The cool breeze brushed Arjun's cheeks as he sat quietly on his bed. The fan above spun lazily, and the window was open to the moonlit world outside. His Diary of Promise lay open beside him, its pages dancing lightly in the wind, a lonely pen resting as if it too had grown tired of waiting.
"No one to listen to me," Arjun whispered into the night. "This dark room… this moonlight… feels like it's healing my wounds."
His eyes shifted toward the clock.
"1:25 AM."
He sighed.
"If I see a shooting star right now, I'll wish for this night to last a bit longer…"
He chuckled softly, then exhaled deeply.
"What a beautiful night… but it would be perfect if someone were here to share it with me. Someone who'd listen, laugh, maybe even cry. But even if someone was here… what would I even say?"
He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling fan as it creaked slowly.
"My conversation skills? Trash. Total garbage. First, I get confused. Then, when I finally understand what someone said, it's already too late. And when it's my turn to speak? Boom! Brain crash. Motherboard failure. Like some cheap processor overheating."
He groaned, tugging at his hair.
"WHY?! Why can't I just express myself like everyone else? My words… they feel so lifeless…"
Just then, his phone blinked twice. A notification.
Chatsapp
He quickly unlocked it.
Dear Player,
Happy Birthday! There's a gift waiting for you. Enjoy your birthday with our best wishes.
– Team PU$G
A soft smile formed on his face.
"Hehe… At least someone remembered… even if it's just a game server."
He gently set the phone aside, lay back down, and closed his eyes. This time, his heart felt just a little lighter. He blinked twice… and on the third blink, sleep quietly wrapped him in its arms.
Unseen and unread, another message sat in his inbox.
7:30 AM – Birthday Morning
Arjun stood in front of the mirror, brushing his hair with unusual care. His school uniform was neatly ironed — something that rarely happened — and for once, he was ready on time.
"Today's different. I won't be late today. It's my birthday."
He smiled at his reflection — a little nervous, a little excited. He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked toward the door.
Just then, a cunning voice called from the kitchen:
"Arjun, go to the grocery store and get these items," his mother said, handing him a list with a mysterious smile.
"Ugh! Mom! I'm already late every day!" Arjun pouted.
"Go, beta. Your dad will give you a lift today," she said casually, flipping a paratha on the tawa.
Muttering under his breath, he took the list. "Whatever… I had to go out anyway."
8:00 AM – At the School Gate
Arjun walked through the school gate, secretly hoping someone would notice. Maybe a loud "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARJUN!" Or even just a high-five. But nothing.
Just the usual chaos. Kids running, some getting scolded already.
He looked around. No one noticed...
Climbing the stairs toward his classroom, he sighed.
"Who's even going to wish me? Hardly anyone even talks to me properly. I feel like I don't even exist in their lists…"
He pushed open the classroom door slowly.
Darkness. Silence.
"What the…"
Suddenly—
"SURPRIIIIISE!!!"
The lights burst on. His entire class stood grinning, cheering, and clapping.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARJUN!!"
Confetti flew through the air. Someone popped a party popper right in his face — POP! — and he almost stumbled backward.
"Whaaa… how do you guys—?!"
"Shut up, birthday boy!" laughed , patting his back. "You've been posting sad statuses on WhatsApp for days. Your updates said it all!"
Divya stepped forward with a small box. "Here! This one's from all of us. Open it!"
Inside was a handmade keychain — a tiny book and pen charm. Beneath it was a note:
To the quietest but most thoughtful guy in class.
Arjun stood speechless.
"Guys… I—I don't even know what to say…"
ellisa grinned, "You don't need to say anything. We love your classic 'Huh?' and 'Ohh… okay' reactions!"
The whole class erupted in laughter.
9:00 AM – English Period
Everyone settled down as Ms. Marry walked in. Their English teacher, known for her sharp sarcasm and strict ways, also had a hidden soft side.
She looked around, then fixed her gaze on Arjun.
"Well, well… seems like someone's getting older today. Happy Birthday, Arjun."
The class cheered again.
Arjun stood up awkwardly. "Thank you, ma'am…"
To his surprise, Ms. Marry smiled.
"Since it's your birthday, how about you read today's passage aloud?"
Arjun's eyes widened. "Me? Ma'am… I—"
"Yes, you. Consider it a gift. From me."
The class chuckled.
He stood up, holding the textbook like it was ticking. He began to read. Halfway through, his voice faltered. The words started to blur.
"Arjun?" Ms. Marry raised an eyebrow.
He took a breath. Steadied himself. And read again.
This time, with more confidence. More strength.
When he finished, the class clapped — not mockingly, but genuinely.
Ms. Marry nodded. "See? You just need to believe in your voice. It matters. Maybe more than you think."
Something shifted inside Arjun.
He whispered to himself:
"Maybe I'm not as useless as I thought. Maybe… I just needed one chance."
1:30 PM – Lunch Break
A cake appeared out of nowhere — brought by Bhavya and the gang. A chocolate one, with "Happy Birthday Arjun" written clumsily in red cream.
"You said you were on a diet, remember?" teased Max.
Arjun fired back, "What, I'm not allowed cake on my birthday now? Want to throw me in jail for it?"
Everyone burst into laughter.
They sang the birthday song — totally off-key, but full of love. Even the canteen uncle clapped from behind his stall.
And for the first time in a long time, Arjun felt something bloom in his chest —
Belonging.
He wasn't invisible. He wasn't alone. People did care. Even if he barely spoke, they noticed.
Evening – Back Home
Arjun walked into the house, cheeks aching from all the smiling.
His mom looked up from the kitchen, amused.
"Looks like people remembered your birthday after all?"
Arjun grinned. "Yeah… Everyone wished me. Even ma'am did. We cut cake too."
She pulled his cheek playfully. "Told you. Everyone remembers. It's you who keeps doubting people."
He sat down, opened his Diary of Promise, and wrote:
Today I learned…
Even if you think no one's listening, someone always is.
I matter.
My words may be broken,
But my heart is not.
Just as he closed the diary, another Chatsapp message popped up.
Message from Disha:
*Hey birthday boy, happy birthday again! And umm… you speak better than you think. Maybe next time, talk more. We'd love to listen :) *
His heart skipped a beat.
He smiled.
And for once…
He wasn't afraid of speaking anymore.
And then he noticed a unseen message from last night and it's was Priyanka's message….also today Priyanka is absent.