CONCLUSION OF SUFFERING

'Count no mortal fortunate till he has departed this life free from suffering.'-Sophocles

When the principal's urgent notice reached the parents, a wave of panic surged through the community. Alarmed and distressed, many parents rushed to the school, driven by fear for their children's safety. They arrived in a flurry of anxious energy, desperately trying to assess and address the situation. In their haste, they employed a range of tactics to wake their sleeping children—from shaking them vigorously and calling their names with growing urgency to applying cold water and even trying to stimulate them with loud noises.

Despite their most heartfelt efforts and mounting frustration, none of these methods succeeded in rousing the students. As time dragged on and their attempts proved futile, the parents were left grappling with an overwhelming sense of helplessness. One by one, they had to accept the grim reality that their desperate actions had not made any difference, and the atmosphere was heavy with a collective sense of defeat and sorrow.

Overwhelmed by anguish, one parent's grief broke through the heavy silence. With a voice trembling from emotion, the parent cried out,

"Wake up, son! I will never stop you from going with your friends and doing things you want to but please wake up and talk to me..."As the words left the parent's lips, tears began to stream down their face, their despair and helplessness laid bare for all to see. Each tear seemed to carry a weight of regret and a fervent plea for a miracle that felt increasingly out of reach.

Seeing the first parent's emotional plea, many others standing nearby began to approach their own children, their faces reflecting a mix of concern and desperation. One by one, they learned in, their voices soft but filled with urgency. Some parents gently begged their children to cease their troubling actions. "Please, stop this," one mother murmured, her voice breaking with emotion. "Think of everything we've been through and all the love we've shared. Please, come back to us."

As these heartfelt appeals filled the air, the sense of collective grief and hope grew palpable. Each parent's whispers were a desperate attempt to break through the silence, driven by a profound desire to ensure their child's safety and to reconnect with the future they had once envisioned together.

While the students drowsed in class, a boy with a frail build and a bloodstained uniform stood on the Sutlej Bridge, peering down at the river below. He had a sharp, striking face, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that contrasted with his otherwise delicate frame. His deep, expressive eyes were a warm, golden-brown, and his jet-black hair fell in soft waves around his face. Despite the grime and blood on his uniform, his youthful features held a hauntingly handsome quality, marked by a mix of vulnerability and quiet resolve.

He assessed the height from the bridge to the churning waters below, his face etched with worry and resolve. The fading light of dusk highlighted the gravity of his situation and his solitary contemplation.

"Isn't the height too much "

"How much deep the water will be?"

"Whatever, am not I here to die anyway? does height and depths even matter anymore?"

As he placed his hand on his chest, the boy felt his heart pounding with an increasing intensity, each beat growing more frantic with anticipation. The turbulent river below mirrored his inner turmoil, but as he glanced down, his face transformed. Instead of fear, a serene smile spread across his lips. It was a smile of calm acceptance, as though he had found a sense of peace in the chaos. With a deep breath, he took the plunge, leaping straight into the abyss. As he fell, the world around him seemed to slow, and his expression remained tranquil, embodying a strange blend of courage and resignation.

"Now I am free—from the world, from school, from loans, and from Luis."

As he closed his eyes, memories of his life flashed before him. Yet, all he could see were the faces of his bullies, their sneers and taunts burned into his mind, overshadowing any happier moments he might have had.

"Class' forever bullied "

" Orphaned bast**d"

"Weak squid"

And much more....

"If I were just a bit stronger, would I be suffering so much? Wouldn't it be better if it all ended here?" Samuel thought, his mind drifting to his parents' last words.

"My Samuel is strong; he will make us proud."

"Samuel, you are too kind. Live well even when I'm not there."

"Sorry, Mom and Dad. I've failed. Even if I survive, I might not keep my promise. But if I get the chance, I'll become strong."

Tears streamed down the boy's cheeks as he took his final breath, the weight of his decision evident in the glistening droplets. Just as his body was about to make contact with the churning river below, a sudden wave of unconsciousness overtook him. His peaceful smile faded, replaced by a stillness as his senses dulled. As he fell into the water, his limp body was enveloped by the river's relentless current, carried away into the depths.

Splash!!Splash!!