Aravindan paid no attention to the sea breeze touching his skin or the comforting rhythm of the waves. His entire world was filled with one painful question:
"Why does life treat only me like this?"
He sat alone on a wooden bench facing the vast ocean. The setting sun slowly sank into the western sea, coloring the sky in warm orange shades. Usually, sunsets calmed him. But today, it only felt like another reminder of his hopelessness.
He kept staring at the ground.
"I'm unlucky. I know that better than anyone."
When he lifted his head slightly and looked to the right, he saw a young couple on the next bench. They were wrapped in each other's arms, lost in a deep kiss. The sunlight touched their faces gently, making them glow.
Aravindan felt a sharp pain in his chest.
A small, tired smile appeared on his lips.
"Everyone falls in love so easily. Most of it is fake… They stay when they need you, leave when they don't. And yet… even that kind of love doesn't come to me."
His hunger stabbed him again.
"Love is a luxury. I don't even have food. What heart, what romance… I barely have a life."
The sun lowered further. The sky darkened.
The wind moved softly through his messy hair.
Then something caught his eyes.
The sadness inside him slowly faded when he saw her.
A girl, standing near the waves, her long hair flying freely in the wind.
The last orange light of the evening fell beautifully on her face.
She was gently touching the water like a child, smiling with pure innocence.
For a few moments, he forgot his hunger.
He forgot his loneliness.
He forgot himself.
Her smile was brighter than the sunset.
Just then, a group of girls called out to her:
"Come on, Paru! The party is starting!"
That name stayed in his mind.
Paru.
Like a falling star—
she lit his darkness for a moment and began walking away.
As her friends pulled her toward the celebration,
the noise faded, and darkness slowly returned to his heart.
He lowered his head.
Suddenly,
a soft touch rested on his shoulder.
He felt his entire body freeze.
He slowly lifted his head.
It was her.
Paru.
She spoke gently:
"I'm sorry to disturb you… Today is my birthday. You were sitting here alone… so I wanted you to have a piece of cake."
For a moment, he couldn't breathe.
He couldn't speak.
He simply stared at her, feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time—warmth.
When she turned to leave, he finally found his voice.
"Paru…"
She stopped and looked at him.
Aravindan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small chain—
a gift from his grandfather, the only precious thing he owned.
He held it out with trembling hands.
"Please… you must keep this."
Paru stepped back, surprised.
"No… I can't take this. Why would you give me something so important?"
But Aravindan shook his head.
His voice cracked.
"Please don't refuse. You brought light into my darkness today. This is the only way I can thank you.
If you refuse… I'll fall back into that same emptiness."
Her eyes softened.
Feeling the honesty in his voice, she slowly accepted the chain.
With a shy smile, she walked away.
Aravindan sat down again, holding the small piece of birthday cake.
He didn't feel hungry anymore.
His mind was filled only with Paru—her voice, her kindness, her touch.
That night, he returned to his tiny hut.
For the first time in months, he slept peacefully.
Even in his dreams, her laughter echoed.
Days passed.
He searched for her everywhere.
But she was gone—like a dream.
Yet she lived inside him.
Her memory wasn't pain.
It was inspiration.
Aravindan always wanted to become a successful businessman.
But poverty chained him down.
After meeting Paru, he gained purpose.
"I can't stay like this.
If I stay poor forever…
I'll never become someone worthy of her."
He vowed to change his life.
He would study.
He would learn.
He would grow.
He would enter the IT field.
He would build a business.
No matter how hungry,
no matter how lonely—
he didn't stop.
After endless struggles,
he finally reached the place that would change his destiny.
He stood at the entrance of the university—
ready to begin his journey.