Chapter - 1 The Autobiography

Morning in the Village

A cool morning breeze moves through the quiet village. Birds fly across the dim sky, dark clouds hinting that it might rain today. The atmosphere carries a soft, uneasy mood.---Taki’s House – Kitchen

The TV plays in the background, the faint voice of a news anchor announcing the day’s temperature in Tokyo.Taki’s mother is cutting vegetables, clearly irritated.She shouts,“Taki! Hurry up! Don’t be late again. You’ll miss the bus!”

Taki’s Room

Taki is putting on his high-school uniform. His hair is slightly messy, dark circles beneath his eyes, his slim face giving a quiet, introverted aura.Taki (18) is intelligent but closed-off. He travels from his village to his Tokyo high school every day.He answers quietly,“Yeah, mom… coming.”He picks up his bag and heads downstairs.---

Hallway – Small Family Shrine

As he walks down, he stops at the corner altar. His great-grandfather’s photo hangs there—a samurai who once founded the village. Taki bows respectfully.His mother calls from behind him, her voice softer now.“Ever since your father died, you haven’t slept properly.The one who had to go has gone, Taki…but will you keep living inside that trauma?It’s been four years.”Taki says nothing.He simply walks out of the house.---

Bus Stop

The wind feels colder today. As Taki arrives, he sees Sakura, his childhood friend, waiting with her headphones on. She looks at him and complains,“Taki… you’re late again!”“Couldn’t sleep well last night…” he replies.She teases him,“I wonder what you keep doing at night…”Sakura and Taki have been friends since childhood, both secretly in love with each other. Sakura is energetic, talkative, sporty—and annoying Taki is her favorite hobby.A boy arrives—Hoto, their third friend. He rarely attends school. A cigarette hangs from his hand even though he’s in school uniform.“What’s up, you two?” he asks.Taki frowns.“Hoto… stop smoking while wearing your uniform.”“It’s cold, man! Needed a light.Anyway, you two are basically a married couple.Going to school together since forever…I’m sure you’ll get married after high school—right?”Sakura blushes slightly.“We haven’t thought about that yet.By the way… how’s your stepmother?”Hoto shrugs.“She’s fine. Doesn’t die… but doesn’t care either.She thinks I’m useless. Doesn’t even give me food; I have to cook myself.”Sakura laughs with sympathy,“Oh really? That bad?”Taki is about to comment when the bus arrives.All three get on.---

Inside the Bus

Sakura goes to sit with her friends.Taki and Hoto take the front seats.Taki asks,“Hoto… why don’t you come to school regularly?”Hoto sighs.“What can I say?My father drinks away every rupee he earns.My stepmother thinks I’m a burden.I’m neither smart like you nor athletic like Sakura.And my little sister… I have to take care of her too.Her school fees are expensive.So I work.”Suddenly Sakura runs to them, panicking.“Taki! I forgot to do Professor Lanki’s project!He gave me a final warning yesterday!”“I already submitted mine…You still didn’t do it?”“Exactly! I’m dead!And that old man hates me already!”Taki sighs.“Because you trouble him nonstop—stealing his books, mixing salt in his tea,disturbing class…And once you gave him hot water instead of drinking water—he got mouth blisters!”“Okay! Okay! Stop listing my crimes!Just tell me how to survive this!”“We’ll talk to him in his office.If you talk in class, he’ll insult both of us.”“Hmm… good idea,though I don’t think he’ll forgive me.”

The bus stops.They’ve reached school.

---

Professor Lanki’s Office

Taki and Sakura enter nervously.The room is empty—an unfinished cup of tea, scattered papers, and the window open to the breeze.Lanki is nowhere.Sakura whispers,“Guess the old man went out.”Taki says,“Have some respect. He’s your professor… and a writer.”“Ohhh, so you respect him a lot?” she teases.“Yes. Because I like his books.And his favorite writer is also my favorite.”Sakura picks up an open book on his desk:“My Life – Professor Lanki”She bursts into laughter.“You’re laughing at someone writing his own autobiography?” Taki scolds.“I was just joking!Why are you so serious all the time?You’re thinking wrong.”Taki sighs.“I’m never wrong.Either I’m right… or the person in front is stupid.”They leave the room.Without Taki noticing, Sakura secretly slips Lanki’s autobiography into her bag.---

Classroom – Interval

Everyone goes outside.As usual, Taki stays back to read.Sakura heads out but he asks,“Where’s the book I gave you yesterday?”“It’s in my bag! Take it if you want!”She leaves.Taki opens her bag to take his book—and finds Professor Lanki’s autobiography inside.He sighs,“This girl… planning to mess with him again.”He hesitates.Professor Lanki never talks about his past.Maybe reading his autobiography would reveal something.He debates with himself.“No… it’s wrong.”But curiosity wins.He opens the book.On the very first page, Taki freezes.Lanki’s birthdate: 16 November — same as Taki’s.His mother and father’s names — identical to Taki’s parents.His father’s death — the same accident Taki’s father died in.Lanki’s wife’s name — Sakura.Childhood friend wife — exact same relationship as Taki and Sakura.A major accident three years ago — same date as Taki’s accident.A fracture on the upper hand bone — exactly the same wound Taki has.Every detail, every incident—Lanki’s entire life is identical to Taki’s.Taki’s hands tremble.His mind goes blank.He whispers,“How…?How can everything be the same…?”He shuts the book and runs straight to the office.It’s empty.He asks another teacher.“Professor Lanki?He went home early today.Said he had a headache.But why are you looking so scared?And why do you want his address?”Taki forces a calm answer.“Nothing, sir.Just… nothing serious.But can I have his address?”“It should be in the address register.”Taki checks the register, finds the address, and rushes out.Sakura sees him leaving.“Taki! Where are you going?Why are you in such a hurry?”“It’s nothing… I’ll be back.Go to class.”She watches him leave, confused.Professor Lanki’s House – EveningThe sky is darker now; rain is about to fall.Taki reaches Lanki’s house.The door is slightly open.“Professor Lanki?Are you home?”No response.He steps inside—and stops in shock.Professor Lanki sits calmly on a chair, drinking tea.He looks at Taki with a faint smile.“Oh… you’re here.I’ve been waiting for you.”Taki’s voice shakes.“Waiting… for me?Why?I need to ask you something…”Lanki gestures gently.“Come. Sit.We’ll talk over tea.”CHAPTER 1 END
“WRITTEN BY MINUS”