Next Day – In Class
The teacher was reading a story to the children.In the story, whenever the main character saw someone doing a certain job, he would think, "When I grow up, I'll do the same thing."
When the story ended, the teacher began asking questions.
Teacher:"Karthik, what do you want to be in the future?"
Karthik:"Sir, I want to be a policeman and catch thieves!"
Teacher (smiling):"Wow, that's a great dream. And you, Shivam?"
Shivam:"Sir, I want to be a doctor who saves people's lives."
The discussion went on, each student sharing their dreams.
Finally, the teacher turned to Ravi.
Teacher:"And you, Ravi? What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Teacher (thinking):Maybe this will help him forget his trauma a little… maybe he'll start opening up to his classmates.
But Ravi froze. He felt nervous, and no words came out.
A few students started laughing.
Classmates (mocking):"What could the cursed boy even do? No one's going to hire him!"
Ravi's eyes filled with tears.
Teacher (firmly):"Quiet! Not another word from anyone!"
The teacher resumed the lesson.
After Class
Ravi was on his way back to his room when his foot caught on something and he stumbled.A bully had deliberately placed it there.
Bully (laughing):"Look who fell! The famous cursed boy."
The bully's friends snatched Ravi's bag and threw it far away. Then they pushed him down and started hitting him.
Just then, Shivam and Tanya appeared.
Seeing Ravi's condition, Shivam's anger flared. He rushed at the bullies and started fighting them off.
Ravi slowly got up from the floor. Tanya handed him his bag while Shivam chased the bullies away.
Shivam (angrily to ravi):"Are you out of your mind? Someone's beating you and you're just taking it? How many times have I told you — if someone hits you, fight back!"
Ravi (quietly):"Let it go, man. What's the point? I can't win against them."
He walked away, leaving Shivam glaring after him. Shivam then turned and left with Tanya.
Shivam (to Tanya, frustrated):"I swear, sometimes it feels like we're wasting our time trying to be there for him."
Tanya:"That's not true. Ravi just… can't fight back because his past has completely broken him. But I have a plan — one that will tell us what he really thinks about us."