"The Heart's Last Battle"

luna

Rayan: "I didn’t know much about Luna, but the more I observed her, the more I realized she was carrying a lot for someone so young. She had a mom, a dad, and a life that seemed perfect on the surface. Her mom, a baby caretaker, always gentle and caring, and her dad, a police officer, firm and commanding. I knew she was the only child in the family, which meant all their hopes and dreams were on her shoulders. That kind of pressure could crush anyone, but Luna... she never showed it.

What I didn’t know, though, was the one thing that seemed to weigh the most on her heart—her grandmother. She had been in a coma for months, and Luna’s family was doing everything they could, but no one knew if she would ever wake up. I never heard Luna talk about it, not once. But I could see it in her eyes, the sadness that lingered behind her usual calm expression.

Her grandmother was everything to her.
Rayan: "It had been a long journey, but finally, I got into a top university to pursue my MBBS degree. Now, I was in my third year, and the excitement of the new academic year was in full swing. It was that time again—the freshers were coming in, and the older students had their own way of welcoming them.

My friend Jack, who always had a wild sense of humor, was more than ready to make this year memorable.

Jack: 'Rayan, buddy, let’s grab some beer and ramen for the freshers. Give them a welcome they’ll never forget!'

Milli: 'Come on, Rayan, don’t make me ask twice. The freshers are here. Let’s go!'

Tara: 'You guys are unbelievable! Raging is illegal, you know. I’m Indian—I don’t take part in this nonsense.'

Carl: 'Tara, chill out. It’s just some harmless fun. Don’t be such a buzzkill!'
Rayan: "Carl was hyped up, ready to kick things off, but then Valley stepped in. She always had a way of taking control, especially when it came to me.

Valley: 'Hey, calm down, guys. Let me meet them first, and then we’ll give them the welcome they deserve—with just the right amount of 'horrible' smile.'

She flashed a mischievous grin, but there was something different in her eyes—something that always seemed to soften when she looked at me. It was that look that told me just how much she cared.

Then, she turned to Milli, her tone changing to something a little more impatient. 'Milli, where are my sandals? The ones Rayan gifted me? I can’t find them anywhere!'

She looked around the room, but her eyes kept darting back to me, like I was the center of her world. I could feel the weight of her love, her devotion. Sometimes, I wasn’t sure how to handle it

Rayan: 'Valley, don’t shout. Let’s go, the freshers are coming!'

I tried to keep the situation light, knowing how much she could get worked up over the smallest things.

Valley: 'Honey, it’s not just sandals you gifted me. It’s important! You know how much I love those sandals!'
Valley: "You know I get worried about my things, right? And you’re mine, Rayan. So, whatever you give me is mine too, and I’ll never lose them—no matter what."

She looked at me with a determined glint in her eyes, clutching onto my arm like I was her most prized possession. Valley’s love was intense, sometimes overwhelming, but there was a warmth to it that made me smile despite everything. It was her way of showing just how deeply she cared, even if it was over something as simple as a pair of sandals.
As we were getting ready, the announcement echoed through the speakers.

Announcement: "All freshers, please proceed to the seminar hall for the welcome meeting."

Valley: She grinned and turned to us, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "Looks like it’s showtime, guys. Let’s go greet our new batch!"

She glanced at me and added with a playful wink, "And remember, I’m watching you. No messing around too much, Rayan. These freshers are mine to handle."

I chuckled, knowing she was half-serious. Valley had a way of taking control, and even in her playful possessiveness, there was a natural leadership that everyone respected.

Valley: "Alright, everyone, let’s welcome our freshers! First up, Robert! Let’s give him a big round of applause. Come on, Robert, get on stage!" she said, her voice filled with excitement. "Next, we have Marin Spark, then Eleven."

The freshers started walking up to the stage one by one, and I couldn’t help but smile as I chatted with Jack, who was making jokes about everyone’s nervous expressions. But then, something unexpected happened.

Valley: "And finally, Luna. Luna, please come to the stage."

I froze mid-sentence. Luna? I thought to myself. It couldn’t be her, right? Maybe it was just another girl with the same name. But then Valley’s voice echoed through the hall once more.

Valley: "Luna Davis, please come up."

My heart skipped a beat. Luna Davis. It was her. I scanned the crowd, my eyes darting around, searching for any sign of her. And then I saw her, sitting quietly, almost blending into the background. She hadn’t moved a muscle, her head slightly bowed, as if she was avoiding everyone’s gaze.