{"id":97,"date":"2026-03-29T08:28:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T08:28:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/echoreaders.com\/?p=97"},"modified":"2026-04-09T18:37:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:37:34","slug":"the-light-in-my-dark-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/echoreaders.com\/?p=97","title":{"rendered":"The Light in My Dark Days"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Chapter 1- A New Beginning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The morning air was cool, carrying a quiet stillness that felt unfamiliar to Joe. Yet Joe\u2019s palms were slightly sweaty as he stood at the entrance of the college building.
Today was his first day.
Students walked past him in groups, laughing and chatting as if they had known each other. Joe lowered his gaze, quietly gripping the strap of his bag. Crowds had never been comfortable for him. Ever since his parents passed away, something inside him had changed. He had become quieter\u2026 more distant.
After the tragedy, he had moved to another city to live with his uncle, aunt, and their Son, Jinni. It wasn\u2019t the same as before, but he tried his best to adjust.
Beside him, his uncle and aunt were talking to the college principal inside the office.
\u201cJoe is an excellent student,\u201d his uncle said proudly. \u201cHe received many trophies and scholarships in his previous school.\u201d
The principal nodded with a gentle smile. \u201cThat\u2019s impressive. We\u2019re happy to have him here.\u201d
Joe sat silently in the chair, listening but not saying much.
After the paperwork and formalities were completed, a teacher guided Joe toward his classroom.
\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d she said kindly. \u201cYou\u2019ll do just fine here.\u201d
Joe nodded.
When they entered the classroom, dozens of curious eyes immediately turned toward him.
\u201cGood morning, Miss!\u201d the students greeted.
\u201cGood morning, everyone,\u201d the teacher replied. Then she gestured toward Joe. \u201cToday, we have a new student joining us. This is Joe. Please make him feel welcome.\u201d
The class echoed together.
\u201cHello, Joe!\u201d
Joe raised his hand slightly and gave a shy wave.
\u201cHello\u2026\u201d
The teacher scanned the room. \u201cNow, who would like Joe to sit with them?\u201d
For a moment, the class was quiet.
Then a boy near the window casually raised his hand.
\u201cMa\u2019am, he can sit with me. I sit alone anyway.\u201d
The teacher nodded. \u201cAlright, Sunny. Joe, you can sit there.\u201d
Joe walked slowly toward the seat.
The boy smiled warmly and extended his hand.
\u201cHi. I\u2019m Sunny.\u201d
Joe hesitated for a second before shaking it.
\u201cJoe.\u201d
Sunny seemed friendly and relaxed, the kind of person who made conversations feel easy.
\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Sunny said with a light chuckle. \u201cOur class isn\u2019t as scary as it looks.\u201d
Joe gave a small smile for the first time that morning.
The class soon began, and the teacher started explaining the lesson. For the next hour, everything felt normal.
But somewhere else on campus, another story was unfolding.
On the football field, a tall boy kicked the ball across the ground with confident energy. His teammates cheered as he scored effortlessly.
Surya.
Most people called him \u201cYa.\u201d
Unlike Joe, Surya was the type of person everyone noticed the moment he entered a room. Confident, charismatic, and always surrounded by friends, he had a natural charm that made people gravitate toward him.
After practice ended, Surya wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed with his teammates.
Among them was his best friend, Ray.
The two had known each other for years.
Ray was loud, carefree, and always ready for some kind of mischief.
Back in the classroom building, the bell rang, signaling the end of the first class.
Students began chatting loudly again.
Just then, the classroom door burst open.
\u201cSunny!\u201d
A voice shouted from outside.
Sunny sighed immediately, because he recognised this voice very well.
\u201cWhat now\u2026\u201d he muttered.
A boy walked in dramatically, grinning as if the classroom belonged to him.
It was Ray.
\u201cWhy are you yelling?\u201d Sunny asked lazily.
Ray placed an arm around Sunny\u2019s shoulder. \u201cBecause you\u2019re my best friend. Obviously.\u201d
Sunny rolled his eyes but couldn\u2019t help smiling a little.
Ray often acted overly friendly, especially when he needed money or favors. Sunny knew this very well.
After all, they were roommates.
But there was something Ray didn\u2019t know.
Ray\u2019s attention suddenly shifted to the unfamiliar face sitting beside Sunny.
\u201cWait\u2026 who\u2019s this?\u201d
Sunny gestured toward him.
\u201cThis is Joe. He joined today.\u201d
Ray looked Joe up and down for a second before grinning.
\u201cOh, new guy.\u201d
Joe nodded politely.
\u201cHi.\u201d
Ray shrugged casually. \u201cWelcome to the chaos.\u201d
Sunny sighed again. \u201cIgnore him.\u201d
Joe couldn\u2019t help but smile faintly. After such a long time, Joe smiled.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chapter 2- The Royal Club Night<\/strong><\/p>\n

