…..Marianne

In Dubai, Arun met her during his fourth-grade academic year. He had no idea that she would

change his life. Being an Indian in Dubai was difficult, especially when he had to face religious,

stereotypical, and racist challenges. However, Dubai, which was a business hub, was packed with

all sorts of people, ensuring greater diversity than in other nations. He realized that the

biggest challenge of all was learning Arabic, so he switched to French about halfway through his

fourth grade. French seemed to be much more straightforward to understand because it was

just English alphabets rearranged into non-English words.

He enrolled in a French course to grasp the fundamentals of the language, and it was there that

he encountered Marianne. She accompanied the teacher and now aids others in their French

learning journey. To his surprise, she was from France herself. Despite struggling with her

English skills, she still excelled in teaching them the basics. Interestingly, he wasn

't the only

Indian student in the class, as there were mainly Indians who found Arabic challenging. Their

instructor, Mrs. Curilla, appeared to be a plump and somewhat grumpy lady, yet she possessed a

warm heart. Marianne kindly volunteered to teach them the fundamentals of pronunciation. She

gathered them into a group, and as they recited greetings in unison, he couldn

't help but be

slightly distracted by the way her brown hair shimmered under the glow of the LED lights.

He returned home from the class in October to avoid the winter chills.

"When he gets home,

he can smell the chapatti being cooked with ghee,

" he thought to himself.

"How was the class

Arun,

" his mom asked in the kitchen as she stewed the stew. And then there was his brother

playing FIFA on Xbox One.

""The class went well," he said.

"By the way, Byron called you and said he'll be here to pick up your computer lab manual."

"Hmm, ma," he said. After taking a bath, he noticed a loud banging in his apartment, and he knew it was his house and the knocker was Byron. He ran and opened the door to see him in his cringy sweater.

"Jeez!, Use the doorbell fool",

"Sorry dude!"said Byron , smiling through his missing canine

"So, how was the class"'

"Well it's good, it's on alternative days except Saturday"(weekends in UAE are Friday and

Saturday)

"So, I'm planning to convert to French, but not this year, so that we can ride into all the classes together so that no class can separate us," Byron said.

"OK, so. We, Arun and Byron, will pledge to be together forever from the next class." "He pledged to mock Byron.

"well u didn't have to go that far" he sighed.

The next six months flew by, with both his academic and personal life going smoothly. However, just as he entered fifth grade, he was struck with chicken pox, confining him to his home for two long weeks. Once he recovered, he found himself missing two days of French classes as he had to take bridge course tests. Eager not to fall behind, he hurriedly made his way back to the French class the day after passing the exams. In his haste, he sprinted from one class to another, not paying enough attention to his surroundings, and ended up colliding headfirst with a light pole. He mustered the strength to regain consciousness immediately, knowing that he was already fifteen minutes late. Being aware that his kind French teacher, who occasionally exhibited a grumpy side, valued punctuality, he rushed towards her apartment building. As he approached the lift, to his surprise, he ran into Marianne.

HE said, "Hi,".

"Hello Arun, why have you been absent for the past half a month?" she replied formally

"Cut out the formality; chickenpox and tests." After he climbed the lift, she screamed "your bleeding!" ", pointing at my head.

On the way to the lift, he scratched his head, saw his hands with blood, and realized that he had bumped into a pole. He quickly held his wound with one hand, grabbed a kerchief from his bag with the other, and tried to hold the wound with the kerchief. He ran into the class as the lift opened, frantically trying to find any first aid there, and to his surprise, it was locked. Then he took his phone and realized that they both forgot to see the warning that the classes would not be held for a week.

"Dude, my house is close, my mom is a certified nurse," she said.

Not wanting to inconvenience Marianne, he briefly contemplated whether to go back home or head to the hospital. However, despite the bleeding, he decided to accept her offer of help. With her guidance, he made his way to her apartment building, where he hopped onto her bicycle. As they entered her block, he couldn't help but notice the resemblance between Marianne and her mother, who appeared to be a more mature version of her. In a tender display of care, Marianne's mother tended to his wounds.

"OUCH! It hurts,", he cried.

"Of course, it hurts mister, you should be careful on the road,...they do teach this in schools right?", her mom replied.

I saw a head peeking into the corner room, a very shy head peeking through her room with the same brown hair as Marianne.

"That's Lesslie, my shy sister", said Marianne.

He hmm'd, bearing the sting of the antiseptic.

MAfter dressing and bandaging the wound, her mother suggested that she drop him off at home, and as the tires flattened, he suspected her cycle could no longer hold two. They walked. Because of all the pain, he completely forgot he had a crush on her. But now the agony has passed away, and the opportunity is now open.

