Ram had just shifted to Mumbai.
A new town, new school, new friends—everything felt strange and heavy.
Ram's mother was deeply concerned for him. Ever since his father had
passed away, life had been a struggle. Ram was only three years old when
his father died.
"Mom, why do we always change our home?" Ram asked sadly. "It's so
difficult to make new friends."
His mother sighed. "Son, I need to do this job to maintain the house. But
I'm sure you will make friends quickly."
That night, Ram went to sleep while staring at a portrait of his father.
The next day, he entered his new school with nervous steps. He didn't talk
to anyone. When the bell rang for recess, he quietly finished his lunch
earlier than others and wandered around the school ground.
That's when he met Rahul, a cheerful and outgoing boy.
"Are you new?" Rahul asked.
"Yes," Ram replied softly.
Rahul smiled and stretched out his hand. "Will you be my friend?"
Ram remembered his mother's words and nodded. "Yes."
From that moment, their friendship began. And as they walked back to class
together, they noticed something unusual lying on the floor—an old black
map.