ESCAPE (English)

ESCAPE

By Saurav Kumar

The story begins with a boy named Rohan lying on a hospital bed. His ECG monitor shows irregular activity, indicating a life-threatening condition. His eyes flicker as doctors rush him into the ICU. Medical staff prepare the defibrillator as his condition deteriorates. From the ICU window, his father, Chandra Bhan, watches helplessly, tears rolling down his cheeks. His mother is also in tears. Chandra Bhan composes himself first, knowing that if he breaks down, no one in the family will remain strong.

While he is consoling Rohan’s mother, Rohan’s classmates arrive. Chandra Bhan stops them at the door. “You still haven’t found peace? After everything, you didn’t even inform us and came here to watch a spectacle?” he says sternly. Among the group is Ritika, Rohan’s close friend and, secretly, his girlfriend. Rohan’s mother knows about their relationship and allows only Ritika to stay. The others are asked to leave.

Seeing Rohan in this condition, Ritika breaks down. Everyone consoles her. Chandra Bhan then asks her, “How did this happen?”

Before she can answer, the doctor appears and announces that Rohan is out of danger but needs complete rest and calm. Any activity around him could be harmful. The family visits Rohan. He opens his eyes briefly, sees his mother, and closes them again. The doctor then asks everyone to leave.

Flashback Begins

Rohan returns home in a frightened state. As he approaches the door, he hears someone yelling, “This boy has brought shame to us!” As he enters, his mother slaps him and drags him outside, locking the door behind him. Chandra Bhan tries to stop her, but she doesn’t listen.

Soon, Rohan’s brother Shan arrives and sits with him in the garden. “How did it get this bad?” he asks. Rohan breaks down crying. Their father comes out and gently says, “Tell us what happened.”

Second Flashback Begins

Like every day, Rohan left home for college with Ritika. While Shan knew about their relationship, their friends didn’t. At college, although things seemed normal, one of Rohan’s friends, Karan, kept saying Ritika wasn’t the right girl. Rohan didn’t appreciate these remarks but stayed silent.

One day, fed up, Rohan publicly confronted Karan. A few days later, Karan stayed behind after college and saw Ritika with another boy. He secretly recorded a video.

During a college event, Karan played the video on a large screen. Everyone was shocked, including Rohan and Ritika. Not knowing who was behind it, Rohan and Ritika argued. Karan appeared and said, “You fought with me for her?”

Rohan realized it was Karan’s doing. He grabbed Karan by the collar but let go without violence.

Back to First Flashback

Shan, stunned, asks, “Then what happened?”

Back to Second Flashback

Rohan returned to college after a few days, only to face bullying from everyone except a few close friends. Karan told him, “Forget it, just move on.”

Ritika tried to talk to him, but Rohan ignored her and went to the college rooftop to be alone. Karan found him there. While talking, Karan received a call from a girl on Instagram. He ignored it, took out a powder, snorted it, and offered it to Rohan. Initially, Rohan refused. But after receiving a call from Ritika that upset him, he gave in.

The powder was a drug. Rohan felt instant relief and calm. Curious, he asked what it was. Karan admitted it was a drug. Slowly, Rohan got addicted.

One day, Karan introduced Rohan to a girl online. They became friends. One evening, the girl asked Rohan to send nudes. Initially, he refused, but being upset and under the influence, he agreed. He removed his clothes during a video call and passed out.

The next day, Rohan headed to college, hungry and emotionally disturbed. As he entered, he noticed people laughing at him. He soon realized his nude video had been leaked. Karan and others humiliated him, showing the video publicly. Ritika also saw him and mocked him. Ashamed and heartbroken, Rohan ran home.

But the video had already reached his family. As he opened the door...

Back to Present Day

Shan is trying to calm Rohan, but his mental state is rapidly declining. That night, Rohan hears his father talking outside the room. He suffers repeated panic attacks. Finally, he writes a suicide note and attempts to take his own life. The noise of his fall wakes the family. They rush him to the hospital.

All Flashbacks End

Back in the ICU, doctors try their best, but Rohan takes his last breath. His eyes close forever.

At home, the family finds his final letter. They read it, overwhelmed with grief.

Rohan’s Final Letter

“Don’t worry. My mistakes shouldn’t be your punishment. Life was good when I was under your care. I never imagined people could be so cruel. My friends, my love—everything was a lie. This world is hollow now. There is no true love, no true friendship. All emotions have disappeared.

When I needed someone, I thought of you all, but I can no longer face anyone. It was my fault for always putting others before myself.

Shan, I’m sorry. I couldn’t be a good brother, nor a good son.

I tried, but I failed in everything.

And Mom, Dad—please don’t fight anymore. Your worthless son is gone now. I could never say it before, but I’ll say it now:

I love you. Goodbye...

“True love, true friendship—they are just a myth.”

“When you grow, you know.”

By Saurav Kumar