"He had a crush on you for a long time," he said, remorse immediately apparent, but what had been done is done, so the next twenty seconds seemed to be a long time of stress...and then she laughed."He had a crush on you for a long time," he said, remorse immediately apparent, but what had been done is done, so the next twenty seconds seemed to be a long time of stress...and then she laughed.

"You should have looked at your face, It was drop-dead funny, so this is what you wanted to say?"She asked"You should have looked at your face, It was drop-dead funny, so this is what you wanted to say?"She asked

"I'll give you the answer next year, as I'll be attending your middle school. "Until then, we will be friends," she said.

"You're going to join the middle school of the same branch as your elementary school, right?"

she asked

He said yes and ran to his house with joy and trepidation. After that, she and he became good friends, and as they entered sixth grade, his friend Byron joined them, and they became a trio of friends in both the French class and middle school.He said yes and ran to his house with joy and trepidation. After that, she and he became good friends, and as they entered sixth grade, his friend Byron joined them, and they became a trio of friends in both the French class and middle school.

On October 11 of the following year, some of the sixth graders of his class planned a surprise party for Marianne's birthday. They made a cake ready at her home without her knowledge, and after the French class, he made an excuse for babysitting his brother so he could run to her home in advance. They turned off the light of her home and hid. When they heard the doorbell, he asked Byron to open the door, but when Byron opened it, no one was there. An evil horror clown appeared.

popped out and freaked him and the others, and the clowned pulled its mask, and out came Marianne shouting "SURPRISE DEAR FREAKS!".It Them we who were surprised at the end.

"How the heck did you know?", Byron asked her.

"my sis", she replied

"well there's a party pooper at her own family's party", Arun said looking at Lesslie who looked shy as ever"

"Well anyways, let's blow off the candles", said Marianne's dad

And the party went well. Arun gifted her fidget spinners(she was a fancy fidget spinner addict) And also bought the cake.

After the party...she walked Arun and Byron home...while Byron crooked up an excuse and ran off to leave us alone.

" Time flies right," Said Arun

" Sure does," Marianne Replied

After two minutes of silent walking, she opened up to Him" Let's go out"

"To where? "He asked. And then she stared at me for a second and it hit me.

"A DATE pipsqueak, I Love you" she replied

"(shocked)Sure, love you too!"He replied and ran to, his home in joy so fast that he could feel the cold wind gushing into his ears".

Upon arriving home, he was greeted by an unsettling sight - his parents engaged in a heated argument. The intensity of their fight pushed him to the brink, and in frustration, he resorted to making noise in an attempt to grab their attention. It was then he reminded himself that disagreements within a family were meant to be a part of the norm. Hastily, he slipped into his brother's room, his heart sinking as he found him in tears.

"It's ok dude, You do know about them right, They fight one day and get together the other". he soothed his brother.

One serene winter morning during the holiday season, his mom mustered up the courage to deliver devastating news – his parents were going through a divorce. From that point forward, everything seemed to spiral out of control. His father left their home, but he remained devoted to supporting them financially, ensuring they were taken care of despite the painful separation. Witnessing his mom's constant state of depression was heartbreaking, and it pained him to see her suffer. During this trying time, he contemplated sharing the news that he had recently started dating someone, fully aware that revealing this would come with its own set of consequences. However, the weight of the situation made it impossible for him to bring up such trivial matters amid their family's turmoil.

One afternoon, as he approached her, he attempted to offer comfort, but instead, she let out a deep groan. "You're always so carefree and content, aren't you?" she exclaimed bitterly. "Constantly wandering, returning home late, forever engrossed in your phone. You think he doesn't have a care in the world." Aggressively, she continued, "I regret not heeding the astrologer's warning about the ominous signs surrounding his birth. It was a grave mistake on my part not to abort him. I should have listened to the relatives who labeled him a curse." Her anger surged forth, directed solely at him.

Overwhelmed by the weight of his harsh words, he found himself running in distress towards the terrace, contemplating a desperate act to end the perceived curse by dying. However, as fear took hold of him, thoughts of his brother and his girlfriend flooded his mind. How would they bear the unbearable if he were to depart? With tears streaming down his face, he collapsed onto the terrace, caught in the clutches of hopelessness. Desperate for solace, he reached out to Marianne, whose presence was a balm to his wounded spirit. She rushed to his side, cradling him tenderly as he unleashed his anguish in her comforting embrace. Amidst his sobs, Marianne uttered words of wisdom, "Don't dwell on it," she advised, "Your mother may be angry, but it doesn't mean she hates you. She is your mother after all, and no matter the circumstances, her love for you remains unbreakable."

