I woke up early in the morning, grabbed a hot cup of coffee, and took a leisurely walk near the back door. It was a beautiful start to the day—the sun was just rising, painting the sky in soft hues. I stood outside the guest house, quietly listening to the sound of the waves, simply soaking in the peaceful moment.

Soon, my roommate woke up and began his usual workout routine. By the time he finished, breakfast was ready. We had a simple yet satisfying meal: a bread sandwich, a cup of milk, and two eggs.

After breakfast, we got ready for the day's fun. My friends had gathered on the beach with their girlfriends for a photo shoot. The atmosphere was lively and full of excitement. We played beach volleyball, went water surfing—it was an unforgettable experience.

I joined the volleyball game, and it turned into a friendly match of girls vs. boys. To everyone's surprise and delight, the girls won! It felt great. For the first time, we also had the chance to try water surfing, and it was absolutely thrilling. We laughed, fell, balanced, and enjoyed every bit of it.

Later, the boys took their turn, and the fun just continued. It was a day full of joy, laughter, and beautiful memories by the beach.

After spending a fun-filled day at the beach, we hopped into a jeep and headed toward the hills above the lake. Our destination was a spot known for skydiving and the thrill of it was absolutely unforgettable. We reached the top and soaked in the breathtaking view before diving into the adventure. It was exciting, wild, and one of those moments that make you feel alive.

Later, we booked a nearby guesthouse to stay for the night. As the evening set in, we gathered in the woods around our campsite. The mood was light and joyful—we strummed guitars, played music, danced freely, and even started a casual game of Dota right there under the stars.

While we were deep into the game, a strange, funny noise echoed from the woods. It startled us for a second—it was scary, but also made us laugh. It became one of those stories you know you’ll tell over and over again. We sipped on juice, shared snacks that some of us had secretly packed, and laughed like kids.

Then came the part where we all decided to cook our own food. It turned out to be an unexpected bonding experience. We shared dishes, talked about what we made, and joked about who was the worst cook. The food tasted better because of the effort and the company.

As we sat around, plates in hand, the conversation slowly turned to our everyday lives. That's when a gentleman from the group casually brought up his past. One by one, others joined in. Another friend followed with her story—personal, raw, and moving. The group slowly began forming a deeper connection, as stories flowed one after another, around the fire, sitting in a close circle.

And then, the circle turned to me.

I hadn’t expected the question to come. I didn’t avoid it intentionally, but I never really imagined sharing that part of my life with anyone—not like this, not now. But suddenly, it was my turn.

The laughter faded. A moment of silence wrapped around us like a blanket.

And then, I began.

.............

My name is Lara. I was born and raised in a small village called Mex. Though it was technically considered a town, Mex was more like a quiet village, where life moved slowly and everyone knew each other. I spent my childhood there, surrounded by simplicity and a strong sense of community.

I completed my schooling in Mex. School life was simple and uneventful. I wasn’t very interested in studies and barely managed to pass my exams. I never really felt a connection with books or academics. It wasn’t that I didn’t try—it was more that I lacked the drive or curiosity that others around me seemed to have. However, I did make some wonderful friends during that time, and they made those school years more memorable.

Tragically, I lost both my parents early in life. Their passing left me lost and emotionally disconnected. They couldn’t be there to guide me, and I was left trying to figure out my path alone. Even during those tough times, I somehow managed to complete my schooling, despite my disinterest and personal struggles.

Later, I got admission into college. Compared to my village, college felt like a city—busy, overwhelming, and exciting all at once. There, I met new friends and experienced life from a broader perspective. However, my attitude toward studies remained the same. I didn’t have the motivation or enthusiasm to fully engage with academic life. I considered myself a weak student, never giving my best, often thinking of giving up, but still going on just because I had to.

During college, I rarely interacted with my friends online or joined any study groups. I avoided reaching out for help or participating actively. Rather than stepping into the workforce after college, I decided to pursue higher education. Perhaps I believed things would change if I gave it one more try.

Unfortunately, my experience during the upper-level courses was no different. I continued to struggle, both academically and mentally. I found it hard to focus and lacked the discipline to sit and study for long hours. Many times, I felt like giving up, but deep down, I knew I needed to finish what I had started. So I pushed myself through the struggle.

