My name is Arya, and I am 19 years old. I like doing what most people enjoy doing nothing. I just lie on my bed all day and do absolutely nothing. My family is upset with me, and they want me to do something, but I don't do anything at all. Life is simple: eat, sleep, and repeat. That's how I've always liked it.
I don't go to school like other kids my age. I'm in high school but attend classes from home. It's not because of any special reason; I just don't like going out. Why bother when you can attend classes in pajamas? I'm 145 kilograms, and let's just say my size doesn't exactly make me want to walk around much. My parents, especially my mom, constantly nag me about losing weight. They think I'm ruining my health, but honestly, I don't care. I love food. Food doesn't judge me. Food doesn't tease me. Food is life.
Next year, my parents want me to go to university for higher studies. They've made it clear that online classes aren't an option anymore. I'm dreading it. The thought of leaving my bed, walking around campus, and interacting with other students sounds like torture. I've begged them to let me continue my education from home, but they won't listen. They say it's time I learn to "live in the real world."
When I finally joined the university, I realized it was as bad as I expected. The students there weren't exactly welcoming. It felt like I was a circus act walking into a room full of spectators. I'd hear them whispering behind my back, and they didn't even try to be subtle about it:"Did you see that guy? He's massive!"
"Is that a student or a boulder in disguise?"
"I bet he eats an entire pizza in one sitting."
"Forget the pizza, he probably eats the delivery guy too."
"How does he even fit in those chairs? Do they reinforce them for him?"
It wasn't just the whispers. Sometimes, they'd go full stand-up comedy. One guy even said, "Hey Arya, do you come with a 'Wide Load' sign?" Another chimed in, "Careful, don't get too close, or you might get caught in his orbit."😂
I'd hear them laugh, pointing at me like I was the punchline to every bad joke. But I didn't care. I've heard it all before. People have been teasing me about my weight for as long as I can remember. It doesn't bother me anymore. At least, that's what I told myself. Deep down, every joke felt like a tiny jab, but I'd shrug it off. After all, who needs friends when you have Netflix and a bag of chips?
Then, one day, I saw her. Her name was Aditi. She was in one of my classes, and she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. She was everything I wasn't—confident, energetic, and full of life. She walked into the room like she owned it, her laughter brightening even the dullest of lectures. I couldn't take my eyes off her. For the first time, I felt like I wanted to change. I wanted her to notice me, but how could she when I looked like this? I mean, I could barely notice myself in the mirror without wincing.One day, I mustered up the courage to talk to her. My heart pounded like I was running a marathon, though I'd never actually run one—or even jogged. I walked up to her in the library, trying to appear confident, though I probably just looked like I was about to faint.
"Hi, I'm Arya. I'm in your calculus class," I said, my voice trembling slightly.
She looked up from her book, her eyes meeting mine. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of curiosity, but it quickly faded. "Oh, hey. Yeah, I've seen you around," she said, her tone polite but distant.
I tried to make small talk, fumbling through topics like an amateur comedian bombing on stage. She responded with nods and short answers, clearly uninterested. Just as I was about to give up and retreat into my shell, she said something that hit me harder than any joke or insult ever had.
"You know, Arya, you seem like a nice guy," she started, her tone gentle but firm, "but have you ever thought about taking better care of yourself? I mean, it's not just about looks—it's your health. Being this… big… isn't normal or safe. It's like you're carrying around a ticking time bomb. Don't you want to feel better, live longer, or just… not struggle to breathe after walking a few steps?"
Her words stung, but they also lit a fire inside me. For the first time in my life, I wanted to change—not just for her, but for myself. I joined a gym the next day. It was tough. Every step on the treadmill felt like a marathon, and every weight I lifted felt like a mountain. But I kept going. I started walking every morning, cutting down on junk food, and eating healthier. In a month, I lost 5 kilograms. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Just when I thought my life was finally turning around, disaster struck. It was a calm evening—too calm, in hindsight. The air felt still, almost unnervingly so. I was in my room, scrolling through memes on my phone, when I felt it. A faint tremor at first, like the rumble of a passing truck. But then it grew stronger. The walls started to shake violently, and the floor beneath me felt like it might split open. An earthquake.Panic set in immediately. Books toppled off my shelves, and my computer screen flickered before shutting off. My parents' frantic voices echoed from downstairs.
"Arya! Get out of the house! NOW!" my mom screamed, her voice filled with terror.
I tried to move, but my body felt heavy—heavier than usual. My size, which had always been a source of comfort during lazy days, now felt like a curse. I stumbled toward the door, each step feeling like I was wading through quicksand.
"Arya, hurry up!" my dad yelled, appearing at the doorway. His face was pale, his eyes wide with fear. He grabbed my arm, trying to pull me along.
"I'm trying!" I shouted back, my voice shaking as badly as the ground beneath us. My heart was pounding, not from exertion but from sheer terror. The house groaned as if it were alive and in pain. Cracks formed on the ceiling, and chunks of plaster rained down.
"We have to go now!" my mom cried, tears streaming down her face as she tugged at me from the other side.
But my movements were sluggish, and every second felt like an eternity. The tremors intensified, and with a deafening roar, part of the ceiling collapsed in front of us, cutting off the staircase. We were trapped.
"Arya, we need to find another way out!" my dad shouted, his voice desperate. He tried to lead me toward the back door, but the shaking made it impossible to navigate. The ground heaved like an angry sea, and I lost my balance, crashing into the wall.
"Dad, I can't… I can't do this," I gasped, tears blurring my vision. My chest felt tight, both from fear and the physical strain. My parents were doing everything they could to help me, but I was holding them back. My size, my laziness, my refusal to change—it had all led to this moment.
The walls trembled one final time, and with a deafening crack, they caved in. and...
My story isn't just about me. It's a lesson for anyone who's stuck in their comfort zone, refusing to change. Life doesn't wait for you to get your act together. Don't let laziness be the reason you lose everything. If you have the chance to change, take it. Don't wait for disaster to force you to realize what's truly important.