.............Present............
" I tend to overanalyze everything, painting myself as the antagonist in every scenario. I remained in that state for the entire following week, silent, practically numb and lifeless. Eventually, I threw myself into my studies, aiming to break free from the cycle of overthinking. Before I knew it, I was immersed in intense studying for our pre-board exams, receiving accolades from everyone. Nishkarsh, on the other hand, continued to ignore me at school, as if nothing had transpired between us. We were essentially strangers, with that one incident defining his perception of me. Things seemed to settle, but my performance in the second math pre-board went down as I suffered headache during the exam. This led to me seeing the true sides of everyone they criticized me for my scores, even the kids who score nothing , questioning my unexpected dip in scores, even saying that I had scored below the average student in my class. My maths teacher said that I am being worse day by day and my father said I am not anymore the kid I once was, and my mother's harsh words pushed me to my breaking point..." I paused, tears welling up, as Tis gazed at me with sympathetic eyes."
"You've been through a lot---" he said quietly.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0NpRp0kqs
"I then locked myself in my room and studied again. Once, while crying over something my teacher said, I accidentally cut myself with a cutter. It was painful, but the physical pain distracted me from the pain in my mind... So, I took the blade from my sharpener and it became my companion," I explained.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmo6L7KaWz
"That's not right. You faced everything because you allowed it to happen," he retorted loudly.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswOvnHk6QG
"So, what was I supposed to do, huh? Yell at my math teacher, or confront my father that I'm doing my best? Or tell Ayaan that despite hurting me deeply, I still care for him, huh?" I vented.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqCV3Wt7tG
"No, you didn't have to do anything, but you didn't have to paint yourself as the villain," he responded.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUp44zuEDs
"I-I don't know, everything felt like it was suffocating me. I can't trust anyone, and even now, walking down the streets, I fear someone will approach me and declare me worthless." Tears streamed down my face. "You can't understand how I felt. One wrong answer, one cut; two wrong answers, two cuts. It felt like I wasn't solving questions; they were complicating me," I confessed.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ9TtuVEnZ
"It's okay, nothing happened, right? I know you've been through a lot, and trust me, give me your arm. I'll make those scars disappear. Don't cry like this; I don't know how to make a crying human happy," he reassured.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxopHcyaNFV
"I won't cry anymore, but can you do something that will make me forget Ayaan forever?" she asked hesitantly.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08c4Aj3hYJ
"Forget? I can't do that, but yes, I can help you hate him forever," he replied firmly.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUYg6mAYJR
I gazed into his eyes for a few moments before responding, "Yes, please. I actually want to dislike him."
"Alright, first show me your arm; these scars look quite severe."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfWaa2mMPh
"And I wonder why everyone always believed me when I said I felt down and got these."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob639ZbpRs
"They probably never cared; humans can be disgusting."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFtqqGh4pM
"Finally, you get it. Nobody cares about anybody else until they need something from them."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmteSBG9UrB
"And even the thought of this is frightening."he replied.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXUtyhngpv
As I extended my arm, he closed his eyes, and a green smoke enveloped my arm.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDG0mU1gyj
"Will it truly heal?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOfNAXpnc1
"Remember, kid, I can erase your scars but not your pain. So, make sure you don't do that again," he said in a very serious tone.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ704oA5CPGt
I Remained silent, gazing at the pond, without uttering a word as the scars on my arm vanished.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RVH59Glba
"What? Don't you think you can stop hurting yourself?"He asked again.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMtklMWxAl
"No, I can stop it. I know that, but I can't mend myself; something inside me is broken."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNvTTyvrzo
"You don't have to do that. It will happen in time; just live," he comforted, his eyes meeting mine.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RtF0YyjeJ
"H-how can I hate him?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAumOxcQGON
"Hmm... Want to see him naked?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYojMeBQ93G
"What???" I exclaimed in shock.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9QjoLpgKg
"I was just joking, hahaha. And look at you, you fell for it."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrtE8U2mQK
"Yuck, what kind of joke was that?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ992uSoE9Pl
"Here," he said before closing his eyes, muttering something under his breath, "turn around."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgcIdGI6W8
I turned to see Ayaan.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeajtGLGXUs
"Is this like a wax figure?"349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbNQQiBZq8
"Kind of, but you can direct all your anger at this statue," he said, smirking.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GJlti4HzQ
"Oh," as I lunged towards the statue and touched its cheek.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5aICmIBKD
"Kiddo, if I were in your shoes, I'd be smashing that statue by now instead of just poking its cheek."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwV65ujRZI
"Yeah, you're right. Despite his handsome face, he made my life hell," I said as I punched him.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DeBdwDHs2
"Kill him," he commanded.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLLkSRivE9
"Y-yes," I stuttered, unleashing a flurry of punches and slaps on the statue. "This one's for hurting me," I exclaimed with each blow, "and this one's for damaging my mental health," my anger fueling each strike.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS802MGMY2
"Want me to make more people?" He inquired.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHm07vOGgh
"Yes, Pankti, Arth," I echoed.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTigOkXwHO
"I haven't seen them, little human," he replied in a somber tone.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMg3TJgOCs
"Fine, I'll introduce you to them," I retorted.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bChguL5w0
"No need, focus on destroying this human first," he insisted, as I continued my assault on the replica of Ayaan for several more minutes.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZATJgLoSI
Exhausted, I rested, hands on my knees, feeling drained like an athlete after a grueling race.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPOmlDhDht
"Feeling relieved?" he taunted with a smirk.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTQVrukZok
"Yes, but I can't bring myself to hate him," I confessed.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7Z4pvMkKF
"You will, mark my words. In a few days, you'll come to despise everyone," he predicted ominously.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnmexpKTD3
"What? Everyone?" I gasped, taken aback by his dark prophecy.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy15MGfCpU
"Yes, you'll soon understand the harsh reality of this world. Just wait a bit longer," he concluded with a chilling certainty.
