Life is like a rollercoaster,
it has its ups and downs,
but it's your choice whether to scream or enjoy the ride...
When life's rollercoaster throws you off track, do you scream, or do you hold on tight?
For Ira and Rudraksh, the journey is far from...
*This part contains references to sexual harassment, emotional distress, illness, and suicidal thoughts. Reader discretion is advised.*
Nana = Mother's father
Nani = Mother's mothe
Dada = Father's father
-*-*-
Beside a guava tree, Ira sat on the low roof, her black patiala-clad legs dangling over the edge, swinging gently in a rhythm. The evening sky cast a warm orange glow over the scene, illuminating the open fields in the distance. Beside her, a brown calf with white patches - no more than five days old - sat quietly, its large eyes fixed intently on her face.
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Ira's gaze swept across the wheat fields, her expression still, eyes reflecting the calmness of the surroundings. She turned her hooded head toward the calf, and her gaze softened, a small smile playing on her lips.
The calf was licking her fingers, its rough tongue sending a tingling sensation across her skin. She cradled its head gently in her palm, her fingers stroking its soft fur.
The calf squealed and nuzzled into her lap, its warm breath wafting up to her face.
"Are you sleepy?" Ira asked quietly, her fingers stroking its brown fur.
The calf swayed its rabbit-like ears, making Ira giggle.
"Do you have a name?" she asked, looking into its big eyes.
"I guess not." Leaning forward, she planted a soft kiss on the calf's forehead. "Okay. From now on, your name is... Gauri."
Gauri's big eyes locked onto Ira's face, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. Then she snuggled deeper into the girl's lap, her body relaxing into Ira's warmth.
Ira's smile softened, and she wrapped her arms around Gauri, holding her close.
"Gauri... do you also think I'm a failure? Four attempts, three years - a long time, and no growth." Her voice was muffled against Gauri's warm body. "In my first attempt, I had no idea about the exam pattern. I had only heard of the NEET exam without really knowing what it was."
Her hand absently caressed Gauri's soft fur, finding solace in the gentle touch.
"There was barely one and a half months left when they forced me to fill out the form. I protested, said I wasn't ready, but still, they went ahead. Somehow, I passed the exam, but unfortunately, didn't cross the cut-off."
Her deep breaths synchronized with Gauri's calm breathing, a sense of peace slowly washing over her.
"I had secured the third rank in my twelfth board exams in the whole town. The topper got just three percent more than me. I swear, if things had been even slightly better, I would have topped." She exhaled softly. "But yeah, they even fought when I came home with the trophy and certificate after my tenth board - for best performance of the year."
