Chapter 2 - Friends

Tina: "Hey everyone, I want you all to meet Rohan! He's one of my new friends, and he's just awesome. Rohan, these are my friends Nitesh, Harry, and Monica."

Tina: "Oh, by the way, Nitesh here is actually my cousin. And guess what? He's going to be studying medicine along with Rohan."

Nitesh: "Yeah, it's going to be quite the journey. Excited to have Rohan as a study buddy!"

Tina: "And this is Monica, my school friend. We've been through all sorts of science classes together, and now we're both majoring in it."

Monica: "Hey, nice to meet you, Rohan! Tina's always talked about you. Sounds like we're going to have some interesting study sessions ahead."

Tina: "Last but not least, this is Harry. He's majoring in Liberal Arts & Communication, and fun fact, he's from the States!"

Harry: "Hey there, Rohan! Pleasure to meet you. Yeah, Tina's been filling me in on all the adventures with you guys. Looking forward to being part of the gang."

Tina: "And this, everyone, is Rohan! He's one of my newest friends, and I'm thrilled to have him here with us."

With introductions made and excitement in the air, the group heads off to the canteen for lunch. Laughter and chatter fill the air as they find a table and settle in. They exchange stories, share jokes, and enjoy each other's company over a delicious meal.

Rohan feels a bit hesitant to speak up. He's not used to being in such a social setting and isn't quite sure what to say. Sensing his hesitation, Tina gives him an encouraging smile and nudges him gently.

Tina: "Hey, Rohan, don't be shy! We're all friends here. Feel free to jump into the conversation whenever you want."

Nitesh: "Yeah, man, don't worry about it. We're just here to have a good time."

Monica: "Exactly! We're all getting to know each other, so it's totally cool."

Harry: "No pressure, Rohan. Just relax and enjoy the food. And if you have anything you want to share, we're all ears."

Meanwhile, the anticipation builds as talk turns to the upcoming performance for fresher day. Rohan's friends buzz with excitement, eager to showcase their talents in front of the crowd.

Rohan, realizing he's taking longer than expected, gestures to his friends with a smile.

Rohan: "Hey guys, you all should head to the Cultural Hall for the performance. I'll catch up with you later. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

Tina: "Are you sure, Rohan? We don't mind waiting for you."

Rohan: "Yeah, I'm sure. I'll be there soon enough. Go ahead and knock 'em dead!"

With reassurance from Rohan, the others nod understandingly and start making their way to the Cultural Hall. Rohan takes his time to finish up his meal, gathering his thoughts before joining his friends for the performance.

Harry strums his guitar, Nitesh keeps the rhythm on the drums, and Tina takes center stage as the singer, the trio begins to perform. Their harmonies blend seamlessly, filling the Cultural Hall with music that resonates with the audience. Each note is infused with passion and energy, drawing the crowd into their performance.

With every strum of the guitar, beat of the drums, and melody from Tina's voice, the atmosphere becomes electric. The audience cheers and applauds, caught up in the infectious energy of the performance. On the other hand, After lunch, Rohan decides to open his Facebook account to connect further with his new friends. He searches for the profiles of Tina, Nitesh, Harry, Monica, and other acquaintances he met earlier. As he navigates through their profiles, Rohan takes note of their interests, photos, and shared experiences.

Reading Tina's profile, Rohan smiles at her poetic and insightful bio update:

"Love doesn't wait for someone to approach, love approaches the person itself whom it feels loyal and compassionate."

He finds her words both profound and reflective of Tina's compassionate nature. Rohan is intrigued to find Tina's birthdate listed as February 29th, 2004. He realizes that it's a leap year, meaning Tina's birthday only occurs every four years.

As Rohan scrolls through Tina's photo uploads, he notices that most of them feature her with her family. Smiling faces, group outings, and shared adventures fill the screen. Impressed by the bond Tina shares with her family, Rohan feels a sense of warmth and inclusivity emanating from the photos. He admires her ability to cultivate meaningful connections and create joyful experiences with those closest to her.

Rohan notices the intriguing addition of pictures depicting angels fighting demons and several images of books related to similar themes on Tina's profile. Intrigued by these unexpected glimpses into Tina's interests, Rohan wonders about their significance. He ponders if Tina is a fan of fantasy literature or if these images hold a deeper personal meaning for her.

Closing Tina's profile, Rohan turns his attention to Nitesh's profile, intrigued to learn more about his new friend. He navigates to Nitesh's page and begins to explore his profile. As he scrolls through Nitesh's photos and updates, Rohan notices snapshots of various adventures, including travel pictures, candid moments with friends, and snapshots of his hobbies and interests.