Evening slowly covered the city as the college campus became quieter.<\/p>\n

Classes were over, and most students were already heading home. But for Sunny, the day wasn\u2019t finished yet.<\/p>\n

He packed his books into his bag and stood up.<\/p>\n

Joe was still sitting beside him, carefully writing something in his notebook.<\/p>\n

Sunny glanced at him and said, I\u2019m going to my piano practice. Do you want me to drop you home on the way?<\/p>\n

Joe looked up. For a moment, he hesitated. He wasn\u2019t used to accepting help so easily.<\/p>\n

But then he said softly, If you don\u2019t mind\u2026 can I come with you to your piano class? Sunny blinked in surprise, then smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Why not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded slightly. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, both of them were sitting inside Sunny\u2019s car, driving through the evening traffic.<\/p>\n

Joe quietly watched the city lights through the window. Everything still felt new to him.\u00a0Meanwhile, on the other side of the city\u2026\u00a0Music blasted loudly inside The Royal Club.<\/p>\n

The place was full of flashing lights, laughter, and the smell of alcohol.<\/p>\n

Ray sat at a table with several friends, raising his glass in the air.\u00a0To tonight! he shouted.\u00a0Everyone cheered.<\/p>\n

Beside him, Surya leaned back in his chair, watching the crowd with a relaxed smile.<\/p>\n

Ray, you\u2019re already drunk, Surya said.<\/p>\n

Ray laughed. Relax, Ya. It\u2019s just starting. Plates of food and bottles of beer covered their table as the group continued drinking and joking around.<\/p>\n

After a while, Ray noticed a girl dancing nearby.\u00a0With a confident grin, he walked toward her. Surya shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat idiot\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time, another friend joined Surya at the table. It was Anny.<\/p>\n

She had known Surya since childhood.\u00a0Anny sat beside him and nudged his arm playfully. \u201cWhy do you look so bored?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not bored,\u201d Surya replied. \u201cI\u2019m just watching Ray make a fool of himself.\u201d\u00a0They both laughed, but as the night continued, things slowly became chaotic.<\/p>\n

Ray drank more and more. Anny also had several drinks, far more than she usually could handle.\u00a0Soon, she was barely able to stand properly. Surya sighed and rubbed his forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to be a long night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the situation getting worse, Surya pulled out his phone and dialed a number.\u00a0After a few seconds, the call connected. \u201cHello?\u201d Sunny\u2019s voice came from the other side.<\/p>\n

\u201cSunny,\u201d Surya said, \u201care you busy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot really. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

Surya glanced around at his drunken friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need a favor.\u201d \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur party is over, and Anny drank too much. Also\u2026 your dear roommate Ray is completely drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunny sighed immediately. \u201cI figured.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you come and take him home?\u201d Surya continued. \u201cI\u2019ll send you the address.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunny paused for a second. \u201cAlright. I\u2019m coming.\u201d He ended the call.<\/p>\n

