.............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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kJImXL1BZ
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhjz4SACjF
"That's not right. You faced everything because you allowed it to happen," he retorted loudly.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7GZgpjscw
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHVm2l6q1e
"No, you didn't have to do anything, but you didn't have to paint yourself as the villain," he responded.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvDXdjVgIe
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX76xzKIZp
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLTsm6KoRs
"I won't cry anymore, but can you do something that will make me forget Ayaan forever?" she asked hesitantly.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpm2T9xyDH
"Forget? I can't do that, but yes, I can help you hate him forever," he replied firmly.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxkIwvZPMe
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."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphOmdDtDgc
"And I wonder why everyone always believed me when I said I felt down and got these."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNdyLs0Von
"They probably never cared; humans can be disgusting."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNcNOW19gB
"Finally, you get it. Nobody cares about anybody else until they need something from them."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SDrVEYzeH
"And even the thought of this is frightening."he replied.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQA1GUeL5t
As I extended my arm, he closed his eyes, and a green smoke enveloped my arm.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG0mGaO2nA
"Will it truly heal?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPt6JssRzw
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtvVT57Axk
I Remained silent, gazing at the pond, without uttering a word as the scars on my arm vanished.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9fxlInDTS
"What? Don't you think you can stop hurting yourself?"He asked again.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLsgxmZNPu
"No, I can stop it. I know that, but I can't mend myself; something inside me is broken."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAtTKhiwN9
"You don't have to do that. It will happen in time; just live," he comforted, his eyes meeting mine.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ637KfD49Nf
"H-how can I hate him?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIkgSP1Vsy
"Hmm... Want to see him naked?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxgVRYnoPW
"What???" I exclaimed in shock.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1soS1dDcQ
"I was just joking, hahaha. And look at you, you fell for it."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e4vojiGC1
"Yuck, what kind of joke was that?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgGOIScO6O
"Here," he said before closing his eyes, muttering something under his breath, "turn around."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWgeflaD2C
I turned to see Ayaan.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0stA7ved7h
"Is this like a wax figure?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgRomCBYCH
"Kind of, but you can direct all your anger at this statue," he said, smirking.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGi4Zxhh0W
"Oh," as I lunged towards the statue and touched its cheek.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lB2zmPmNh
"Kiddo, if I were in your shoes, I'd be smashing that statue by now instead of just poking its cheek."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeraeQQtnB9
"Yeah, you're right. Despite his handsome face, he made my life hell," I said as I punched him.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAAkh7jL3y
"Kill him," he commanded.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKbkH3koMk
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZTOLWybwo
"Want me to make more people?" He inquired.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXsZRMFlem
"Yes, Pankti, Arth," I echoed.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fJIAI983i
"I haven't seen them, little human," he replied in a somber tone.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLzz4vtkuD
"Fine, I'll introduce you to them," I retorted.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NWyhkdqfJ
"No need, focus on destroying this human first," he insisted, as I continued my assault on the replica of Ayaan for several more minutes.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebMTQhwIO0
Exhausted, I rested, hands on my knees, feeling drained like an athlete after a grueling race.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLotkUNGhUU
"Feeling relieved?" he taunted with a smirk.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJF1853phz
"Yes, but I can't bring myself to hate him," I confessed.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OtkpMXjBh
"You will, mark my words. In a few days, you'll come to despise everyone," he predicted ominously.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDtbBaEL0M
"What? Everyone?" I gasped, taken aback by his dark prophecy.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvD20Lr3ys
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66AWxWcF8L
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxG6vv0vHE
"I... I don't get what you mean," I stammered.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXwonYhros
"You'll figure it out, don't sweat it," he reassured me.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7rjHFhngd
"It's been about an hour since we left Earth. Should we head back?" I asked, feeling a bit disoriented.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIxY57GY22
"Yeah, we should go back. Time moves differently here, so it'll probably be morning when we return," he explained.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDNvmRKJsm
"What?!" I exclaimed in confusion.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2C3NWxhCr
"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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF9hrCUBvE
"Yeah, you mentioned time moves slower here compared to Earth."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLMqRrlLtA
"Let's drop you off at home now that your new session is starting..." he began.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyhjFRU2fX
"I've already caused enough harm to myself, and now I won't listen to anyone," I asserted firmly, cutting him off.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRQrKVXts2
"No, listen to everyone, but do what I say," he responded with a smile.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDYuJS09KI
"Hehe... okay," I replied, smiling back, realizing he was a bit crazy.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpXImb4D1u
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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz8xN3ZjQf
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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qZTsA7AGf
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.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavir9LOQ0g
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