Reading Nitesh's bio, Rohan is struck by its thoughtful message:

"Love doesn't differentiate between class, caste, and gender. It just happens to anyone and anywhere."

Rohan can't help but chuckle as he notices that even Nitesh's birthday is listed as February 29th, 2004, just like Tina's. He finds it quite the coincidence that both of his new friends share such a rare birthday.

Rohan continues to browse through Nitesh's profile, he notices numerous pictures of Nitesh with his siblings and family. Each photo captures heartwarming moments of laughter, love, and togetherness, painting a vivid portrait of a close-knit family bond.

Rohan delves deeper into Nitesh's profile, he notices a plethora of posts and photos related to gaming. From screenshots of gameplay to updates about new releases and achievements, Nitesh's passion for gaming shines through.

Closing Nitesh's profile, Rohan shifts his attention to Harry's profile, eager to learn more about his friend. He navigates to Harry's page and begins to explore the content.

Rohan closed his profile and opened Harry's profile. Harry was good looking as he had a mole on his chin.

Reading Harry's bio, Rohan finds himself contemplating the profound message:

"Love is fearless and also fearful, it is fearless because you know that your lover is with you and is fearful cause you may never know what will happen next."

Rohan's surprise grows as he notices that Harry's birthday is also listed as February 29th, 2004, the same as Tina's and Nitesh's. He finds it uncanny that all three of his new friends share such a rare birthday.

Rohan is taken aback as he realizes that not only do Harry, Tina, and Nitesh share the same rare birthday, but their perspectives on love are also remarkably similar. Each of their bios reflects a deep contemplation on the complexities of love, highlighting its dual nature of fearlessness and fearfulness.

Realizing that the performance of his friends would have already started, Rohan quickly closes Monica's profile and heads towards the venue where the performance is taking place.

Entering the cultural hall from the back gate, Rohan quietly makes his way to the back seat. As he settles into his seat, he takes a moment to observe the stage and the bustling atmosphere of the venue. A soothing melody fills the air, capturing his attention. He turns his gaze towards the stage and is immediately captivated by the sight of Tina, standing center stage, singing with a voice that mesmerizes everyone in the room. Tina's voice fills the hall, enveloping the audience in its warmth and beauty. Rohan feels a sense of awe wash over him as he listens to her, her voice carrying emotions that resonate deeply within him.

(Verse 1) I reach out to you, my love so true, But you're distant, lost in your own world's view, I long for your touch, your tender embrace, But you turn away, leaving me in this empty space.

(Chorus) Oh, can't you see the love that I'm giving, Every moment, every breath, I'm living, But you're blind to the fire in my eyes, As I plead for your love, under starlit skies.

(Verse 2) I offer my heart, laid bare and true, But you remain indifferent, leaving me feeling blue, I whisper sweet words, hoping to ignite, But you brush them aside, leaving me in the night.

(Chorus) Oh, can't you see the love that I'm giving, Every moment, every breath, I'm living, But you're blind to the fire in my eyes, As I plead for your love, under starlit skies.

(Bridge) I've tried to show you, in every way, The depth of my love, day by day, But if you can't see it, if you can't feel, Then maybe it's time for my heart to heal.

(Chorus) Oh, can't you see the love that I'm giving, Every moment, every breath, I'm living, But you're blind to the fire in my eyes, As I plead for your love, under starlit skies.

(Outro) So I'll bid you farewell, with a heavy heart, Hoping someday you'll see, and we'll no longer be apart, For now, I'll walk away, with love in my eyes, Hoping you'll wake up and realize, I am the angel of luck and you were the opposite, My love will be till eternity, does your heart realizes thee..

Tina delivers the poignant final line of her song, the entire audience is spellbound. Her words resonate deeply with everyone in the room, stirring emotions that range from sorrow to hope.

In the silence that follows, tears glisten in the eyes of some, moved by the raw honesty and vulnerability in Tina's performance. Others are overcome with a sense of admiration for her courage and strength in expressing such heartfelt emotions.

As the last notes of the song fade away, a hush falls over the cultural hall, the impact of Tina's words lingering in the air. Slowly, the audience rises to their feet, offering thunderous applause and heartfelt cheers in appreciation of Tina's soul-stirring performance.

As the clock approaches 6 in the evening, the freshers day celebration and orientation program draw to a close. The cultural hall, once filled with laughter, music, and applause, begins to empty as students and guests start to depart. Rohan rises from his seat, he notices a group of seniors sitting a few rows in front of him. They seem to be engaged in conversation, their laughter echoing in the now quieter hall.

Rohan slowly makes his way out of the hall through the back gate, he takes a moment to savor the memories of the day. The echoes of laughter and the warmth of newfound friendships linger in his mind as he steps into the cool evening air.