Joe, who was sitting quietly beside him, looked curious.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs everything okay?\u201d Sunny grabbed his car keys. \u201cNot really. Ray is drunk again. I need to pick him<\/p>\n

up.\u201d Joe hesitated, then spoke softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I come with you?\u201d\u00a0Sunny looked at him. \u201cYou sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded.\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t like staying alone too much.\u201d\u00a0Sunny smiled gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

A short time later, Sunny\u2019s car stopped outside The Royal Club.<\/p>\n

Loud music echoed from inside.<\/p>\n

Joe stepped out of the car and looked around nervously. Places like this were unfamiliar to him.<\/p>\n

Inside the club, Surya was helping Anny stand properly when someone approached him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Surya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surya turned around.<\/p>\n

Sunny and the two exchanged a quick handshake. \u201cWhere\u2019s Ray?\u201d Sunny asked.<\/p>\n

Surya looked around the club.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was here a minute ago. I saw him with a girl.\u201d\u00a0Sunny\u2019s expression darkened slightly.<\/p>\n

Without another word, he began searching through the crowd.<\/p>\n

A few moments later, he spotted Ray near the bar.\u00a0Ray was leaning close to a girl, clearly drunk, about to kiss her.<\/p>\n

Before it could happen, Sunny suddenly grabbed Ray\u2019s arm and pulled him back.\u00a0\u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d Ray blinked slowly.\u00a0\u201cSunny\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he grinned drunkenly. \u201cOhhh\u2026 you came.\u201d\u00a0Ray reached out and pinched Sunny\u2019s cheek playfully. \u201cYou\u2019re so cute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunny immediately pulled his face away, trying to stay calm.\u00a0\u201cRay, we\u2019re leaving.\u201d But Ray only laughed. \u201cI want to dance more\u2026 and drink more\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He leaned closer and suddenly kissed Sunny\u2019s cheek.\u00a0For a brief second, Sunny froze. His heart started beating faster.<\/p>\n

But he quickly controlled himself. \u201cEnough,\u201d he muttered, dragging Ray toward the exit. Meanwhile, near the entrance, another moment was about to happen.<\/p>\n

Joe was walking carefully through the crowd, trying to find Sunny. Suddenly, “thud.” He accidentally bumped into someone.\u00a0\u201cCan\u2019t you watch where you\u2019re going?\u201d the person said sharply.\u00a0Joe stepped back immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

But the moment the stranger looked at Joe\u2019s face,\u00a0He stopped speaking.<\/p>\n

It was Surya.\u00a0For a few seconds, Surya simply stared at him.\u00a0The boy standing in front of him looked quiet, almost fragile.<\/p>\n

Clear eyes, Soft expression, and Something about him felt strangely\u2026 calming. Surya blinked, realizing he had been staring too long.\u00a0 Sorry, he said quickly. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to snap at you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe just nodded silently and walked away.\u00a0But as he disappeared into the crowd, Surya couldn\u2019t stop watching him leave.\u00a0Something inside his chest felt\u2026 different.<\/p>\n

And he didn\u2019t understand why.<\/p>\n

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On the other side, Surya was helping Anny walk outside, trying his best to support her.\u00a0She could barely stand properly.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you walk carefully?\u201d Surya snapped suddenly as someone bumped into him.
\u201cI\u2019m already struggling to handle her, and now this\u2026 But the moment he looked up<\/p>\n

He froze. It was Joe. For a few seconds, Surya just stared at him.\u00a0Something about Joe felt\u2026 different.\u00a0Soft, Quiet, almost fragile.<\/p>\n

Surya blinked, realizing his tone had been harsh. I\u2019m sorry, he said quickly. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean that.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t said it on purpose. He was just frustrated, but Joe didn\u2019t reply.<\/p>\n

He simply nodded slightly and walked away silently, searching for Sunny in the crowd.<\/p>\n

Surya watched him go\u2026 longer than necessary. A few minutes later, Sunny came outside with Ray, who was completely drunk.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, can you please open the car door?\u201d Sunny said.
\u201cWe need to take this idiot home safely. Otherwise, his sister will kill him.\u201d\u00a0Joe quietly opened the door.\u00a0Together, Sunny and Joe helped Ray into the car.<\/p>\n