I stood there, lost for words, unsure how to respond.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN58hWTpOxc
"Hey, you gotta change your ways, kid. Being a victim won't get you anywhere. Become the hunter, or you'll be the one getting hunted," he advised, stepping closer.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw6U5wKTni
"I... I don't get what you mean," I stammered.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3scKRvPgol
"You'll figure it out, don't sweat it," he reassured me.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa28HOWeGXm
"It's been about an hour since we left Earth. Should we head back?" I asked, feeling a bit disoriented.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZXXRxLPZS
"Yeah, we should go back. Time moves differently here, so it'll probably be morning when we return," he explained.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX0LeJ5X35
"What?!" I exclaimed in confusion.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRutVoy60F
"Yeah, when you were chosen, I think the creator froze time. That's why when we went back, it was still the same day and hour," he clarified.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlA4gQVWrI
"Yeah, you mentioned time moves slower here compared to Earth."349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJwjB41939
"Let's drop you off at home now that your new session is starting..." he began.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhPjVtOoPK
"I've already caused enough harm to myself, and now I won't listen to anyone," I asserted firmly, cutting him off.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFXbWuKPGO
"No, listen to everyone, but do what I say," he responded with a smile.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMHx5Pgh1H
"Hehe... okay," I replied, smiling back, realizing he was a bit crazy.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmB55ICUFK
As we returned to Earth, it wasn't quite morning yet, so I headed to bed to get some rest. I was determined to fix myself and knew I could do it. I decided to ignore Ayaan, focus on my career, which I was still contemplating.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BtDmLqUkx
A few days later, my parents enrolled me in the science stream. They had asked for my opinion, but it felt more like they were telling me to choose science without any other option. Uncertain about my future career path, I agreed to follow their decision, giving myself these two years to figure things out.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSA0dVLZhM
I was resolute as I began my 11th-grade classes, embracing a new class, new faces, and a new version of myself. I made a promise to myself not to harm myself anymore, no matter what. While Tis kept a watchful eye on the women around me, it seemed like we were both busy transforming our lives, only to realize later that my assumptions were mistaken.349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEC0Q14VCF
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakgixqVu11
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZUrSPPOKe
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgMJuwBYBn
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwS9BHXQmT
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemfXBciBBy
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMbTylU9iD
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OhSzeEq5c
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0091oxScip
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazr231ESXA
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vq8nQQ45e
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRqyC6lXKa
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYUasQ5u1f
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN8U8zcPIS
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f6vTh80d6
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBrT8NTvp1
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ481SQ88eri
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DKHwqCTv8
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47ChKk5EwL
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Xhol6Qwu
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAqOE5Srl6
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfa5KG7ZMY
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq3Ybfomv5
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7XqnbU5K6
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2OQNe7Mf0
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwLvXQzfGE
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXodQx2Kal
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bASk9Tebd
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYUte8Gqmp
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOQLyMCn5B
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cu01C5dp4
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCEEqLHUwf
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJZZFefNwg
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1DOVRcQo1
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaKqtnCexe
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkLRt58Ovu
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb7GtrZB46
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf7aQRf1l8
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsIEW19WE4
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVex8KxxU0M
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRWluIVGZd
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLSCCEHIxf
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDnBmh1vLe
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0MLyCPX1U
349Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0kveEOkBP
