Ayesha was the kind of girl everyone admired—bright, hardworking, and always ready to lend a helping hand. She was known for her top grades and gentle nature, often forgiving others even when they didn’t deserve it. Among her circle of friends was Zara, who outwardly seemed supportive but secretly harbored jealousy over Ayesha's academic success.
One day, Zara approached Ayesha with a seemingly thoughtful gesture. “I found these beautiful colored contact lenses that would look amazing on you,” she said, handing over a sleek little box. “You’re always so plain with your glasses and look so boring. These will highlight your eyes perfectly.” Ayesha hesitated but accepted them as they were her birthday gift from her friend and brushed away any doubts. Zara was her friend—why would she have any ill intentions?
Excited to try something new, Ayesha wore the lenses the very next day. Her eyes gleamed with their new color, and she felt a surge of confidence. However, by evening, she started experiencing discomfort. Her eyes were itchy and red, but she chalked it up to being new to contact lenses.
Over the next few days, the irritation worsened. Her eyes became painfully swollen, and her vision blurred. Alarmed, she visited an eye specialist, who diagnosed her with a severe eye infection caused by poorly manufactured lenses. “Where did you get these?” the doctor asked, visibly concerned. Ayesha hesitated, not wanting to implicate Zara.
But as the infection worsened, Ayesha’s parents stepped in, determined to find out the truth. They discovered that the lenses Zara had gifted were not only substandard but had expired. Confronting Zara, they learned the shocking truth: Zara had intentionally given Ayesha the faulty lenses out of jealousy. She wanted to see Ayesha suffer, frustrated by her inability to match Ayesha’s academic achievements."I-I was just a little jealous, you know I am your only friend,you will forgive me this time too?? You have to because I know you are very kind aren't you??"
Heartbroken, Ayesha grappled with the betrayal. Her leniency and trust had blinded her to Zara’s envy. She had ignored the subtle signs—sarcastic comments about her success, moments of coldness, and Zara’s frequent attempts to undermine her confidence."Yeah, I am kind but also to myself. Did you think I will forgive you even after you did this to me?? Don't call me friend again and be prepared to face the consequences"
Ayesha eventually recovered, though the infection left her eyes more sensitive than before. The experience taught her a hard but invaluable lesson: kindness and forgiveness are virtues, but they should not come at the expense of one’s well-being. She learned to set boundaries, recognizing that not everyone who smiles at you has your best interests at heart.
From that day on, Ayesha vowed to be more discerning about the people she allowed into her life. Her grades and spirit remained as strong as ever, but she carried a newfound wisdom—one that ensured her kindness would never again be mistaken for weakness.