Outside, the campus is bathed in the soft glow of twilight, casting long shadows across the pathways. Rohan takes a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over him after the excitement of the day.

Rohan reaches the college main gate, he finds Tina and the others waiting for him with warm smiles. They invite him to join them for snacks, and Rohan's heart swells with gratitude for their thoughtfulness.

"Hey Rohan, we're heading out for some snacks. Would you like to come with us?" Tina asks, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Rohan considers his friends' invitation, he hesitates, realizing that he's in a hurry to reach home. However, before he can decline, Tina and the others insistently persuade him to join them.

"Come on, Rohan! It'll be fun," Tina urges, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Yeah, don't worry about rushing home. We're all together, so let's enjoy some snacks," Nitesh chimes in, echoing Tina's sentiment. Rohan finds himself being gently but persistently dragged along by his friends, he reluctantly acquiescing, the group sets off together towards the snack spot.

Rohan reaches home at 8:30 in the night, and his hand trembles slightly as he reaches out to ring the doorbell. As the door swings open, instead of the comforting sight of home, Rohan is met with the furious face of his maternal aunt standing in front of him. Her expression is stern, and her eyes narrow as she gazes at him, her disapproval palpable in the air.

I'm sorry, Auntie," Rohan stammers, his voice barely above a whisper. "I got caught up with some friends after college. It won't happen again." 

Her voice reverberates with frustration and disappointment as she delivers her harsh rebuke.

"Will your sorry feed our empty stomachs, Rohan?" she demands, her tone sharp and unforgiving.

I'm sorry, Auntie," Rohan stammers, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to... I'll make it up to you, I promise."

Rohan's heart races as he prepares to rush towards the kitchen, desperate to make amends for his mistake. However, before he can take another step, his aunt's firm grip on his hand stops him in his tracks.

"Where do you think you're going?" his aunt's voice is sharp, her eyes flashing with anger as she brandishes a stick in her hand. Rohan freezes, his stomach churning with fear as he realizes the severity of the situation.

"I-I was just going to..." Rohan stammers, but his aunt cuts him off with a stern glare.

"No excuses, Rohan," she says, her voice cold and unforgiving. "You need to learn that actions have consequences. You can't just expect to do whatever you want without facing the repercussions."

With a trembling hand, Rohan braces himself as his aunt delivers a sharp blow with the stick, the pain radiating through his body as he winces in agony.

Rohan winces as the heavy blows rain down on him, each strike leaving him reeling with pain. As the blows finally cease, Rohan takes a shaky breath, his body throbbing with pain. His aunt's voice cuts through the silence, her tone firm and unwavering as she delivers her ultimatum. "Cook dinner soon, Rohan, or else I'll repeat the same again. You need to learn that actions have consequences."

As his aunt leaves him, Rohan takes a moment to collect himself, steeling his resolve to do better. Despite the pain and humiliation he's endured, he knows he must push forward and fulfill his responsibilities.

With each step, Rohan feels the pain coursing through his body, the red scar marks a painful reminder of his aunt's anger. Tears blur his vision as he rushes towards the kitchen, He takes a deep breath, trying to steady his trembling hands as he begins to prepare food.

Every movement sends a jolt of pain through his body, but Rohan grits his teeth and perseveres, his mind consumed with remorse and determination. As he cooks, Rohan's tears mix with the ingredients, a silent testament to his pain and regret. 

Rohan serves dinner to his aunt and uncle, his movements slow and deliberate as he tries to conceal his pain. Rohan retreats to the kitchen to tackle the mountain of dishes that awaits him. As he rolls up his sleeves and begins to scrub away the remnants of the meal, his mind drifts to the events of the day. Hours pass as Rohan works tirelessly, his muscles aching and his body weary.

Exhausted both physically and emotionally, Rohan enters his room as the clock strikes one in the midnight. The weight of the day's events hangs heavy on his shoulders as he collapses onto his bed, feeling every ache and pain from the long hours of labor. Images of his aunt's furious face and the sting of her reprimands haunt him, mingling with the pain of his physical injuries. Rohan closes his eyes, seeking solace in the darkness of his room.

Startled from the brink of sleep by the sudden chime of the doorbell, Rohan's eyes snap open, his heart pounding in his chest. With a groan, he reluctantly pushes himself out of bed, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he makes his way to the door.

As he approaches, Rohan's mind races with a flurry of thoughts. Who could be visiting at this hour? Was it a neighbor in need of help, or perhaps a delivery gone awry?

With a sense of trepidation, Rohan reaches for the doorknob and pulls the door open, his eyes scanning the darkness beyond. To his surprise, he finds himself face to face with a familiar figure standing on the doorstep.

