ryan leaned forward.

“Bright, keep a close eye on him. Assign someone to follow him and gather information about his home, family, previous journals, research projects, and anything else you can find.”

Bright nodded.

Ryan then turned toward Arjun.

“And Arjun, once we find his location, try to hack into his home’s security system.”

“Got it,” Arjun replied.

Later that evening, everyone gathered at the shooting arena.

While the others practiced, Ryan quietly called Ethan, Bright, and Arjun aside.

“Guys, I need your help with something. But don’t let Lisa, Preet, or Lily know about it.”

Ethan immediately raised an eyebrow.

“Are you cheating on my sister?”

Bright and Arjun instantly joined in.

“Really?”

“You’re cheating?”

Ryan stared at them in disbelief.

“Why do I even talk to you guys?”

The three of them burst into laughter.

“Honestly, Lisa and Preet would’ve been a better option. The only reason I didn’t involve them is because Lily would find out immediately.”

“Okay, okay,” Ethan said. “What’s the matter?”

Ryan took a deep breath.

“I’m planning to propose to Lily.”

For a second, nobody spoke.

Then all three exploded.

“Oh my God!”

“Finally!”

“Officially brother-in-law now!” Ethan shouted.

Ryan rolled his eyes.

“Will you idiots calm down?”

Bright grinned.

“So, what do you need us to do? Decorate the place? Hire people?”

Ryan shook his head.

“No. I already arranged everything. I’ve booked a yacht.”

The others stared at him.

“A yacht?” Arjun repeated.

“Rich kid, huh?” Bright teased.

Ryan laughed.

“Oh, come on. Arjun, your family earns more than all of us combined. How many acres of land do you even own?”

Arjun laughed loudly.

“Fair point.”

Ethan rubbed his hands together excitedly.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow’s surprise.”

Ryan smiled nervously.

“Hopefully, everything goes according to plan.”

Later that night, everyone returned to the bunker.

Ryan, Arjun, Bright, and Ethan locked themselves inside a separate room to discuss the proposal plans.

Meanwhile, Lily, Lisa, and Preet sat together chatting.

Preet glanced toward the closed door.

“What do you think they’re talking about?”

“No idea,” Lily replied.

Lily narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Whatever it is… they’re definitely hiding something.”

The girls exchanged curious looks while the boys continued planning the surprise in secret.

Preet and Lily walked toward the room where the boys were gathered.

As soon as they entered, Preet asked,

“Hi! What are you guys doing without us?”

The moment Ryan saw them, he quickly closed his laptop.

“N-Nothing,” he replied with an awkward smile.

Lily immediately became suspicious.

“Did you find another lead? Show me.”

“No, sis,” Ethan said quickly. “We were discussing something else.”

“Discussing what?” Preet asked. “Let’s all discuss it together.”

Bright instantly shook his head.

“No. You can’t discuss this with us.”

Preet crossed her arms.

“Why?”

“Because…” Bright looked around desperately for an excuse. “It’s men’s discussion. We can’t include girls in this.”

The room fell silent.

Lily slowly looked at Ryan.

Ryan immediately avoided eye contact.

Preet looked at Ethan, Arjun, and Bright with complete disgust.

She turned toward Lily.

“Come on, Lily. Let’s get out of here.”

“Why?” Lily asked.

“They’re definitely watching something terrible on that laptop.”

“Hey! No!” Ethan protested.

Ignoring them, Lily and Preet walked out of the room.

The moment the door closed, Arjun looked at Ryan dramatically.

“Bro, we put our reputation on the line for your proposal.”

Bright nodded.

“They probably think we’re criminals now.”

Ryan buried his face in his hands.

The next morning, all four boys left the bunker early.

When Lily and Preet woke up, the house felt unusually quiet.

“Ryan?”

No response.

“Ethan?”

Nothing.

“Arjun?”

Silence.

“Bright?”

Still nothing.

The entire bunker was empty.

Just then, Lily’s phone rang.

It was Ryan.

She answered immediately.

“Hello?”

“Hi, my sunshine,” Ryan said cheerfully. “Did I wake you up?”

“Where are you?”

“I got called into work early this morning. I’ll see you in the evening. Take care.”

“Ryan, wait — ”

The call disconnected.

Lily stared at the phone.

“It’s six in the morning,” she muttered. “Who the hell calls someone to work at five?”

Lily folded her arms.

“Call Ethan and Arjun. I’ll call Bright.”

Preet nodded.

A moment later, Ethan answered.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” Preet asked immediately.

“I got called from the hospital this morning.”

Preet rolled her eyes.

“At least come up with a better excuse. I know you’re with Ryan.”

Before she could continue, Ethan ended the call.

“Unbelievable,” Preet muttered.

Meanwhile, all four boys were travelling together in a car.

Ryan was driving while Bright sat beside him.

Ethan looked at Arjun and laughed.

“You know, your sister used to be quiet and sweet. Ever since I proposed to her, she’s become terrifying.”

