Rain hit the rooftop like coins falling on a tin plate.
The sky was grey. The kind of grey that made you feel like the world forgot you existed.
I stood at the edge of the school rooftop, my shoes soaked, my socks squishing.
"I'm not here to die," I told myself.
But part of me wasn't sure if I believed that.
---
They stole my bag yesterday. Again.
My wallet was in it. Not that it had much — just a 20 taka note which is like 20 cents, a photocopy of my student ID, and a crumpled bus card.
I had skipped lunch. And the day before that.
Even my roommate stopped offering food.
Then came the news: my scholarship might be revoked. Grades weren't "exceptional" anymore.
Why? Because I had to take part-time jobs and fall asleep during exams.
The world was built for rich kids and liars.
---
The final hit?
Rina.
The only girl who ever talked to me outside of group projects. She smiled at me once in the library.
Yesterday, she posted a photo with someone else.
"Finally, a real man."
That "real man" was the same guy who called me a cockroach in class two days ago.
So here I am.
Not suicidal.
Just… tired.
---
Then I heard it.
A whisper, soft and strange — not from the rain, not from inside my head.
Real. But impossible.
> "Push him. No one will know."
I turned.
There was a boy standing behind me — Rakib, tall and athletic, fake-friendly.
His hands were in his pockets. He smiled when I looked at him.
But I swear to God…
I heard that thought.
It didn't come from his mouth.
It came from inside him.
> "Just a little nudge. He'll scream like a rat. Haha."
My heart pounded.
I stepped back instinctively — away from the edge.
What the hell was that?
---
> "Look scared, loser."
"I'll be a hero if I catch you mid-fall."
I couldn't take it anymore.
"Step back," I said.
He blinked. "Huh?"
"Step back, Rakib. Right now."
He laughed, confused. "Relax, man. I was just—"
"Back. Off."
For the first time in my life, I saw fear flicker across his face.
He stepped back.
And the voices… stopped.
---
I left the rooftop in silence.
My heart racing.
My thoughts louder than ever.
---
I don't know what this is.
A curse? A breakdown? A power?
But if I can hear what people really think…
If I can see the rotten truth behind their smiles…
Then maybe I can finally survive this world.
No…
Maybe I can do more than survive.
---
> Let them lie. Let them cheat. Let them pretend.
I'll listen.
I'll smile.
And I'll make them pay me for their secrets.
---
[To Be Continued…]