The path of life leads people toward various directions because fate establishes its own complex plans always. I discovered this truth from my own story.

The bright afternoon emerged while I rushed from home to school allowing the disorganized space in my bedroom to stay messy and unfinished. My practicals was scheduled on that day, so I focused on not being too late. The world appeared completely normal until I noticed that it wasn’t, the overall surroundings had changed.
My staff called 'Riya, bring your paper', while i took steps towards her table, Hema let out a sudden sharp gasp as her fingers got burned by acid. The sudden wince of her pain and trembling fingers created complete panic throughout the laboratory. An overload of panic drove me, I immediately took Hema to the hospital.


The hospital scents released a mix of antiseptic chemicals and a mysterious odor which evoked apprehension in me. She used her tight grip on my hand to press her nails deeply into my flesh.

And it was when i saw him. Arnav. My voice slipped out to provide reassurance yet I remained unsure whether I needed consolation or her.


And suddenly, the air became trapped in my chest. Suddenly I spotted him standing there, my former best friend and the person with whom I shared my love, for the very first time.

Arnav stood before me in his white coat, his neck carried a stethoscope and as usual he was wearing a branded watch which cost about 16k that was once gifted by his father. He laughed alongside his co-worker without any clue that I existed nearby. The genuine laugh appeared in my eyes for the first time after six lengthy years. The genuine laughter sounded out like he carried no burdens.

We encountered each other for the first time in our coaching class where both our unexpected fortunes assigned us to the same learning group. The initial conversation I had with him was simple enough that he just asked for an extra pen. After meeting for the first time everything between us just fell in place. The quality that allowed him to make everyone relaxed around him was visible in the relationship he built with me.
We used to sit side by side every day throughout our NEET preparation period. We exchanged notes and played quiet jokes throughout the lessons and raced to complete our physics numericals first. He gently touched my arm anytime I appeared ready to quit and told me 'Riya, Your strength drives you forward because I trust that you have the power to succeed.’ And i love whenever he says this. Even at sometimes, i intentionally get upset around him, just to get a warm consolation.

The night stands out because we felt completely drained from our continuous studying activities. I agreed to his suggestion of taking a break at 1 AM because I also needed rest from all the studying we had done. We spent multiple hours in creating our own dialogues about our dreams while exchanging plans to establish a clinic co-owned in the future and his intended career path as a cardiologist and my research trajectory into discovering new medical treatments. Our bond felt invincible since we believed anything could not pull us apart but genuine reality transcends thoughts.

My friendship with him transcended beyond companionship because he was my person, and i thought i was also his. But I was not his.

The basic relationship between us exceeded as classmates because then we became partners who both worked toward shared dreams.

He knew I struggled financially. One truth he always understood about my financial situation was my inability to obtain extra tuition like he managed to pay for it. Doctorhood represents a different goal for him than what I strive to achieve. Despite the difference between his dreams and mine, he never treated me in any way that diminished who I am. When I became too tired he chose to break jokes which made me smile. The feeling of worthlessness disappeared when I received a comforting embrace from him who assured his constant presence in my life.

The sight of him exposed me to the perspective of those who view the sunset. A complete transformation occurred the day after. I will never forget the very instant I declared my love to him. Following one of our mock tests I decided to express myself. The setting sky displayed deep mixtures of red and orange colors while I held my water bottle with hands barely under my control.
I said his name in a quiet volume which I barely managed to, and said ‘I have something important to say’.
His face showed no sign of change as he turned his head. He immediately replied ‘Riya, this is not our study time, let me have some rest bro.’ Without any awareness of my actions I said 'no it's not about that well, but' before realizing which words had just escaped through my lips., ,
I took one deep breath and then said ‘I think...' I am in love with you.’
Ever so briefly the atmosphere grew mute. A silent vacuum extended way too long until my heart began tumbling before the words could register.
He sighed. ‘Riya… The way I see you is as is my best friend but you might be drawn to me since you may feel some attraction towards me, but this is not what we meant to be, so hope you get better.’
The words he said did actually caused pain, but I acted as if my heart remained intact in the face of his words.
The incident became a permanent secret between us. I never asked him why. My fear probably stemmed from a dread of uncovering the truth. Or maybe I knew it already.


My parents constantly tried to support us but money remained a constant source of financial hardship. The expenses needed for my education became difficult for my family to manage. His didn’t. Each rupee mattered as I needed to establish its purpose. My extra-curricular learning involved watching YouTube lectures for free but Arnav spent his money on well-funded NEET tutorial programs. He revealed to me about his weekend activities during book-buying time from his dad and expensive test preparation programs he had joined. With my hidden resentment I only accepted his words. I planned my dreams with great hesitation because they required expenses I did not have. The process of deciding my food order required me to check my wallet where his selection depended solely on his own desires, he didn't worry about money in his wallet.

My unsatisfactory NEET results forced me to choose an alternative educational direction. But him, the person who scored below me managed to progress automatically toward our mutual dream. The experience revealed that intelligence represents only one part of success but real power stems from privilege.
I broke apart from my dream- the dream for every middle class science student.

When I exited that hospital building, my day went down because I carried a heavy weight of the memories created by him. I opened his social media account right after that evening began. Without thinking I opened my digital typing interface. I greeted him with "hi arnav, this is riya! How’s life?’

Seconds passed. Then minutes. I set my phone down and spoke to myself about not being interested in his response. But then, the screen lit up. A reply. "Oh, yeah! I am good.”

No warmth. No regret. Just a simple acknowledgment.

When I read his brief yet unemotional text my inner feeling changed.

I held all the burden of our vanished friendship for many years. I experienced the combined emotions of remorse and unfulfilling yearning and unjustifiable sense of victimhood. A sudden epiphany occurred because of that instant moment. I had built my own path. I had survived without him. I transformed into somebody who showed mastery and ability.

A silent grin appeared as never before since those days passed.
During that instant, I realized that he was my friend once, while I was my own friend since from then.