6 Embracing darkness

6:00 am, The next day.

I abruptly opened my eyes and breathed heavily gasping for breath, I looked around me. I was at my house.

"Phew~, it's still my house" I muttered under my breath as I sighed.

[ Hahaha, You died suffocated by boobs in the dream, What a silly way to die ] Damien mocked me as he laughed, I blushed at his remark.

I was ashamed of myself, So much so that I wanted to bury myself. In the dream, I was sandwiched between a mature version of Arya and Preeti's boobs.

Ignoring Damein who was laughing in my mind. I checked the time and my mom was already in the kitchen. I saw my father sitting on the chair reading the newspaper and drinking his morning tea.

"Good morning Father" I greeted him as I walked towards him.

" Good morning looks like you can wake up just fine without needing your mom's help," my father said as he raised his eyebrow in surprise.

"Ya, I just watched a bad dream that's all," I said to him.

"Then you should have this type of dream daily," My father joked. Wow, my father can make a joke, I was surprised but didn't say anything.

"Then I will get ready," I said as I walked towards the bathroom. After completing my morning rituals and taking a bath. I came out and saw my father wearing shoes and getting ready for the office.

I walked towards him and said.

" Have a good day Father " I said sincerely with a smile.

"You too and your exams are coming less playing and more studying," he said as he left.

As my father left for work, I sat down for breakfast with my mom. She served me a plate of toasted bread with tea and an egg omelette. As I savoured the delicious meal.

I couldn't help but reflect on the strange dream I had last night. The images still lingered in my mind, and I wondered why such thoughts would even occur.

"Is something bothering you, Daemon?" my mom asked, noticing my pensive expression.

I hesitated for a moment before deciding to share my thoughts with her. "Well, I had a really weird dream last night. I don't know why I saw it" I confessed.

"Tell me about it," she asked curiously about my dream.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I changed my story and said.

"It was a scary dream, Mom, where I died of suffocation" I conveyed the general message.

As I spoke, my mom listened attentively, her expression thoughtful. "Dreams can sometimes be mysterious and confusing, but they don't always have a deeper meaning. We watch what we think before sleeping" she said gently.

"But why would I dream of something like that?" I said, feeling a mixture of curiosity and unease.

My mom said reassuringly. "Dreams can be influenced by various factors, like experiences from your daily life, even something you saw on TV or read in a book.."

"You must be thinking about horror films before sleeping that's why and sometimes we dream of what we want," my mom said as I blushed It's true I must be thinking about breasts before sleeping.

I decided to stop thinking about it and got ready for school. After that, my mom dropped me at the bus stop as I boarded the school bus.

Everything went, as usual, we did the morning prayer after which we went to our class as usual.

My classmates were giving me an odd look. Their perspective seems to have changed as they are curious about my hair.

But nobody tried to start a conversation with me as they knew about my fight with Simon. After the teacher arrived everybody grew silent as the class started as usual.

Time went as usual, As lunchtime arrived, I walked toward the playground and sat on the grass. I was sad because nobody tried to talk to me.

" I thought after getting a haircut I will get friends but nobody is talking to me"I muttered in a low voice as I looked at my classmates playing happily.

[ Told you so, They will only care for you if you have power. Look at Simon even though he bullies kids but everybody is his friend while you are sulking here cause you don't have friends to play with] Damien said as my eyes dimmed and I remembered he said the same thing before.

Even though they are not bullying me physically they are just isolating me.

"Sigh, I can't do anything about it even if I wanted to" I sighed as I looked at the sky, After finishing my lunch I walked toward the class after arriving at my seat, I tried to sleep a little.

I woke up just before the class started because of class noises and the class started as usual. After the school bell rang most of the students hurriedly walked out of the class.

But I packed my bag slowly, arriving at the parking lot where the bus stood. I thought about what Damien said about the need for power, is it truly that important? I thought as I boarded the bus.

As I settled into my seat on the bus, Damien's words continued to linger in my mind. A part of me couldn't shake the notion that he might be right—that power was the only way to change my circumstances.

I had already tasted the bitterness of rejection and isolation, and a desire for vengeance started to fester within me.

