FATE

chapter 7

Durva's pov

The classroom was buzzing with noise, kids shouting and laughing with each other, but I didn’t feel like joining in.

I tried smiling at a few kids, but they just gave me weird looks and turned away.

Maybe I looked funny to them. I touched my collar, hoping my shirt wasn’t wrinkled or something.

“Hey, new kid, why do you look so lost?” A boy snickered at me, his friends laughing along.

I took a deep breath. “I’m just new… I'm still learning things here.”

They rolled their eyes and went back to talking with each other.

I tried to ignore them and focus on my teacher, but even she seemed annoyed when I raised my hand to ask a question.

She barely looked at me, her face tight as if I’d asked her something wrong.

“Can you speak properly?” she said, her voice cold.

I nodded, my cheeks heating up. “Yes, ma’am,” I said quietly, feeling a lump in my throat.

I didn’t understand why they didn’t like me. Was it because I'm indian ?But the feeling in my chest grew heavier with each passing minute.

When the bell rang for lunch, I hoped things would get better, but the cafeteria was even worse.

I sat down alone, looking around to see if anyone would join me.

They didn’t.

Some kids even whispered and pointed at me as they walked by.

I could feel tears stinging my eyes, but I held them back, not wanting to cry in front of everyone.

After a while, I couldn’t take it anymore. I picked up my backpack and ran out of the school, my heart pounding as I ran and ran until I reached a small park nearby.

My legs felt shaky, and I sat down on the swings, gripping the chains tightly.

Finally, the tears started falling, and I buried my face in my hands, feeling completely alone.

“Hey, are you okay?”

I looked up, blinking through the tears. A man was standing in front of me, dressed in dark clothes and wearing a cap, but I recognized his kind eyes instantly.

J-Hope.

I’d seen him on stage and on posters so many times that it felt unreal seeing him here.

I sniffled, quickly wiping my face. “I… I didn’t mean to run away,” I mumbled. “It’s just… school isn’t very nice here.”

J-Hope crouched down to my level, his expression warm and understanding. “It’s alright, kiddo.

Sometimes, things don’t feel good right away. It’s hard being in a new place, isn’t it?”

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me as he listened.

He sighed softly, reaching into his pocket and handing me a tissue.

“You know, I was new here once, too. Didn’t know anybody, didn’t understand anything, and it felt like nobody understood me either.”

I looked at him in surprise. “But you’re J-Hope! Everyone knows you now.”

He chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, maybe now. But back then? Not at all. It takes time. But you’re stronger than you think, okay? And what's your name ?” he asked. " Durva." I answered.