The Unwanted Truth by Eshani Dutta

I believe that people only see what they want to see. People can be blinded by their own fantasy that they don’t even see reality, and when they step back into the real world, they are shocked to see the frightening truth.


I experienced the truth when my brother was applying to go to the Texas Academy of Math and Science. He filled out the application and wrote an essay. He worked really hard towards TAMS, but not the same with regular school. I had my doubts. My brother didn’t have the best grades, so I didn’t really believe he would get in. Then the next month he got an email saying he got an interview. I was still clueless, caught up in my own world not realizing that he could actually get in. After the interview, all that was left was waiting. And more waiting. All I could think about was what if he actually got in. Then we got the email. The shocking truth.


He got in.


I couldn’t believe it. I still denied. Now he’s leaving.


All my memories came flooding back.

All the fighting.

All the movies he showed me.

All the games we played.

All the music we listened to.

Everything we did. Even the “bad” things.

I’ll miss that. Everything will be different without him.

I’ll miss him.


I believe that people only see what they want to because they are afraid of the truth. Being blinded by fantasy has consequences. The truth shouldn’t be a fear, it should be a friend. Hiding from the truth will just pull you closer to reality. I learned the hard way.