๐ The Last Bench
Every classroom had a last bench.
In Class 6-B, it belonged to Aarav.
He wasn't the funniest student, the smartest, or the most popular. He was simply the quiet boy who always sat near the window, drawing tiny pictures in the corner of his notebook.
His best friend, Rohan, sat beside him.
They had been friends since Class 2.
They shared lunch, homework, jokes, and even punishments.
But one Monday morning, Rohan walked into the classroom with sad news.
โMy dad got transferred,โ he whispered.
Aarav looked at him. โTransferred where?โ
โPune. We're moving next week.โ
Aarav smiled, trying to act normal.
โOhโฆ that's not too far.โ
But his voice wasn't convincing.
The next few days passed quickly.
They tried to make as many memories as possible.
They played during recess.
They exchanged little notes during class.
They took photographs together.
And on Friday, Rohan gave Aarav a small blue notebook.
โWrite something in it whenever you miss me,โ he said.
Aarav laughed. โWhat will I write?โ
โAnything.โ
Then Rohan added quietly, โAnd don't forget me.โ
Aarav stopped smiling.
โI could never forget you.โ
Monday came.
Rohan's last day.
The teacher allowed him to say goodbye to the class.
Everyone clapped and wished him luck.
Some students hugged him.
Aarav stayed at the last bench, staring at the empty space beside him.
When the bell rang, Rohan walked over.
โBye, Aarav.โ
Aarav nodded.
โBye.โ
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Then Rohan hugged his friend.
โPromise me something.โ
โWhat?โ
โKeep our bench.โ
Aarav smiled through watery eyes.
โI promise.โ
Rohan walked away.
Aarav watched him disappear through the classroom door.
For the first time, the last bench felt enormous.
Weeks passed.
Aarav still sat there.
Sometimes he opened the blue notebook.
Day 4: Today our teacher told a joke. You would've laughed loudly.
Day 12: I got full marks in maths. You would've asked me for the answers.
Day 25: I still sit on our bench.
One afternoon, Aarav received a letter.
It was from Rohan.
Inside was a photograph of the two of them sitting on the last bench.
On the back, Rohan had written:
"Some friends leave the classroom, but they never leave your life."
Aarav held the photograph close.
He finally understood something.
Friendship wasn't about being together every day.
Sometimes, it was about carrying someone in your heart even when they were far away.
The next morning, Aarav placed the photograph inside the blue notebook.
Then he looked at the empty seat beside him and smiled.
โGood morning, Rohan.โ
And somehow, the last bench didn't feel empty anymore. ๐