Chapter-1

"'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. The ecstasy of loving someone maybe be a forever bliss in thoughts and the pain of separation may seem unreal.

We may be broken after losing the dear one we loved the most and the pain of losing them could be unbearable. The circumstances that led you to lose each other would have never been predictable. You could have never thought that you could lose them. The pain of loss may fill your mind with several bitter thoughts, one of them could be regret of meeting them at the first place. Maybe you would think that you lost and that whatever you had was surreal. But having experienced real love in one's life is worth the pain of losing it, compared to never having experienced such love in the first place. And with this, I end my speech. Thank you."

I stared ahead on the wall, listening and letting each word of the speech sink in and poke me like thorns on my neck. I dragged myself away from the thoughts and turned to the class with a smile.

"Thank you, Taylor, for your amazing speech. Though it was short, it really held deep meaning. Could you tell us why you chose to speak on this topic?" I asked.

Taylor was one of the most brilliant students I had ever come across. He had hobbies from all discipline, from science to literature. He fidgeted with his hands nervously and arranged his fat rimmed glasses on his nose. "I think I just read a little too much within these lines. I liked it and wanted everyone to know that no matter what happens in life, we should never regret the things that once made us happy."

I smiled broadly. I had never been more proud of my students. "Thank you. You may take your seat." I said and checked the time. It was almost time for school to get over. "So-" I began, looking around the class. "-if you are curious as to from where Taylor got his inspiration from, it's from Alfred Tennyson's poem 'In Memoriam' and it's actually the last line of the poem. You will study it in your higher studies if you choose to study literature. So, any questions for now?" I asked, looking at the uninterested faces of my students.

"Sir, we all are bored. Why don't you tell us a story?" Mina said.

I frowned. "Story? But we have more speeches to listen to."

She nodded. "Yeah, but it's almost time. You can end today's class by sharing your love story. I am sure you have got many to tell." She giggled.

I narrowed my eyes at her, speechless. Several thoughts were running through my mind. The familiar tight-throat feeling was coming back. Taylor's speech had sparked something new in my mind and I just couldn't stop thinking about it.

She puffed up her cheeks.

"Sir we want to hear your love story too!"

"Sir me too."

"Yeah, me too."

"Please sir, tell us."

I let out a sigh. I had become too friendly with them and they were getting over my head.

Mina's face lit up as other students started to support her. I looked around at the students as all of them started to yell one by one.

"Come on sir."

"Okay. Okay. Calm down!" I said in a loud voice and slowly the class turned completely silent.

"What do you want to know?" I asked the class.

"About your first love!"

I sighed. "My first love?" My mind travelled back to the time I went with him to the beach. He held my hand, looked me in the eye, and smiled. The sound of the waves rang in my ears. The setting sun fell on his face and he looked so beautiful that my heart skipped a beat.

"Sir?" Mina called.

I looked around the classroom, flattered for a moment. "Oh well, I have never been in love nor do I have a love story. So, I guess we can end today's class at this." I said.

Their faces fell. School boys and girls are always interested in listening to their teacher's love story. Before Mina could open her mouth to argue more, I collected my files from the desk and smiled at them. "See you all in the next class."

I walked out of the classroom, a weird feeling tingling in my heart.

....

"Puai, stop spreading rumours about me at school! Students keep on asking me about it!" I said during breakfast.

"What rumours? Those are the fact. Some girls come and ask me about you so I tell them honestly. It's not like I am lying." She rolled her eyes.

Seeing her roll her eyes at me, I felt like pulling her hair. "I am their teacher! They shouldn't know about my private life."

"Yeah. Yeah. Who told you to teach at my school? Ever since you came, they keep on harassing me."

"Mom! Puai is talking back to me!" I yelled at my mom who was in the kitchen.

Puai laughed. "How old are you? Complaining to mom about me."

Mom strolled out of the kitchen with a spatula. "Did you say something, son? I didn't hear you."

"You both can never stop bickering." My elder sister Naomi walked down the stairs in slow motion, yawning. "It was me and you before and now it's with Puai. When will you grow up, Kwan?"

"Look at yourself first, married and has a kid but still waking up late as if you are a teenager." Mom scolded Naomi.

Puai and I exchanged a look and laughed.

"Come on mom. I am so tired of taking care of that little thing. I just need some rest." Naomi reached the dining and poured a glass of water.

"You better hurry up and come help me in the kitchen. And you two leave early too." Mom looked all three of us in the eye and strolled inside the kitchen.

"So, what did you think, Kwan? About coming to the city and teaching at a school there?" Naomi asked.

I nodded. "I thought about it. I have emailed some schools so just waiting for their reply now."

"Awesome!" Puai exclaimed.

I glared at her.

"We will just have to clean our family's old apartment. Don't worry." Naomi smiled and walked to the kitchen.

"So, you will be finally leaving." Puai beamed.

I sighed. She used to be so obsessed with me when she was younger but after she grew up, she became more annoying.

...................

"Hey, I will definitely study hard and get a college in the city. We can definitely date that way and nothing will be uncertain anymore." I said excitedly lying on the bed and waving my feet in the air.

He chuckled. "Silly you."

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