After his aimless wandering, he eventually found himself back home, the clock striking midnight. It wasn't uncommon for him to arrive late, but what awaited him behind that door was different. As he turned the handle and pushed it open, his heart sank at the sight of his mom running towards him, tears streaming down her face. Her voice quivered with a mix of worry and frustration.

"Where have you been? Why didn't you answer my calls?" she blurted out, her words saturated with concern. "I was so scared, not knowing where you were. I'm sorry for getting upset, I didn't mean to say that. It's just..."

"It's ok, Mom. I can understand," he interrupted and went to his room.

After that, he couldn't believe both his father and mother. The only relationships that felt true to him were his girlfriend, his brother, and his best friend Byron.

After challenging years of endless struggles, he found it increasingly difficult to hide his sadness behind a smile. Instead, a constant undercurrent of anger began to seethe within him, fueling his interactions with those around him. According to his school counselor, this simmering rage was attributed to his short temper, something she reassured him was normal but required control. As the final exams for eighth grade were abruptly canceled due to the global shutdown triggered by the coronavirus, the transition to online learning for his ninth-grade year only heightened the tensions within his family. With each passing day, it felt as though the weight of their collective problems grew heavier, reducing their once harmonious household into an arena of unrelenting conflict and strife.

"Finally, lockdown is over and the malls and theatre are open", Arun said to Marianne on the phone.

"Yep, let's go on a date to the movie" replied Marianne.

"Then I'll book corner seats, it'll be easier to kiss you"

"Not happening mister, according to the rules, we will only get alternative seats"

"Aww, I miss kissing you, We are just 10 minutes away, but it is as if we are in a long-distance relationship, thanks to lockdown, I'm excited to kiss you now that it's been a year since I kissed you, I suppose."

"No chance horny boy, you gotta follow the rules".

"Anyways, how about tomorrow at 5 pm, Emirates Mall, let's meet at the station".

"Ok, I gotta hang up, My parents will kill me if I don't clean my room now, bye". She hung up.

It has been an entire year since he last saw his father. With his mom now working a job that pays well, it seems as though his parents have forgotten about his brother and him completely. They constantly fight over the phone or through messaging apps like WhatsApp or Line, causing his mom to stop speaking to him altogether. Despite this difficult situation, he has taken it upon himself to tutor his brother and continue his studies independently. Fortunately, with exams now being held online, there are tempting opportunities to cheat, but he strives to maintain integrity.

During this time, he has solidified his dream of becoming a doctor. On the other hand, Marianne aspires to enter the IT industry, and Byron desires to become an architect. Amidst the constant challenges within his family, he finds himself consistently feeling sad or angry. To cope with these emotions, he tries to internalize them, locking them away in his heart. Sadly, when they do surface, they often manifest as a bad temper. Despite all the hardships, he makes it a point to comfort and protect his innocent brother, determined not to let their parents' behavior impact him negatively. His brother is one of the main reasons he hasn't succumbed to the thought of jumping off a building, as he brings light to his life amidst the darkness created by their parents' actions.

The next morning, I lied to my mom that I was going out with my friends (it's not like she cared

"You look damn gorgeous in that dress babe," he said

"Thanks, It's my sister's selection", she replied.

"Well, your sister has a great taste of choice ".

They had a wonderful time at the theatre, thoroughly enjoying the film together. It told the heartwarming story of a boy who becomes the caregiver for a girl with mobility challenges, and how their love blossoms amidst their unique situation. It was truly a captivating and touching film.

As the movie neared its conclusion, he surreptitiously moved to the seat next to Marianne, disregarding the safety regulations. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice, and in that moment, he was filled with a sense of contentment. After the film ended and the end credits began to roll, the other moviegoers began to make their way towards the exits. However, he couldn't bring himself to leave just yet. Instead, he sat there, fixated on her presence, captivated by the emotions the film had stirred within him.

he looked into her eyes.

"What are you looking at?", she asked.

"I'm gonna blow your mind", he said and started approaching her tilted my face, and kissed her.

After he lifted his head, she pulled him by his shirt and kissed him more, like for a solid 2 minutes, that he could feel her tongue.

After the movie, they went to a cafe.

"So you haven't broken the news yet, right? That we are dating".She asked

"Not yet, considering my family situation".he replied

"It's better you did not, give your family some time, are things going well in your home?".

"Not really, and my mom stopped speaking months ago. So it's not going great".

"You know you can share anything with me right?".

"Yes, I am sometimes I feel really lucky to have you."

