Every fiber of my being quivers as the memories of that fateful day surge within, buried deep in the recesses of my heart. They're memories I dare not utter, haunting specters that might forever dwell in the shadows of my existence. How did I find myself ensnared in this torment? What had I done to warrant such suffering? That day marked a turning point, hurling me into darkness and ensnaring me in the clutches of demons that compel me to relive it over and over.

"I tried to put distance between us, even resorting to skipping school as much as I could. My mother sensed my distress, but she didn't pry too much. She asked if everything was alright, but what could I say? I felt guilty for lying, as she'd always understood me, even in silence, much like you do.

I struggled to meet school attendance requirements, weaving elaborate excuses during sleepless nights, dreading each day that brought another encounter with him.

And then arrived the farewell bash for the twelfth-grade students, a day of farewells that swiftly morphed into a wild medley of music and revelry as soon as the teachers exited. The air buzzed with a blend of euphoria and nostalgia, goodbyes masked by boisterous tunes and spirited merrymaking. Amidst the animated throng, I let myself loosen up, a rare occurrence. They coaxed me into singing, and as the melodies wrapped around me, they became a sanctuary. For those fleeting moments, I forgot the ache, transporting myself to an alternate reality where fears evaporated and I could be anyone I wanted. Music emancipated me from dread, and gifted me a semblance of mastery. In that realm, life felt flawless, and concord filled my soul.

Yet, when the music receded, reality crashed back with an unrelenting force. I opened my eyes to find him kneeling before me, a rose in his hand. My world came to a standstill. He... he asked me to be his boyfriend.

Stunned, terror clutched at me, my consciousness dominated by the weight of his intent. My stomach writhed, as if acid was creeping from my belly to my throat. A queasy sensation consumed me, and my head spun, my legs betraying me by turning to jelly. I yearned to push him away, to escape, or even to simply vanish. The collective gaze of those watching bore into my exposed soul, stripping away my defenses.

He repeated his plea, and with a voice that barely quivered, I eked out a shaky "no." He stood there, jaw clenched, eyes glistening with an unsettling intensity. Panic swelled within me, and I instinctively took a step back. His gaze bore into me, and then, to my astonishment, he turned and walked away without a word. Overwhelmed, I dashed into the nearest bathroom, desperately seeking refuge. My body convulsed, and I retched, as if acid was surging up my throat. Every muscle tensed, my limbs feeling as heavy as lead. My entire being revolted against me. I attempted to steady my breath, but every inhalation felt like a battle, as though my heart was intent on breaking free from my chest.

Eventually, my legs gave way, and I crumbled to the floor, leaning against the cold tiles. My trembling legs splayed, a testament to the anxiety that had held me captive for the past two years, ever since he had revealed the horrors his father inflicted.

The bathroom door swung open, shattering the quiet cocoon that enveloped the confined space. Footsteps reverberated, growing louder and more distinct by the second." My muscles seizes, heart hammering within my ribs, a sense of impending doom tightening its grip. The memories surges, threatening to consume me once more. I struggle to inhale, my voice a mere whisper as I gasp for air.

Sensing my shaken breaths, Raj draws near, his touch a tender balm as his hands trace calming circles on my back. His caress sends tremors through my soul, a soothing reassurance that transcends mere words. Soft kisses land atop my head, his breath a warm embrace against my skin, a gentle touch that dissolves the grip of tension ensnaring me.

Silence envelops us, a refuge found within the contours of each other's presence. Slowly, my breathing finds its rhythm, and I reach out, my trembling fingers seeking Raj's hand, desperate for an anchor. His hand nestles in mine, a quiet vow that I'm not traversing this vulnerable precipice alone.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I begin to recount the horrors, my voice faltering with each utterance. "They were hunting me down, and I couldn't muster the strength to close that bathroom door. It was the same gang Vikram had warned me about-those who mocked me for my perceived 'feminine' traits, my gait, or perhaps just for the sake of having someone to belittle. There were five of them, brimming with malice, while I lay there on the bathroom tiles, vulnerable and ailing."

My throat constricts, words catching in my throat, and I shake my head in response to their query about Vikram's whereabouts. I wish to defy their accusations, to vehemently deny their venomous claims, but my voice cowers beneath the shadow of fear, rendering me mute. And then, a sneer drips with disgust, a voice dripping with derision declares, "This queer is his boyfriend. I caught them in the act right here." Their gaze bores into me, rife with disdain, as though I'm a pitiable creature deserving only scorn. In that agonizing moment, I yearn to evaporate, to be consumed by the acidic pain gnawing at my core.

Tears stream down my cheeks, my voice reduced to hiccups and sobs. A sniffle echoes beside me, Raj's presence a lifeline in the tempest of emotions. His hand continues its tender strokes through my hair, an unwavering anchor, while his other hand clings to mine, as if he fears I'll slip away should he release me. I seek refuge in his embrace, my face nestled in the curve of his chest, finding solace in his resolute support.

Summoning a surge of courage, I choke out the unspeakable truth. "They punched, kicked... treating me like some worthless rag. Their blows etch onto me that my existence means nothing, that I've never been their friend." The words tear free, raw and agonizing, each syllable a jagged fragment of my shattered self. I recount the ultimate degradation, my hands gripping Raj's collar, knuckles white from the force. Raj's hands tense, his grip on me intensifying, as if he could absorb the harrowing reality through touch alone.

In a rush, I expel the last remnants of my torment, the words spilling out in one anguished exhale. "They humiliate me, douse me in their filth, and then shove my face into the toilet bowl." The weight of those words hangs heavy in the air, bearing witness to the depths of cruelty I've been subjected to. Raj's sobs reverberate through his frame, his hold on me unyielding, as if he fears I'll fade away should he release his grip.

