Chapter 43 - Pieces of the Past

Lying on the same couch in the quiet darkness, I remembered that day like it was just yesterday.

It was the summer I visited my mother's home country. That's where I met **Aaryan**, a friend I didn't know I needed. A friend I eventually lost—because I didn't notice. Because I wasn't aware. 

He never told me he was being bullied. He kept it hidden behind his smiles and jokes.

The day it all changed was a year ago.

"Bro, it's really hot and humid here in India," I said, trying to wipe off the sweat from my forehead.

Aaryan chuckled. "That's probably because you're used to the cold. This is normal for us."

We were walking down the streets, laughing and teasing each other—just a normal afternoon.

Then everything shattered.

A group came out of nowhere. We were attacked.

I was the first to be hit—blindsided. Pain surged through me, and darkness followed. 

In those fading moments, I saw Aaryan surrounded, fighting back. 

I tried to move. I really did. My hand reached out toward him, but I gave out before I could do anything.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital—wrapped in bandages, barely able to move. The doctors told me the police and ambulance arrived just in time. We were rushed to the nearest hospital.

But Aaryan... he didn't make it. 

The wounds were too much. Too deep.

I lost my only real friend that day.

The boys who attacked us were just teenagers—like us. They were detained. Arrested. But that never felt enough.

What I wanted... was for them to **suffer**, the way we did. The way Aaryan did. I didn't want justice. I wanted **revenge**.

I began training. I pushed myself—quietly, in the background. I wanted to become stronger, not just in body, but in will. 

So that when those kids are released... I'll be ready to kill in cold blood.

That's one of the reasons I want to go back to Earth. 

To finish something I started. 

To do what I believe must be done.

"No one will stop me," I told myself as I finally drifted off to sleep.

---

The next morning, I woke up a little later than usual. The sun was already halfway through its climb in the sky.

I figured I'd head to the palace a bit later today—nothing urgent was left for me to do in the afternoons now. With the recent events, things had quieted down.

Prince Eddward and Princess Maya seemed busy with something. And me? I had ledgers to update, errands to complete... and training with Miss Seraphina in the afternoon.

Another long, slow day.

_Sigh... these days feel endless._

I wondered—what kind of person would I be when I finally return to Earth?