.............Present............
" I tend to overanalyze everything, painting myself as the antagonist in every scenario. I remained in that state for the entire following week, silent, practically numb and lifeless. Eventually, I threw myself into my studies, aiming to break free from the cycle of overthinking. Before I knew it, I was immersed in intense studying for our pre-board exams, receiving accolades from everyone. Nishkarsh, on the other hand, continued to ignore me at school, as if nothing had transpired between us. We were essentially strangers, with that one incident defining his perception of me. Things seemed to settle, but my performance in the second math pre-board went down as I suffered headache during the exam. This led to me seeing the true sides of everyone they criticized me for my scores, even the kids who score nothing , questioning my unexpected dip in scores, even saying that I had scored below the average student in my class. My maths teacher said that I am being worse day by day and my father said I am not anymore the kid I once was, and my mother's harsh words pushed me to my breaking point..." I paused, tears welling up, as Tis gazed at me with sympathetic eyes."
"You've been through a lot---" he said quietly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfJFdDm4DI
"I then locked myself in my room and studied again. Once, while crying over something my teacher said, I accidentally cut myself with a cutter. It was painful, but the physical pain distracted me from the pain in my mind... So, I took the blade from my sharpener and it became my companion," I explained.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4AuOHAEed
"That's not right. You faced everything because you allowed it to happen," he retorted loudly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01qQ1F0g9W
"So, what was I supposed to do, huh? Yell at my math teacher, or confront my father that I'm doing my best? Or tell Ayaan that despite hurting me deeply, I still care for him, huh?" I vented.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHadsKFKKpM
"No, you didn't have to do anything, but you didn't have to paint yourself as the villain," he responded.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwQcwwu6sz
"I-I don't know, everything felt like it was suffocating me. I can't trust anyone, and even now, walking down the streets, I fear someone will approach me and declare me worthless." Tears streamed down my face. "You can't understand how I felt. One wrong answer, one cut; two wrong answers, two cuts. It felt like I wasn't solving questions; they were complicating me," I confessed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QxaVRjzYH
"It's okay, nothing happened, right? I know you've been through a lot, and trust me, give me your arm. I'll make those scars disappear. Don't cry like this; I don't know how to make a crying human happy," he reassured.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCiMmpNUFa
"I won't cry anymore, but can you do something that will make me forget Ayaan forever?" she asked hesitantly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr99KEPIED
"Forget? I can't do that, but yes, I can help you hate him forever," he replied firmly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhnj11xGbo
I gazed into his eyes for a few moments before responding, "Yes, please. I actually want to dislike him."
"Alright, first show me your arm; these scars look quite severe."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJs7ZuBwkq
"And I wonder why everyone always believed me when I said I felt down and got these."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk3Srct8OD
"They probably never cared; humans can be disgusting."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsKM5an95E
"Finally, you get it. Nobody cares about anybody else until they need something from them."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeiMrZ9HRO
"And even the thought of this is frightening."he replied.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXPsd1kA0L
As I extended my arm, he closed his eyes, and a green smoke enveloped my arm.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIycdcEMVvB
"Will it truly heal?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhDysjr8Wx
"Remember, kid, I can erase your scars but not your pain. So, make sure you don't do that again," he said in a very serious tone.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhJdu4Euow
I Remained silent, gazing at the pond, without uttering a word as the scars on my arm vanished.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oqVR5NPNO
"What? Don't you think you can stop hurting yourself?"He asked again.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AFWLJOLWh
"No, I can stop it. I know that, but I can't mend myself; something inside me is broken."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumGIpEIdOx
"You don't have to do that. It will happen in time; just live," he comforted, his eyes meeting mine.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmxFWqV3FM
"H-how can I hate him?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiZz2dpmnp
"Hmm... Want to see him naked?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv5LSa4hk9
"What???" I exclaimed in shock.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUwm4O99j8
"I was just joking, hahaha. And look at you, you fell for it."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nmeRJwzVh
"Yuck, what kind of joke was that?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0C2WfCADx
"Here," he said before closing his eyes, muttering something under his breath, "turn around."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlOFNDYowb
I turned to see Ayaan.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZX07f4Zgm
"Is this like a wax figure?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztQYissdfT
"Kind of, but you can direct all your anger at this statue," he said, smirking.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVfRpSIbuC
"Oh," as I lunged towards the statue and touched its cheek.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzByb7tpwmF
"Kiddo, if I were in your shoes, I'd be smashing that statue by now instead of just poking its cheek."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCUa9F3Sqk
"Yeah, you're right. Despite his handsome face, he made my life hell," I said as I punched him.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdNQQBnNNk
"Kill him," he commanded.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxv5sBxEuM
"Y-yes," I stuttered, unleashing a flurry of punches and slaps on the statue. "This one's for hurting me," I exclaimed with each blow, "and this one's for damaging my mental health," my anger fueling each strike.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt1837dfDN
"Want me to make more people?" He inquired.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxmV7a0d3Z
"Yes, Pankti, Arth," I echoed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jdU9MF6SL
"I haven't seen them, little human," he replied in a somber tone.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfabePMFIp6
"Fine, I'll introduce you to them," I retorted.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRoD7rkyMk
"No need, focus on destroying this human first," he insisted, as I continued my assault on the replica of Ayaan for several more minutes.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1nsEyY4gV
Exhausted, I rested, hands on my knees, feeling drained like an athlete after a grueling race.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAkvgqegba
"Feeling relieved?" he taunted with a smirk.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbuMygkCk4
"Yes, but I can't bring myself to hate him," I confessed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVHGd0dCoh
"You will, mark my words. In a few days, you'll come to despise everyone," he predicted ominously.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJC364VHPk
"What? Everyone?" I gasped, taken aback by his dark prophecy.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOH1MLwWsS
"Yes, you'll soon understand the harsh reality of this world. Just wait a bit longer," he concluded with a chilling certainty.
