The teacher stood at the door with a faint smile on his face.
"Won't you let me in, Ravin?"
Ravin didn't move.
His body felt stiff, as if something inside him had suddenly stopped working.
The same man who told him
"you're strong" was now standing at his door… at night.
A strange feeling crept into his chest.
Something wasn't right.
Something was breaking… quietly, deep inside him.
"Ravin! Who's outside?" his mother's voice came from inside.
She walked towards the door, slightly annoyed.
"At this hour… who could it be?"
The teacher lifted his head.
And then he saw her.
For a moment, he forgot what he was about to say.
His eyes lingered a little longer than they should have.
There was a sudden stillness in his expression, like he was trying to understand something he wasn't prepared for.
"Ah… I-I'm Ravin's teacher," he said, trying to compose himself.
"Nice to meet you."
"Oh… so you're his teacher,"
she replied casually, leaning slightly against the door.
"What do you want?"
There was no warmth in her voice.
No respect.
Just a simple question.
Ravin stood there, silent.
Watching.
Understanding.
Every second felt heavier than the last.
He wanted to disappear… but his feet refused to move.
"Ah… well,"
the teacher hesitated for a moment, then reached into his pocket and took out a
small square shaped packet.
"I heard… you take clients."
Ravin's breath stopped.
His chest tightened as if someone had grabbed his heart and refused to let go.
Even though he had heard worse before… this felt different.
His mother didn't look surprised.
"Three hundred," she said calmly.
The teacher's expression stiffened.
"That's… quite high," he muttered, glancing away for a second.
"Maybe… since I'm his teacher—"
Before he could finish, she began to close the door.
"Wait— alright," he said quickly.
"I'll pay."
She stopped.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Then she stepped aside.
"Come in."
The door opened wider.
Ravin stood there, frozen.
He had seen this before.
Many times.
But tonight felt different.
This time… it was someone he would see again tomorrow.
In the same classroom.
As if nothing had happened.
Ravin walked into his room and quietly shut the door.
He didn't turn on the light.
The darkness felt more comfortable.
It hid his face… his thoughts… everything he didn't want to see.
Slowly, he lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His eyes didn't move.
They just stayed there, empty.
"Why… is everyone the same?"
His voice was barely a whisper.
"No one to trust… no one…"
His throat tightened as if something was stuck inside.
He swallowed, but the feeling didn't go away.
Outside his room, faint sounds began to echo.
Muffled.
Unclear.
But familiar.
His breathing grew heavier.
His fingers clenched the bedsheet.
"What does it feel like… to have a mother who cares?"
The question hung in the silence.
No answer came.
The sounds grew louder.
Each second felt longer than the last, stretching endlessly.
Ravin shut his eyes tightly.
"Please… stop…"
His voice trembled.
"When will this end…?"
A tear slipped down the side of his face.
"Why… are you like this, mom…?"
Ravin wiped his tears with his sleeve.
His hands were still trembling.
For a few seconds, he just stood there… staring at the door of his room.
Then something inside him snapped.
"Either today… or never!."
His voice was low, but firm.
There was no hesitation left now.
He clenched his fists.
"I can't live like this anymore…"
His chest felt heavy, but his feet began to move.
Step by step, he walked through the silent house.
Each step felt louder than the last.
The closer he got, the harder his heart pounded.
His breathing became uneven, but he didn't stop.
Not this time.
He stopped in front of his mother's door.
For a moment… he hesitated.
His hand hovered in the air.
Then—
He pushed it open.
The room fell silent.
"Ravin—! What are you doing here?"
The teacher's voice came sharply.
"Get out!"
Ravin didn't move.
His eyes went straight to his mother.
She looked shocked.
For the first time… truly shocked.