Ethan glared at Ryan.

“You i***t. I just got a girlfriend. If she breaks up with me because of this nonsense, I won’t let you marry my sister.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Suddenly Bright’s phone started ringing.

The screen showed: Lily Calling.

Bright immediately froze.

“Guys…” he whispered. “Your girl is calling me.”

Ryan looked at the screen.

“I think our cover is blown.”

Bright stared at the phone in fear.

“I am not answering that.”

The call continued ringing.

“Nope. Not risking Lily’s temper.”

He rejected the call.

Back at the bunker, Lily frowned.

“I know they’re all together.”

Preet nodded.

“But what are they doing that’s so secret?”

“That’s what worries me.”

“Call Arjun.”

Preet immediately dialled his number.

Inside the car, Arjun’s phone rang.

Ryan pointed at him.

“Think of something believable.”

“Everyone, stay quiet.”

Arjun answered.

“Hello, Preet. What’s up?”

“Where are you?”

Without missing a beat, Arjun replied,

“I went to buy flowers for Maria. I have a date with her today.”

There was a brief silence.

“Oh…” Preet said. “Okay. Have fun.”

The call ended.

The car exploded with laughter.

Bright patted Arjun on the shoulder.

“Good job.”

Arjun grinned.

“I know.”

Lily looked at Preet curiously.

“Preet, who the hell is Maria?”

Preet blinked.

“Some Australian girl Arjun met on a dating app.”

Immediately, Lily remembered something Future Ethan had told her.

*”And Arjun is about to get dumped by his Australian girlfriend.”*

*”Why?”*

*”Because her parents would never accept an Indian son-in-law.”*

Lily suddenly chuckled.(future Ethan’s and lily’s conversation)

Without wasting a second, she grabbed her phone and called Arjun.

Arjun answered almost immediately.

“Hello?”

“Dump your date.”

There was a long pause.

“…What?”

“Dump your date.”

“What date?”

Lily looked toward Preet.

Preet immediately started mouthing words dramatically.

“Ma… ri… a…”

Lily nodded.

“Yeah. ma..maa. Maria.”

Arjun sounded even more confused.

“Why the hell would I dump Maria?”

“Because she’s going to dump you eventually.”

Another silence followed.

Then Arjun asked slowly,

“…And how exactly do you know that?”

Lily replied casually,

“Ethan told me.”

Arjun immediately turned toward Ethan, who was sitting nearby.

“What?!” Ethannn.

Ethan nearly choked.

He started making frantic hand gestures.

“Shhh! Shhh!”

He pointed at his finger on lips before smacking his forehead dramatically.

Preet narrowed her eyes.

“So you guys are together”.

“No,” Ethan said quickly. “We’re trying to save fuel. It will be useful during an apocalypse.”

“Oh really?” Preet replied suspiciously.

“Anyway, Arjun, you’ve only known her for a week. You should talk to her properly before getting serious.”

“But why would she dump me?” Arjun asked.

Lily sighed.

“Because according to Future Ethan, her parents won’t accept an Indian son-in-law.”

Arjun looked offended.

“What kind of reason is that?”

“I know,” Lily replied. “It’s stupid. But I’d rather you know now than get heartbroken later.”

Arjun stayed quiet for a few moments.

Finally, he nodded.

“Okay. I’ll talk to her.”

The call ended.

Immediately Ethan looked upset.

“Bro, how could she do that to Arjun?”

Everyone stared at him.

“What?” Ethan continued. “Arjun practically looks American.”

“Oh, shut up,” Arjun groaned.

Bright crossed his arms.

“Actually, Arjun is probably the most handsome guy among all of us.”

Ryan nodded.

“That’s true.”

Arjun looked slightly less miserable.

Ryan leaned back in his chair.

“Still, it’s better to know now than later. Talk to her and sort things out.”

Arjun nodded.

“Yeah. I will.”

Then Ethan suddenly jumped to his feet.

“Great! So let’s have a breakup party!”

“YEAHHHH!”

Nobody reacted.

Arjun, Bright, and Ryan slowly turned toward him.

Ethan’s smile faded.

“What?”

Ryan sighed.

“Ethan… she hasn’t even dumped him yet.”

Bright nodded.

“And even if she does, normal people don’t celebrate breakups.”

Arjun threw a Juice can directly at Ethan’s face.

Ethan caught it dramatically.

“Fine. Fine.”

Then Ryan smirked.

“Besides, you’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

Ethan froze.

Ryan looked toward Bright and Arjun.

“Preet is deciding your fate tonight.”

Bright immediately burst out laughing.

Arjun grinned.

Ethan looked nervous.

Ryan continued,

“So instead of planning a breakup party, focus on helping me figure out how we’re getting Lily onto the yacht.”

Ethan groaned.

“Oh God…”

Meanwhile, Lily and Preet exchanged suspicious looks from the other side of the room.

Neither of them had any idea what the boys were secretly planning.

-To Be Continued…