It had been less than a day, but Azril could already feel the invisible walls closing in.
The rich kids watched him like he was an alien species — curiosity mixed with disgust.
During recess, Azril sat alone at a chipped table in the farthest corner of the cafeteria.
His lunch: a simple packet of rice wrapped in banana leaf, made lovingly by his mother.
Meanwhile, others dined like kings — sushi, wagyu steaks, gourmet cakes flown in from Paris.
"Yo, check this out! What's that smell? Did he bring trash from the kampung?" someone shouted, loud enough for the entire cafeteria to hear.
Laughter followed — cruel, shallow.
Azril hunched his shoulders, willing himself to stay calm.
"I'm not here to fight," he reminded himself.
"I'm here to survive."
But fate wasn't done testing him yet.
A loud thud shook his table as a heavy hand slammed down.
Azril looked up to see a tall, broad-shouldered boy with spiked hair, smirking arrogantly.
"You're the newbie, huh? Here, we have a tradition. Newbies pay tolls," he said, holding out his hand like a king demanding tribute.
Around them, a crowd of students formed, chanting softly:
"Toll... toll... toll..."
Azril's stomach churned.
The rice packet shook slightly in his hand.
He thought of his father's rough hands, his mother's hopeful smile.
No. He would not break.
He rose from his seat slowly, locking eyes with the bully.
The crowd fell into a hush.
Without a word, Azril placed his small lunch gently into the bully's open hand.
The boy blinked, confused.
"What the hell is this?" he barked.
Azril's voice was calm — quiet, but razor-sharp.
"It's all I have. If you want it, take it. But if you ever lay a hand on me again...
I won't offer food next time. I'll offer my fists."
Silence swallowed the cafeteria.
The bully's smirk faltered.
He scoffed, hurling the rice onto the floor in frustration before storming off, humiliated.
Azril sat back down, fists clenched under the table, heart hammering in his chest.
He was hungry.
He was angry.
But he was still standing.
He smiled to himself bitterly.
This was just the beginning.
He would endure hunger.
He would endure humiliation.
Because one day, they would know
his name —
And regret ever laughing at him.
[End of Chapter 2]