Battle of Hearts: Two

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

It was 31st December 2015. The last day of the year and I found myself recalling the rollercoaster ride this year had been.

I was in my dark and lonely room at 11 p.m on New Year's Eve. I felt isolated and forgotten. My family was fast asleep in their rooms. They didn't attend any New Year's Eve party. Maybe that's why I was used to being on my own on the last night of the year.

I used to watch those colorful fireworks go off at midnight. They brought a little happiness in the loneliness of the night.

This year I thought it'd be a different. I was hoping I would watch the new year come by with Cameron beside me. But he was out of town with his family. It shattered my hopes of finally not being lonely on New Year's Eve.

It was around 11:30, when I decided to sneak up on the roof of my house and stop the self-loathing session. I silently went downstairs and into the backyard.

I placed the ladder on the side of the house and carefully climbed up. After I settled down on the bitter cold roof of my house, I took a sigh of relief. The deep, starry night was better than the colorless ceiling of my room.

I looked up and gazed at the millions of stars that sprawled on the night sky. It was like a beautiful painting no human could ever recreate. The more I watched it, the more lighter I felt. This universe was a vast space and I was a small part of it. It made me realize that sometimes our problems are actually not that significant as we think.

Nature has a way of reminding us to be hopeful. When I looked up at the tiny and sparkling dots on the sky, I was hopeful that some day everything will be alright. I was believing in a better and brighter future.

With a new energy running in my veins, I was brought back to thinking about the year that had passed. I was definitely not the same person I was, on the first day of the year. I didn't know if I had changed for better or worse but I was sure I had grown.

I learnt to put others feelings before me, to be tolerant, to be hurt and to accept my mistakes. Most importantly, I learnt to love another person. I learnt it wasn't always easy to make sacrifices but it was worth it. I learnt what it was like to make someone happy.

I had great friends in high school and college and I was grateful for them. My family too had become more understanding and caring.

When I looked back into the year, I was surprised by how much I had gone through. And proud that I survived it without breaking down.

As I was smiling on my own, my phone buzzed in my pajama pocket. It was text from Cameron.

Happy New Year! I hope this year would be great for us. I love you always.

The next thing I heard was the crackle of fireworks and the whole sky was filled with sparkling streams of colors. I was in awe at the beautiful splashes of color on the black canvas of the night.

I wished him a Happy New Year and received another text from him saying that his phone was dying. Finally I texted him good night and went back to watching the stars.

His message along with a bunch of my other friends were fine but I truly wished he was beside me holding my hand as we saw the fireworks. The sudden emptiness in my chest made my eyes well up. I quickly rubbed it away, scolding myself. I didn't want to start this year with tears.

The sky full of stars accompanied me into the year and I didn't feel alone anymore. It was like they had become my sole source of comfort when I had been down. So, I decided to welcome the new year with a smile.