We remain locked in each other's embrace, tears mingling as we seek solace in our shared vulnerability. Eventually, as the storm of emotions subsides, I muster the strength to recount the rest of my painful past to Raj. Sniffling, I begin to summarize the events that unfolded after the bathroom incident.

"After what felt like an eternity, I managed to message my mom to send the car. Crawling out of the bathroom, I found myself in an empty space. The party had ended, and most of the students had already left. I stumbled my way to the car, desperate to escape that nightmare. It was a Saturday night, and my dad wasn't home. When I opened the front door, I saw my mom sitting on the couch, engrossed in a book."

Without hesitating, I ran toward her, disregarding the fact that I was covered in urine, toilet water, and perhaps even blood. I buried my face in her shoulder, seeking the comfort and protection I so desperately needed. To my relief, she didn't resist or question me. She simply allowed me to cry, understanding the depth of my pain without a single word.

That night, I was gripped by fear. Fear of Vikram, fear of the rumors, the whispers, and the judgment on social media. I yearned for my mother's protective embrace, just as she had shielded me from my father's scoldings, mean-spirited classmates, and even the smallest of fears like cockroaches.

Even when I struggled to speak as a toddler, she always understood me. And on that night, without uttering a word, she understood everything. She hugged me back, her hand gently rubbing circles on my back, and in that moment, I couldn't contain my tears.

It was a night of release, a night where it was okay to show my fears, to let them flow freely from my eyes. I lost track of time as we clung to each other, my mother enveloping me in her protective embrace. Perhaps she had been silently observing my deteriorating state for days, which is why she asked if everything was alright.

"But that night, she didn't need to ask. Instead, she posed a single question, her voice filled with tenderness and care. 'Do you want to change schools?' I nodded, and in her eyes, shimmering with the same love that resides in my own ocean-blue eyes, I saw her unwavering commitment to my well-being. She cupped my face, planting a kiss on my forehead, assuring me, 'As long as I'm here, you don't need to be afraid of anything. I'll protect you from everything.'"

Raj listens attentively, his tears flowing, occasionally brushing my forehead with tender kisses. In his arms, I feel the same sense of comfort, the same protection that I had experienced with my mother. I don't know if he even has an idea of how much his presence means to me, but I know it... I know he means the world to me.

"After that, my days are filled with silence, and my nights are haunted by nightmares. I become terrified of closing my eyes, knowing that once I do, those faces will appear, and I will find myself back in that restroom, surrounded by them. The punches and kicks will rain down on me, and I will be covered in urine like a discarded, filthy garbage bag."

I pause, my voice trembling, as I share the depth of my suffering. "I wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, only to find my mom sobbing in the corner of the bed, soothing me back to sleep."

We both sit there, embracing each other, tears streaming down our faces. Eventually, our cries subside, and I gather myself to share the final chapter of my past with Raj. I lift my face, meeting his gaze, and begin to speak.

"Months passed, and I gradually started feeling like myself again. That's when I decided to join this school," I pause, my hand moving to his face, delicately wiping away his tears.

"Here, I met one of the most incredible people I've ever known," I continue, my voice filled with emotion. I hold his face in my hands, our eyes locked together. Slowly, he leans in, and I close my eyes, savoring the tender touch of his lips against my forehead. He kisses each of my eyes, and I'm overwhelmed with a profound sense of being cherished. Tears of happiness escape from my eyes, silently expressing the depth of my gratitude.

With our foreheads pressed together, he whispers, his voice quivering, "I wish I could go back in time and shield you from everything. I feel so helpless, so useless right now, Dev." A sob escapes him, his body shivering with the weight of his emotions.

"You're here with me, and that's more than enough," I assure him, my words filled with conviction. "Since meeting you, everything has changed. Your presence makes me feel protected and fearless. I no longer dread the judgment of others when you hold my hand, and I don't fear performing in front of crowds when you're by my side. My past no longer holds power over me because you are my present."

As I speak, the words flow effortlessly, resonating with my deepest truth. And in response, I witness the radiant smile of my sunshine, the most beautiful and contagious smile in the world. I yearn to reach out and taste the softness of his lips, but a flicker of anxiety holds me back, reminding me of my hesitations.

"You deserve the world, Dev," he affirms, sealing his words with another tender kiss on my forehead. It's a kiss that surpasses any other, carrying immeasurable meaning and emotion.

"And you deserve everything you wish for," I whisper, my thumb caressing his face, conveying my unwavering belief in his worth.

Raj interrupts the moment by asking, "Are you hungry?" I shake my head, realizing that my parents must be waiting for me. I pull out my phone and gasp in surprise. It's past midnight-we've spent over two hours in the car.

Understanding my unspoken thoughts, Raj nods and opens the car door, never loosening his grip on my arm. He handles me delicately, as if I were fragile. Little does he know that I'm already in pieces, broken by my past. It's him, with his gentleness and care, who is slowly piecing me back together.

Hand in hand, we step out of the parking area, Raj's arm draped over my shoulders in a sideways hug. As we walk, I feel the warmth of his presence, and I know deep in my heart that I'm no longer alone.

But amidst the quietude, my gaze catches Aman's figure near the auditorium gate. There he stands, clutching my umbrella in his hands. As his gaze locks onto our entwined hands, a slight tinge of uneasiness flickers in his eyes. His gaze wanders between Raj and me.

Finally, Aman's soft voice breaks the awkward silence, carrying his genuine concern. "Are you okay?" His words are laden with empathy. I nod.

He surrenders the umbrella, his eyes linger on our intertwined hands. A trace of something unspoken glimmers beneath his gaze, and as his eyes meet mine again, he looks a bit uneasy. But before I can ask anything, he fades into the night.