19 Comments
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Karthik's avatar

Thank you for sharing your story. I am terribly sorry for what happened to Amrita. I hope she didn't leave because of what happened that day.

I feel you are being harsh on yourself by calling this bullying. Yes, you took advantage of a smaller child during a game. I would call it an older child being mean to a younger one.

In my book, bullying is targeted tormenting that is repeated over and over for a while and causes much distress.

I certainly hope Amrita has healed from this incident and forgiven you for it.

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Samira's avatar

Thank you Karthik - for your kind words and understanding. My hope is the same as yours - that I didn't hurt her terribly and that she has forgiven me for being mean. We are our worst critics and harshest judges. Sometimes a kind words from a stranger helps us understand that.

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Not The Wife Material's avatar

I agree with K. You are being too harsh on yourself 😌. Hopefully Amrita will find you. Soon. 🤩

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Samira's avatar

fingers crossed :)

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Sanket's avatar

How effortlessly you took me back. And brought so much life to the story. Am a bit jealous Samira 😁

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Samira's avatar

Thank you Sanket! You are too kind

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Uthara's avatar

This is so sad and sweet at once, Samira. What is palpable is the sincerity and empathy in your gaze, and perhaps you could extend that to the younger you too! ❤️

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Samira's avatar

Thank you Uthara. It's all a work in progress :)

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Sanobar Sabah's avatar

Oh, this must reach Amrita so she knows what a wonderful friend she had. That her friend is so sweet that she's sorry even years later! I hope you're feeling better after putting this out in the world, Samira <3

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Samira's avatar

Definitely a load lifted :) I don't think I would have written this without the ochre sky prompt!

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Sanobar Sabah's avatar

I'm smiling reading this. The amount of load we've unloaded lol

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SUDHA RAO's avatar

To err is human. To realize it and repent is humanity. But the chapter will remain open till you don't find a closure. Do talk to your cousin sister, she will know why she cried like she did. Maybe it will help you to be kind to yourself

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Samira's avatar

Thank you Sudha!

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Glenn Brigaldino's avatar

Those things can't be undone but I hope you get in touch with Amrita . Even if not, there is a fair chance she might have come to realize, that that was then and this is now, that you didn't mean it.

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Samira's avatar

Thank you Glenn :)

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Mahi Puri's avatar

read this with a racing heart because it brought back some of my own childhood memories. Read 3 of your essays one after another...a good reminder of how much I've always loved your writing!

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Samira's avatar

Thanks Mahi! :) love and hugs

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Kanchana Banerjee's avatar

This brought back a difficult memory from my childhood. I was mean to a girl. We were in Grade 3. I never got the chance to say sorry to her.

Thank you for writing this.

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Samira's avatar

Thank you Kanchana! I think the biggest gift we can give ourselves is forgiveness and the knowledge that we admit to being wrong. Hugs.

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