A far-off place of peace, a beautiful and small village called Kantipora Lolab, had a school named HVIS (Higher Value International School).
“What’s going on?” Amal asked. “Why is the whole school talking about a door?”
“Amal, don’t you know?” said Zain. “Everyone is saying there’s a mysterious door in the corridor upstairs.”
“Really? Let’s explore it today,” Mehr said.
“But how?” asked Zanid.
“I know the plan,” Mehr replied with a smirk.
That evening, no one was left in the school — only the group hiding in the library.
“Have you guys gone nuts?” Amal said in a crying tone.
“Just trust the plan,” Mehr said suspiciously.
They all went to the corridor, trying to find the mysterious door.
“I’m going home, guys,” Amal said.
“Amal, please, just for one day,” said Zain.
Amal tried to leave, but all of a sudden, they heard Mehr screaming from the end of the corridor.
“Guys, look! I found the door!” Mehr shouted.
“Step aside, I’ll go first,” Zain said. He then pushed the door open, and the room inside was totally blank.
(BEEP)
A car passed by Zain. He was totally confused. Then Mehr and Amal entered.
“Zain, what’s going on?” asked Amal.
“Guys… I think we’ve reached another universe,” Mehr said.
“Am I dreaming or something?” asked Amal.
All of a sudden, a suspicious man appeared, wearing formal clothes.
“Welcome to the parallel world. I’m Mr. Swiss, and today I’ll be your guide because Mr. Vasco has chosen you three as our new visitors. But listen — you have only 24 hours to escape this world, or you’ll be stuck here forever. Call me anytime,” he said, and then disappeared.
“Yahoo! I want to stay here forever!” said Mehr.
“Are you mad, Mehr?” Zain replied.
Then Amal fell to her knees, crying loudly. “It’s all because of you, Mehr,” she sobbed.
“We’re leaving. Come on,” Zain said.
“I will not,” said Mehr.
“Fine. Stay here. Let’s go, Zain,” said Amal.
“Leave, then!” Mehr shouted.
Zain and Amal left angrily. Mehr started wandering around the streets. Meanwhile, Amal and Zain went to find Mr. Swiss for help.
Mr. Swiss said, “You have to find a key that connects hearts,” and disappeared again.
“What did he just say?” asked Zain.
“A key that connects hearts… hmm, interesting,” Amal said to herself.
“I know what to do. We need to find Mehr,” Zain said, grabbing Amal’s hand and starting to run.
“Where are we going?” asked Amal.
On the other hand, Mehr was enjoying herself, wandering through the streets. Amal saw her reflection in a glass window.
“There she is!” Amal said.
“Mehr! Mehr!” Zain shouted.
Mehr saw them. “Oh, look who’s back now,” she said.
“We need you. We want to go back home, and for that, we need your help,” Zain said.
Amal looked at him, confused. “Why her?” she asked.
“The man said we need a key that connects hearts. That means the three of us need to reunite to escape,” Mehr said.
“I’m not interested. I want to stay here. You guys can leave,” Mehr replied.
Amal walked up to her, looked into her eyes, and said, “Mehr, listen… we need you. You’re the only one who can save us. I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have blamed you for everything because I agreed to this too. I’m sorry.” She had tears in her eyes.
Amal held Mehr’s hand.
Suddenly, Mr. Swiss appeared and said, “You did it. A friendship like yours… the bond between you three… that’s the key. Here’s your reward: you’re going home.”
A door appeared. The three of them went through the door happily.
The next day, everyone at school was talking about the mysterious door again…
Amal, Zain, and Mehr looked at each other and started laughing.
“Let’s promise we’ll go there once more,” Mehr said, smiling.
“Why not, Mehr?” they replied — and their chat continued.
……………………………………………………………………………….
Author’s Note:
This story was written by a group of students from My New School, Dragmullah, Kupwara during a creative writing workshop conducted by the Fiction Writers Guild. The workshop encouraged imagination, teamwork, and storytelling, resulting in this adventurous tale of mystery, friendship, and discovery.–
Stay Blessed and Contented
