On the Run: Escape to Explore

CHAPTER - 1 Facade of Freedom

Ring, ring...

"Hello?"

"Heyo, what's up?"

"Just usual stuff...exam preparation and of course, panic attacks at night," I sighed.

Panic attacks, anxiety and high blood pressure levels had become so normal that they were not much of a surprise to us anymore.

Sana, in a rather calm tone, asked, "Oh no, you ok now?"

"Yes, seems so."

Then, we talked for hours, as we always do, until Sana's mother came back home from her clinic.

We never felt secure while talking to each other in our parents' presence. Not that we talked about something shady but we just did not like it.

For the 5-6 years we've known each other, our friendship has only grown stronger. We talk about everything starting from our childhood to our future life plans.

Ah, future plans, the weight they bear. It's as if our decision to focus on competitive exams has consumed our entire existence, leaving little room for anything else. All of our childhood seems like a memory from a different lifetime.

For the past year, life has been nothing but hectic with time management issues and busy schedule, along with peer pressure and heated arguments with parents.

It may sound like a typical teenager's rant but trust me it's way more serious when your anxiety goes as high as the Himalayas and you start having days when you survive on medicines.

Next day, I came back home after a long day at school, changed my clothes and lied on my bed.

I had rested for barely 10 minutes when my mother called for me to get ready to go to the coaching institute.

I tiredly answered, "Hmm...just two minutes more."

Making it just in time, I reached to the class just to find that the physics teacher had already arrived.

Amongst all the classes, I had to be most attentive in the physics one as my teacher had known me for quite a few years already and he was close with my father too. In fact, he was Sana's father!

I still remember when I saw him entering my class for the first time. It feels awkward everytime I think about it. To be honest, I never quite swallowed the fact that out of all the teachers, he had to be the one assigned to teach my batch.

Like other days, I somehow managed to not fall asleep during the classes although I was languid as hell.

I returned home, still listless, had dinner, watched TV for some time and went in my room to sleep.

Nothing really interesting happens these days and yet days keep on passing one by one. I am free to do anything but I often find myself questioning whether it's the freedom I truly desire.