I was talking to my counselor about my life, and all the things I had gone through. I have been reading a lot of news about school kids committing suicide, due to bullying. After that, I started thinking that something should be done. I feel I should pour my heart out.

School life, for me, was always difficult, not solely because I didn't get good grades but I also didn't have friends. I was always bullied, verbally and physically. I experienced a lot of peer pressure. During my days in India, my Aspergers was severe and people thought I was just mental and many did not want to be friends with me. In Shanghai, I had experienced a completely different culture and it was really hard for me to adjust. I was bullied for having dark skin, for speaking in a thick Indian accent, for my poor English, for my looks, for my studies, for sports etc. I didn't have any knowledge of many things other than India and some people found that awkward. No one wanted to be friends with me due to my differentiation and that made me sad. This has always made me feel that I was a good-for-nothing. At first, I couldn't even tell my parents about how difficult my life was, but I eventually did.

When this continued and when things had gotten far worse, my mom told me that maybe I should quit school and do home-schooling because I have always been bullied. There were times I wanted to give up and I wished I didn't exist. But when my mom said this to me, I had this realization. I realized that giving up meant letting the bullies win. I decided that I wouldn't let that happen. I decided that I want to become someone. I decided that I would work harder and would not let anyone tell me I couldn't do something. This was when I became stronger and determined.

So I started focusing on doing the things I love. I started singing a lot more and participated in many plays. It took a while but most of them appreciated me and accepted me for who I am. Things did get better. I was socially awkward, but at least I got to connect with people through music. Music healed me too, whenever I was going through a tough day. I am ever so grateful to music.

Though these incidents made me into a fighter, there was a part of me that was afraid. I had lost the ability to trust people and I had difficulties loving myself. I didn't want to go through the same experiences again. I was afraid that people wouldn't like me for myself and would leave me. There were also times I felt that my bullies should be punished.

Now when I look back and think about it, I realize that I don't want to blame anyone. I don't have grudges against anyone. We were all kids then. We didn't understand many things, so we did a lot of things we regretted later on. To be honest, I did a lot of stupid things too. I used to make a big deal out of small things as I didn't understand a lot of things. But now, we are all mature and understanding, and we are doing well in our lives.

To all those kids who are going through bullying, school is a difficult time. You will be going through a lot of things. Yes, people will find out your flaws and won't accept you, yes you will be labeled and judged, because you are all kids, and no one will understand. Maybe your teachers won't help you much. You may feel you're worthless, but let me tell you this, you are not alone! You need to keep thinking about your dreams, you need to focus on the things you love, it will take time, but things will be fine eventually. But suicide is not an option! This would mean letting negativity win! Your parents, who are the ones that have your back, will feel really disheartened. Please be strong for yourself and them! You have a whole life ahead of you, wait until you go to college, wait until you get a job and get married.

I am at an amazing college, and I've made a lot of amazing friends, who have accepted me for who I am. I am doing the thing I love the most, music. Even though there are very few obstacles, I fight my way out. My qualities of being a fighter, being stronger and determined have helped me a lot and I am glad to be where I am right now.

To all the bullies in my life, I want to thank you. I went through a lot of torture, but then again, I would have been one of those kids who had committed suicide, or I would have stopped going to school and would have been home-schooled, but thank God, I didn't. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been who I am today. Thank you for making me strong and for making me understand a lot of things. Thank you for making me a fighter, and for helping me realize that I am not worthless.

And to all the bullies, please stop bullying. You may think that hurting people will make you feel good, but it's actually going to make you feel even worse. It will turn you into a worse person. When you actually understand, you will regret a lot of your actions. So please learn to love and accept people. We all have flaws but we are all human beings and we are all equal. Don't make other kids feel like ending their lives as there is a lot to see and experience in life! Hope you understand!

It's time this stops! Stop Bullying!