Everyone was excited for the graduation ceremony. The hall was a mixture of unintelligible sounds. If someone could focus enough they might be able to understand some meaningful conversation. Some students were promising to stay in touch for the rest of their lives, some were thanking their teachers and some were busy spending time with their parents. Soon the announcement was made and the graduation ceremony commenced. Everyone was enthusiastically cheering on the elite students which were on their way to receive their hard earned applause. No one could have thought that this energetic crowd could be controlled for today.

The audience were waiting eagerly to know who was the elite among the elite’s, the best student who excelled at everything in school for this session, The Valedictorian. Then the announcement was made.

“This year’s valedictorian is Robert Verlice.” said the speaker.

Everyone was stunned. Nobody cheered. Dead silence covered the whole auditorium. After a few minutes a boy from the last row started approaching the stage. People began whispering.

“How can it be him?”

“Does he even study?”

“His parents have a lot of money. They must have bribed the school.”

Ignoring all these whispers Robert continued his way towards the stage. From an early age he had realized that these comments meant nothing. He believed he was bigger than this. Robert, eighteen, was a strongly built boy, both physically and mentally. He was considered to be way too much intelligent and athletic as compared to the other boys of his age. But nobody wanted to acknowledge that. Nobody liked him, not even the teachers. On the outside it appeared that everyone was scared of him. They were scared because he was the son of the biggest gangster in the country. They didn’t want to offend him in any way because his whole family was infamous for committing several crimes. But deep down everyone knew that they were jealous of Robert. They thought that he had everything; wealth, power and intelligence which very few received. They despised him for this. Even the teachers of the school wanted to get rid of him, but they couldn’t. His father, other than being a gangster, was considered to be a successful businessman and even had connections with high ranking government officials. It was rumored that he was responsible for the recent tax evasion scandal that recently happened, but there was no evidence to prove his crime. As Robert stood on the stage everyone stared into blank space trying to avoid eye contact. Even the teachers didn’t know how he managed this feat. Upon realizing their silent protest Robert snatched his degree from principle along with the mic.

“Don’t dare to disable the mic Ned.” said Robert without even looking at the direction of his fellow classmate who was secretly approaching towards the controllers. “If you still want to continue then there will be serious consequences.” Ned froze.

Other than being smart and intelligent, everybody knew, Robert was a fierce fighter. At the beginning of the school, when he came for the first time, some bullies tried to harass him. They thought that Robert would have been an easy target because everyone despised him, including the teachers, so no one will help him. One day the bullies got the chance to isolate Robert from the crowd in the washroom. They locked the door behind them. Everyone in the hall ignored their action as planned. After sometime Robert came out from the washroom with some minor bruises and blood on his hands. The students in the hall started screaming. That event earned him his reputation as a fighter. However, the incident didn’t end there. Thinking it as a golden opportunity the teachers decided to expel him. They charged him with the accusation of bullying students. When they confronted Robert, he saw through the plan of his teachers.

“Do you have any proof?” questioned Robert in a cold voice.

“Every student saw you entering the washroom after the boys. You locked the door from inside and bullied those innocent boys because they refused to give you money.” replied the principle quickly. Thinking that he has cornered him gave him a sense of pleasure and he smirked. But his pleasure was short lived.

“Is it the story you created or some random student told you that?”

“Are you accusing me for lying? Why will I? Every student is equal for me and their safety is my top most priority.” replied principle hesitatingly.

“I am not accusing. I am just stating the facts. The truth is that all the boys entered after me. I don’t need money since I got plenty of my own. Nobody will believe what some random students said, at the end a physical proof will overpower their useless statement.”

“There is no evidence to prove your innocence, is there?”

“Let me rephrase that for you. I am already innocent. The question should be, is there any evidence that can prove you are lying? The camera near the boy’s washroom recorded the whole thing.”

“The cameras on that day were not working. I already asked the operators.”

“The amount of nonsense you are making is clearly remarkable. I know you told the operators to delete the data from that day. But I have already secured the video file.”

“Where is it? You are just bluffing.” Principal exclaimed.

“You don’t have to believe me. Just try to suspend me and I will show it to the world how the principal of a prestigious school is discriminating towards his students. Don’t worry about any backlash. The seniors will never admit that they all got beaten by a new student. I didn’t want to beat them but I had no choice. I had to set an example for others. I hope you will be understanding and let this little incident of mine slide.”

Robert’s plan worked. After that incident nobody dared to mess with him. His fear had been implanted in the heart of students so much that even during his speech nobody left the hall even though they didn't like him.

“Thank you for listening to me even though you don't want to.” Robert continued.

“I don’t have enough to say so let me leave you with this advice. Instead of wasting your time in getting jealous from someone, you all should invest that time working on yourselves.”

After completing his speech Robert left the hall. Students were still envious of him but they couldn’t ignore the things he said. After sometime the nature of hall returned to its cheerful atmosphere.

As Robert was approaching the school’s garden a humble voice called him.

“Where are you going? Shouldn’t you be with your friends?”

Robert immediately recognized the voice and turned around in a joyful manner to greet the person. His attitude changed completely as it was during the speech.

“How are you, sir?” said Robert to the old man. “I didn’t see you inside the hall so I got worried.”

“Places with huge crowd makes me uncomfortable. I am claustrophobic you know.” replied the old man in a humble manner. “Why were you looking for me?”

“I am graduating today. This is the last time we will be meeting. I brought a present for you today.” said Robert while handing over the gift.

The old man smiled. “You brought a present for an old person like me. But you see Robert nobody is discriminating against you. They are just scared of you. If you show them your kind side everyone will be your friend.”

They soon reached the garden and sat on a bench.

“So you were listening old man.”

“I said I am claustrophobic not deaf.”

“Everyone is just jealous of me. They just don’t want to be around me.” replied Robert in an irritating manner. “There is nothing to be scared off. I look like a normal person. I don’t have horns, nor multiple arms. You are not scared of me. Why can’t everyone be like you?”

The old man opened his present. Inside there is a small box with some seeds.

“These seeds are costly. Although I do not need to tell you but still, take care of them.”

“Do you know why people get scared in the first place?” questioned the old man.

“No, I don’t.” replied Robert hastily.

“Because they have something to lose. People get afraid when they realize that the things in their possession are temporary. As for me I don’t have anything nor anyone. I am just an old man working as a gardener for a school.”

Robert frowned. He didn’t want to accept that the old man was right.

“You are a kind child Robert. If you just let people be around you for a while they will be able to discover who you really are. Everyone is not same.”

“Aren’t you more annoying than usual today old man. Acting all philosophical might give you a sense of pride.”

They both laughed and then spent some time talking about their meetings in the past.

“Robert life is a journey and only a fool goes on a journey alone. Make lots and lots of friends. Take pride in who you are and leave your mark on this world.” said the old man.

“I will keep this in mind." said Robert. "I will leave now. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye son. Live a happy life.”

Later on that day old man discovered a note inside the box. “Thank you for being my friend.” it said. The old man smiled as the sun the settled down.

What a troublesome boy, he thought.