A Mysterious Contest 🧸 My Lost Friend - Rajiv

Image create by ai
Childhood is not the same for everyone. Some people are surrounded by siblings, playmates, and there is a crowd of shouting and laughing around. Others are quiet, alone, immersed in their own thoughts. I was one of the second group. I did not have many friends, there was not much sports or outside chat. But I had one good friend, who was only my dear friend, Rajiv.

🌀 How did Rajiv come into my life?

I don't know exactly how many years ago, but I was very young then, maybe in class three... or thereabouts. One day, after returning from school, I was sitting on the veranda, all alone. My mother was busy in the house... cooking, sweeping, doing something.

Then suddenly I heard a sound from the side. He was completely different. He had hair like an upside-down clock on his head, a small blue light under his nose, and his eyes were red like fire but not scary, rather calm, deep, and friendly.

🌈 What did we do together?

My travels with Rajiv were completely different. He would take me to places that were outside my known world. But when I was with him, those impossible places seemed real. I remember once we went to a fair in the area, where I was amazed by the rows of toy and food stalls.

There was no word like 'boredom' in my life when he was around. He was the only listener to all my fears and unspoken words. Not only that, he always encouraged me in my studies. When I was very worried the night before the exam, he would come to my side and whisper, "Don't be afraid at all. You will be fine, I am by your side."

🌫️ Then? Where did Rajiv go?

Time went by. Class six, seven, then eight... studies, tuition, mobile phones, new friends, everything seemed to gradually remove Rajiv from my little life. I didn't call him anymore, and he didn't come either. Maybe Rajiv understood that I had grown up. Now everyone has to follow their own path.

But sometimes, in a very lonely moment, I suddenly remember. When I close my eyes, I can still hear, “Let’s go around like before, with the joy of my heart, whenever I want to go, I go there. But I know that’s no longer possible because time has passed me by and gone far away.

🎨 Rajib’s Image

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Today, I created a strange picture for Rajib with an AI tool. The upside-down clock on his head, red eyes, and a nose like a lamp are all visible in the picture. This picture actually depicts not only Rajib, but also my childhood.

💌 Why did I write this story?

This contest allowed me to go back to those lonely and imaginary days. Many of us forget our childhood friends as we grow up. But they don’t disappear, they remain within us. They never shake off the dust of memory and come back to say, don’t be afraid, I am still here.

My dear friend Rajib is far away now, he is in one place, I am in one place. He may not speak anymore, so soon, but his memory teaches me how to remember and respect my childhood friend. That’s why this writing is not just a story, but a poem from my heart. A piece of memory.