The classroom buzzed with chatter. Boys and girls introduced themselves to each other, laughter and greetings filling the air. Yet in the corner, Anvish remained alone, trapped with his own demons.
Suddenly, he felt someone standing beside him. A boy from the back row had approached. At first glance, Anvish felt a strange recognition:
"I know him…"
His eyes lit up like a torch in the vast darkness. Out of excitement, he exclaimed,
"Scorpio! Our school gang member!"
Memories of school days flooded back.
"I know him… he's Scorpio. Back in school, we had a ten-member gang. We stuck together, fought for each other. Some of the boys smoked, drank, or even used drugs. I didn't— I was clean. But being part of this gang taught me something…"
Scorpio was tall, slightly bulky but not overweight, with a solid, average build that suggested quiet strength. His short hair framed a face full of curiosity, and his eyes always seemed to be observing, analyzing—but with a friendly spark that made people feel at ease. There was an effortless aura of camaraderie around him; he radiated "friend vibes," someone you could trust and laugh with, yet also someone who could handle himself if needed.
He paused, thinking.
"Not to judge people by their habits. Even though they were involved in addictions, no one betrayed anyone. Everyone trusted each other and stayed together."
Anvish's mind wandered to Scorpio himself.
"This guy… Scorpio. That's his ally name… his real name… I've forgotten it. It's grey in my mind."
Scorpio, unaware of Anvish's past struggles, asked casually,
"How are you doing?"
Anvish replied softly, his words calm but carrying unspoken depth:
"I'm doing good… what about you?"
Anvish asked, concern lacing his voice,
"You left the school and the gang in the second semester… where did you disappear to?"
Scorpio's eyes held a lot unsaid, but he smiled faintly and replied in a calm tone,
"I had to move far away because of some family issues. It was inevitable… and I lost contact with everyone."
He quickly shifted the topic before Anvish could probe further,
"How are the others doing? Mentes?"
The word Mentes hit Anvish like a spike of nostalgia. He remembered instantly:
"That was my alias…"
He thought it over for a moment but let it slide silently in his mind.
Anvish spoke in a quieter tone, hiding the weight of his past,
"I left the gang too, by the end of the year… had to go through some hurdles and quarrels."
A twinge of guilt surfaced, and he asked softly,
"I'm sorry, bro… but what's our actual name?"
Scorpio laughed, taking no offense,
"Hey bro, you forgot your brother… Satish."
Hearing the name, Anvish felt a rush—as if his past had suddenly come alive. Memories of Satish flooded back. Satish had been more than a friend; he was a fighter, a light-hearted soul, and one of the most unique people in the gang.
He recalled one insane moment vividly:
"I remember him taking down three bullies… all by himself."
For a moment, the past and present merged, and Anvish felt the warmth and chaos of those days rise inside him.