It was a quiet afternoon. The classroom was almost empty. Sunlight filtered through the dusty windows, casting golden rays on the old wooden desks. Raymansat at the back, silently gazing outside, his eyes following the dry leaves fluttering in the wind. School had ended an hour ago, yet he remained still, lost in the echo of a memory that refused to fade.

His fingers absently tapped the edge of his desk, the sound muffled by the distant chirping of birds. Slowly, his mind drifted back in time…

"It was 2018… I had just joined this school, and everything felt strange. New faces. New rules. A new beginning. But no one really saw me… until he did. His name was fa him."

Rayman had always been the quiet type — observant, thoughtful, and a little too introverted for his age. On his first week, he spent his lunch breaks alone, sitting under a tree, reading or watching others laugh and run. He never expected anyone to approach him. But one afternoon, as he sat alone, unwrapping his lunchbox slowly, a boy walked up to him.

"Hey, do you always eat alone?" the boy asked casually.

Startled, Raymanlooked up to see a tall boy with messy black hair and a confident smile.

"Yeah… I guess," Raymanreplied, a little embarrassed.

"Well, not today. Come sit with me. I hate eating alone too."

Raymanhesitated but followed. They sat under the big banyan tree in the corner of the schoolyard. That moment—simple as it was—marked the beginning of something unforgettable.

Back in the classroom after lunch, Raymanquietly sat in the last row again. Most students were still outside. Just then, Fahimcame in, holding a half-open packet of spicy chips.

"Still sitting here like a statue?" he joked, holding out the chips.

"Try this. It's my favorite."

Raymantook one, surprised by the gesture.

"Why are you giving this to me?"

"Because," Fahimsaid with a grin, "from today, you're on my favorite friend list."

Raymanlaughed a little. It felt strange… but warm.

Fahimthen walked to the whiteboard and scribbled something with a marker:

> “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. — fa him”

"Who’s going to read that?" Raymanasked with a curious smile.

"You will," Fahimreplied, winking. "Next time you sit here all sad and quiet, you’ll read it and smile. Promise!"

Raymandidn’t answer. He just looked at the quote, and for the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel alone.

At that exact moment, as they laughed quietly about something silly, a schoolgirl walked past their classroom door. Her steps were light, almost floating, and her face was hidden by the sunlight. Neither boy noticed her presence.

But fate had its plans — and this unknown girl would soon become part of their story in ways they couldn't imagine.

"I didn’t know it then… but that boy, that moment, and even that quiet girl walking by — they were all part of something bigger. Something that would test the limits of friendship, trust, and sacrifice."

...End the episode.......

......I hope that you will like and support my Nobel. So you see my mistakes you tell me in comment box.......

thank you to read may first novel.....

The next few weeks passed like a gentle breeze. Rayhan and Fahim became inseparable. Wherever one went, the other followed. They sat together in class, shared lunch, and laughed at the dumbest jokes anyone could imagine. It was as if two completely different souls had somehow aligned perfectly in an imperfect world.

Rayman, who was once quiet and kept to himself, now had someone who understood his silence. Fahimnever forced him to talk — instead, he spoke enough for both of them. And in those silly stories and overdramatic expressions, Rayman found comfort.

One afternoon, as the bell rang for lunch, the two boys rushed to the schoolyard. They had their favorite spot under the banyan tree. Rayhan sat down first and opened his lunchbox.

"Oh, biriyani today? Bro, your mom’s cooking should be illegal — it’s too good!" Fahim exclaimed, dramatically sniffing the aroma.

"You say that every time," Rayhan laughed.

"Because it’s true every time!" Fahim replied, already stealing a spoonful before Rayhan could stop him.

...But in the middle of their laughter, Rayhan noticed something. Fahim had a bruise on his arm — purple and slightly swollen....

..."Hey... what happened to your arm?" Rayhan asked, his tone turning serious....

Fahim paused for a moment, looking at the bruise as if he had just remembered it.

"Oh, that? Nothing. Just... slipped on the stairs at home," he said quickly, avoiding eye contact.

Rayhan didn’t believe it, but he didn’t push. Something about the way Fahim avoided the topic made it clear — not all wounds could be shared over lunch.

Later that day, during English class, the teacher announced a group assignment. Everyone groaned, but Fahim leaned in with his usual grin.

"Guess we’re a team again, Mr. Silent Poet."

Rayhan smiled. "Let’s make it the best project in class."

They decided to work on their assignment at Rayhan’s house over the weekend. On Saturday morning, Fahim arrived with an old backpack and a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Rayhan’s mom greeted him warmly, even serving them both snacks before they started.

Hours passed. Their project slowly took shape. Posters, charts, and silly skits filled the room. But in between their laughter, there were moments when Fahim stared out the window — his smile fading.

Rayhan finally asked, "You sure everything’s okay?"

Fahim hesitated. Then forced a smile.

"Yeah, bro. Everything’s fine. I just… I wish some moments could last forever, you know?"

Rayhan didn’t reply. He simply nodded and handed Fahim a marker.

As evening approached and Fahim was about to leave, Rayhan walked him to the gate.

"You know," Rayhan said quietly, "You can tell me anything. I'm not just your partner in a project."

Fahim looked at him for a moment, eyes heavy with something unspoken. Then he smiled — that same playful, careless smile — and walked away.

