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I am engrossed in my tablet when I hear a knock on my compartment door. I get up to find the train server has come with my lunch. I open the door and let him in. He sets up my table, places my meal down, and leaves.

I take out my sanitizer from my bag, unwrap the foil on my plate, and find dal makhani, rice, paneer butter masala, and roti. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Coco eyeing my plate. I chuckle, take a morsel of the dal and roti, and share a bite with Coco.

Having traveled by this train many times, I’m used to the bland food served, but surprisingly, this time the meal is above average. After finishing my meal, the server returns with an ice cream and clears the table. I tip him 50 bucks before he leaves.

As I eat my ice cream while gazing out the window, I admire the scenic view. Coco is resting on my lap, trying to get a taste of my treat. Suddenly, I'm reminded of a time when I went for ice cream with my cousin—who I can only describe as an evil bitch—my brother, and my dad. I recall coming home happily, only to be scolded by my mother for not taking my cousin to her favorite ice cream place. She reprimanded me harshly, saying it wasn’t my car, but theirs. That’s the last memory I have of my brother before he was taken from me.

I shudder at the thought and shake my head, trying to dispel the dark memories. My phone rings, pulling me from my reverie. I check the caller ID: it's Abhay, my manager. I answer, and he informs me that the notes for this year have been printed and I should stop by the warehouse tomorrow for a quality check. I confirm I’ll be there at 4:30. He asks about my journey and if he should pick me up, but I tell him Rohan is picking me up instead. He agrees, and I hang up.

Abhay is not just my manager; he’s also a friend. He was there when I started my online teaching journey and has been an indispensable part of my business. I began earning at 13 as a proofreader and content writer, and I also teach MBBS/BDS students while managing my YouTube channel. I launched my channel in my first year of college, documenting my journey and helping others. Now, I have 15 million subscribers, and last year, I launched my teaching app, ACHIEVERS, where I teach mbbs/bds students along with my team and prepare them for their professional exams. This year, we're launching hard copies of our notes and other study materials.

This business and my YouTube channel truly belong to me, and I’m proud to have turned my dreams into reality. I earn enough to be completely independent and no longer need to return to the wretched place I used to call home.

This was  my last trip to Delhi. In my first  year of MBBS, I  rented an apartment. Last year, I bought that very apartment. Finally, I have a place I can call home, and it’s all mine.

Coco barks, breaking my thoughts. I check the time—it’s 4:30 PM, which means he needs his treats. I get up, take out his treats from his bag, and he happily munches on them. After giving him some water, he jumps back to his seat and goes to sleep.

I head to the restroom and, upon returning, pull out my laptop to edit the video I plan to upload today.

By the time I finished editing and uploading the video , it was dinner time and the server came with my dinner. I had my dinner , gave Coco his dinner. Took Coco to the washroom and and then did my night time routine  Rohan called me and asked me what time should he be picking me up and then we chatted for a bit and then i went to sleep .

I woke up around 7:30 in the morning, completed my morning routine, and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Once I arrived at the station with Coco, I noticed the train had halted for half an hour. I headed to a small shop and bought some bread pakora. Afterward, Coco and I boarded the train again, where I was served breakfast. I gave Coco his meal, then settled in to watch Grey's Anatomy.

We reached Mumbai by 10:30 AM. I gathered my belongings, secured Coco on his leash, and deboarded the train. As soon as I got off, Coco started pulling on his leash, rushing toward Rohan. Rohan is Coco's favorite person apart from me. He greeted Coco with ear scratches and belly rubs before turning to me and engulfing me in a warm hug. After that, he took my luggage, and we headed to his car.
 
As we stepped out of the station, I took in my surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief. Mumbai always feels like home. Ever since I was little, I’ve been drawn to this city; I always dreamed of living here and starting anew, leaving everything behind. And now, I am finally free.

Rohan adjusted my luggage in his car and ushered Coco inside. Coco happily obliged, then Rohan turned to me and said, “Don’t be sad; you’re finally home.” I looked at him and asked, “How do you always know what to say?” He replied, “I’m your best friend; I know you better than you know yourself.” We laughed as we climbed into the car, and Rohan began the drive home.

He informed me that his mother had invited me for dinner  and that he had been strictly ordered to drop off my luggage at my place, and get me settled in . I nodded, looking out the window while humming along to the song playing in the background.

Sometimes I wonder how someone can be so loving and affectionate. Rohan’s mom treats me like her own, and I can’t help but think about why my own mother doesn’t love me. I’ve tried so hard for her affection all these years, but after that incident, I stopped trying. I came to see that she really hates me. As a kid, I tried to be everything she wanted me to be, but after that event, I realized that no matter what I do, she’s never going to love me. Now, I don’t even want her love; I am done with her.

We arrive at my apartment complex, The Royal Homes, and Rohan and I unload my luggage along with Coco before heading upstairs. The Royal Homes is a fully furnished apartment complex with all the luxuries and amenities, and I’m thrilled to have purchased a 3BHK apartment here. Affording a home in Mumbai is no easy feat, and I’ve been saving since I was 15. After eight years of hard work and dedication—thanks, in part, to my YouTube subscribers—I finally bought this place. I wasn’t able to decorate it much during my final year, but now I can finally transform it into everything I’ve ever wanted.

We take the elevator to the 10th floor, where I live. Rohan helps me with my luggage and makes sure Coco settles in while I take a shower. After I change into comfy clothes, I step into the lobby and see Rohan lounging on the couch. On the coffee table, two boxes of pizza and two boxes of garlic bread are waiting for us. I smile at him as he tells me to sit down, and we dive into our pizza while gossiping.

Rohan fills me in on everything that happened over the past month. He tells me he finally asked his crush out, and they’re going on a date the day after tomorrow. I squeal with joy and tell him how happy I am for him. Rohan has had a crush on our junior since the third year, and now they’ve both admitted their feelings to each other. I can’t contain my excitement!

After we finish our lunch, Rohan gets up to leave, saying he has to go shopping with his mom. He bids farewell to Coco and me before heading out. I lock the door behind him and decide to unpack my luggage. I put my hair up in a messy bun, play my cleaning playlist, and get to work.

After about two hours, I hear the doorbell ring and Coco barking. I head to the door to see who it is, and through the camera, I spot all four of them standing outside. Taking a deep breath, I double-check my locks when I hear a voice I recognize anywhere—it’s my mother. She’s banging on my door, demanding that I open it. Panic rises within me. Why is she here? How did they find my address?

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