A girl lies on a single bed. The room is dark, with the only light coming from the window. Outside the window, it is raining heavily—just like the tears constantly falling from the girl’s eyes as she stares at the ceiling.

She isn’t crying loudly.

She isn’t sobbing.

Just silent tears… the kind that come when everything already feels too late.

Sudha’s POV

Hi, I am Sudha. You must be thinking why the narration is starting like this. It’s because this is my story—and I want to tell you about it myself.

Because if I don’t tell it, no one will ever understand how a simple decision can change everything.

Before I start explaining why I’m crying like this, I need to tell you what happened… and how it happened.

(Because I believe in full tea, guys.)

It all started almost one and a half years back, when I was 19 and had just completed my 12th exam. At that time, life felt light. I had a break, no pressure, no fear—just curiosity. And naturally, being me, I wanted to explore more and learn new things.

I didn’t know back then that curiosity could hurt.

I live in a nuclear family where my dad is a strict father like Hitler. Yeah guys, I’m not a dad’s princess. I have a mischievous younger sister and my sweet, supportive mom, who is also my crime partner. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t beat me like other moms—but she’s cool. Like, she even watches Thai BL. Now you can imagine how cool she is.

Everything felt normal. Safe.

So, let’s go back to where it all quietly started.

That day, we had a small party at my aunt’s home. Nothing special. Just family. Just laughter. Just another ordinary day—at least that’s what I thought.

We were all getting ready for it. At 11, we finally reached there.

Aunt’s home. ...

[At that time, in my aunt’s home, only my aunt, my two sisters, my younger sister, and my mom were present. Everyone else was at work, so it was just us there]

Aunt: Why so early, guys? You should come by 11 p.m.

(in a sarcastic way)

Mom: I had to make breakfast for your brother. Only after that was I able to come.

Aunt: Haa haa… now sit. I’m coming with the drinks.

1st dii: Are you coming so late?

Mom: Don’t even start again.

1st dii: Okay, okay.

Laughter filled the room. The kind that makes you forget time.

After that, we had a lot of fun. We prepared lunch together and ate with everyone. Later, we were all chatting and gossiping when this topic came up—casually, without thinking.

1st dii: So, what are you doing in your free time nowadays?

Sudha: Just busy with my sleep.

1st dii: Shut up. Kabhi toh serious ho jaa.

Everybody started laughing.

If only I had stayed quiet that day.

Sudha: Arre, I’m going to painting classes. So what more?

1st dii: Why not join a spoken English class then?

Sudha: I already know it… and I also needed a break.

1st dii: You are going to college now, so you need practice—to speak more confidently there.

She said it so casually. Like advice. Like care.

I didn’t know advice could become the start of pain.

I have an application where I practice speaking before joining my job. I will join you there.

Mom: How much is the admission fee?

1st dii: Not much, mami. Only 500.

Mom: Then join her. I will give you the money.

1st dii: But listen… There are a lot of different people, and they may ask for your number. Don’t share it, and skip that person. Only practice—nothing more. Okay?

Sudha: Yaa, yaa! I know.

After that, I joined them. Dii shared her terrible and good experiences from that app, and everybody laughed.

I laughed too.

I was thinking—just three months. Why not give it a try?

I thought I knew everything.

But who knew…

that one small “try”

was enough to turn my life like this.

**********

Author’s Note

I’m writing this chapter in a different way. I’m trying a new style of narration, and honestly, I don’t know if it’s good or not.

Please tell me if you like this type of narration, because I want to write it this way—it is my story. I don’t want to write it like an author telling an imaginary story. I want you to feel it as if the character is speaking herself.

I’m trying. I’m not very good at it yet. So if I made any mistakes, please forgive me and correct me.🥲