my dear playboy

To Everyone, Greetings! We have read about it in books, seen it in movies, and watched it in plays—stories about a careless young man who flirts with multiple women, doesn’t value education, and wanders around irresponsibly. And yet, a kind, loving, and well-mannered woman falls in love with him, transforms his heart, turns him into a good man, and eventually marries him. But why do we still love such stories? Because deep down, we wonder: Can love really change someone’s life? I, however, have not even the slightest faith in such love. It’s not just because I fear or hesitate around men, but because I have drawn a straight line in my life, and I intend to walk along that path without deviation. For me, education is the most important thing. If I study well, I will live well. This is my belief. By excelling in my studies, I will uphold the pride and honor of my parents and my family. What else is there for a woman to achieve in life? Yet, sometimes, I wonder... Have I not just drawn a straight line but rather enclosed myself in a circle, trapping my own life within it? Since childhood, I have been taught that studying is everything. Falling in love while studying is considered a grave sin. Choosing the wrong person in love can ruin a woman’s entire life—this has been ingrained in me since I was young. Perhaps that’s why my heart has already decided: Love is a sin worse than murder. No one can change this mindset of mine. There is no possibility for it. "What?! She’s talking like this?" Come, step into my life and see it for yourself... It was 4 AM, just before dawn, when the night still held its grasp over the world. This is the time when people sleep the deepest, even more than at midnight. Waking up at this hour feels like your bed is begging, “Please, just hold me for a little longer.” In a street mostly occupied by wealthy families, there was one house that stood out. While the entire neighborhood remained cloaked in darkness, this one house shone brightly with every light turned on. That house? It was ours. I was in deep sleep when I heard my father knocking on my door in a stern voice: "It’s time, Roseline! Get up and study!" Oh, how I wished I could say, “Just five more minutes, Dad…” But I didn’t even have the courage to utter those words. With great reluctance, I rolled over and forced myself awake. Just then, my mother’s voice followed: "Roseline! Do we have to wake you up every single day? Why can’t you wake up on your own?" I sighed and shot back, “I’m up, Mom…” like a wind-up doll that had been switched on. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I stepped out of my room, only to be met with my mother’s disapproving glare. "You’re becoming lazier by the day!" she scolded, before asking, "Do you want coffee or Horlicks?" Before I could even respond, she had already made up her mind: "No, no. Too much coffee isn’t good for you. I’ll bring you Horlicks." I sighed internally, thinking, "Why did you even ask me then…?" With no choice, I sat down, opened my books, and started studying. If I were to describe myself in one word, I am a bookworm. I love studying. If given the choice, I could study forever and never get tired of it. To me, studying is the only meaningful thing in life. Are you thinking, “Oh no, she’s only talking about studies!” Well, you’ve probably seen someone like me in your class— A girl with big glasses, books clutched in her hands, always lost in her own world. A girl who hesitates to talk to anyone, who overthinks before answering even a simple question. A girl who, when teased, doesn’t even have the courage to retaliate. A girl who is always afraid of what teachers and classmates might say, always worried about ruining her reputation. Even if I wanted to be carefree and playful like others, something inside me holds me back. I am the kind of girl who thinks: "People who spend their time goofing around and ignoring their studies are just wasting their lives." That’s just how I see the world. --- The Pressure of Expectations Both my parents are doctors. 🧑‍⚕️ We belong to a family with great pride, status, and reputation. Now, the responsibility of maintaining that honor rests on my shoulders. Since the first grade, I have always been the school topper. Winning first place in exams is my greatest joy. 😊 Because of this, I am the teachers’ favorite student. But at the same time, I am also the perfect target for teasing by classmates. 😒 Currently, I am in 12th grade—the most crucial year of my life. Even though the quarterly exams haven’t started yet, I am already waking up at 4 AM to prepare for the public exams. Actually, it would be more accurate to say, I am being made to study. 😮‍💨 Time flew by as I immersed myself in my books. "Roseline, it’s already 6 AM! Get ready, or you’ll be late for school!" my mother’s voice called out. Only then did I look at the clock— Oh no! It’s 6 AM already! 