As time passed, Mirshad settled into his 9th standard. School became less about academics and more about spending time with his close group of friends. The daily routine felt monotonous, but the moments he shared with his friends made it worthwhile. However, the 10th graders in his school often clashed with the 9th graders, and these tensions led to frequent scuffles and fights. Mirshad always stayed out of these confrontations, valuing his peace and calm nature.
He had long known a dark truth about himself: once he lost control, it was nearly impossible to regain it. He possessed a strength that wasn't always visible to others—a hidden power that, once unleashed, became a force of destruction. So, Mirshad kept to himself, always avoiding situations that could push him to that breaking point.
But one day, his calm facade began to crack.
A classmate in his own grade had been testing Mirshad's patience for weeks, poking and prodding at him with petty insults and provocations. It started as harmless jokes, but soon turned into personal attacks that wore Mirshad down. He tried to stay composed, warning the boy several times to stop, but his classmate didn't take him seriously.
And then, it happened.
During lunch break, the boy pushed Mirshad too far. Without thinking, Mirshad's hand shot out, grabbing the boy by his collar. He lifted him off the ground with one hand as if he weighed nothing. The entire classroom froze. The sight of quiet, composed Mirshad hoisting someone in the air with ease was enough to make everyone stop in their tracks.
The look in Mirshad's eyes was enough to send chills down anyone's spine. His friends rushed over, trying to pull him away, pleading for him to let go. After a tense few moments, Mirshad finally loosened his grip, lowering the boy back to the ground. But by then, the damage had been done. The entire class had seen a glimpse of the power Mirshad kept hidden inside him.
From that day forward, no one dared to provoke him again. His classmates and even the older 10th graders knew there was more to Mirshad than met the eye, and they learned to steer clear of him when his temper flared.
But fate wasn't done testing Mirshad just yet.
The very next day, while Mirshad sat alone after lunch—his friends having gone out to eat—he was confronted by a group of 10th graders. Known troublemakers, they had a habit of bullying the younger students, and today, they decided to target Mirshad. He had finished eating and went to wash his hands, and upon returning, he found the group waiting for him.
At first, their words were playful jabs, but they quickly turned vicious. The insults cut deeper than Mirshad could ignore, especially when they started targeting his family. His hands clenched into fists as the familiar surge of anger began bubbling up inside him. But this time, he fought harder than ever to keep control. He reminded himself of the chaos that could follow if he let loose.
Suddenly, a teacher walked by, and the 10th graders scattered like rats. The teacher, sensing something was wrong, asked Mirshad if everything was okay. As always, Mirshad forced a smile and brushed it off. "Nothing serious, just messing around," he said, keeping his emotions in check.
But inside, the storm was brewing.
When Mirshad returned to the classroom, some of the girls started whispering. "He lifted someone like it was nothing yesterday, but now he's just sitting there. Why didn't he fight back?" one of them said, puzzled. Mirshad, overhearing them, tried to block out their voices. He closed his eyes and covered his ears, desperate to silence the noise both around him and within him.
Later, his friends returned and immediately noticed something was off. After hearing what had happened from the girls, they insisted on confronting the 10th graders. "We can't let them get away with this, Mirshad. Come on, we'll sort this out," they said.
At first, Mirshad refused, trying to avoid escalating the situation. But his friends were determined. They dragged him along as they stormed towards the school auditorium, where the 10th graders were hanging out.
One of Mirshad's friends stepped forward and demanded, "Which one of you insulted Mirshad?"
The 10th graders laughed, unfazed. "We all did. What are you going to do about it?" one of them sneered.
What started as a verbal argument quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl. Fists began flying, and Mirshad's friends struggled to hold their own against the larger, stronger 10th graders. Mirshad watched from the sidelines, trying to remain calm, but as he saw his friends getting overpowered, something inside him snapped again.
His vision blurred with rage, and all thoughts of control vanished. Spotting a broken table leg on the floor, Mirshad grabbed it and charged into the fight with an intensity that shocked everyone. Swinging the table leg like a weapon, he unleashed all the fury he had been bottling up inside. The 10th graders, realizing they were no match for him, began to retreat in fear, but Mirshad wasn't done. His anger had taken over completely.
It took all of his friends to pull him back, shouting his name, telling him it was over. "Mirshad, stop! They're gone! You've won! Please, calm down!" they pleaded.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mirshad dropped the broken table leg. His breath was heavy, and his hands trembled with the adrenaline still coursing through him. His friends led him back to the classroom, where he sat in silence, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
The next day, the consequences of the fight hit hard. The principal called in everyone involved, including Mirshad and his friends. They were all suspended, with strict instructions not to return until the final exams. Mirshad's friends were disappointed, but there was also a sense of pride among them. They had stood up for each other, and while they had faced punishment, they had won respect from their peers.
As they walked home from school that day, one of Mirshad's friends put a hand on his shoulder. "You're not what everyone thinks you are, Mirshad," he said. "There's more to you than meets the eye. We saw it today. But you've got to be careful—don't let that side take over."
Mirshad nodded silently. He knew his friend was right. The power he held inside was both a gift and a curse, and controlling it would be his greatest challenge.