Chapter 6: Building the Second Link
January 12, 2009 – St. Xavier's High School, Dehradun
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Ram sat under the old peepal tree during the lunch break, eating quietly.
The January sun painted dappled shadows on the schoolyard, and the sounds of a heated cricket match echoed across the grounds.
He wasn't watching the ball.
He was watching the boy shouting instructions from the center of the chaos.
"Field tighter! Come on, we're not in a circus!"
The boy wasn't batting or bowling.
He wasn't the strongest.
But the others—they listened.
That was rare in fourth grade.
Charisma. Confidence. Presence.
His name was Rudra Malhotra.
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The Natural Leader
Ram knew him well—in both timelines.
In his first life, Rudra had become a rising politician in college, only to get crushed by party games, losing his spark and quitting public life at 27.
But Ram had always felt Rudra could have been so much more.
A prime minister. A diplomat. A speaker who could move millions.
Ram watched as Rudra took charge of a messy argument on the field.
"Listen! The rule was one pitch bounce, not full toss. You agreed, Rishi. Let's restart, clean slate."
Within seconds, the fight ended.
Play resumed.
Just like that.
Ram smiled to himself.
He'd found the second link.
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The First Conversation
Ram approached him after school, casually.
"Hey Rudra, that was some quick thinking out there."
Rudra looked at him, eyes sharp. "You saw that?"
Ram nodded. "You handled them like a pro. Like a captain."
Rudra shrugged. "Someone had to. They're all just noise otherwise."
Ram grinned. "You ever think of giving speeches? Like, on stage?"
The boy chuckled. "I already do. My dad makes me read the news aloud every night."
Ram raised an eyebrow. "That's rare. Most kids hate speaking."
Rudra puffed his chest a little. "I like being heard."
Ram leaned in, almost conspiratorial.
"What if I told you… one day, the whole country might hear you?"
Rudra blinked. "What do you mean?"
Ram smiled, then casually pulled out a folded page from his notebook—a hand-drawn "game" called Voice Trials, a mock competition with public speaking, debate, and negotiation rounds.
"You want to try something new?"
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The Training Begins
That weekend, Ram invited Rudra to his home under the excuse of playing chess.
Instead, he pulled out a printed script from Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
"What's this?" Rudra asked.
"A challenge. Memorize it. Recite it. With feeling. Let's see what happens."
Rudra snorted. "English speeches?"
"Just try," Ram said. "Imagine you're in front of a thousand people."
An hour later, Rudra was on his third attempt, voice rising, body moving, eyes alive with fire.
Ram nodded.
"He's a spark plug," he thought.
"Not the engine, not the fuel. But the ignition."
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Building the Circle – Entry #2
That night, Ram opened his encrypted folder again.
> Project: Bharat Renaissance
Subfolder: Phase 1 - Core Circle
Entry #2: Rudra Malhotra – Codename: Vox
He logged:
Charisma: 9/10
Emotional Intelligence: 8/10
Academic Drive: 6/10
Influence on peers: High
Risk: Overconfidence in teen years
Potential Role: Public figure, movement leader, diplomacy
Note:
> "In a future filled with tech and data, the human voice will still move hearts. He will be the voice to carry the vision."
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Training Strategy: The Vox Protocol
Ram created a training program for Rudra, disguised as games:
Daily Speech Practice – mimic world leaders
Debate Simulations – argue both sides of every issue
Mirror Talks – boost confidence
Mock Interviews – learn composure and articulation
Micro-Missions – lead small student groups in activities
Rudra thought it was all fun.
Ram knew it was a 10-year grooming plan.
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First Test of Influence
One week later, the school principal announced a new rule:
"No more football during breaks due to injuries."
Students were furious. Chaos ensued.
Ram nudged Rudra.
"Go speak. Calm them. Negotiate. Win."
"What do I say?" Rudra asked.
"Speak the truth. But give them hope."
Rudra marched up to the staffroom with thirty kids behind him.
Ten minutes later, the rule was adjusted:
Football allowed twice a week with teacher supervision.
The crowd cheered.
Ram stood in the background and smiled.
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Closing Note
That night, Ram scribbled in his personal journal:
> "Leadership is not about being loud.
It's about being heard at the right time by the right people.
Rudra is not the general.
He's the banner the army will follow."
And now, with Anika and Rudra by his side, the Circle of Change had two links.
Slowly, the chain was forming.
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End of Chapter 6