Strangely Different

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The days of 10th grade are a strange mix of pressure and bittersweet emotions. The weight of exams and future decisions hangs heavy, making every moment feel crucial. Yet, amidst the stress, there's an underlying sadness about drifting away from school friends who've been like family. These are the people you've laughed, learned, and grown up with and the thought of separation is hard to bear. Times, however, moves swifty, leaving little room to fully savor these fleeting moments. Before you know it, the year is over, and the chance to truly enjoy the present is lost in the rush to the future.

We celebrated Republic day on January 26th, but it wasn't the carefree day we hoped for. The excitement of the festivities was clouded by the stress of our upcoming exams on the 28th. Instead of fully enjoying the day, our minds were constantly pulled back to the books and the pressure to prepare. The usual joy of the celebration was tinged with a sense of urgency and anxiety, making it a day of mixed emotions. Even as we participated in the events, the thought of exams loomed large, making it hard to truly relax and enjoy the moment.

Alhamdulillah, our exams went well, and my friends and I passed with ease. The stress we carried for so long finally lifted, replaced by a sense of relief and gratitude. We navigated the challenges together, and now, we can look back with satisfaction. The hard work paid off, and we're thankful for the outcome.

From January 28th to February 7th, our exams stretched out, with a pattern of one exam day followed by a day off. This schedule allowed us to catch up on sleep after each test, giving us a much-needed break between the intense study sessions. School was set to resume on February 9th, and on that day, something unusual happened in the third period.

A boy entered the classroom with a bossy walk, his left hand holding his bag. He scanned the room, giving everyone a quick glance, followed by a subtle side smile. It was hard not to notice the dimples that appeared on his face when he smiled. He looked good, but there was something odd about him too. His appearance was far from polished—his clothes seemed haphazardly chosen, and his hair was unstyled, as if he had no interest in how he looked. It felt like he had been forced to come to school that day, as though he would have been anywhere else but here if given the choice. Despite this, there was an air of confidence about him that made him stand out, even if his overall demeanor seemed a bit out of place.

The teacher introduced him to us, saying, "This is Shahzain Ahmed, son of Saleem Ahmed. He's here because of his father's transfer." I had heard that name somewhere before, but I couldn't quite place where. Shahzain didn't let the teacher finish the introduction. Instead, he cut her off and made his way to the back of the classroom, where he chose a seat by the window.

He settled into his chair with a certain nonchalance, as if the classroom and its occupants were mere background noise. Once seated, he turned his attention outside, gazing through the window as though he were searching for something beyond the glass. His posture was relaxed but deliberate, giving off an impression of someone who was both detached and self-assured.

It was clear he had his own way of handling things, preferring solitude over mingling with the rest of us. The classroom buzzed with whispers as we all tried to get a sense of this new arrival, but Shahzain remained unperturbed, lost in his own world. His demeanor spoke volumes about his confidence and perhaps his reluctance to fully engage with his new environment. It was as though he was used to being in the spotlight but preferred to observe rather than participate.

After lunch, Principal Sir called Amir and me to his office. We went over, and he instructed us to assist Shahzain. He asked us to share our notes with him and provide any final exam information that had been disseminated in school up to that point.

We listened carefully as he explained the importance of helping Shahzain get up to speed. It was clear that the principal wanted to ensure Shahzain felt welcomed and integrated into our school community as smoothly as possible.

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⏰ Last updated: Aug 26 ⏰

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