After a month of reopening 9th grade for the last semester, he reunited with his gang, and school life started to feel a little familiar again. It was comforting to see his friends every day, and slowly things seemed to be improving.

However, one day, when he returned home from school, his mom gave him some devastating news. She informed him that they would be moving to India in just two months. The news hit him like a ton of bricks, and that night, he couldn't sleep a wink. He sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts, while the music played softly in the background.

The next morning, he made the impulsive decision to skip school and stay home. As he contemplated his uncertain future, his phone rang, and he saw Lesslie's name on the screen.

he picked up.

"Arun...sister, ....", She cried

"Lesslie I can't understand, What's with Marianne," he asked.

"She met with an accident, she is in hospital, Aster Hospital".

His heart raced as he sprinted to the hospital, panic and fear consuming him. When he finally reached her hospital room, he was met with a devastating sight. She lay there, unconscious and hooked up to various machines, her life hanging in the balance. It pained him to see her in such a vulnerable state, surrounded by a team of doctors trying to save her. Determined to stay by her side, he remained at the hospital for what felt like an eternity, not wanting to leave her alone even for a moment. He had to inform his mom that he would stay with a friend, as he couldn't bear to tear himself away from her.

Those two days were the longest and most agonizing of his life. With each passing doctor's visit to her room, his anxiety intensified. However, whenever they questioned the doctors about her condition, their responses were always vague and evasive. It was during this time that he learned how she had been struck by a drunk driver while riding her bicycle to school. Watching the CCTV footage obtained by the police only heightened his unease. Desperate, he poured out his heart in prayer, begging for her recovery. She was his beacon of hope in life, and losing her was something he couldn't fathom.

She had always been his rock through all the ups and downs, the moments of joy and sadness, and the turmoil in his parents' relationship. Her comforting presence and unwavering support gave him solace in the darkest times.

The next morning, when he woke up on the hospital bench, he found that her whole family was there, anxiously waiting for any news on her condition. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with a mixture of grief and hope. The doctor appeared, his face somber as he delivered the devastating news. There was very little chance that she could be saved, but the medical team was doing everything they could to keep her fighting.

He paced back and forth, feeling as if his heart was being ripped out of his chest. Time seemed to move in slow motion as he waited for any sign of improvement. The day felt like an eternity, filled with restless moments and fleeting hope. As evening approached, tension filled the air, thickening the already heavy atmosphere.

Without warning, the doctors suddenly rushed into her room, their urgent footsteps echoing down the corridor. His heart clenched in his chest as he caught a glimpse of the commotion.

They began performing CPR, their actions desperate and determined. Each time her body jolted from the shocks, his heart skipped a beat, a cocktail of fear and anticipation flooding through him.

blended with the chorus of his racing thoughts, and he could hardly think straight.

When he regained his senses, reality came crashing back like a hurricane. Tears streamed down his face as he absorbed the weight of what had just happened. The loss was devastating, unfathomable. Her spirit, which had been his guiding light through countless storms, was extinguished.

And then, in that heart-stopping moment, the lines on the monitor went straight. Everything around him faded into a blur as a deafening silence filled his ears. Reality shattered, and he could feel the world slip away.

At that moment, his world shattered into a million pieces. The pain was unbearable, slicing through him like a jagged knife. He clung to the memories they shared, desperately holding onto any semblance of her presence. It felt as if a part of him had been torn away, leaving a void that could never be filled.

Frantically, he fled from the confines of the hospital, his legs propelling him forward with every ounce of strength he had left. Oblivious to the world around him, he sprinted tirelessly, aware that Leslie and Byron were in hot pursuit. Despite the burning exhaustion coursing through his body, he pushed on, his determination fueling his desperate escape.

Suddenly, his weary muscles betrayed him, causing him to stumble and crash to the ground, his right leg throbbing in agony. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he hobbled towards a nearby apartment complex, eager to find solace within its walls. He stumbled inside, desperately searching for refuge, and found himself in the elevator, anxiously ascending to the roof.

As he reached the terrace, his mind drew a blank, consumed by a sense of hopelessness. With a sudden surge of despair, he contemplated the unthinkable - leaping from the edge of the towering 20-story building. Just as he edged closer to the precipice, his senses snapped back into focus, and Leslie and Byron managed to grab hold of him, yanking him away from the ledge. In a rush of frustration and fear, Leslie's palm collided with his cheek in a stinging slap, a harsh reminder of the direness of their situation.

Byron sat beside him, his face etched with worry and his eyes brimming with tears. Without a word, Byron pulled him close, enveloping him in a comforting embrace. At that moment, the weight of his emotions crashed over him, causing tears to stream down his face uncontrollably.

