Ch 1: The first kiss!

Childhood is an amazing and unforgettable time in our lives. We grow older, but the memories we create during those early years remain etched in our hearts forever. Those were the days of innocence—when the world was simple, and emotions were untainted by the complexities of adulthood.

Among my childhood memories, one stands out vividly—the memory of my first kiss. It holds a special place in my heart, not because of romance or passion, but because it was my first real encounter with affection, the first whisper of what we later come to understand as love. And she—this funny, peculiar girl—had to be the one in this story.

I don't know why I liked her. She wasn't the most beautiful girl in the class. In fact, she was far from what anyone would consider traditionally pretty. She was tall for her age, with short hair that she stubbornly styled into two ponytails, one on each side of her head. Sometimes, she reminded me of a little demon from a cartoon, with her straight ponytails sticking out and her collection of colorful hair clips. It looked ridiculous, but at that age, who cared? We boys, of course, always considered ourselves the cooler ones. Yet, despite her odd fashion choices, I found myself drawn to her.

She would go down in history as my first kiss.

Yes, I got my first kiss in nursery class. Hard to believe, right? Especially for someone as introverted as me. I was just a small, shy boy in a classroom full of unfamiliar faces. Though I had been at the school before, everything still felt new and overwhelming. Then I met her.

It was a mixed school, so boys and girls shared the same class. By some twist of fate, we ended up sitting on the same bench, and that was the beginning of our unlikely bond. I was the quiet backbencher, the kind of kid who barely spoke unless necessary, but somehow, she found me interesting. Before I knew it, we became inseparable. We played together, sat together, and laughed at the silliest things. Our friendship grew so strong that she even visited my house during family functions and birthdays.

And it was on one such birthday that everything changed.

I don't remember all the details, but certain moments remain crystal clear. The decorations, the laughter, the swarm of kids running around while the adults gossiped and did their usual boring things. I remember her standing there, her small, boyish haircut adorned with those signature colorful hair clips. She was smiling, her face glowing with excitement.

We were playing when it happened.

She suddenly came closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I felt a little shy, but I was just a kid—I didn't overthink it. Then, without warning, she threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. My body stiffened in surprise, unsure how to react. And then, before I could make sense of anything, she leaned in, her breath warm against my skin, and kissed me.

A simple, innocent kiss.

It wasn't a grand, movie-worthy moment. There were no fireworks, no butterflies, no overwhelming emotions. Just a brief, unexpected peck that left me standing there, frozen like a fool. I didn't know what had just happened, didn't fully grasp its significance. But when I looked up at her, she was giggling, her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink.

And in that moment, something shifted.

Her reaction filled me with an unfamiliar sense of joy. My friend had kissed me—did that mean we were even better friends now? At that age, love and relationships were foreign concepts. We were just two kids who had no idea what we were doing or what it meant.

But as time passed, things changed.

We grew up. We changed schools. Life took us in different directions. Our friendship, once so strong, slowly faded into the background of distant memories. She became a stranger in a world far removed from mine.

Yet, no matter where life takes me, that memory will always remain. The first essence of love, the first crush, the first kiss—she will always be a part of my story.