Chapter 1 : 𝐀𝐛𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

𝙍𝙪𝙝𝙞

Dark, so dark. It was impossible to see anything. The only noise here was my breathing.

I was here again.

At last the sound of water flowing dangerously finally reached my ears. I witnessed a Blue light which came and went rapidly and then everything slowly came into view. Little by little the scene cleared and now I could see it, the waterfall.

Nirvana Falls.

My eyes flew open as I came out of the dream.

Breath in, breathe out.

My hands moved. I wasn't paralysed this time. My tensed muscles finally calmed. I moved my head in the direction of the digital watch near my bed at the table.

5:00 AM.

My natural alarm always wakes me up at this time.

I had so many things to do today. I got off of my bed and checked for the result of the last round to get admission in Delhi University.

I had given the exams without telling anyone, I passed with good marks but still didn't get the college allotted. I opened the form when the newest message popped up.

Dear Ruhi, you've been selected in Delhi University...

I did it!

I jumped out of excitement on my bed. I got admission in college!

The college started a week ago, I was late as I got the admission in the last round but at least I got selected in one of the most popular University of education in India.

I completed my dream, mom. I wish you were here to celebrate this moment with me.

As much as I was happy about it, I had a few things to take care of.

A normal morning, though I was living in an abnormal house. After the death of my parents - which happened 15 years ago in a car accident - my uncle adopted me. I still couldn't imagine the efforts he had to do to persuade my aunt because she hated me.

My uncle was sitting across from me on the dining table, waiting for breakfast. My aunt was preparing a vegetable sandwich for her daughter. Leaving us on our own.

I moved the spoon on the empty plate, nervously gathering words to ask my uncle that I wanted to continue my higher studies.

"Mom, is my sandwich ready?" My cousin asked as she came and settled on the dining chair. Her hair were slightly messy, eyes still half opening.

"Yes, sweetheart. I made you a vegetable sandwich." Aunt replied.

"What? But I needed a chocolate sandwich." And as usual, she started crying loudly.

"Oh, okay. I'm sorry baby, I'll make you one. Don't cry." Aunt said, getting panicked.

This lady loved nothing more than her daughter - and her daughter loved nothing more than annoying her. My uncle and I shared a quick glance at each other.

"I'm getting late." Uncle said as his gaze fell on his watch.

"Honey, eat this sandwich, please." She served that vegetable sandwich to him and went back to fulfill her daughter's wish.

She was still crying and my ears hurt.

"Uncle?" I finally couraged to say, "I need to talk." I stare at the empty plate as everything went silent all of the sudden.

"Yes, say." He said with the mouthful of a bite of sandwich.

"I, uh, I got admission in the University." I said, my voice cracking nervously, so low it barely reached my own ears.

"What? You just completed your school. Now you want to graduate?" My aunt screamed shockingly from the corner of the kitchen.

She was the person who was never happy about my achievements, who scolded me for being me. Who was always on my nerves, taunting me, reminding me that I didn't belong with them. That I belonged nowhere.

She never showed empathy towards me, treating me like a maid who was leaving in their house without giving them rent. She compared me with her daughter, who was literally thirteen years younger than me.

She reminded me that how I was born to be a curse for my family... And she was afraid I'll become one for them too.

"I want to continue my studies." I said quietly.

"But we already spent a lot of money on your sch-"

"It's okay. What's wrong if she wants to do her higher studies?" Uncle said, cutting her in mid sentence, "I told you before, not to bring money all the time in everything."

The reason she hated me was when her daughter came into her life, she knew they had to divide the money they could've spent on their own child but sadly, they'll have to equally part it.

"But-" she tried to argue.

"I want to go to college." I pushed, this time cutting her in the middle of her sentence myself.

My uncle cleared his throat before saying, his voice laced with care, almost fatherly, "We have your responsibility, Ruhi. I'm glad you choose to talk about it. Well, do you know which-"

"Yes. I have everything sorted. I gave the exam, passed, college is allotted, course is what I wished for and I already filled all the requirements... Except fees." I said breathlessly.

He seemed impressed but didn't say anything for a beat, then after finishing his last bite he finally spoke, "You can go. I'll pay your fees by evening."

I smiled widely at the statement.

He was a good person, the only person who understood me in this house... was my uncle.

Every time my aunt tortured me with her taunts and in case he was there, he always took stand for me. He always supported me. Even on the days when she refused to go to school on my parent-teacher meeting, my uncle used to go with me. Always being proud of me even though I was just an average student.

He secretly bought me paint brushes and sketchbooks, knowing how much I loved to draw. While the next day, my aunt used to throw them in the dustbin, saying they were just trash.

After Arya was born, I finally found some ease, she stopped checking my room and throwing my personal stuff.

"Thank you so much, uncle." I said excitedly.

I saw my aunt sighing from the corner of my eye but I ignored it.

I entered my room after the breakfast. My room was the only place which gave me peace and trauma both.

It was full of paintings.

In the middle, there was a single bed, fully messed up. My diary laid opened on it. On the wall opposite to my bed, there was a frame of my parents. I talk with them through this, everyday. That photo frame was the first thing I used to see when I faced sleep paralysis.

The recent canvas of half completed painting of that place occupied the middle of my room. The place I see in my dreams. Every night.

I draw what I see in my dreams and that was the irony - I have never seen anything else in my dreams, except that place.

The wall against my bed was covered with the paintings and sketches of Nirvana Falls.

I looked closely at my room and exhaled, sitting at the corner of my bed and worked on completing the half left canvas.

The orion will be visible in the night sky today. After a long time.

The night sky makes me escape the reality. That was the reason I fell in love with the stars.

There was also a telescope near my window. My one and only important thing.

I didn't want to give up on my dreams, not because of some people who didn't want to see me happy. Who thought my life meant nothing. They only saw a girl who was silent, but behind that silence, a girl exist with dreams, desires, hopes... And she'll do anything to make them come true.

I smiled at the bliss of today.

It was the start of a new life, Ruhi.

Author :

The last image of the room is AI generated, because I wasn't able to find the exact room of my imagination on Pinterest. Even this photo isn't perfect itself... But I hope my readers can adjust. I have a strong way with the images I'm posting on my chapters... Because one wrong image and it can destroy the whole imagination. (⁠ʘ⁠ᴗ⁠ʘ⁠✿⁠)

One more thing, I would like to name the connection of my characters as : STARDUST LOVERS.

Here are some pictures you need to see before you proceed, maybe by this, you'll be clear why I named my story "Maybe we're made of the same Star."

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Thank you for reading. Vote and comment, it keeps me motivated.

Instagram : @limerencepearl