𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐞

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑶𝒏𝒆

POV : AARAV

The first day of our last semester dawned with an air of nostalgia and new beginnings. It was early July, and the monsoon had painted the day with its characteristic charm. A cool, subtle breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the aroma of blooming flowers across the campus. My batchmates arrived in their luxurious cars-BMWs, Mercedes, Audi-mirroring the opulence of our lives. I, Aarav Malhotra, son of Rajvir Malhotra, the richest man in India, stood there, surrounded by wealth yet waiting for something far more precious.

"Hey Aarav!" a familiar voice called from behind. It was Arsh, my best friend for eleven years. "What's up, mate?" he grinned, slapping me on the back.

"Hey, Arsh. Not much," I replied, attempting to mask my distraction. I knew what was coming next.

"You bastard, forget 'what's up'. Where were you yesterday? I called you eleven times! We had football plans," he said, eyes narrowing.

I opened my mouth to explain, but a warm, comforting hug from behind silenced me. The familiar scent of lavender filled my senses. It was Bhumika, my someone special.

I turned around and hugged her tightly. "Hey love," I whispered.

Everyone in college knew about us. For three and a half years, Bhumika and I had been inseparable, sharing our lives in every possible way. Our bond was built on trust, love, and deep companionship.

"Arsh, I'll catch you later," I said, grabbing Bhumika's hand. We began walking towards the parking lot. She looked stunning in her outfit. Her kurta was a beautiful white with soft pastel floral embroidery, flowing gracefully down her frame. She paired it with light blue palazzo pants, which had matching floral designs. The sheer sleeves of her kurta added a delicate touch. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, adding to her elegance. She wore traditional jhumkas that swayed gently with her movements, perfectly complementing her ensemble. As she stood there, her outfit and accessories reflected her calm and vibrant personality.

Today was special-she was going to meet my mother for the first time.

"You look beautiful," I said, admiring her outfit.

She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you. I'm nervous about meeting your mom, though."

"Don't be. She'll love you," I reassured her, squeezing her hand.

As we walked, Aizen, my rival, appeared, eyeing Bhumika in a way that made my blood boil. "Hey, what's your problem? What are you staring at?" I snapped.

"None of your business," he shot back, smirking.

That was it. Rage surged through me. "You're always doing this, always disrespecting her," I growled.

I walked towards him, ignoring Bhumika's attempts to hold me back. Before I knew it, my fist connected with his face. His friends lunged at me, and chaos erupted. Bhumika's voice rang in my ears, pleading with me to stop, but the adrenaline drowned it out.

My MMA training kicked in, and I fought with a controlled fury. Arsh joined in, pulling me back just as the campus guards arrived, dragging the troublemakers away. Breathing heavily, I turned to Bhumika. Her eyes were filled with fear and brimming with tears. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed to her and wrapped her in a tight hug.

Bhumika felt a wave of relief wash over her as Aarav whispered softly, "Everything is fine Bhumi, and I'm here with you."

His warm embrace and reassuring words turned a tense moment into a tender, comforting one. Bhumika buried her face in his chest, feeling safe and loved, while Aarav gently stroked her hair, promising to always be there for her.

"We're going somewhere," she said firmly, pulling me towards the car.

As we drove, the tension melted away, replaced by a soft, intimate conversation about our future. "Do you ever think about what our life will be like after college?" she asked, resting her hand on mine.

"All the time," I confessed." I see us together, happy. Maybe we'll travel the world, start something of our own."

She smiled. "I love the sound of that."

"We'll have a house by the beach," she continued dreamily. "And maybe a little garden where we can grow our own vegetables."

"Sure, but you know I'll end up killing most of the plants," I laughed.

She giggled, "Then I guess I'll be the gardener in the family."

We finally reached the hospital. You might be wondering why we're here at the hospital. My mother is diagnosed of Stage IV Blood Cancer.

As we reached there, my smile turned into an expressionless face, as memories of past rushed into my head.

Her eyes filled with concern, squeezing my hand tighter. "We'll get through this together."

We walked into the hospital, the sterile smell and hushed whispers amplifying the gravity of the situation. My mother, a beacon of strength, lay on the hospital bed, her face lighting up as we entered.

An IV was attached to her hand, and various medical equipment surrounded her, beeping softly. The sight of my mother in such a vulnerable state brought a lump to my throat. Memories of her vibrant and strong flooded my mind, contrasting sharply with the scene Infront of me.

"Aarav, my son," she said weakly, smiling at us. "And this must be Bhumika. I've heard so much about you."

"Hello, Mrs. Malhotra," Bhumika greeted her warmly, her voice trembling slightly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"My dear, call me Mom. Aarav talks about you all the time," she said, reaching out to hold Bhumika's hand. "You're even more beautiful than he described."

"Thank you, Mom," Bhumika said, her voice full of emotion. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

We spent the next hour talking, sharing stories and memories. My mother's spirit was unbroken, her strength unwavering despite the circumstances. She and Bhumika connected instantly, their bond deepening with each passing moment.

"You know, Aarav used to talk about you non-stop," my mother said, looking at Bhumika. "He couldn't wait to introduce you to me."

"He's been my rock through everything," Bhumika said, glancing at me with love. "I can't imagine my life without him."

"And I can't imagine mine without you," I said, feeling a lump in my throat.

Later, as we drove back to campus, Bhumika turned to me. "Your mother is incredible. I see where you get your strength from."

"She's always been my rock," I replied, my voice choked with emotion.

We parked the car and sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the day's events settling over us. Bhumika rested her head on my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her, feeling a profound sense of gratitude for having her in my life.

"I love you, Aarav," she whispered.

"I love you too, Bhumika. More than anything," I responded, kissing her forehead.

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the campus, we knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. Our love, our bond, was our greatest strength. And with Bhumika by my side, I felt ready to conquer the world.

As Bhumika and I sat in the car, we suddenly heard the roar of engines getting louder. We turned our attention to the commotion outside and were shocked to see hundreds of black cars rushing towards us. Within moments, we were surrounded, the sheer number of vehicles creating an impenetrable barrier. Our hearts raced as we tried to make sense of what was happening.