Twin Flames

Chapter 1

Ilan's POV:

I was just a boy in my twelfth standard when tragedy struck and changed the course of my life forever. My father passed away quietly in his sleep one night, leaving us devastated. Before we could even process his loss, fate dealt us another cruel blow—my mother collapsed during my father's funeral and left us, too. Suddenly, it was just me and my little sister, Iyal, who was only in her fifth standard. We were too young, too unprepared, to face a world that seemed far too harsh and unforgiving.

Our parents hadn't left behind much except for this modest house we called home. There were no significant savings, no safety net. Just a roof over our heads and each other. At the time, that had to be enough.

I knew I had to step up, even though I was barely more than a child myself. I would attend school during the weekdays, but on Saturdays and Sundays, I took up construction work to make ends meet. Leaving Iyal alone was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. I would prepare her meals in advance, lock the doors securely, and make her promise to stay indoors until I returned. It wasn't ideal, and I hated myself for it, but her safety mattered more than anything. I couldn't risk her being out in a world I knew was filled with uncertainties.

Learning to cook was another hurdle, but I did it for us. I taught myself through trial and error because I didn't want us to rely on anyone else. Slowly, we adapted to our new lives, lives without the warmth and guidance of our parents. It was just the two of us—her entire world reduced to me, and mine to her.

When I finished my higher secondary school with good marks, I chose to stay in our hometown for college. Iyal was still too young for me to leave her in someone else's care, even if we did have relatives on both sides. I refused to depend on them. We had already lost so much; I didn't want to lose our independence, too.

I managed to secure a merit seat at college, which eased the burden of tuition fees. However, there were still expenses for books and other necessities. To cover these, I continued my part-time construction work and later started taking tuitions at home. It wasn't much, but it helped us get by.

As time passed, our lives took on a rhythm. Iyal grew up, and so did I. By the time I graduated, I landed a good job in a reputable organization. The only catch was that I had to relocate to Bangalore.

Iyal had just completed her tenth standard, so I made the decision to take her with me. Leaving her behind wasn't an option. We rented an apartment in Bangalore, leaving our hometown house for rent to generate some additional income. Life moved forward. She continued her studies, completing high school and eventually earning her bachelor's degree. Watching her grow and succeed filled me with pride.

We were always there for each other, through every high and low, every twist and turn. She was my rock, and I was hers.

Then came the day when my job required me to relocate to Chennai. The thought of leaving her unsettled me, but Iyal had other plans. She convinced me it was time for her to live independently. She said she wanted to explore the world, to learn and grow without me hovering over her like a protective mother hen. It wasn't easy for me to let go, but her determination left me with no choice.

Before leaving, I made sure to meet her new roommate. I needed to know she would be in good hands. That's when I met her—Nila.

From the moment our eyes met, I felt something shift. She had this quiet grace about her, an aura that immediately put me at ease yet left me intrigued. She was different, and I knew right then that she wasn't just going to be Iyal's roommate. She was going to change my life.

That was the day everything began. The day I met my Nila.

*******

A new beginning....