Simple Act of forgiveness

Sana was a diligent high school student known for her kindness and top-notch grades. She had big dreams of becoming a doctor and worked hard to achieve them. Her life was relatively smooth until a boy named Rohan transferred to her class. Rohan, known for his rebellious streak, was the polar opposite of Sana—carefree, mischievous, and often disruptive.

From the first day, Rohan seemed to single Sana out. He would tease her during class, mock her serious attitude, and once even defaced a project she had spent weeks preparing. It wasn’t long before Sana’s confidence began to waver. She started questioning why someone would go out of their way to hurt her.

One day, Rohan took things too far. During a group activity, he made an embarrassing joke about her family’s financial struggles, something he had overheard in passing. The comment hit Sana hard, and for the first time, she broke down in front of her classmates. The room went silent. Even Rohan looked uncomfortable.

Sana didn’t return to school for two days. When she did, her teacher, Mrs. Sharma, called her aside to check on her. During their conversation, Sana admitted how deeply Rohan’s actions had affected her. Mrs. Sharma nodded empathetically and then shared a surprising fact: Rohan’s behavior was likely a mask for his struggles at home. His parents were going through a bitter divorce, and he had been caught in the middle.

Hearing this shifted something in Sana. Instead of seeing Rohan as her tormentor, she began to see him as a person carrying his own burdens. But forgiving him wasn’t easy. It took time, prayer, and a lot of self-reflection.

One afternoon, Sana decided to approach Rohan. She caught him in the library, away from their peers. Summoning her courage, she said, "I want to let you know that I forgive you for everything you've done. I know you're going through a lot, and I hope things get better for you."

Rohan stared at her, stunned. He didn’t know what to say at first but finally muttered, “I’m sorry, Sana. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I guess…I just didn’t know how else to deal with everything.”

From that day, Rohan’s attitude toward Sana changed. He stopped teasing her and even began asking her for help with his studies. Over time, they became unlikely friends, helping each other in ways they hadn’t imagined. Sana’s act of forgiveness didn’t just heal her; it also gave Rohan a chance to grow.

Years later, Sana and Rohan crossed paths again at a college alumni event. Rohan was studying to become a social worker, inspired by the compassion he had experienced from Sana. They exchanged smiles, knowing that a simple act of forgiveness had changed both their lives forever.