😯 "I’m getting ready, Mom!" I shouted, rushing to take a shower and get dressed in just 30 minutes. Breakfast at our home is a family ritual. We always eat together. And before eating, prayer is mandatory. After saying goodbye to my parents, I grabbed my lunchbox, took my bicycle, and headed to school. --- A Friend Like No Other My school was just a 10-minute ride from my house. As I neared the school, I stopped at a traffic signal where my best friend was waiting for me. She was the total opposite of me. Always smiling, always fearless. She could argue with anyone without hesitation. She was always standing up for me, especially when I felt lost. Our families had been close friends for years, and we had been best friends since childhood. Whenever I was confused or feeling down, she was always there, like an older sister to me. Oh! I forgot to tell you her name— She is Sri... Jai Sri. I pulled up beside her and smiled. "Hey! Do you even realize what time it is? It’s only 7:30! Why are we reaching school this early? Are we the new school watchmen?" she joked. "Look at my face, Sri! I woke up at 4 AM, and now I have dark circles around my eyes!" I complained. She sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Let’s just go… since we have no choice anyway." We were talking and laughing as we reached school. The school was unusually quiet. "What’s up? Why is it so silent today?" I asked. She responded, "Oh, come on, we came early. That's why there's not even a single crow around..." she said, sounding tired. I laughed too and heard some noise in the distance, like someone playing. I looked in that direction, and I saw about four or five people playing basketball. As soon as I saw them, a sense of fear filled my heart. These five amazing creatures were the ones who would do the bullying in this school. To get to my classroom, I had to pass the basketball court... and the moment I saw them… "Oh no… is it them? Sri, no… let's avoid that side," I said, pulling her away. She asked, "Why??? If we go this way, we'll reach the class soon. Why do we have to take the long way?" I replied, "Look over there, they are the bullies in our school... What’s the point of unnecessary trouble? Let’s take the other side." She pulled my hand and said, "You’re such a loser! Are you really afraid of those bullies? Let’s just go straight!" She dragged me along. With a nervous heart, I followed her. When we were just about to pass the playground, one of the guys called out, singing, "If you go to the mirror, I’ll follow behind…" and started making fun of our glasses. As soon as I heard him, my body froze in fear. But Sri, in her usual bold manner, turned towards him and said, "You can follow the mirror, but first, have you looked at yourself? You look like a monkey’s tail, not a peacock!" and insulted him back. She then grabbed my hands and dragged me towards the classroom. Once inside the classroom, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. "What’s going on? You insulted them like that?" I asked, astonished. She replied, "What’s the big deal? He made fun of us first. So, I gave him a taste of his own medicine. Now, we’re even, okay?" She said and smiled softly. I laughed and started flipping through my books. She said, "Hey, have you finished your homework? I need a little help," as she took my bag and pulled out some books. At that moment, the five people who had been playing in the field casually strolled past our classroom. Just the sight of them made me freeze. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at them. Sri, on the other hand, didn’t seem to notice a thing. The five of them, seeing only the two of us sitting in the classroom, without anyone else around, were about to walk in and bother us. But just before they could, a guy who had just arrived stepped in, stopped them with a sharp, "Hey, what’s the deal? Can't you just leave them alone? Move along... get lost!" He pushed them aside with a swift tap on the back and pulled them away. I couldn’t quite place who this guy was, but if it weren’t for his intervention, those five would have definitely come in and made a scene. It was a usual affair for them to bother me, but today... who was this guy? Without saying anything to me, he seemed to help. I couldn’t help but follow his path with my eyes. Sri noticed me staring and asked, "Do you know who that is?" "Uh... no! I have no idea who he is... I just saw him. Do you know him?" I asked, completely puzzled. Sri looked at me with a mix of surprise and amusement. "You still don’t recognize him? That’s ‘Jack,’ or should I say ‘Jackson.’ Ever heard of him?" For a split second, my mind was blank. Then, after a brief moment of recollection, the memory hit me like a lightning bolt. "Wait... that Jackson?" I asked in utter shock. Sri gave me a teasing look and a mischievous wink before answering with a sly smile, "Yes, that’s ‘Jackson’ alright." She then chuckled softly and began scribbling in her notebook. I couldn’t believe what she had just said. My heart skipped a beat, and I was left gasping for air. Despite trying not to think about it, my mind, as if on autopilot, began to replay that old incident over and over again...