A distance can be typically calculated by taking the difference between two points. Will you be able to calculate the distance with just one random point?Dean walks next to his colleague while looking through the papers, attendance sheet, and chalk."Thank you so much, Daniel." Dean thanked him as they walked toward their respective classes."Not an issue. Your students are good. They already knew many things." Daniel spoke as he remembered how he handled this class."Thanks for helping.""Stop thanking, and foremost, take care of yourself." Daniel smiled and added, "They missed you. They kept asking when you'd return." Dean smiles as they continue to walk in silence."If it's not too much trouble. Can I ask you a question?" Dean asked, glancing at Daniel, who nodded his head."How would you know when you've crossed the line as a teacher? On what basis would you draw a line to stop yourself?""That's an interesting question," Daniel whispered, taking a few moments to frame his words."Line, isn't it something that is formed using two points?" Daniel asked, looking at Dean, who furrowed his eyebrows and nodded."So, don't you think we need to know the other points' perspectives too?" Daniel spoke and stood in front of his class."If you think properly and differently, maybe you'll get the answer you are looking for." Daniel smiled and walked inside his class, where he was greeted with a chorus of good mornings.Dean walked towards his class, which is next to Daniel's. The words spoken by the said man opened his eyes to a new perspective. A line doesn't mean it's between two people. A line can be created with two people."Good morning, teacher." Dean smiled at the students and welcomed them back."Alright, place your homework first, and we'll continue with the counting.""No, counting." A kid whines from the crowd.Dean gave it a thought and said, "Alright, what would you like to do?"Another kid raised his hand and said, "Teacher, story.""Yeah, moral stories are in the afternoon, right?" Dean asked while glancing at the schedule."No. Teacher now," another boy said, receiving nods from his peers."Ok, we'll learn," Dean hums while placing the chalk on the board. "Regret," writing the words in cursive on the board. Dean looks at the word and finds a familiar feeling."Embrace what you have..." Dean places his hand over his chest, feeling the straight line. "Time is too quick for those who are afraid, too long for those who are grieving, and too short for those who are joyful, but for those who love..." Dean looks at the wall in a daze as he leans against the table."Time is Eternity. Love that person and all of your time spent with them because anything can happen at any time in life." Dean whispered. However, all kids look at each other with confusion. The words spoken were above their heads. "You can terribly regret something just to find out it's too late.""What is regret, teacher?"Dean chuckled, understanding the kid's trouble. He walked back to the board and replaced regret with family."Family, the people close to your heart, like your mom, papa, granny, sister, grandpa, brother, friends, etcetera, create a safe atmosphere for you." Dean encloses chalk between his palms."This is a story of a boy who was very rude, didn't bother to respect others, talked with bad manners, and wasted time degrading others." Dean starts the tale while glancing at the students. Fortunately, they seem keen on this."Once, because of his bad habits, he was bedridden, and mostly his time was spent on the hospital bed. This phase made him look in the mirror and reflect on himself. He saw the pain in his mother's eyes. The silent tears of his brother. His strong dad feels helpless because of the treatment. The hospital expenses were so high that his father took a loan from the bank—I mean, he took help. His grandmother would whisper prayers in his ear and press kisses on his forehead, all while assuming that the boy was sleeping." Dean felt his throat hurt with the memories of those days."The boy realised his mistakes and thought it was too late, very late, to correct them. He would often weep and soak his pillow with regret." Dean quickly wipes away his tears and inhales deeply."He would sit on the bed and stare at the wall. He wanted to apologise and seek forgiveness. However, he didn't know from which mouth he would ask for forgiveness—the same one he used for insults? At last, he accepted his fate and waited for the time to finish.""Did something happen, teacher?" This voice belongs to Ayan. The kids lean forward on their tiny table, looking at their teacher with anticipation."A miracle happened, dear." Dean gave a sad smile. "The boy was saved thanks to a kind soul.""That's good, right, teacher?""Probably." Dean shrugs his shoulders. "However, the boy didn't think the same. He did get a new life. But it cost someone else's life. A family lost someone precious. The boy is somewhere blaming himself. His only wish is to meet that family.""Did he meet them, teacher?" Dean shook his head."Respect life, and abide by the law. Never make someone else face the cost of your mistakes. Avoid making the blunders that lead people to lose something that cannot be replaced." His own words made him realise something. How did his donor die?"Always be a helping hand and reach out to those who are grieving or in need. But make sure to help without losing yourself.""Is this the end of the story?" Another question was asked while Dean looked down and sighed. "Don't know." Dean presses his lips together in a thin line and clears his throat."Alright, let's get back to studying."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ A couple of white strands between brown hairs gleamed in the morning light streaming through a villa window. An old couple sipping green tea."Roman is not ready." The old lady spoke and kept the cup on the glass table. She casts a glance at her husband, who remains silent."What is he waiting for? I don't understand." The lady groans with anger. She is trying to convince her son. He is, however, not protruding from his decision."He is still young to live like this." The lady looks out of the window and continues, "Ayan is a little boy, so it's easier to lie to him or make him understand something else. But, after a certain age, he will know about his mother's death, then? What will happen?" She leans forward to get her husband's attention."You understand what I'm saying, right? He might feel lonely. He needs a mother's care. He'd eventually become envious of his friends and might even cry."The old man looks back at her and smiles in reply.The old man