"Shahawaiz! Get up!"
My mother's voice came through the door, loud and annoyed.
I turned on my side and pressed my face into the pillow. My eyes burned, and my head felt heavy. I didn't want to move. My body felt like it had not slept at all, even though I knew I had gone to bed early.
"Shahawaiz!" she shouted again. "You'll be late!"
I opened my eyes just a little and looked at my phone.
7:46 AM.
My heart jumped.
I sat up so fast that my head spun.
"I'm up!" I shouted back.
I jumped out of bed, almost tripping over my own feet. The floor felt cold under my legs. I grabbed my towel and rushed into the bathroom. I splashed water on my face again and again, hoping it would wake me up properly.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
My hair was a mess. My eyes looked tired. There was a small mark on my cheek from sleeping wrong.
"Great," I muttered.
I brushed my teeth quickly. Toothpaste fell on my shirt, but I didn't care. I rinsed my mouth, wiped my face, and ran back to my room.
I changed into my uniform as fast as I could. My bag was already half-packed from last night, so I just threw my books inside and zipped it up.
When I stepped into the kitchen, my mother was standing near the stove.
"Sit and eat," she said.
"I'm late," I replied, putting on my shoes.
"You're always late because you don't eat."
"I'll eat later."
She sighed, clearly angry, but didn't stop me. I grabbed my bag and ran out of the house.
The morning air hit my face. It was a little cold, and it helped me wake up more. I started running down the street. My chest felt tight, and my breath became heavy quickly.
People were already outside. Some were opening shops. Some were going to work. Kids in uniforms were walking calmly, not running like me.
I checked my phone again.
Definitely late.
When I reached the school gate, the bell had already rung. The sound echoed in my ears in the worst way possible. Students were walking inside, and some guards were watching the entrance.
I slowed down, fixed my uniform a little, and walked in.
I opened the classroom door quietly.
"Shahawaiz."
The teacher's voice stopped me immediately.
Every eye in the class turned toward me.
"Yes, sir," I said softly.
"You're late," he said, looking at the clock. "Again."
"I'm sorry, sir."
"This is not an apology problem," he replied. "This is a habit problem."
I nodded and kept my head down.
"Sit."
Some students laughed under their breath. I felt my face heat up. I walked to my seat and sat down quietly.
The class continued.
I tried to listen, but my stomach felt empty. My head felt slow. Words on the board looked blurry, even though I could see them clearly. I wrote notes without really understanding what I was writing.
During the break, my friends talked about a test coming next week. Someone offered me snacks, but I didn't feel like eating anymore. I just drank water and leaned back in my chair.
The next few classes passed slowly.
When lunch time came, I went to the library instead of the cafeteria. It was quieter there. I liked that. I sat near a window and opened a book.
I didn't read much.
I just stared at the pages and thought.
About school. About how tired I felt all the time. About how days felt the same. Wake up, school, home, sleep. Repeat.
When the school day finally ended, I packed my bag and left without talking much.
Outside, the street was busy like always. I walked slowly, not in a hurry this time.
Near the school gate, a small fruit shop was open. Apples were placed in a wooden box. They looked fresh.
I stopped and bought one.
I held it in my hand while walking home. I took a bite. It tasted sweet, and my stomach finally felt a little better.
Cars passed by. People talked. Someone laughed loudly on the other side of the road.
I walked without thinking.
I was thinking about going home. About eating properly. About sleeping early.
I stepped forward.
My foot didn't touch anything.
My body moved down instead of forward.
There was no warning.
No sound.
No pain.
The ground was not there anymore.
My balance broke, and my body dropped.
I didn't have time to understand what was happening.
Then my back hit something hard.
Air rushed out of my lungs, and I rolled to the side without thinking. My hand touched something soft and cold.
Grass.
I stayed there for a moment, breathing heavily.
When I opened my eyes, I saw the sky.
It was wide and clear. Not the city sky I was used to.
I sat up slowly.
There were trees around me. Tall ones. Quiet ones.
No buildings.
No road.
No people.
My school bag was beside me.
I stood up, my heart beating fast.
"This… isn't right," I said quietly.
I looked around again.
Nothing looked familiar.
I didn't know where I was.
And I didn't know how I came here.