I Love You Monster

UNSEEN THREADS OF FATE

"किस्मत के अनदेखे धागे,
हमें वहां ले जाते हैं जहां हमारी जरूरत होती है,
न कि वहां जहां हम जाना चाहते हैं।"

Abhimanyu's hands trembled slightly as he gripped the edges of his bed. The events of the previous day looped endlessly in his mind. He had been suspended from school. It wasn't just a simple suspension—he had put his seniors in the hospital to protect Aditi, a girl who had unknowingly become a significant part of his tangled thoughts. His father, seeing his growing frustration, had suggested a break—a change of scenery. And so, without much thought, he found himself on a flight to Paris, supposedly for his father's business work, but mostly to escape.

The City of Light was a distraction, albeit a temporary one. He would walk down the cobbled streets, staring blankly at the bustling life around him, his mind continuously replaying those moments in school. Each day in Paris felt like a blend of surreal beauty and haunting flashbacks. The faces of the seniors he had fought, the blood, the fear in Aditi's eyes—it all kept coming back. He couldn't forget the way she looked at him, like he was a savior, or perhaps a monster.

Two weeks passed like a blur. When he finally returned home, he was exhausted, not from the trip, but from the mental battle he had fought every single day. His father, sensing a shift in him, didn't push him to talk. He just nodded and suggested he get back to his routine, return to school, and face whatever awaited him.

The next day, Abhimanyu stood in front of the mirror. His reflection stared back at him—eyes tired but resolute. He tied his hair back into the perfect bun he always wore, slipped into his PT dress, and waited for the school bus to arrive. The familiar rumble of the bus outside broke his trance. As he stepped onto the bus, conversations hushed, eyes turned, and whispers erupted. He was used to it by now, but it didn't make it any easier.

When he reached his classroom, the air seemed thick with anticipation. His classmates eyed him cautiously. Some wore expressions of fear; others were filled with admiration. The events that led to his suspension had left a mark. Before he could settle into his seat, a school assistant appeared at the door, summoning him to the principal's office.

"Abhimanyu," the principal began as he entered, his voice heavy with concern. "About the incident with Aditi... What really happened?"

Abhimanyu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't planned. I was just trying to help her. Things got out of hand. It was... all a mistake."

The principal nodded, but the lines on his forehead did not ease. "You need to be careful, Abhimanyu. Violence isn't the answer. Whatever you're dealing with, remember that."

He nodded, keeping his eyes on the floor. He was dismissed shortly after, returning to his class with an unsettling weight in his chest. When the break period arrived, he took out his sketchbook and began drawing—a habit that had always calmed him. His pencil moved almost by itself, creating lines that gradually formed a face—Aditi's face. He paused, his breath catching in his throat. Just then, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hey, can I sit here?" It was a girl's voice, soft yet tinged with a nervous edge. He looked up to see a girl standing before him. She was new; he hadn't seen her before.

"Yeah, sure," he replied, moving his things to make space.

"I'm Akriti," she introduced herself, her eyes darting around as if wary of the stares they were attracting. She was in the science stream, and though she didn't say it, he could tell she wasn't exactly welcomed here.

Rumors had spread that Akriti had a disability, and in a school like theirs, anything different was scrutinized, gossiped about, and often, shunned. She just wanted a friend, but no one wanted to be seen with her. Abhimanyu, seeing the loneliness in her eyes, decided to break the silence. "So, Akriti... How's life been treating you?"

Akriti's eyes widened a bit, surprised at the kindness in his voice. She talked in brief about her struggles, her family moving to this town, and the challenges of making friends in a place where everyone seemed to judge her.

"Can we be friends?" she asked tentatively after a pause, her voice almost a whisper.

Abhimanyu smiled, a genuine warmth filling his eyes. "Why not?" He handed her a piece of paper with his number on it. "Call me anytime."

From that day on, they started talking in class. She would ask him about his sketches, and he would listen to her stories about her love for astronomy. However, their growing friendship did not go unnoticed. Rumors began to spread like wildfire. People began to whisper that they were more than just friends, and soon, the whispers turned into something darker.

One day, during the lunch break, Abhimanyu saw a group of students surrounding Akriti. Their faces twisted with disdain, and he could hear their harsh words. "Why are you always around him? You think you're special or something?"

Akriti tried to ignore them, but their words cut deep. Just as they were about to push her, Abhimanyu intervened, his voice calm but firm. "Is there a problem with making friends?" he challenged. He reached for Akriti's hand and led her away from the crowd. The corridor fell silent, the students stunned into silence.

From a distance, Aditi saw everything. Her heart tightened with a strange mix of emotions—confusion, jealousy, and something else she couldn't quite place. She turned and walked out of the building, her mind in turmoil. The memory of Abhimanyu defending her against the seniors played in her mind like a broken record. What was this feeling? She had a boyfriend, after all. As if on cue, her phone rang. It was him, asking her out to dinner. She agreed, if only to distract herself from the knot in her stomach.

That evening, she got dressed, putting on her best smile for her mother. When her boyfriend arrived on his bullet bike, she kissed him on the cheek, making sure her mother saw it. They went to a restaurant downtown. As they were talking, Aditi noticed a familiar face across the room. It was Abhimanyu, with his best friend Reyansh and a group of friends. They were there to celebrate Reyansh's birthday.

Abhimanyu's laughter filled the room, but then a loud noise from the corner drew his attention. His eyes landed on Aditi. For a moment, everything around him faded. The noise of the restaurant became a distant hum, and he could hear a girl's voice in his head—crying, asking for help. His body tensed, a strange current running through him.

"Abhi, are you okay?" Reyansh asked, shaking him out of his trance. Abhimanyu blinked, the momentary daze fading.

Across the room, Aditi and her boyfriend were arguing. The tension escalated, and just as her boyfriend raised his hand to slap her, Ayush Randhawa, one of Reyansh's brothers, intervened. "If you're a man, then respect women. Don't be a disgrace to mankind."

Humiliated, Aditi's boyfriend stormed out of the restaurant. Aditi hesitated for a moment before following him, her face a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Abhimanyu watched her go, his mind clouded with confusion. Reyansh nudged him, "Let it go, man. Let's enjoy the night."

They celebrated until late, and on the way back home, Reyansh drove with Abhimanyu beside him. "What was that back there? Are you using your ashtra powers again?" Reyansh asked, a teasing grin on his face.

Abhimanyu shook his head. "No, man. I don't know what happened. It's like my mind just went blank. I'm all messed up with these glimpses."

Reyansh chuckled. "You need rest, buddy. And remember, you've got exams tomorrow. Go get some sleep."

"Yeah, yeah," Abhimanyu muttered, staring out the window. "Let's meet at the café after school."

The next morning, the school was buzzing with more rumors. Aditi, who was still reeling from the incident at the restaurant, couldn't focus. She didn't understand why she was so upset. Was it because of her boyfriend, or was it seeing Abhimanyu again? She remembered the fierce look in his eyes when he had protected her from the seniors. It had been comforting then, but now it left her with questions she couldn't answer.