Sunny took the driver\u2019s seat, while Joe sat quietly in the back beside Ray.<\/p>\n

Since Joe wasn\u2019t familiar with the area, Sunny decided to drop him off at home first. When they reached Joe\u2019s house, the lights were already on.<\/p>\n

His parents were waiting.\u00a0As soon as Joe stepped inside, his parents\u2019 expressions changed, but only slightly.<\/p>\n

In front of Sunny, they acted politely.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for dropping him,\u201d they said with a forced smile.\u00a0Sunny nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe softly added, \u201cThank you\u2026\u201d\u00a0After that, Sunny left.<\/p>\n

The moment the door closed\u00a0<\/p>\n

Everything changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere were you?\u201d his father\u2019s voice turned cold.
\u201cAnd what were you doing with that boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tried to explain, his voice trembling, but no one listened.\u00a0Before he could finish “Slap”.\u00a0<\/strong>His stepmother hit him.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes filled with tears instantly.<\/p>\n

Without saying anything, he ran to his room, locked the door, and fell onto the bed.\u00a0He didn\u2019t eat.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t speak.\u00a0He just cried\u2026 until he fell asleep.<\/p>\n

His phone kept ringing.\u00a0 One call from his brother.
Another from Sunny And a message: \u201cJoe, I reached home.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

But Joe didn\u2019t reply.\u00a0Meanwhile, Surya dropped Anny off at her house.<\/p>\n

He rang the doorbell while supporting her.<\/p>\n

Her mother opened the door\u2014and immediately looked worried.\u00a0\u201cSurya! What happened to Anny?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s fine, aunty,\u201d Surya said calmly.
\u201cI think someone mixed something in her drink. She felt dizzy and collapsed.\u201d<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t completely true\u2026 but it was easier this way.\u00a0\u201cPlease take her to her room,\u201d her mother said, worried.<\/p>\n

Surya carried Anny inside and gently laid her on the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, beta,\u201d her mother said. \u201cDo you want something to drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

No, aunty, it\u2019s okay. I should go home. My mom is waiting. She walked him to the gate.\u00a0\u201cTake care.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night,\u201d Surya said, before leaving.\u00a0 On the way home, his phone rang. Where are you, beta? his mother\u2019s voice came immediately.
\u201cWhy are you late? Did you eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Surya laughed softly.\u00a0Mumma, at least let me answer one question at a time. He explained everything. Yes, I ate. I\u2019m on the way. Anny wasn\u2019t well, so I dropped her off at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs she okay?\u201d his mother asked. Yes, she\u2019s fine.\u00a0\u201cCome home soon. I don\u2019t feel good without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Surya smiled.<\/p>\n

Just 10 minutes. I\u2019ll be there. When he reached home, he knocked on the door.<\/p>\n

His mother opened it and immediately hugged him. My child\u2026 Surya smiled and hugged her back.<\/p>\n

Mumma, I\u2019m hungry. Go freshen up first. I\u2019ll prepare something. Later, standing under the shower, water running down his face. Surya closed his eyes.<\/p>\n

And suddenly\u2026<\/p>\n

He saw Joe,\u00a0<\/strong>that quiet face,\u00a0
Those soft eyes. Who was he\u2026 Surya whispered to himself. I\u2019ve never seen him before\u2026 A strange feeling grew inside him.<\/p>\n

Restlessness, Curiosity, Something he couldn\u2019t explain.\u00a0For some reason\u2026 he wanted to see him again.<\/p>\n

Surya! His mother called from outside. He opened his eyes. Coming! He got ready and went downstairs.\u00a0While eating, he told his mother everything about the night\u2026<\/p>\n

But somehow, He forgot to mention Joe. That night, as he lay in bed.\u00a0A certain face still stayed in his mind.<\/p>\n

And he didn\u2019t know why.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n