Scene:
Harsha slowly opens his eyes, blinking against the harsh white light above. He finds himself lying on a hospital bed.
Harsha (groggily):
Where... where am I? Why am I in a hospital?
Doctor (smiling):
I'm glad you're awake, Mr. Harsha. You're in a hospital right now.
Harsha (confused):
But... why? What happened to me? I was on a trip... how did I end up here?
Doctor:
Before we get into that, tell me how you're feeling right now.
Harsha (holding his head):
My head is pounding... and my vision is blurry... Doctor, please call my brother. I want to go home. Just tell me what happened to me... why am I in this hospital?
The doctor hands Harsha a capsule.
Doctor (softly):
You've been in a coma for the past one year.
Harsha (stunned):
What?! Are you serious?
Doctor:
Yes. Your brother visited you every single day. He truly cares for you... honestly, I'm a little jealous. You're lucky to have such a wonderful brother.
Harsha smiles faintly and murmurs with pride.
Harsha:
Yeah... my brother is the best.
Doctor:
Do you remember anything? You mentioned a trip earlier—can you recall where you were and what happened before the coma?
Harsha (thinking deeply):
Hmm... as far as I remember, we were in Auli. We were staying in a hotel. Jaideep had gone to Joel bhaiya's room, and it was late... around midnight. Sahil, Khwahish, and I were about to go to sleep...
The doctor's expression becomes slightly puzzled.
Doctor:
Harsha... who are Sahil, Khwahish, and Jaideep?
Harsha:
They're my friends. We study together. They're my best friends.
Doctor:
And this Joel?
Harsha:
Joel is Avi bhaiya's friend. He came to Auli with us to look after us.
Doctor:
Okay, Harsha. I think you need to rest now. I'll inform your family that you're awake.
Harsha:
Thanks, doctor.
The doctor exits, closing the door behind him. Harsha lays back on the bed.
Scene:
Moments later, the room darkens. Harsha drifts into a dreamlike state—memories from the trip begin flashing before him.
Flashback:
Mrityu (ominous voice):
You must take the life of one among them... choose quickly, or I will end both. Pick up the sword. Time is running out...
Scene ends
The door creaks open, breaking Harsha's trance. The doctor enters.
Doctor:
Harsha, your brother has come to see you.
Harsha sits up , a boy walks into the room and holds Harsha's hand.
Harsha (confused): Doctor… who is he? And where's Avi bhaiya?
Doctor:
Harsha, this is your brother.
Harsha:
What? No… this isn't right. Where's Avi bhaiya? I don't know this guy! Please, just call my real brother!
Third Person (gently):
What are you saying? I am your brother. My name is Shubham—there is no one named Avi. Try to recognize me.
Harsha (frustrated):
I don't know anyone named Shubham! What is this joke?! Please call my dad—I want to go home, to my family.
A man standing near the door walks in, visibly shaken.
Man:
Harsha… I am your father.
Harsha (angrily):
No… no, you're not! What is happening?! Who are you people?!
Doctor (trying to calm him):
Harsha, please relax. These are your real brother and father. You've been in a coma, and what you remember—those people, that trip—they're part of a delusion. Avi, Jaideep, Sahil… they never existed. You never went on a trip. You had an accident a month before your birthday. Since then, you've been here under treatment.
He opens a photo album that Mr. Verma had brought, showing pictures of Harsha with Shubham and Mr. Verma. Harsha stares in disbelief.
Harsha:
I… I can't remember any of this. Please, doctor, I need some time. Can you ask everyone to leave the room for a while?
Shubham and Mr. Verma step outside. The door closes behind them.
Harsha (clutching his head):
My head... it feels like it's going to explode…
He picks up the album and flips through the photos slowly.
Harsha (inner voice):
If this is all real… why can't I remember anything?
He walks to the door and overhears the conversation outside.
Mr. Verma:Why doesn't Harsha recognize us?
Doctor:
He's in shock. I believe he's suffering from delusional disorder. His brain created a complete alternate reality over the past year. We must help him gently transition back to reality. I'll discharge him today after a few tests.
Shubham:
So… he'll be okay?
Doctor:
He's physically fine. But mentally, we need to help him see the difference between his imagination and the real world. Start by reintroducing him to familiar places and people.
Harsha quietly returns to his bed.
Harsha (inner voice):
Dad... Avi bhaiya… was it all really just a dream? But… why does it feel so real?
---
Scene: Outside the hospital
Harsha leaves with Shubham and Mr. Verma. They take a rickshaw.
Harsha:
We don't have a car?
Shubham:
No, Harsha. Since your illness, Uncle's business slowed down. Most of our income went toward your hospital bills.
Harsha (guiltily):
I'm sorry… you all had to suffer because of me.
Mr. Verma and Shubham laugh warmly.
Mr. Verma:
You're back, son. That's all that matters.
Harsha:
Shubham what kind of business do we run?
Shubham (smiling):
First of all, it's bhaiya for you—I'm six years older. And we're in the gaming business.
Harsha:
Gaming? Like, we make games?
Shubham:
We test them. We're both suppliers and testers of newly released games.
Harsha:
Testers?
Shubham:
Yes. We play virtual games to find bugs and glitches before public release. It's our job to ensure the best player experience.
Scene: At home
As soon as they arrive, Harsha visits the houses of Jaideep, Sahil, and Khwahish. But he's shaken to learn no such children exist. Their parents live with different kids.
Harsha (to himself):
So... none of it was real?
Heartbroken, Harsha returns home.
Mr. Verma:
Harsha, it's dinner time.
Harsha:
Okay... sir.
Mr. Verma (gently):
I'm your father, Harsha. Don't call me "sir."
Harsha:
I'm sorry... I just need some time to adjust.
Shubham:
Want to come for testing tomorrow? We've got a backlog of new games waiting for you.
Harsha:
How does this help us financially?
Shubham:
Once we complete all levels and identify issues, the company pays us rewards—and sometimes, they're huge. Enough to live on for years.
Harsha:
If it's that profitable, why are we struggling?
Shubham:
Because you are the best tester we have. I try too, but I take 4–6 months to finish a complex game. You? You once finished a top-tier game in just 28 days—and no one else could complete it in last 3 years.
Mr. Verma (with pride):
You're our finest tester. After your accident, all our clients withdrew. But now that you're back, the orders are returning.
Harsha (smiling faintly):
Alright then. If that's the case… I'll start again from tomorrow.
—
Next chapter-8 Beyond The screen