When I was eighteen, my life changed forever.
I know that when I say this, there are people who look at me and wonder what could have happened when I was eighteen. I can't explain, though. I don't feel the need to explain. My story can't be said in one or two words, the depth of it can't be explained in a way that people will immediately understand.
I am forty seven now, though I remember everything that happened as clearly as if it just happened yesterday. I live those moments again and again my mind, experiencing a mixed emotion every time I let myself. I feel like I want to go back in time and take all the sadness away, but if I do, the joy would be gone as well.
I leave my house as I look around. The sky is overcast and grey. It feels as if a storm is on it's way. I wrap my jacket tightly around myself. I know that in a matter of a few weeks, the temperature would settle down and become comfortable which will make Mumbai one of the best places to be around. I sigh as I feel it all coming back to me.
I close my eyes as I feel the years going back. I watch myself grow younger. My hair changing from grey to brown. Wrinkles around my eyes disappearing. My hands and legs turn strong and well built. The innocence returns back into me.
The world begins to change as well. Roads become narrow. Long apartments disappear as small farmhouses appear at their place. Lots of little shops rounded every corner and road. Near the church up the road, a bell rings.
I pause as I look at the church. And when I look at it, I know exactly who I am.
My name is Armaan Mallik, and I am eighteen years old. This is my story. In the beginning, you will smile, in the end, you will cry, don't say you haven't been warned.
INDEX
Part 1 - page 3
Part 2 - page 4
Part 3 - page 6
Part 4 - page 9
Part 5 - page 11
Part 6 - page 15
Part 7 - page 19
Part 8 - page 22
Part 9 - page 26
Part 10 - page 29
Part 11 - page 31
Part 12 - page 35
Part 13 - page 38
Part 14 - page 41
Part 15 - page 47
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