Ch 2: Golden heart

In a world filled with fleeting connections and shallow interactions, it is rare to meet someone with a truly beautiful soul. They say true beauty lies within, beyond mere appearances, and I was lucky enough to meet someone who embodied that sentiment.

This story belongs to someone truly special. She was, perhaps, the most humble and caring person I had ever met in my life. In today's world, where kindness often feels like a distant virtue, finding someone like her was like finding a needle in a haystack. She was different, and from the moment I met her in Class One, I knew she would leave a lasting impression on my heart.

At that time, I was just a shy, introverted boy, struggling to fit in. Most of the other girls ignored me, brushing past my existence as if I were invisible. But she was different. She never looked down on me, never treated me as an outcast. She saw me for who I was.

Unlike others, who found my silence awkward or unapproachable, she embraced it. She understood me in a way no one else did. When I struggled to find my place, she made sure I never felt alone. And when others mocked me for my quiet nature, she stood up for me—even if it meant going against her own friends. That fearless quality in her, that unwavering sense of right and wrong, made her seem like a real-life Wonder Woman.

She was an amazing soul, and her kindness left a permanent mark on my heart.

She had this rare quality—when I spoke, she listened. Even at that young age, I wasn't a great storyteller, but whenever I shared something, no matter how small or silly, she would listen with curiosity and undivided attention. It made me feel important, heard, and understood.

And then came the day that changed everything.

It was the day of our class party. Strangely, none of the other girls in our class had stayed back for the celebration—except for her. That meant, for the first time, I got to spend time with her alone.

We were both waiting for the party to begin, wandering through the empty corridors, bored and restless. As we walked, I glanced at her, and for the first time, I truly noticed her eyes—bold, shiny black eyes that looked like something straight out of an anime. There was something mesmerizing about them, something deep, as if they held a world of unspoken thoughts.

But more than her physical features, it was her kindness and sincerity that drew me toward her. It was a strange feeling, like discovering a missing part of myself in someone else.

Since we had time to kill, we talked about everything and nothing. And then, in a playful attempt to charm her, I made a comment about her makeup.

"I see you went all out today," I teased, referring to the heavy mascara around her eyes. Truth be told, it wasn't the best idea—her dark circles were more pronounced, making her look like she hadn't slept in days. But she laughed, shaking her head, as if amused by my observation.

I don't know what came over me, but in that moment, I blurted out something unexpected.

"You have the most beautiful set of eyes in the whole world," I said. "And you're truly an exceptional person."

For a split second, I worried I had gone too far. But then, to my surprise, she looked down shyly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you," she whispered.

That moment sealed everything for me.

I realized then that what I felt for her wasn't based on beauty or attraction—it was something deeper. I had fallen for her heart, for the way she carried kindness effortlessly, for the way she made others feel valued.

That day, we spent every moment of the class party together. Slowly, our bond grew stronger, and for the first time, I felt like I truly belonged.

But fate had other plans.

Before anything more could happen, she changed schools due to some family issues. Just like that, she was gone—vanishing from my life as quickly as she had entered it.

And with her departure, our story came to an end.

Yet, even today, her memory lingers in the corners of my heart, a reminder that true beauty is not just about how someone looks but about the kindness and warmth they carry within.

She was my golden heart.