It wasn’t an easy journey. There were times I felt completely alone, and other times when the pressure almost broke me. But in the end, I somehow made it. I completed all my courses, even though I was never the top student. What mattered most to me was that I didn’t give up—even when I had every reason to.

This final course marks the end of a long, difficult chapter in my life. My journey may not have been perfect or inspiring in a traditional sense, but it is real. I have learned that resilience doesn’t always come from success—it often comes from surviving, pushing through, and simply not quitting. And that, I believe, is my biggest achievement. I have completed my higher study’s waiting and searching for good job.. i never through this would happen to me….,,

I began searching for a job. Life was quiet and uncertain. One day, my old school friends reconnected and invited me to a party. I hadn’t seen them in years, so I decided to go. It seemed like a fun escape from everything happening in my life.

At the party, I met someone—someone who made my heart skip a beat. Looking back, maybe it was just infatuation, something fleeting I mistook for something deeper. But his friend clearly didn’t like me. Still, I tried to enjoy the program, unaware of what was truly unfolding behind the scenes. I walked into that night clueless—dumb, even—never realizing I was stepping into a trap.

The party ended. Everyone left, laughing and talking as if nothing had happened. I went home, tired but unaware of the storm waiting for me. As soon as I entered, I saw the anxiety on my family’s faces. Their expressions were filled with disappointment and rage. I was completely confused. I had no idea what had gone wrong.

Then the shouting began.

“We gave you everything,” they said. “And this is how you repay us? With betrayal?”

The words cut deep. I stood there frozen, struggling to understand. My relatives started calling, adding fuel to the fire, turning my confusion into chaos. I didn’t even get the chance to explain or defend myself. It all spiraled into drama—and I was thrown out of my house that night.

Lost and heartbroken, I walked aimlessly through the streets. Alone, confused, and crying, I had no idea where to go or what to do. I wandered until I found myself near the edge of a forest road. It was a long, lonely path filled with rocks, water, and silence. I didn’t think—I just kept walking.

That’s when I saw him.

An old man, a stranger, was collapsing beside a vehicle. He looked dizzy and weak. I rushed to help but couldn’t wake him up. I managed to open the door and climb in. I took the steering wheel and slowly turned the vehicle to a safer position. It was risky—one wrong move, and we could have fallen off the track. But I didn’t care. I had to help.

In the struggle, we both got hurt. Bleeding, aching, and scared, I gathered my strength and led us to the nearest hospital. I registered him under my name and paid his fees with what little I had. When he finally regained consciousness, I was sitting beside him—quiet, broken, but present …

When the old man finally opened his eyes, I felt a strange sense of relief. He looked at me—confused and weak—and asked, “What happened?”

I took a deep breath and gently explained, “You were passed out in the car. I tried to wake you up, but I couldn’t. Your body felt cold, and I panicked. I even took your phone to call someone, but it asked for a fingerprint. I couldn’t unlock it—you were unconscious, and your finger wasn’t responding. So I made a quick decision. I found the nearest hospital and brought you here.”

He listened quietly. After a moment, he said, “You did well. But… why were you walking there? That place is not a public road.”

His question hit me. He asked it so calmly and gently, yet it made me freeze. I had no idea how to explain what had just happened in my life. Why was I walking aimlessly in the middle of nowhere? Why was I broken, wandering like a lost soul?

I hesitated at first, but something about his tone made me feel safe. So, I told him everything—about the party, the misunderstanding, my family’s anger, the betrayal I didn’t even understand, and how I ended up getting kicked out of my home. I spoke with a trembling voice, but I told the truth.

He was silent for a while. Then, with a steady look in his eyes, he said something I didn’t expect:

“I’ll give you a chance.”

I looked at him, confused. Then he continued, “The place where you found me—it’s restricted. Only authorized people are allowed there. That’s why I asked why you were walking that way. But after hearing your story, I want to help.”

He told me about a program—a special trainee initiative under the Army. It was like an internship, lasting three months. People could join the program and receive food, water, shelter, and basic training. It was a chance to survive, recover, and find direction. After the three months, it would be up to me to choose my path.

“You can join,” he said kindly. “Just make sure you use this time well.”

I was stunned. After everything I had been through—the shame, the fear, the loneliness—this felt like hope. I accepted the offer without a second thought. I didn’t care how hard it would be. I just wanted a place to stand, a way to start again.

That day didn’t just change the old man’s life. It changed mine too.