Prateeksha Jana, Class X D
As Phil stumbled upon a milk crate in the midst of a stranger’s run-down apartment, he wondered what he was doing with his life.
Phil needed money pretty badly. Having had a falling out with his family years ago, he couldn’t go back to them like a puppy. He was too proud to do that. He had been doing odd jobs for a while and this latest one required him to model for an artist. He figured, why not? He didn’t know yet that this was going to change his life completely.
The boy who stood in front of Phil was flecked with paint all over. “I’m Dan. You must have come here to pose for me,” he said, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips, a half-smirk on the face.
They didn’t become friends immediately. Dan was a sarcastic loner, Phil was a ray of sunshine. Complete opposites. But they were the closest either had to a family. With Phil around, Dan was a little less depressed and more himself. Initially, he had pushed Phil away, telling himself he didn’t need friends.
“Fine then! I don’t need you either! Do you take me to be a charity case?” Phil screamed.
After two hours, they happened to meet again. They apologized profusely because yes, they were a family. Family wasn’t supposed to be broken. They ordered Chinese and read poetry, all curled up in Dan’s blanket. They’d both been affected second chances and they weren’t about to let go.
We all make mistakes. But we also mend each other and heal.