Standing outside, reeking of alcohol, is his cousin Sunny. The sight of Sunny in such a state fills Rohan with a mixture of worry and disappointment.

"Sunny?" Rohan's voice is laced with concern as he approaches his cousin. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Sunny's eyes are glazed, and his words are slurred as he tries to speak. It's clear that he's had far too much to drink, and Rohan knows that he needs help. With a firm yet gentle hand, Rohan guides Sunny towards his room, As they reach Sunny's room, Rohan helps Sunny to sit down on the bed. Rohan helps Sunny to lie down on the bed, ensuring that he's comfortable and safe. Taking a moment to straighten the blankets and pillows, Rohan makes sure that Sunny's bed is neat and tidy. Rohan returns to his room, the events of the night weigh heavily on his mind, and he takes a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts.

Tears trickle down his cheeks, Rohan's thoughts turn to his parents, the memories of their love and guidance flooding his mind. In the quiet solitude of his room, the weight of their absence feels especially heavy, and Rohan finds himself overcome with emotion.

He remembers their comforting words and gentle smiles, the warmth of their embraces, and the unwavering support they provided him throughout his life. With a heavy heart and weary body, Rohan succumbs to the embrace of sleep. His thoughts, laden with memories and emotions, gradually drift away as exhaustion washes over him like a gentle tide.

As the first light of dawn filters through the window, Rohan stirs from his slumber, his mind gradually awakening to the new day ahead. With a deep breath, he stretches his weary limbs and slowly sits up, the events of the previous night still fresh in his mind.

Determined to face the day with renewed energy and resolve, Rohan quickly freshens himself, splashing cold water on his face to wash away the remnants of sleep. The cool sensation invigorates him, clearing his mind and sharpening his focus for the tasks ahead.

Rohan sets to work in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for his family. He knows that a strong cup of coffee will help his aunt start the day on the right foot, while a comforting mug of black tea will provide his uncle with the energy he needs.

As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and tea fills the air, Rohan carefully wakes his aunt and uncle. Turning his attention to his cousin Sunny, Rohan prepares a simple yet nourishing porridge, hoping to help him sober up and feel better after the events of the previous night. 

With breakfast prepared and his family taken care of, Rohan swiftly gathers his belongings and makes his way towards the bus stand. Time is of the essence, and he knows he must catch the bus to college to avoid being late for his classes.

As Rohan walks towards the bus stand, his mind is consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. With each step, he feels a growing sense of determination to carve out a life of his own, separate from the challenges and responsibilities he faces at home.

Thoughts of leaving the familiar confines of his family's home fill Rohan's mind, stirring a mix of excitement and apprehension. He imagines a future where he's free to pursue his dreams and aspirations, far away from the constraints of tradition and expectation.

The idea of independence beckons to him like a distant beacon of hope, promising a life of adventure and exploration. With each passing moment, Rohan feels a sense of clarity and purpose, knowing that his path lies beyond the confines of his current circumstances.

As he envisions a life of freedom and autonomy, Rohan's heart swells with anticipation. He dreams of traveling the world, experiencing new cultures and landscapes, and forging his own path in the vast expanse of the unknown. With a determined stride, Rohan reaches the bus stand, his thoughts still lingering on the possibilities that lie ahead.

Startled out of his reverie, Rohan's heart skips a beat as he hears his name called out loudly. Blinking in surprise, he looks around to see who it could be, his mind racing with curiosity and apprehension.

Turning towards the source of the voice, Rohan's eyes widen in recognition as he sees Nitesh approaching.

"Rohan! Hey!" Nitesh calls out again, his voice filled with warmth and enthusiasm.

As Rohan's thoughts drift back to his inner struggles, he acknowledges the moments of discouragement and despair that have weighed heavily on his mind. The darkness of those thoughts lingers, threatening to engulf him in its suffocating embrace.

But amidst the shadows, a glimmer of light pierces through, illuminating the path forward. It's the presence of his friends, those few precious souls who stand by his side through thick and thin, offering support and encouragement when he needs it most.

With a newfound sense of determination, Rohan draws strength from the bonds of friendship that surround him. He realizes that he's not alone in his struggles, that there are others who care for him deeply and who will stand by his side no matter what challenges may come his way.

With each passing moment, Rohan feels a sense of gratitude welling up within him. He knows that his friends will be his guiding stars, leading him through life's hardships and difficulties with courage and resilience.

And so, with their support as his motivating factor, Rohan resolves to live and move forward, to face each new day with renewed vigor and determination. He knows that the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but with his friends by his side, he's ready to embrace whatever obstacles may come his way, knowing that together, they can overcome anything.

Rohan and Nitesh step onto the bus headed to college.