So, this was me and my life. Now, at last I have realised, that all those things for which I have longed and never achieved, were not for me. Or else I would have got them, for sure.

And the feats that I have achieved, were meant for me. Or else, never in this world, I would have achieved them. Many end their lives intentionally, thinking that they have got the worst one. The only thing I will say is that even a bit of it is not true. Everyone faces ups and downs. But how you face them, makes the difference. I faced them, too.

But as I always say, stand strong and believe in yourself.

“Please leave me.” I yelled in fear. But I knew it was useless.

“Why don’t you simply complete my homework at time? There will be no problem for you then.” said Randeep in a lot of anger.

“But yesterday I……..” I hesitated.

“What I?” roared Aniket, one of Randeep’s friends.

“I had a lot of work to do” I said, after collecting a lot of courage.

“What’s the problem with you? Why don’t you do our homework on time? You are the reason of our getting beaten up in the classroom” said Randeep, shoving me to the ground.

“If the next time you won’t finish off our homework on time, we are not going to leave you as easily as we are leaving now” bellowed Rahul, third member of their group.

They all left, leaving me on the ground. I was sobbing.

***

The next day, I and my friend Anuj sat in the playground during recess.

“Why don’t you go to the principal’s” suggested Anuj. “There is a complaint box right in front of his cabin. Or you can personally meet him.”

“But they have threatened me that if I complaint about them, they would beat me worse than ever.” I said in a low grim voice.

“But you can’t bear it like this” he said. “There is no other way. You have to tell about it to someone who can take action on it. What about your parents? Have you never informed them about this?”

“I have. But they don’t believe me. They think that this is one of the many foul reasons that I give them for de-admitting me from this boarding school” I said, in an extremely depressed voice.

“Then there is no other way than complaining to the principal.” said Anuj.

Anuj was the only one who understood me so well. He was one of my best friends, or else I should say my only friend.

While we were talking, the gang returned. On seeing them, Anuj ran as fast as a weak mouse running away from a giant cat. I don’t know why he ran away.

“Hey weakling!” cried Aniket, from a distance of a few meters away from me.

A mixed feeling of anger, fear and sadness filled in me.

“How’s it going on?” asked Randeep.

“One of the subjects is left.” said I, in a deep, fearful voice.

“Still?” exclaimed Rahul. “Don’t you know we have to submit the copies today and only one hour is left?”

“Just give another thirty minutes and it will be done.” I said.

“Better if you complete it.” roared Randeep, after beating me and shoving me to the ground.

“Y-Yes” I whispered.

***

In the mathematics class, I sat at the window seat. I suddenly found Randeep’s parents, along with Aniket and Rahul’s. They were walking towards the principal’s cabin in an angry mood. I wondered what the reason was.

After a time lap of around ten to fifteen minutes, I was called by the principal. I was not sure what could be the reason behind it. As I was walking towards the principal’s room, I was thinking about the reason of his calling me.

“May I come in, sir” I asked on reaching the principal’s room. He allowed me to come in. I saw the parents standing there. They shot a sharp glance on me.

“Come Rohan.” sir said. “I have called you to talk about something serious. Let’s directly come to the point. Answer my questions honestly.”

I nodded in yes.

“Did someone ever tease you” he asked. “If yes, then I want you to tell me who are they.”

I was shocked on hearing this question. I hesitated.

“No need to hesitate. I know the answer, but I just want to hear it from you” sir encouraged me. On hearing this, I gained a lot of courage.

“Yes” I said.

“Who are they” he asked.

“S-Sir………” I looked at Randeep’s parents. They were staring at me.

Finally I said, after a lot of hesitation. “Sir, Randeep, Aniket and Rahul.”

There was a long silence, as it seemed to me.

“Well……” said sir, breaking the silence. “Dear parents, the answer is in front of you.”

All the parents seemed to be in shock. I felt very light-minded.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have any other way of solving this. I need to give them a transfer certificate.” said sir, in a deep, serious voice.

“No, please” cried one of the mothers.

“There’s no other way” declared sir. “I’m sorry.”

I can’t express my happiness.

***

“You seem happy” said Anuj.

“Do you know, Randeep………” I started but Anuj interrupted in between.

“I know” he said.

“But how?” I asked.

“I was the one who brought those bullies in the knowledge of our principal.” said Anuj, happily.

“R-Really?” I said in joy.

“Yes.” He answered.

Now, I had no limits of my excitement and happiness.

“You are really my best friend” I said, very happily.

Allowed to run all around,

irrespective of your noise or sound.

Do whatever dreamt off,

without someone getting pissed off.

Jump really high,

and cry to the sky,

“I’m free,

of every chain,

and won’t be

in pain, again”.

There’s no problem which I can’t figure out,

because that’s what freedom is all about.

#Prose #Challenge