Arriving at my stop I saw my mom waiting as I walked towards her silently.

"Did something happen at school Daemon? "My mom asked me seeing my pensive face.

I didn't want to disturb her with these things so I lied

"Nothing Mom, just the usual day just maths was a little hard," I said to her as I tried to smile but failed. Mom didn't ask me about it anymore seeing I did not want to talk about it.

Arriving home, the darkness that had taken root inside me deepened a little.

But I didn't continue thinking about it as I started preparing for the final exams. I will try to take the first position this time.

After studying for some time and taking a rest, I ate some snacks after which I again started doing some math problems. I didn't even go to play today.

[ Not like you have many friends anyway ] I heard Damien's sarcastic voice.

" You don't have to rub it in my face," I said in a sad voice.

I only have two friends near home.

[ I don't think they should be called your friends ] Damien said. He is right about that too. One of them was a politician's son and the other one was his real friend. They only call me to play so they can show off their toys.

I continued to study till 7:00 pm, after which I watched tv for a bit and ate dinner today I decided to sleep early.

"hey Damien wake me up early tomorrow, "I asked Damien for his help.

[ I am not your alarm clock kid but because it is good for your health. I will wake you early ]Damien replied.

I drifted off to sleep rather fast. The next day I woke up early and my father was again surprised and happy because of this.

I didn't waste my time and got ready fast. My father went to the office early, and I didn't get the time to greet him today. After eating my breakfast my Mom dropped me at the bus stop.

On the bus, I found myself withdrawing into my thoughts deeper.

The desire for power consumed me, trying to push away any remnants of my former self, but my beliefs held me so.

The whole day went unevenly. Nobody tried to talk to me I even approached some of them. But they just ignored me.

During lunchtime, I found myself sitting alone, watching as my classmates laughed and chatted with each other. The bitterness inside me swelled, and I felt a surge of anger towards those who seemed to have it all—the popularity, the friendships, the sense of belonging that eluded me.

I was tired so I stopped thinking about that I was walking back towards the class but one thing stopped me in the way.

I saw Simon bullying a kid with his two friends. The boy they were bullying was some kid in my class. I don't even know his name even though we were in the same class.

Simon and his friends were taunting the boy, making cruel remarks and pushing him around. The kid looked visibly scared and helpless, his eyes pleading for someone to intervene.

"Hey, leave him alone!" I called out, trying to sound assertive.

Simon turned to face me, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Well, well, if it isn't the loner trying to play the hero. What are you gonna do about it, huh?"

"Just leave him alone. There's no need to bully him." this time I said with coldness in my voice.

"Step aside, Damien," one of his friends sneered. "This doesn't concern you."

"Bullying is wrong, and I won't let you continue to hurt him," I said ignoring his friend.

Simon's face contorted with anger, and for a moment, I thought he would lash out at me. But then, to my surprise, he hesitated and got back.

"Fine, whatever," he muttered, trying to act nonchalant. "Let's go, guys."

"Thank you," The boy whispered. I took a look at him he was nothing special but I thought maybe he can be my friend.

"hey do you want to be my friend," I asked him in a friendly voice. But to my surprise he refused.

" No, thank you, Simon will bully me more if I become your friend," he said I clenched my fists at his words. But I didn't say anything.

[ Look daemon you don't need friends if you want someone to talk to I am here and now do you understand the importance of power ] Damien asked me this time I did not refuse him agreeing with him silently.

The rest of the school went uneventful but today at the bus stop Mom did not come to pick me up. I was confused but I walked towards the house myself.

Arriving at the door, I saw my father's shoes were there. Looks like Father is home today early. I entered the house and saw my mom packing some clothes.

"Mom why are you packaging clothes," I asked confused about the whole ordeal. But Mom gave me the shock of my life.

"Your father got a transfer and we all have to leave in 2 days, but because of your exam you will have to stay at Aunt Meera's house for 2 weeks, "My mom said in a sad voice.

I was shocked not because of the transfer but because I have to stay at Preeti's house. My heart was pounding because I don't know what was in the future to come...