I stood there, lost for words, unsure how to respond.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTVcQ1eE2g
"Hey, you gotta change your ways, kid. Being a victim won't get you anywhere. Become the hunter, or you'll be the one getting hunted," he advised, stepping closer.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmdpqMaRaG
"I... I don't get what you mean," I stammered.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7RaAu2w4g
"You'll figure it out, don't sweat it," he reassured me.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRbnXbTsjS
"It's been about an hour since we left Earth. Should we head back?" I asked, feeling a bit disoriented.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL4pFn6b2r
"Yeah, we should go back. Time moves differently here, so it'll probably be morning when we return," he explained.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtHPNqL5bL
"What?!" I exclaimed in confusion.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICDwIap3s9
"Yeah, when you were chosen, I think the creator froze time. That's why when we went back, it was still the same day and hour," he clarified.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kZOlP560K
"Yeah, you mentioned time moves slower here compared to Earth."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAoYeGhTws
"Let's drop you off at home now that your new session is starting..." he began.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48NEaCoe4o
"I've already caused enough harm to myself, and now I won't listen to anyone," I asserted firmly, cutting him off.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3bEEYVcb3
"No, listen to everyone, but do what I say," he responded with a smile.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPPtcLv3Md
"Hehe... okay," I replied, smiling back, realizing he was a bit crazy.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrwAV6KiDf
As we returned to Earth, it wasn't quite morning yet, so I headed to bed to get some rest. I was determined to fix myself and knew I could do it. I decided to ignore Ayaan, focus on my career, which I was still contemplating.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsjvMmCgax
A few days later, my parents enrolled me in the science stream. They had asked for my opinion, but it felt more like they were telling me to choose science without any other option. Uncertain about my future career path, I agreed to follow their decision, giving myself these two years to figure things out.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQT6daJV1I
I was resolute as I began my 11th-grade classes, embracing a new class, new faces, and a new version of myself. I made a promise to myself not to harm myself anymore, no matter what. While Tis kept a watchful eye on the women around me, it seemed like we were both busy transforming our lives, only to realize later that my assumptions were mistaken.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkupHPikoIk
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZbZESY1FM
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF6OPV3RLB
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizxTy9JTEc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjmKKZoaSs
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUclc9o5tfZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfKbU0exJa
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQoG3LoJau
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjRhehdKnI
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjvjdOSrSw
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvJNGmXhHr
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfXRoMbr0w
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy2hgfKvmO
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fcNSYaLkk
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAq5U8ZdIA
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mP9DqL3of
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7gAudvi2l
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nGFDIpOJl
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BWSnRd8gb
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn8fl6NrnV
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLfn26W9UZ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EybshzleD
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86auUnMhBr
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCygbmBCdqS
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSIly50Jjn
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIeIobhvay
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JC5PN3Qf3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHfhk2gZSx
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp4O04An6V
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSRbeplkc0
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaIMfhXGt4
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ0oYyt1Zn
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rN2g23naU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhLibI3Pw5
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifM5nnyTUj
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmYn664T5G
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gYHmEmjnB
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0hX8OxSc4
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr79ObG23Oc
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogVINfT4BP
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtjXfwxT6j
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyi65zgUtH
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPSdYkm52K
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qqlncJu6Z
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRxGNa5p4q
