Whispers In The Breeze

The next morning began like every other. My usual soldier routine—cleaning up, getting ready, and staying disciplined. But today, my mom decided to take on the role of commander. She barged into my room and woke me up, her scolding cutting through the early morning quiet like a battle horn. Begrudgingly, I got up and got moving. Once everything was in order, I headed off to school, slipping into my regular routine.

At school, as I sat at my desk, the other kids were buzzing with excitement, their voices blending into a cacophony of joy. They were all talking about the picnic from the day before, sharing stories of how much fun they had. Every word felt like a dagger piercing my heart. I had missed it, and their laughter was a cruel reminder of the opportunity I'd lost.

Just then, Nitesh walked in. He took his usual seat beside me, leaning back casually as he glanced around. "They all enjoyed the picnic," he said after a moment, his voice carrying a hint of regret. "We were the only ones who missed out."

Curious, I turned to him and asked, "Didn't you have fun there?"

To my surprise, he shook his head. "I didn't go, dude."

That caught me off guard. "Why though?" I asked, confused.

Nitesh smiled faintly, his tone light but sincere. "How could I enjoy myself knowing you weren't there? It wouldn't have been the same."

I didn't know what to say. His words left me speechless, a strange warmth spreading through me. I quickly brushed it off. "Anyway, forget it," I mumbled.

"By the way," he added, "last night, she sent me pictures of the picnic. Want to see?"

His teasing caught me off guard. "Why would I want to see pictures of other kids having fun?" I snapped, trying to mask the sudden blush that crept onto my face.

He chuckled at my reaction. "You'll thank me someday when I show them to you, dude."

"Not happening," I retorted.

"We'll see," he said with a grin, leaving the topic at that.

Classes started soon after, and the day dragged on. When lunchtime came, Nitesh's group invited me to the terrace, where we all sat at our usual spot to eat. The others were still reminiscing about the picnic, laughing and chatting as though it were the highlight of their lives. Their enthusiasm only served to remind me of what I had missed, so I excused myself and walked over to the railing.

The cool breeze brushed against my face as I looked down at the school grounds. That's when I noticed her group. They were sitting in a circle on the grass, laughing and enjoying themselves as if the world beyond that moment didn't exist.

I couldn't help but watch them in silence, a strange mix of envy and admiration stirring within me.

Nitesh appeared beside me, leaning casually against the railing. "What are you looking at?" he asked.

Startled, I stammered, "N-nothing important. Just... enjoying the breeze."

But he followed my gaze and quickly spotted them. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he suddenly called out, "Eve! I can see you from up here!"

I froze, panic rushing through me. She looked up at us, her eyes locking with mine for a brief moment before she smiled and waved.

I didn't know how to react. My body refused to move, and my face burned with embarrassment as I stood there, rooted to the spot.