FLASHBACK – DAY – SCHOOLYARD
It was a beautiful morning.
Back then, I was just a cheerful, reckless troublemaker—
climbing trees, starting fights… and falling from them too.
I fell.
Right on top of some poor kid.
Vishwa (young)
"Hey! You, kid—what's your name?"
Sohib (young)
"You f***ing idiot—why'd you fall on me?!"
Vishwa
"Fall? Is that your name?
Okay, Fall—next time don't stand below me if you don't wanna get flattened."
I turned and walked off like a boss.
He charged at me and punched me right in the face.
Sohib
"You jackass! What are you—a superhero or something?"
Vishwa
"I am a superhero."
I punched back.
And that's how it started.
We fought.
Every. Single. Day.
For months.
But somehow…
after all those bruises and busted lips—
We became close.
We became friends.
---
BACK TO PRESENT – INT. GROCERY STORE – NIGHT
I laughed softly to myself, remembering that chaos from childhood.
The fighting.
The blood.
The friendship.
The girl (softly)
"Why are you laughing, sir?"
Vishwa (smiling gently)
"I just remembered a friend of mine."
I gently patted her head.
Vishwa
"Go ahead and eat something, kid.
Just don't make too much noise, alright?"
The girl
"Okay."
I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
My hand instinctively pressed against it.
I winced.
The girl (rushing over)
"Sir, are you okay?"
Vishwa
"I've been through worse. This is nothing.
Now pack some food—we'll leave at sunrise.
If we move at night, it's too dangerous."
She paused.
The girl
"You know… my dad always told me good people are everywhere.
Like you."
Vishwa
"I'm not a good person.
Stop making up fairy tales and get some sleep.
You're looking pale."
Suddenly—she vomited.
I rushed to her side and held her gently, patting her back.
Vishwa
"It's alright. I've got you.
Where did that orc hit you?"
The girl (weakly)
"My torso..."
Vishwa
"Shit.
You need a hospital.
But for now…"
I pulled her into my chest and whispered:
Vishwa (softly)
"Sleep here. Rest. You're safe now."
She looked up at me, confused and fragile.
The girl
"Sir… where's my dad?
Why isn't he coming?"
I went silent.
Vishwa
"I'll tell you. But you have to promise me something first."
The girl
"Okay… I promise. Tell me."
Vishwa
"He's gone.
He… he died.
I couldn't save him."
Her face froze.
Her tiny body began to shake.
She cried—loudly.
I covered her mouth gently.
Vishwa (urgent whisper)
"Shhh… not so loud.
The monsters can hear us."
The girl (muffled sob)
"Why did you lie?
Why did you tell me he went to get medicine?"
Vishwa
"Because I knew this would happen.
But listen to me—your dad's final words were clear.
He wanted you to survive."
I pulled her closer, wrapped her in my arms.
Vishwa
"Kid… cry on my chest all you want.
But remember—I'm still here.
I'm with you."
The girl (pounding his chest)
"You liar… you liar… you liar!"
---
That was the first time I cried in front of a child.
Vishwa (whispering to himself)
"Yeah… I'm a liar.
I'm always late.
My friends always joked about it…
If I hadn't been late that day,
we would've caught the train.
They'd still be alive."
The girl (quietly)
"Sir… please don't cry."
Vishwa
"What, you get to cry but I can't?"
She smiled a little through the tears.
The girl
"Okay… let's cry together, uncle.
I'll cry for my dad…
You cry for your friends.
And after that—
let's become each other's family.
We don't have anyone else."
I stared at her—this tiny, brave girl.
Vishwa (softly)
"Has anyone ever told you…
You're too mature for your age?"
She nodded proudly.
The girl
"Yes. My dad used to say that."
Then she cried.
And I cried.
No words.
No pretending to be strong.
Just grief.
Two broken people—crying together.
A child and a stranger—holding on to each other
like a makeshift family,
trying to stay human
in a world that had forgotten how.
---
That night…
was the last time I cried.
At least, that's what I thought.