Burning Soul's

Chapter 3

Third PERSON POV

Adarsh arrived at the school with his team, greeted by the principal at the entrance.

"Hello, sir. Thank you for coming here on such short notice," the principal said respectfully.

Adarsh gave him a brief nod. "It's totally fine, Mr. Rajvanshi. It's our duty anyway."

The principal expressed his gratitude once again before calling over Miss Pooja. "She will lead you to the medical room."

Adarsh acknowledged it with a simple "Hmm, thank you," and then proceeded inside with his team.

As they reached the medical room, Adarsh turned to his colleague. "Doctor Rahul, you check all the kids above the age of ten, and I will take the younger ones. Is that okay with you?" His voice was stern yet professional.

Rahul smiled reassuringly. "That is totally fine, sir. Don't worry."

Miss Pooja gestured towards another section of the building. "Doctor Rahul, come with me. I will show you the senior medical room."

As they left, Adarsh ordered the nurse to set up his station before taking a seat on the main chair. However, an uneasy feeling settled in his heart. He couldn't explain it, but it felt as though something valuable something life changing was about to come into his life. Shaking off the thought, he focused on the children approaching him.

ON THE OTHER SIDE

Aashvi sat alone in the classroom, her small fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. She had never been one to have many friends, and today, her only friend was absent. The loneliness gnawed at her, but what hurt her the most was how the other children treated her especially Maya, the class bully.

Maya sneered at her. "Are you going to cry again, Aashvi? You always cry! Oh wait, are you crying for your father?" She giggled cruelly. "Oh, sorry! You don't even have a father!"

Tears welled up in Aashvi's eyes. "Please go, Maya," she whispered, her voice trembling.

But Maya wasn't done. She turned to the other kids and laughed. "Look, everyone! The girl without a father is crying again! Don't cry, Aashvi. Who knows? Maybe one day your mother will also leave you, just like your father did! You're just a burden maybe that's why your father abandoned you!"

Aashvi shook her head desperately. "Aisa nahi hai! Mumma will never leave me. She promised!" Her tiny fists clenched. "You're a bad person! When my papa comes back, I will complain about all of you!"

Maya smirked. "Tumhare papa kabhi nahi aayenge. You will always be alone!"

That was the last straw. Furious and heartbroken, Aashvi pushed Maya, making her stumble back. Maya's face twisted in rage. Without thinking, she grabbed a compass from the desk and stabbed it into Aashvi's arm.

Aashvi screamed in pain as blood trickled down her arm, while Maya also started crying. Their commotion drew the attention of the class teacher, who rushed inside. She froze momentarily, seeing Aashvi's bleeding arm before her gaze shifted to Maya, who clutched her head and sobbed.

"What happened?!" the teacher demanded, her voice sharp as she pulled Maya into her arms protectively.

One of the boys in the class spoke up. "Miss, Aashvi and Maya were arguing, and then Aashvi pushed Maya. Maya got angry and stabbed her with a compass."

The teacher's eyes darkened as she turned to Aashvi. "Why did you push Maya? Did your mother never teach you any manners?" Her voice dripped with disdain. "But then again, what else can we expect from a fatherless child?"

Aashvi's lips quivered. She couldn't form words. Fear gripped her small frame as the teacher grabbed her wounded arm and dragged her toward the medical room.

ADARSH'S POV

I looked up as I saw two crying girls being brought into the medical room. One was securely in the teacher's arms, while the other-a tiny girl-was being dragged harshly. Something about the sight made my blood boil.

Her face was hidden behind her bangs, but I felt an odd pull toward her. Pushing the strange feeling aside, I stepped forward. "How can I help you, ma'am?"

The teacher plastered a fake smile on her face. "Sir, my daughter got into a fight with this girl. They hurt each other. Can you check on her first? Aashvi can wait... right, Aashvi?"

My jaw clenched. "Miss, you don't need to worry. But can you please take your daughter to Dr. Rahul? He should be free now and can check on her properly. Nurse Sunita will take you there. Meanwhile, I will check on this little one."

The teacher seemed hesitant but eventually nodded. "Okay, sir. And you better behave, Aashvi," she spat before walking away.

I turned to the little girl who was still trembling. Kneeling in front of her, I spoke softly. "Hey, princess... Can you look at me once? Please, sweetheart?"

I never spoke like this-at least, that's what people said. But something about her... I couldn't explain it.

Slowly, she lifted her head, and my breath caught in my throat.

She looked exactly like me.

A perfect female version of me. My heartbeat quickened, but I shoved my thoughts aside and lifted her into my arms.

"Hey, sweetheart, can you tell me your name?"

The little girl blinked up at me with innocent eyes. "My name is Aashvi. What's yours?"

A faint smile tugged at my lips. "Such a pretty name for a pretty girl. It suits you." I paused. "My name is Adarsh Oberoi."

Aashvi's small fingers clutched my coat as she sniffled. "Maya and others were bullying me... because I don't have a papa..."

My hands clenched into fists. How could anyone torment such a small child like this? She started crying again, and without hesitation, I hugged her tightly.

"Shh, sweetheart. You're safe, baby. Don't worry."

I sat her on the bed and took out the medical supplies. "Nurse Sunita, hold her arm steady."

The moment the alcohol touched her wound, she let out a loud cry. My heart twisted, but I quickly finished bandaging her. Throughout the process, she sobbed, clinging to me desperately.

"Hey, hey," I whispered, wiping her tears. "Bas, meri jaan... ho gaya. Khatam. Sorry, baby... maaf kar do?"

Her tiny arms wrapped around my neck like a koala, and I instinctively held her closer.

I knew this part wasn't over yet. Taking a deep breath, I gestured for Nurse Sunita to bring the injection. The moment she wiped the injection site, Aashvi started crying again, burying her face into my chest.

"I'm sorry, meri jaan," I murmured.

As the needle went in, she screamed, "Aaaaaah! Please take it out! Please, it hurts! I'm sorry!"

My grip on her tightened. "Bas ho gaya, bacha... Don't be sorry, please, meri jaan."

Once the injection was out, I stood up and started pacing the room with her still in my arms, rubbing her back soothingly. She was no longer crying but had gone completely silent, her small frame resting against me.

She didn't know yet... but the most important part was still left.

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Author's Note:

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What did you think of Adarsh and Aashvi's first interaction? Did the teacher's behavior make you as furious as Adarsh? And what do you think will happen next? Drop your thoughts in the comments-I'd love to hear them!