1 July, One Year Ago
(From now on, the story is narrated by Arvind)
I had neatly combed hair, wore clean clothes so spotless they looked brand new, and glasses that made me resemble a rich geek. My life seemed perfect on the outside, but it was far from it.
As I got out of the car, my dad wished me a great day. I smiled and waved back, but the moment he drove away, my face turned gloomy. The weight of my emotions settled in as I walked toward the PU college building. I was in 12th grade, and each day felt heavier than the last.
Entering the classroom, one of the boys poured a whole glass of ink on my blazer, laughing as the ink dripped down, staining it completely.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't see you," he said with a grin.
I clenched my fists, suppressing my frustration. The class burst into laughter. As I looked around, my eyes met hers—my once called lover. For a fleeting moment, I hoped she might step in, offer some help, or at least show some sympathy. Instead, she glared at me with cold disdain and muttered, "Disgusting."
That single word stung more than the laughter. I forced a smile, swallowing the lump in my throat, pretending it didn't affect me.
The lecturer entered, scolding the boy responsible, but I stayed silent, forcing that same hollow smile.
After a challenging day, I walked towards my car.
"Driver, go home without me. I will walk today."
"But sir, your house is very far."
"It's an order. Just go. I'll call if needed."
Wandering around the city, I spotted a boy with a bicycle.
"How much for this bicycle?" I asked.
The boy gave me a quick glance and replied arrogantly, "Around 2 lakh. My dad brought it from Dubai."
I removed my custom-made G Shock watch and handed it to him.
"Here's my watch. It's worth 4 lakhs. Give me your cycle."
The boy's eyes widened in surprise as he examined the watch, realizing it was genuine.
"Are you serious? You want my cycle for this watch?" he asked, disbelief in his voice.
"Yes," I replied firmly.
The boy grinned, clearly thrilled by the deal. "Here's the cycle. Enjoy, boy. Bye."
He quickly handed me the cycle, practically skipping away with the watch in excitement.
Riding the cycle, a cool breeze brushed past me. It felt like it was guiding me. Hours later, I reached the foot of a hill, parked the cycle, and climbed to the top.
At the summit stood a massive cherry blossom tree, its pink petals scattered around, releasing a faint, sweet fragrance that mingled with the crisp, cool breeze. The scent was calming, almost magical. The breathtaking city view under the twilight sky sparkled like a sea of distant stars, and for a fleeting moment, the blend of fresh air, the floral aroma, and the golden hue of the setting sun made me forget my worries.
I walked over to the tree and sat beneath its vast canopy, feeling the rough texture of its bark against my back. The cool earth beneath me grounded me for a moment. I took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill my lungs, and just then, reality struck. The weight of everything I had been suppressing came crashing down. I threw my glasses aside, untied my neatly combed hair, and let it fall freely. Tears filled my eyes, blurring the vibrant colors of the twilight around me.
"Why is all this happening to me? What did I do wrong?" I cried. "Everyone says I'm the most fortunate child, but they don't know how much I'm suffering."
I burst out all my emotions until a frustrated voice interrupted.
"Huh… could you stop? How much longer are you going to blame yourself?"
Shocked and embarrassed that someone heard me shouting, I looked around. It was a girl's voice, someone my age, coming from the other side of the cherry blossom tree. What was she doing here at this time?
"Who… who's there?" I asked.
There was silence for a few moments.
"Why should I tell you?" she replied.
Her words irritated me. "Fine, do as you please," I muttered, slightly annoyed.
There was an awkward silence for a few minutes until she broke it.
"Looks like you're going through a lot of difficulties in life and have no one to share your thoughts with."
I responded sharply, "So?"
Without missing a beat, she said, "You can share it with me."
I frowned, my irritation growing. "And why would I do that? I don't even know you, heck, I didn't even see your face."
She chuckled softly, her tone calm and unbothered. "You don't need to know or see me to share your thoughts. Telling your problems and sharing your thoughts helps in reducing your stress. Sometimes, a stranger is the best listener because they don't judge you."
Her words lingered in the air, leaving me speechless, unsure of how to respond.
I thought about what she said. It was true—I didn't have anyone to share my feelings with.
"It's a long story," I finally admitted.
"I have time. You can tell me," she replied without hesitation.
I thought to myself, "Why am I going on with this conversation? I don't even know her, but for some reason, I feel like telling her everything about me. Was it because of my pent-up emotions or was it her smothering voice?"
And just like that, I started telling her about my past.