Shadow of Her Story

Chapter-8 The first day back

Time had flown by, and now Ananya found herself in 10th class. After months of online classes, lockdowns, and uncertainty, today was different—today was the day she was going back to school. Her heart fluttered with excitement as she got ready, the anticipation of seeing her friends again making her feel like a child on the first day of a new adventure.

It had been over a year since she last stepped into the classroom, and she couldn't help but marvel at how different things had become. The pandemic, her illness, and the long isolation had changed everything—but now, the world seemed to be opening up again, and so was she.

She slipped on her school uniform, adjusting the collar and tying her hair into a neat ponytail. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes still carrying the remnants of past struggles, but today they were brighter.

The moment she stepped outside her house, she felt the rush of freedom. The streets, though still quiet due to the pandemic, felt alive again. The hum of the city, the chirping of birds, the distant sounds of vehicles—it was all music to her ears. She waved goodbye to her parents, who wished her well with smiles that didn't quite mask their concern.

She had always taken an auto to school, enjoying the solitude during the ride, the time to reflect, or just lose herself in the music playing on her phone. The ride this time was no different—except that it felt like a milestone, a moment that marked a new chapter.

As the auto sped through the streets, Ananya couldn't help but think of her grandfather. Even though she was excited, there was a pang in her heart that wouldn't go away. Dadu should be here. He should be here, telling me how proud he is of me for pushing through everything.

POV (Ananya's Thoughts):
I wish he could see me today. I wish he could see how far I've come, how much I've changed. But I know he's with me, in my heart, every step of the way. Maybe he's proud of me after all...

Her thoughts were interrupted as the auto stopped in front of her school gate. She could already see the familiar faces of her friends gathered near the entrance, chatting and laughing, just as they always had. But this time, everything felt new. Her classmates, once mere faces on a screen, were now standing in front of her in the flesh. She smiled, a rush of happiness filling her chest.

As she walked toward them, she could feel the warmth of their greetings, the light teasing and the familiar jokes they shared. Ananya had missed this—being surrounded by her friends, the laughter, the chatter, the sense of belonging. It was all a little overwhelming, but in the best way possible.

As she sat in her first class back at school, Ananya tried to focus on the lessons, but her thoughts kept drifting. She looked around at the classroom, the desks, the chalkboard, and for a moment, it felt like things were almost back to normal. But in the back of her mind, her grandfather's absence lingered. She could almost hear his voice, his gentle advice, the stories he used to tell her about facing life's challenges with courage.

Ananya's gaze drifted to the corner of the room, where her grandfather's old photograph still hung in her heart, though it no longer hung on the wall. She had moved it to a more personal place, a place where she could feel close to him without needing others to understand.

POV (Ananya's Thoughts):
I miss you, Dadu. But I know you're with me. You always will be.

Despite the sadness that quietly followed her, Ananya felt a sense of peace. The world was still unpredictable, and there were days when fear crept in, but for today, she was filled with hope. Today, she wasn't just a girl who had faced loss and illness. She was a girl who had returned to school, to her life, with a renewed sense of strength.

She glanced around at her friends, then back at her desk, and finally, at the picture of her Dadu in her mind.

Today, I'm taking one more step. And I'm doing it for him too.

To be continued.............