The sun hadn't yet risen on the sleepy town where Adarsh lived, yet he was already wide awake. Each morning at 4 a.m., he'd take his quiet walk down to the riverside, where a large stone sat by the water, perfect for stargazing. This routine had been his solace for years, ever since he slipped into a quiet, lingering sadness he couldn't quite shake. And for years, Adarsh had made peace with being alone, finding comfort in solitude and the small, predictable parts of his day.
But today was different. Today, he had a reason to be hopeful.
Adarsh wasn't one to venture online or seek friendships. Yet, a few weeks ago, his life had shifted. He'd joined a study server on Discord, filled with students across the world grinding through assignments and exams. His presence was more practical than social at first—he just wanted someone to hold him accountable for studying. Yet, little by little, he found himself drawn into that space and even made a few online study buddies.
Then, one evening, after a full day of studying, a message notification popped up.
Naomi: "Hey, I noticed you're studying all day long. You're kinda cool."
The words were simple, yet they warmed Adarsh's heart. He hadn't thought of himself as "cool"—not for a long time. Not since he drifted away from people and lost his friends to silence and isolation. This message was both a surprise and a mystery, especially since he didn't recognize the name. Naomi? Who was she? And what was she doing on this server?
Curious but cautious, he clicked on her profile. She was from Russia, and he could see from her messages in the study server that she was a high school student preparing for her final exams. A part of him felt strangely intrigued, perhaps even a bit nervous. But after a few moments of hesitation, he started typing.
Adarsh: "Thanks… I study a lot, I guess. What are you studying for?"
After hitting send, Adarsh's heart picked up speed as he waited for her response. When she replied almost immediately, a small smile crept onto his face.
Naomi: "Last year of high school! Trying to make it to university. You?"
Their messages continued back and forth that night, a mix of curious questions and shy replies. Adarsh quickly realized that Naomi was kind and genuine, a little shy like him but with a playful spirit he found endearing. She'd send emojis to lighten the conversation, and though Adarsh was sometimes confused by her slang and emojis—like her frequent "nod nod" which he mistook for a "no" at first—Naomi didn't mind explaining. She even laughed when he admitted his confusion, teasing him lightly but gently.
By the end of the evening, Adarsh found himself feeling lighter, a rare glimmer of warmth flickering inside him. He'd made a new friend—someone who seemed to like him for who he was, despite his awkwardness and lack of experience with socializing.
Little did he know, this was only the beginning of something much deeper than he could ever imagine. That night, as he lay on his bed, Adarsh drifted to sleep thinking of Naomi's last message. Her words replayed in his mind as his eyes closed, giving him a sense of hope he hadn't felt in years.
Naomi: "It's nice studying together. We should do it again tomorrow?"
As he drifted off, his mind lingered on that single thought, his heart already eager for the sunrise, and for the next study session with his new friend from a faraway place.