Eventually, they gathered the strength to leave the rooftop and make their way back home, his injured leg hindering his movements, forcing him to hobble awkwardly like a wounded duck. The following day, he found himself in a somber and surreal scene, standing silently as he witnessed her lifeless body being meticulously placed inside a box, ready for burial. Though his heart ached with grief, a deep sense of numbness settled within him, rendering him motionless. Tears did not flow, but a profound stillness wrapped around him as if every part of his being was frozen at that moment.

After a week, his father was home, they were fighting like hell.

"Arun, we are going to India for your 10th grade", said his mom and they continued fighting

That time when he saw them fight, he couldn't stand it. he burst out.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU TWO, THIS IS A HOUSE NOT A BATTLEFIELD!" he shouted at them.

"Arun , these are grown-up matters, don't you dare interfere", Said his dad.

"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOUR MATTERS, HAVE YOU TWO EVER THOUGHT ABOUT ME AND BROTHER WHEN U TWO FIGHT?"

"WATCH YOUR TONE, YOUNG MAN," said his mom. he went insane. he pushed all the plates and cups on the table as they fell and cracked.

"I WON'T CHANGE MY TONE, FREAKING PARENTS," he shouted, went to his room, and slammed the door.

Marianne's presence always exuded radiance, capturing his heart with its magnetism. His excitement couldn't be contained as her name left his lips, and she reciprocated with a warm smile. The sunlight danced upon their faces, imbuing the moment with ethereal beauty. He longed to embrace her in an idyllic culmination of their love.

BBut life has a way of cruelly interrupting blissful fantasies. Just like a sinister twist of fate, a car careened into view, shattering the tranquility of their encounter. In an instant, Marianne lay lifeless on the ground, surrounded by a heart-wrenching pool of crimson. His heart pounded furiously, and he jolted awake, sweaty and disoriented, seeking solace in the sterile comfort of his air-conditioned room. These distressing dreams have become an all-too-familiar haunting since Marianne's tragic passing.

Today, as he stared out of the window, a heavy realization settled upon him — he would be relocating to India. The vibrant park that was once their refuge now appeared lackluster, mirroring the gaping void that had engulfed his soul since her departure. It felt as though all the colors had drained from the world, leaving him burdened with the weight of grief for the rest of his days.

His mom came to his room

"Have you packed your things?", She asked.

"Yeah Mom, I did it yesterday itself, Mom, I wanna meet my friends before leaving", he asked.

"OK, but reach home before 4, we have our flight at eve".She replied.

As he plugged in his headphones and began his walk to the station, a mix of emotions flooded over him. The train ride offered a breathtaking view of Dubai, but its beauty was lost on him at that moment. His heart ached as he realized how much he would miss his life there, his true friends, and most of all, his late girlfriend Marianne. The weight of his grief pressed down on him heavily as he reluctantly ventured away from the bustling station towards the somber cemetery where Marianne now rested.

"As the reality of my impending departure to India settled in, the weight of the situation became even more unbearable. Forever separated from the ability to visit your grave, Marianne, it felt as though an essential connection to you would be lost. The pain of missing you was

overwhelming, a constant ache deep within my soul. All I ever wanted was to be by your side, to

cherish every precious moment together. Yet, fate had cruelly intervened, tearing you away

from me with no warning. With your absence, I found myself feeling completely lost and devoid

of purpose. You remain vividly etched in my dreams, haunting me with reminders of what once

was and what can never be again. The thought of navigating life without you is simply

unfathomable, for you were the light that guided me through the darkest of times.", he said to

Marianne's grave, realizing that he lost the will to live without her.

With a heavy heart, he found the strength to stand up and take a step away from her final resting place. But as he began to make his way, a wave of mixed emotions overwhelmed him, forcing him to halt and face the reality that life would never be the same without her. Reluctantly, he turned back and directed his gaze toward her grave, knowing it would be his last glimpse of the familiar. Tears streamed down his cheeks, painting a somber picture of his grief, as he gathered the courage to turn around once more and continue his journey, forever changed by her absence.

As the airport entrance loomed before him, a bittersweet scene unfolded. His entire gang had gathered to bid him farewell, their supportive presence both comforting and overwhelming. He embraced each one tightly, feeling gratitude well up within him for the genuine friendships he had found within this tight-knit group. Amongst them stood Lesslie, a reassuring sight, but he couldn't help but long for the presence of Marianne,

As he slowly turned away, his eyes filled with tears, he walked towards the airport entrance

. Unable to resist, he glanced back one last time, his wavering hand rising in a final farewell gesture. With a heavy heart, he stepped into the bustling airport terminal, with his mother and brother.