The pressure was suffocating, like a silent weight pressing down on my chest. Every day, the expectations from my family loomed larger, their concerns growing louder as my silence stretched on. They wanted answers—what I planned to do, where I saw myself in the future—but I had none to give. Not because I didn't care, but because I was too worn out to care. College, society, the so-called "ideal path" laid out for every person my age—it felt like shackles rather than an opportunity.
Deep down, I wanted to take a different path. I yearned for something more, something different from what was expected. But the fear of stepping away from the norm was overwhelming. Society's judgment, the constant whispers, and the looming shadow of failure seemed insurmountable. In the face of it all, I chose silence. I didn't rebel. I didn't argue. I just kept quiet.
But my family wasn't quiet. Their concerns only grew louder with time, their worries transforming into demands. Eventually, the first examination came. I sat for it, though my heart wasn't in it. I didn't even bother checking the results. It felt like going through the motions, a hollow gesture to keep everyone off my back.
As the days passed, I found myself growing increasingly indifferent. The things that once intrigued me, that sparked a flicker of interest, lost their charm. Learning, exploring, dreaming—it all felt futile. Instead, I found solace in the endless void of social media, scrolling through my phone for hours, letting time slip through my fingers.
Then the second examination arrived, and with it, the obligation to fill out a form. Reluctantly, I complied. But even in this simple act, my disinterest shone through. I forgot to include a photograph with the form, an oversight that led to a phone call from the college staff. They asked me to come back and submit it.
The thought of returning to the college—a place I had barely stepped into—was daunting. My detachment from the environment made it feel foreign, like I didn't belong there. Still, I forced myself to go, navigating the unfamiliar passages of the college handing over the photograph. It was a small task, but to me, it felt like an uphill climb.
Then, one ordinary day, as I scrolled mindlessly through social media, something caught my eye. A chess event promotion flashed on my screen. It was a very big tournament for intermediate players, to be held in a place called Myrnala. Myrnala—a city far away, unfamiliar and distant.
Chess had always been a quiet passion of mine, something that lingered in the background of my life. At this point, I considered myself an intermediate player, someone competent but not extraordinary. Yet, the idea of participating intrigued me. It was something new, something outside the monotony of my current existence since i spent most of my life shut in.
The decision to participate wasn't easy. I knew what it would mean. The tournament would require me to stay in Myrnala for a while, far from home and far from the second examination I was supposed to take. If I chose this path, I would miss the exam entirely, a decision that would only amplify my family's concerns.
But the idea of staying stagnant, of continuing down a path I didn't choose, felt unbearable. The chess event became a beacon of change, a chance to break free, even if only for a moment. So, I made my choice. I would go to Myrnala. I would participate in the tournament.
The journey to Myrnala. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of purpose. The city, bustling and alive, was unlike anything I had experienced before. It was overwhelming but also exhilarating. The chess event was grander than I had imagined, filled with players from different places, each bringing their own style and strategy to the board.
Despite the weight of my decision, I felt a spark of excitement. This was my moment to step outside the confines of expectation, to pursue something I genuinely enjoyed. My circumstances, my family's worries, and society's judgment—they all faded into the background as I sat at the chessboard.
-Hello I am Prostp-
-Said to my opponent-
---