"There is no one to protect you in this world from me".
I needed to find out who was behind all of this, but first, I had to answer my mother. She was looking at me with eyes full of hope, waiting for my decision.
What should I do? I had already promised myself to stand by my friends. But if I stayed, would I be putting them in danger? Could I really be the one bringing trouble into their lives? Or should I return to the safety of my family? No, I couldn't abandon them. Not now.
My mother couldn't wait any longer. She began speaking again, her voice soft but insistent.
|"My dear son, all I want is for you to be safe. I won't force you—it's your choice. But please, try to understand."|
I took a deep breath, struggling with the weight of my decision.
|"Mom, I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind. I can't go with you."|
Her expression grew serious.
|"So, you want to stay here? Does that mean your friends are more important to you than me and your family?"|
|"No, Mom, it's not like that. My friends have stood by me through everything. Without them, I wouldn't have made it this far. I need to stay with them until I finish my studies. Please, Mom, don't stop me."|
She sighed, finally accepting my decision.
|"Alright, dear. I understand. If that's how you feel, then so be it. But please, remember this—don't forget my words until you've finished your studies."|
I nodded.
|"What is it, Mom? Tell me, and I'll do anything if you agree to my choice."|
Her voice was filled with concern.
|"Just be safe, dear. From now on, every move you make could bring danger to you and your friends. Don't trust anyone blindly."|
|"I understand, Mom. I'll be careful."|
She hesitated, her worry deepening.
|"Hold on, dear. I almost forgot… We believe we can't hide you for much longer. If you stay here, they'll find you soon."|
The realization hit me hard. I would have to be extra cautious with every step I took. Then I remembered something important.
|"Mom, don't worry about me. Have you forgotten? She's here with me."|
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
|"Oh! you mean that girl. Yes, she's talented, I agree. But I can't trust her completely. Manoj, my dear, I'm telling you again—don't trust anyone blindly, not even her."|
|"Mom, just trust me. I'll be fine. I have some things I need to take care of now. We'll meet again soon, I promise."|
Her face fell, disappointment evident in her eyes.
|"What? Wait, son. Can't you stay a little longer with me?"|
|"Mom, I swear, we'll meet again soon."|
She wasn't happy, but she nodded, understanding my need to go. Her voice trembled with concern.
|"Manoj, my sweet son, please be safe. If you find yourself in any trouble, contact me immediately."|
I could see the sadness in her eyes, but I knew this wasn't the time for a full reunion. As I left to return to college, I glanced back and saw her crying again.
I promised myself—and her—that I would return soon, stronger and more capable. When I came back, I would show her how her son could conquer the world.
Later, I returned, overwhelmed with intense emotion, still thinking about that dream. When I reached to my university, in our canteen room, my friends had already started eating without me.
I went near to them to ask something.
|"Suresh, you've changed. You always call me before lunch, but today you didn't."|
|"Hey, Manoj, well, you said you might come late, so I figured I'd steal your food too. Don't bother asking—I've already eaten it all."|
|"What? You little brat! I'm starving now. I don't want excuses; just give me back my lunch!"|
He started playing dumb.
|"Hey, who are you? Keshava, do you know this guy? Why is he asking me for his lunch?"|
I was furious, but he had already started running.
|"Hey, idiot! If I catch you, you're dead!"|
|"I know, that's why I'm running! If you want your lunch back, try to catch me, Manoj!"|
That brat! He was really messing with me. So, I chased after him while Keshava and Ramu laughed at my struggle.
After our playful food fight, we headed back to our hostel rooms to relax. Seeing me like this made them happy because I was finally back to my usual self.
Keshava got a phone call, and when he hung up, his face was full of excitement.
|"Guys, I have good news. Today is our class leader's birthday, and she's invited all of us to her party tonight. The interesting part is that some important people will be attending."|
Of course, she was rich. By my calculations, she might be the only one richer after that jerk Rahul in our entire class.
Ramu was thrilled.
|"This is perfect timing! We've got an invitation to a birthday party, Manoj. It could really help you feel better."|
Keshava and Suresh also encouraged me, but I hesitated.
|"No, guys, you know how she is. She used to bully me all the time. If she sees me, it'll just be awkward. I don't want to ruin your fun. Just go without me."|
Keshava tried to convince me.
|"Manoj, stay positive. If anything happens, I've got your back. So please, come with us. It'll help you forget everything."|
With everyone insisting, I had no choice but to agree.
After the sunset, I was excited to reconnect with them and enjoy a break from my hectic life. When I arrived at the party, they greeted me warmly with smiles and jokes, making me feel right at home. The party was being held in an open area with beautiful decorations and stunning light setups. It looked like they were celebrating in grand style.
Suresh was thrilled about the delicious food, Keshava couldn't stop talking about his latest gadgets, and Ramu was entertaining a group of girls with his humour. I joined in their laughter and conversation, feeling grateful for the simple yet profound joy of true friendship.
As the party continued, I reflected on how my experiences had taught me to appreciate both the luxuries of wealth and the beauty of simplicity. I found contentment in keeping my success private, knowing that my true friends valued me for who I was, not for my wealth or status.
I thought about how if I hadn't followed my family's customs and rules, I wouldn't have made such good friends. If I hadn't met them or if I hadn't gotten a place at this university, I wouldn't have these friends. Then I wouldn't have experienced such happiness. My family's fake customs had shaped my path in ways I couldn't have imagined. They had instilled in me values of hard work, humility, and integrity. These values had helped me connect with people on a deeper level, forming bonds that were based on genuine respect and affection.
It's such an honour to me. I'm so lucky. Haha...
Just then, a female voice called out my name with a tone of arrogance and pride, causing the area to fall silent. The atmosphere in the area changed instantly. The joy and laughter were replaced with a tense silence. All eyes turned towards the source of the voice. It was a girl I recognized from my classes, someone who always carried herself with an air of superiority. Her words were sharp, and her tone was accusatory.
On one hand, I was irritated by her intrusion into our joyful moment. On the other hand, I was curious about what she had to say. The room remained silent as she walked towards me, her eyes fixed on mine. She stopped a few feet away and crossed her arms, waiting for a response.
I answered, trying to keep my voice calm and composed.
|"Hello, Wish you a many more returns of the day. How can I help you?"|