Heal Me

27. A New Beginning

Esha's POV.
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I stood in front of the mirror, a small smile dancing on my lips as I admired my reflection. There was something different about me today, something that wasn't just about the way I looked. I could feel the glow on my face, and I knew exactly why.

Happiness was glowing from within, radiating in every move I made. I was wearing a simple Indian casual outfit - a light green cotton kurta with white leggings and a matching net dupatta. My hair was tied in a loose braid, soft tendrils framing my face. Simple, yet there was a brightness in my eyes that I hadn't seen in a long time.

I looked down at my hands, fiddling with the ends of my dupatta. "Bas, Esha. You look fine," I muttered to myself. "He's not going to run away if you don't look perfect." I giggled at my own silliness.

But what if he does?

A small voice in my head teased me. I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

No, Ishaan's not like that.

I couldn't believe it - I had someone who cared about me, who loved me. Finally. After all the doubts and insecurities, there was someone who chose me. The very thought sent a thrill down my spine.

I did a little twirl in my room, the dupatta swirling around me. "Stop it, Esha," I scolded myself, but I couldn't stop smiling. I felt like a teenager in love for the first time. I mean, technically, it was my first time... for everything.

I glanced at the clock. It was almost time to leave for college, but I still had to get permission from her. My smile faltered a little as I thought of my mom. She had been distant, cold even. But today, I wasn't going to let that ruin my mood. I'd fight through it - for him.

I went downstairs, the sound of my mother's spoon clinking against her bowl echoed through the quiet kitchen. She was having her breakfast alone, as always. My father had already left for work, and as usual, the house felt lifeless. I stood by the doorway for a moment, watching her. She didn't even look up at me.

Gathering my courage, I walked towards her and stood by the dining table. "Maa," I said softly, almost hesitating. "Can I take the scooty today? I need to go to college."

She didn't look at me, just continued eating, her silence heavy, like a boulder pressing down on my chest. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice cold, "Scooty? Hm. So now you need the scooty to go wherever you like, right? College, or something else?"

I flinched at her words. The way she said 'something else' pierced through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. "Maa, I'm just going to college. Please, it's important," I pleaded, my voice soft. She finally looked up, her eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place.

"Important?" She scoffed. "For what, Esha? For studying or... for other distractions?" The accusation in her voice was clear. "You never cared this much about college before. Suddenly, you're in such a hurry."

I bit my lip, fighting the tears that threatened to spill.

Why is it always so hard with her? I thought. "Please, maa. Just let me go. I'll be back early." I couldn't bear to explain further. She didn't understand, she never would.

After a long, tense silence, she pushed the keys across the table without another word. She didn't have to say anything more - her disapproval was clear enough. I grabbed the keys quickly, avoiding her gaze.

Without eating breakfast, I rushed out of the house, not wanting to stay in that suffocating atmosphere any longer. My eyes stung with unshed tears, but even through the hurt, a part of me felt lighter today. Because I knew where I was going. I knew who I was going to meet. And that thought alone made the pain easier to bear.

As I sat on the scooty and started it, a small smile crept onto my lips.

Ishaan.

Just thinking about him made my heart race. My stomach fluttered with excitement as I sped down the road towards college. Today was different. Today, I wasn't just going to see a friend. Today, I was meeting him-the person who loved me.

When I reached college, the moment I turned into the parking lot, my eyes instantly found Ishaan. He was leaning casually against his jeep, his hands in his pockets, looking straight at me like he had been waiting all morning. And maybe he had.

I stopped the scooty in front of him, and as soon as our eyes met, he smiled. Not just any smile, but one that made my heart skip a beat. His eyes sparkled with affection, and I couldn't help the shy grin that spread across my face.

He placed a hand over his heart dramatically and muttered, "Haaye," as if seeing me had stolen his breath. I blushed, feeling my cheeks heat up. I chuckled softly, unable to hold back my happiness. This felt like a dream.

Before we could say anything else, our moment was interrupted by none other than our two goofy friends. Karan and Sara came rushing over, Karan throwing his arm over Ishaan's shoulder and Sara standing beside me with a smirk.

"Oho, romance in public! Wah bhai wah!" Karan teased, nudging Ishaan playfully. "Ab toh college mein naye rules banane padenge, hain na?"

Ishaan rolled his eyes but laughed, pushing Karan away. "Shut up, yaar. Tumhe koi kaam nahi hai?"

"Kaam?" Sara chimed in with a grin. "In dono ko dekhne se better kaam kya ho sakta hai?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Aur tum, Esha? Chup chap scooter leke aa gayi. Kya chal raha hai?" Karan added, eyeing me suspiciously. "Koi secret plan hai kya?"

I tried to keep a straight face, but I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks again. "Shut up, Karan!" I smacked him lightly on the arm.

As the four of us bickered and teased each other, the weight on my heart from earlier began to lift completely. With them, everything felt so light, so carefree.

The day passed in a blur of smiles, laughter, and stolen glances between me and Ishaan. Even in class, every time our eyes met, there was an unspoken connection, a magnetic pull that made everything else fade away. I could feel his gaze on me, and every time I caught him looking, he'd smile that crooked smile that sent my heart racing.

After class, as we gathered outside, the air was thick with the warmth of the late afternoon sun, and something more - something between us. I stood beside Ishaan, feeling the gentle brush of his hand against mine, almost accidentally. Or maybe not.

I glanced up at him, and he smiled down at me, his eyes filled with a softness that made my knees weak. "You look beautiful today, Esha," he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.

My heart fluttered. "Thanks," I whispered back, a shy smile tugging at my lips. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the hurt from home, not the distance I felt with my mother.

All that mattered was *this*.

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To be continued.....