Morning came again.
Not loud. Not fast. Just soft sunlight coming slowly through the small window of his room.
"Come for breakfast."
The warden called from downstairs, like he did every day.
He got up from his bed, washed his face, brushed his teeth, and wore a simple shirt. His eyes still looked sleepy in the mirror. His hair didn't sit right even after trying.
He walked down to the dining hall.
The hall was quiet, full of boys who didn't talk to each other much. Everyone looked busy in their own small world — some scrolling their phones, some eating quickly, some staring at their food like they had no hunger.
He sat quietly. Picked up his plate.
Bread. Egg. A cup of tea.
Simple. Tasteless. But enough.
He finished eating without a word. Just looking down at his food, thinking about nothing, thinking about everything.
After breakfast, the warden came to him.
"Go with Rey today. He's also in your school. He'll show you the way."
He nodded.
Went back to his room. Changed into better clothes.
Checked himself in the mirror. Not bad. Not great. Just okay.
He waited by the hostel gate. The sun was getting warm, the road outside already busy.
A boy came walking towards him. Quiet face. Serious eyes. He looked a little older.
"I'm Rey."
They nodded at each other. No handshake, no big greeting. Just a silent start to a walk together.
The school wasn't far.
Ten minutes if you walked normal, less if you rushed.
They walked somewhere in between — not fast, not slow.
He wanted to talk. Didn't want to stay silent the whole way.
So, he asked,
"What's your faculty?"
Rey kept looking ahead.
"Bio."
Then Rey asked back,
"You?"
He answered,
"Computer."
Rey nodded.
"Good."
That was it.
No more words. Just two boys walking quietly to school, two strangers in the same city, both carrying their own dreams and worries.
Finally, they reached the school gate.
It looked big. Clean. Serious.
Boys and girls in uniforms moving like rivers inside.
At the gate, Rey pointed,
"That's the administration office. You'll find your way."
And with that, Rey left for his class, disappearing into the crowd like he was never there.
He stood there for a moment. Looking at the big school, feeling small again.
He took a breath and walked in.
Inside the office, he gave his name.
"I'm here for admission. My old principal called you."
The staff smiled politely. They already knew him.
"Yes, we've been informed. Welcome."
They handed him some forms.
Asked questions. Wrote things down.
Full scholarship.
Because of his good marks.
Because his old school sent everything in advance.
They said his classes would start after two days.
Tomorrow there would be a special program — orientation for new students.
"Be here tomorrow. Wear good dress."
Then they called another boy to show him around.
The boy was quiet but kind.
"Come, I'll show you the school."
They walked together.
First, the classrooms.
Big. Clean. Rows of desks. Boards shining like glass. Everything neat.
Then the canteen.
Smelled of food and noise. Boys eating fast. Girls chatting.
He watched but didn't feel like he belonged there yet.
Then the labs. Computers lined up. Science rooms full of bottles. Maths charts on walls. Everything felt new, serious, a little too big for him right now.
Then the playground.
Green. Clean. Big.
Boys running, shouting, playing.
He watched quietly. Remembered how back in his village, he used to chase dragonflies, not footballs.
Lastly, they showed him the big hall.
Tomorrow's program would be there.
Big lights. Red curtains. Rows of empty chairs. A stage waiting for someone to speak on it.
The boy said,
"Tomorrow you'll sit here. They'll talk about dreams, success… you'll hear it all."
He smiled a little.
Because it sounded true.
The visit was done.
He thanked the boy and walked back alone.
Through busy roads. Through noisy streets. Past people who didn't care about faces, only about time.
Back to the hostel.
Back to his small, quiet room.
He picked up his phone.
Called home.
His mother picked up.
Her voice soft, warm, full of small happiness.
He told them everything.
How he got admission.
How he got a full scholarship.
How his papers had already spoken for him.
"The city is nice. Clean. People are kind."
He lied.
"I don't miss you."
He lied again.
Because deep inside, he missed them with every breath.
But he didn't want them to worry.
Didn't want them to know how alone he felt.
His mother laughed gently on the phone. His father's voice sounded proud.
"See? We told you, you'll do well."
"Keep going, son."
He smiled quietly.
Looked at the family photo on his table.
"What will you wear tomorrow?" his mother asked.
He checked his cupboard. Picked out a simple shirt. Black pants. Asked for her opinion, even though he already knew what she'd say.
"Looks smart. Iron it well. Walk proudly."
He promised he would.
They ended the call with small smiles and warm words.
He ironed his clothes slowly. Pressed every crease like he was ironing out his nervousness.
Hung them up carefully. Checked himself in the mirror.
"Tomorrow I'll look smart."
He said it softly to himself.
Time passed slow. Too slow.
He sat by the window. Watched lights turning on outside. Watched people walking home. Watched the sky turn black without stars.
He waited.
For tomorrow.
For something new.
For something better.
Finally, the clock told him the day was over.
He laid down on the small bed.
Looked at his watch.
Closed his eyes.
And quietly thought,
"Tomorrow is a new start."
---
Next morning...