Friday morning started with chaos in the group chat. Notifications buzzed endlessly as Arjun scrolled through the messages, trying to make sense of it all. Frustrated, he dialed his closest friend, Rahul.
"Hey, Rahul, what's going on?" Arjun asked.
Rahul groaned on the other end. "Arjun, for the last time—stop calling me in the mornings! Are you even my friend?"
"It's Friday, not the weekend! Anyway, what's this gathering about?"
"Oh, it's the class president's idea," Rahul replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "He's booked an entire venue. Families included. The whole shebang."
"Let me guess," Arjun said, sighing. "Another grand display of his wealth."
"Bingo," Rahul said. "You know how our class is—full of rich kids. And here you are, Mr. Scholarship, breaking the mold."
Arjun hesitated. "I don't know, Rahul. If you're not going, I won't either. I'm not up for being mocked."
"Since when did you start caring about them? Look, you gave me your word. Just come for the food, okay?"
"Fine. When is it?"
"Next Friday. Come on time, Arjun. And don't overthink it."
"Alright, see you then," Arjun said, reluctantly ending the call.
Later that morning, as Arjun strolled to the bus stop, a small commotion near the apartment gate caught his attention. A little girl was crying—loudly. It was Arha, his neighbor's daughter.
"Arha? What's wrong?" Arjun asked, kneeling beside her.
Through heavy sobs, she said, "I… I didn't finish my homework. My teacher will scold me. Everyone's going to laugh at me!"
Arjun smiled gently. "Arha, listen to me. Right now, it feels big, but it's not. Next time, finish your homework early, and no one will have anything to say."
"But I'm too dumb!" she wailed.
"Hey, that's not true. Everyone has talents. You just haven't found yours yet. Even the last person in class can become the best one day. You know what people do then? They praise you."
Her tears slowed. "Really?"
"Really. Don't let what others think stop you. Just focus on being better for yourself."
"But I don't want to go to school…" she muttered.
Arjun chuckled. "Okay, I'll tell you a secret. Finish your homework on the bus. By the time you reach school, it'll be done."
Her eyes brightened. "You're the best, Uncle Arjun!"
He grinned and handed her a Kinder Joy. "Here, for being brave."
"No! Mommy will scold me again."
"Tell her I gave it to you because I can't eat chocolate. Deal?"
Just then, her mother, Meena, walked over. She and her husband owned the apartment complex. "Arjun, you're spoiling her again."
"She's a good kid," Arjun said, picking Arha up and walking her to the bus. "Arha, promise me no more tears. Be good for your mommy."
"Bye, Uncle!" she called out cheerfully as the bus pulled away.
"Arjun," Meena said, crossing her arms. "You should move closer to work instead 1 hr tired journey. You're earning enough to afford a place nearby."
"I'm planning to switch jobs soon. I'll move after that," he replied.
"Let me know before you do, so I can post an ad for your apartment."
"Sure thing. Thanks, Meena."
As Arjun waited for his bus, he thought about what he'd told Arha: Instead of running from problems, find a solution.
He chuckled to himself. "You're out here giving advice to a kid, but you don't even take it yourself, Arjun."
The thought lingered as he climbed onto the bus, a faint smile on his lips. For the first time in weeks, he felt the tiniest flicker of hope.