Sandeep's footsteps echoed across the track as he finished another lap. Beads of sweat trickled down his brow, but his gaze remained fixed forward, undistracted by the cheers or glances from classmates. Known for his athletic prowess, he rarely joined in conversations, and his stern demeanor only added to the mystery surrounding him. Girls admired him from afar, intrigued by his quiet strength but also intimidated by his reserved nature. He was not only focused but also fiercely determined—a true athlete.
Coming from a middle-class background, Sandeep was no stranger to hard work. His family's values shaped him, instilling in him a sense of discipline that set him apart from his more privileged peers. He took his training seriously, spending every spare moment improving his form and speed, not for glory but for personal achievement. His athletic skills had earned him a reputation, but he wasn't one to bask in it. Instead, he remained an enigma, his silence often mistaken for rudeness.
In the classroom, Sandeep sat quietly, his presence calm yet intense. Nearby sat Yachhat, a stark contrast to Sandeep's lean and athletic build. Yachhat was a chubby, quiet boy who kept mostly to himself. Rumors about Yachhat's family circulated through the school—whispers of his father's legal troubles and the financial scandal that had sent him to jail. Students gossiped about his family's fall from grace, the story a favorite among those who thrived on schoolyard drama. Yachhat bore the weight of his father's actions, embarrassed and isolated, keeping his head down and trying to blend into the background.
Yachhat sat near the back of the classroom, his gaze fixed on the desk in front of him. Whispers traveled across the room, each one cutting deeper. "That's the boy whose father went to jail, right?" someone murmured. Yachhat clenched his fists but kept silent, the weight of his father's actions pressing down on him. The glances, the stares, the sneering—all of it felt like a punishment for something he hadn't done. He had grown accustomed to it, yet each comment stung as if it were the first time he'd heard it.
Sandeep noticed Yachhat in the hallway, shoulders hunched as he hurried past a group of whispering classmates. Their eyes met for a brief moment—a flicker of empathy crossed Sandeep's mind, but he brushed it aside, continuing down the hall. Friendship was the last thing on his mind. He was focused on his goals, his dreams of athletic triumph, and he couldn't afford distractions.
At lunch, the school's hierarchy became even more evident. Swastik and Ritik, two wealthy students who often took pleasure in mocking those they considered beneath them, directed their attention toward Sandeep and Yachhat. "Look who's here, the school's 'star athlete' without a dime to his name," Ritik sneered, his words loud enough for Sandeep to hear. Sandeep ignored him, his gaze steely, choosing not to react. Nearby, Yachhat watched, feeling a flicker of connection with Sandeep but staying silent, not daring to step in.
Yachhat felt the sting of isolation every day, and seeing Sandeep face similar treatment stirred something within him, though he couldn't bring himself to act on it. For now, he would continue to stay out of sight, enduring the glances and whispers, hoping they would eventually fade.
As the school bell rang, Sandeep headed out, his mind already on the evening's practice. Yachhat trailed behind, lost in his thoughts. Their lives were worlds apart, yet fate seemed to be setting the stage for something neither could foresee.