fixed his specks and pressed them over his nose bridge. "So, you are implying that we should forcefully tie our son to someone else." He quirks an eyebrow, watching the lady sit stunned."Will our love, like that of a grandmother, grandfather, papa, uncle, aunt, and cousins, be insufficient to make Ayan happy?" Mr Cater asked, sipping the tea and sighing later."You're not understanding, Neil." Mrs Cater tried reasoning."I know you and your implications. We have lived together for fifty-three years, Roma." Mr Neil pressed each word and continued to enjoy the tea."He needs someone in his life. As his mother, I will worry about him.""In case you've forgotten, he is a father himself. He is mature enough to make his own decisions.""So what? He'll always be my son. I'm not forcing him to marry now. I just want him to meet a lady, have a conversation, go on dates, and later—" Neil stood up and looked at his wife."Do what you wish. Later, don't regret it, and come to me." Mr Cater walks towards his study table, which is located at the far end to the left.Mrs Cater stood up. "I'm just--" She stops speaking when the book is raised above Mr Cater's shoulder with his back facing her."Fine! Later you'll understand my point. I know what's best for my son." Mrs Roma walked away to cool her head.For quite a while, this has been a major conversation between them. None of them agrees with the other. They believe their thoughts are superior to those of others."Our son, Roma," Neil whispered into the thin air."Even I feel sad whenever I see him alone."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ Roman placed Ayan on the sofa. "What is mira--cal?" Ayan asked as he looked at his dad.Roman frowns and tries to comprehend what Ayan is trying to say. "You mean a miracle?" Ayan nodded."Miracle," Roman said as he sat next to his son, closing his eyes. "If your mom returns to us," Roman whispered his wish loudly without realising it. "It would be a miracle.""Mom?""Yes," Roman says quietly to himself.Roman cleared the mist from his eyes and whispered. "Even you had a mom just like others, dear."Ayan looks keenly at his father. For the first time, Ayan didn't ask anything more. He looked down and nodded.Roman bites his lower lip as he notices his son's sadness. His eyes focused on the trembling lips. The quiver of eyelashes. I shouldn't have said it. My baby is dejected now.Roman caressed his hair. "Ayan, my–—" Unexpectedly, Ayan hugs him by curling his arms around his neck. Subconsciously, Roman pulls his son closer."Papa..." The boy cries on his shoulder, "I know that." The little boy shouts and sobs loudly. Each shake of his shoulder threw draggers into Roman's unhealed heart."I know maa is not here." Ayan hiccuped while fisting Roman's shirt while his son closed his eyes, embracing him tight in his arms.With much difficulty, Roman let out, "Hush, Papa is here." Roman pressed his eyes together, refraining from crying. His heart feels so heavy that it's not allowing him to breathe."My son," Roman said softly, kissing his hair."My baby," Roman says, drawing the boy closer, and a tear falls from his right eye."You are," Roman says, inhaling, finding it difficult to say his words "You are my everything and the only reason to breathe." Roman pulls out of the hug and wipes his son's tears."Forgive papa," Roman said as he pinched his own ear."Why?" Ayan asked, pulling his dad's arm from pinching his ear."Because I brought tears to the angel's eyes." Roman wiped the excess tears from the eyelashes."No, Papa did not do anything." Ayan shook his head. "Ayan loves Papa."Fondness fills Roman's eyes. "Papa loves Ayan very much."Roman rubs the boy's back while the boy leans comfortably on his dad's chest. "How did you know, baby?"Ayan looks up at his dad's questioning gaze and down at the black button on his shirt. "I saw, no." Ayan shook his head. "Once I peeked from the door and saw Papa hugging something and crying. I am sorry, Papa. I didn't ask and opened the drawer. I saw the picture and I thought, it's my mom. But I never saw Mumma. Then, one day, you said, you're my mom and papa.""Then, my friend said, his mom went to a fairy star." Ayan smiles, remembering a fairy tale about a fairy star. "Has my mom gone to the fairy star?"Roman gulped, looking away. No wonder the boy got calm so fast. He thinks his mom went to a fairyland."Yes, dear," Roman replied, kissing his forehead.Later in the evening. Roman buttoned Ayan's sweater and picked the boy up in his arms as he walked towards the window. He opens them with one hand as the curtains flutter with the night wind.Roman looks at the open sky. The stars are twinkling as usual. They often shine in the sky after the moon and disappear from the moon as soon as the morning ray shines."Ayan, look at the sky." Roman points at a star shining next to the moon."Your mom is staying in that star," Roman explains, looking at the star with a longing gaze.His eyes were brimming with longing. He blinks and closes his eyes tightly, putting up a bright smile."Does Mom stay there?"Ayan asked while pointing at the same star with excitement. Roman nods, looking at his son's happiness."She's looking at you, protecting you from there. She loves you very much." Roman explained with a smile. Ayan nodded in understanding."When will maa return?" Ayan asked while looking at his dad. Roman's eyes soften with unshed tears."Probably," Roman said, pressing his lips together and taking a quick breath."Probably after Ayan grows up to be a good man."Ayan looks at his father. "So long?" Roman nodded."How can I talk with maa?" Ayan asked with curiosity. "Papa, call Maa. I am a good boy, right?"Roman gulps and nods, taking his phone and pressing it to his other ear. "Maa is busy, dear," Roman replied while keeping the phone away."Ok, text maa to call later." Roman pretends to text and nods to his son."Why didn't you tell me about maa?" Ayan inquired again, wriggling free of Roman's arm to sit on the window sill. Roman enclosed his arms around the boy for safety."I thought Ayan would get sad, and Papa promised Maa not to make Ayan sad." Ayan gasps, holding his mouth."I'm not sad," Ayan reassures, looking at the moon and then later at the star."Papa didn't break the promise, maa." Ayan looks back at his dad. "Can I talk like this?" Roman gave a quick nod and dug his nails into his wrist. He can't cry now. A guilty feeling is blooming in his mind. He just lied to a little boy, whom he always taught to be truthful._____________________________________Buckle up, things might escalate from here. Were you able to connect with the characters?