Courage in Shadows

I was in the beginning of the college years and it was a bigger step than what I had imagined. It was a step into grownup years. Now, I could enjoy a bit more freedom and find more space to define who I truly am.



My school was near my home, in the same area, so my neighbourhood friends and school friends were almost the same. Two of them were also in the same college as me.



On a Monday evening, I stood with my friends in a park engaged in a conversation with a park full of random people about our age since most adults were out into their office lives. I suddenly sensed a certain tension arriving in the atmosphere.



I observed some of the people staring in a direction and conversation of the most started to become focused around it. I turned to see and of course, it was the infamous bully of the society, with that muscular body, scarred face and an irritating expression on the face as if he had a never-ending headache.



The bully walked along the boundary wall of the park, and turned at the entrance. He was older than us by three years at least however his younger brother who was even worse was around our age. The bully was particularly in a foul mood that day as it could be seen. He stepped into the park and screamed “Where is Advay?”



Everyone looked at each other except my friends and me because I am Advay. I don’t know what people were so scared off, they should learn to face their fears like I did, I stood up and walked over to face the bully.



“I am Advay,” I said in a straight serious tone which even surprised the bully and would have definitely thrown a good light over me in the eyes of some present there.



The bully regained his composure after the momentary surprise and spoke, “my little brother, you pushed him down”



I did push him down, he was right, but I did not think he had seen me do it. You see, a few days prior as I was returning home with a packet of bread and the bully’s younger brother while cycling by, slapped me on my head from behind which made me lose my balance and fall down. A few light bruises were all that I suffered, but the real pain was caused inside.



The very next day I found him busy locking his bicycle and in a sudden burst of anger I went ahead and pushed him and quickly made my way out of there. But I guess I am not as good at stealth as those characters in the games whom I play with.



“He pushed me first,” I couldn’t believe I said this, I thought I had grown out of all this when I stepped into college life



“Then you know what is coming next..” said the bully as he raised his hand to swing a punch



But, I was prepared, I dodged his punch and placed one of mine successfully instead and the bully sat down groaning in pain and I stood like one of the heroes, with the clouds in the sky extending the colours of the setting Sun. But things don’t go that way in reality now do they.



I woke up feeling the water over my face and the burning pain on my face.



“Are you all right?” asked one of my friends and some others around had also gathered to see me



The bully wasn’t a muscular one with scars but just a fat guy with a bad attitude and I was no hero with lot of courage, just a simple guy as afraid and unwilling as most of any form of violence. My voice shook as I faced the bully and I couldn’t even raise my arms fast enough to protect my face from the incoming punch. The fear got me, and it surely has a strong influence outside the television screens.

Written by Anuran Chatterji

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