Rayhan stood there for a while, watching his friend disappear down the road. He didn’t know why, but a strange heaviness settled in his chest.

...Something was wrong. He could feel it....

...But what was it?...

And then… in the distance, that same schoolgirl appeared again, walking by silently, her face still unseen — as if time had paused for her alone.

Rayhan blinked.

She was gone.

But deep inside, he felt it again —

Something was coming...

...It was a Sunday morning. The streets were quiet, the sky painted in soft tones of grey, and a light breeze moved through the leaves like whispers from an unseen past. But inside Rayhan’s heart, there was no peace—only a deep, lingering heaviness....

He sat beside his bedroom window, holding a notebook that looked worn from time and memories. On the inside cover was something scribbled in a childish scrawl:

“Fahim + Rayhan \= Best Bros Forever.”

...A shaky smile appeared on Rayhan’s lips. That page carried more than just ink. It carried laughter, tears, late-night talks, and promises made under open skies. Now, that smile cracked, like glass trembling before a shatter....

...His phone vibrated suddenly, breaking the stillness....

Fahim:

“Come to the school gate at 12. Alone. Please.”

That message felt cold, urgent, distant. Rayhan stared at it for a few seconds before grabbing his hoodie and heading out. His heart thudded hard in his chest, like it already knew something was about to break.

The school gate stood in front of him like a silent witness. Empty on Sundays, but not today. Fahim stood there, his head low, hoodie up, hands clenched into fists.

Rayhan walked closer, voice soft but serious.

“Fahim?”

Fahim didn’t look up. He simply extended a folded piece of paper.

“If I disappear… read this.”

...Rayhan’s breath caught....

...“What the hell are you saying?! What’s going on with you, bro?”...

...Fahim’s voice was tired, broken....

...“No one really hears me, Rayhan. Not my parents, not my teachers… Sometimes I feel like I’m just noise in the background of everyone else’s life.”...

Rayhan grabbed his shoulder.

“But I hear you. Always did. Always will.”

Fahim gave a faint smile, the kind that looks like it hurts more than it heals.

“You know what hurts the most? Pretending everything’s okay when it’s not. At school, I laugh. At home, I stay quiet. But in my head… it’s chaos. And I’m tired.”

They stood in silence. Then Rayhan quietly said,

“You remember that one time in eighth grade when we skipped class to eat noodles by the river?”

Fahim chuckled.

“And I dropped my whole plate into the water…”

“Yeah, and you screamed like someone stole your dreams,” Rayhan laughed, wiping the corner of his eye.

“That was one of the few days I forgot everything,” Fahim murmured.

“The only time I felt… free.”

Rayhan sat on the low wall near the school gate and gestured for Fahim to sit beside him.

“Tell me the truth, bro… Are you planning to leave?”

FAhim didn’t answer immediately. His fingers traced the edge of the paper in his hand. Finally, he spoke.

“I don’t know… Sometimes I think it’d be easier. But then I think of you, and… I stay.”

Rayhan’s voice was firm now, eyes sharp.

“Then don’t go. Stay because I’m here. Stay because our story isn’t over yet.”

Fahim looked away, hiding the tear that rolled down his cheek.

“I wish the world was as kind as you are, Rayhan. But it’s not. People expect things I can’t give. My dad wants me to be someone I’m not. My mom pretends she doesn’t notice. I feel like I’m suffocating in a life I didn’t choose.”

Rayhan placed a hand on Fahim’s shoulder.

“Then screw expectations. Let’s build our own path. You, me, and whatever weird mess we get into next.”

...Just then, a girl passed behind them—quietly, head down, face hidden by long hair and a school bag hanging loosely from one shoulder. Her footsteps echoed briefly, then disappeared. Neither boy noticed much. Their moment was too heavy to break....

...The sky, which had been light grey, began to darken. Clouds drifted in slowly, like thoughts unspoken....

...“The sky looks like us today,” Rayhan whispered....

...“Confused, silent… holding back tears.”...

...Fahim stood up, dusting off his pants....

...“Come with me. There’s a place I want to show you. Haven’t been there in years.”...

...They walked in silence, past streets filled with closed shops and quiet memories. Eventually, they reached an old park—overgrown grass, broken swings, and a rusted slide stood in silence....

...“I used to come here with my mom,” Fahim said quietly....

“Before things changed. She told me once… ‘People will leave, dreams will fade, but a friend who listens—really listens—is rarer than gold.’”

Rayhan looked around the park.

...“Feels like time stopped here,” he said....

Fahim sat on a stone bench, eyes distant.

“I keep wondering… if I vanish, will anyone even notice?”

Rayhan walked over, kneeling in front of him.

“I will. Every damn day. I’ll wake up and feel that empty space beside me. I’ll go to school, laugh fake laughs, and try not to look at your seat. You think I won’t notice? Bro, you’re half of who I am.”

Fahim blinked hard. The tears finally came.

“Why do you even care this much?”

Rayhan smiled softly.

...“Because when I was the invisible kid in class, you were the first to see me. When I failed math and thought I was worthless, you taught me all night before the next exam. You never let go of me. So how can I ever let go of you?”...

THey sat together in silence, just breathing. Just being. No words were needed anymore.

The wind blew softly through the trees, and the sun began its slow descent behind the clouds. The sky turned a deeper shade of grey.

Fahim whispered,

“Maybe I won’t leave yet.”

Rayhan grinned.

“Damn right you won’t.”