The morning air was crisp as I embarked on my long, solitary walk to college. My usual route involved the chaotic local buses, but today, I craved the quiet solitude. As I passed the railway tracks, a sleek black cat with emerald eyes basked in the morning sun, seemingly oblivious to the world rushing past. Envy, a bitter taste, washed over me. The cat, free from the burdens of exams, assignments, and the gnawing loneliness that plagued me, seemed to embody a carefree existence I could only dream of. I was living in a foreign city, far from home and the comfort of familiar faces. My so-called friends had become nothing more than conduits for notes, their concern for my well-being a distant memory. The weight of upcoming exams pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket, my stomach churning with anxiety.By the time I reached my hostel, my legs ached. I hailed a rusty old bus, its brakes groaning in protest. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of diesel and sweat. Finding a seat was a blessing. Across from me, a boy, his cheeks flushed a deep red, was staring intently. There was something familiar about him, yet I couldn't place it. He took a hesitant step closer, his voice trembling. 'Do you... do you remember me from...' His voice trailed off, leaving me with a shiver of unease."