The bus screeched to a halt outside Anandpur Sahib just as the first hints of morning painted the sky orange. Arjanveer stepped off with his small bag, the chill air brushing against his face. The sacred city felt different—alive, powerful, ancient.
Every breath smelled of dew, dust, and history.
He walked toward Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, its white domes glowing in the early light. Even before he entered, he heard it—
The sound of shastars clashing.
Steel meeting steel in rhythmic, disciplined strikes.
The sound sent shivers through his body.
Near the courtyard, a group of Nihang Singhs were practicing Gatka. Their blue bana flowed like water, their farlas whipping through the air like trails of lightning. Spears rotated, swords flashed, and shields clanged with controlled force.
Arjanveer stood frozen.
They were exactly as he remembered—fearless, graceful, warriors and saints both.
One of the younger Singhs noticed him watching.
"Pehli vaar aaye?"(First time here?)
Arjanveer nodded.
The Singh grinned. "Then today's a good day for you. The Dal will ride soon."
Before Arjanveer could respond, the thundering sound of horses shook the ground.A line of Nihang Singhs rode into the courtyard, spears raised, hooves striking like war drums. Leading them was a tall Singh wearing a massive dumalla decorated with shimmering steel—AKALI JASRAJ SINGH, the jathedar of their chhauni.
His presence was overwhelming.
Calm as a saint.
Powerful as a storm.
Arjanveer bowed instinctively.
Jasraj Singh's eyes swept the gathered crowd—and paused on Arjanveer.
"You," he said, pointing with the tip of his spear."Who are you, and why have you come?"
Arjanveer swallowed, suddenly aware of the weight of the moment.
"I… I came to find my path, Baba ji."
The jathedar stared at him for a long, silent moment. The courtyard grew still.
Finally, he spoke.
"Some come to the Dal to look strong.""Some come to escape the world.""And some come because the Guru has chosen them."
He leaned closer.
"Which one are you?"
Arjanveer's heart pounded, but he didn't break eye contact.
"I… don't know yet."
The jathedar smiled—not kindly, but knowingly.
"You will. The Guru reveals the truth in His own time."
He motioned to a Nihang standing nearby."Take him. Give him a place to rest. Tomorrow, he will see the Dal's discipline."
As Arjanveer followed the Singh to the chhauni, he felt both fear and excitement swirling in his chest.
He wasn't a warrior.
Not yet.
But something inside him was beginning to change—slowly, quietly—like a flame waiting for the wind.
He didn't know that tomorrow would test him in a way he had never imagined.
A test that would decide whether the spark inside him would die…
or ignite.