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"He didn't know the word for grief. But he carried it in his backpack."
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AARAV VORA
Age: 7
Location: Delhi International Boarding School
I sat alone at lunch again.
It didn't bother me—
until I heard it.
> "That's the orphan kid."
"Yeah. The one whose mom is dead."
"No dad either. Probably made-up stories."
I didn't look up.
I just stared at my sandwich.
Because if I looked at them, they'd see my eyes shaking.
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FLASHBACK – 2 YEARS AGO
Mama used to kiss me goodnight twice.
> "Once for today," she said.
"And once in case tomorrow hurts."
I didn't understand it then.
Now I do.
Because every tomorrow after that night—hurt.
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PRESENT – SCHOOL LIBRARY
I sat under the same tree during recess.
Reading my favorite book:
My Mom Is a Star.
There was a page in the middle with a note.
Mama's handwriting.
> "Aarav, when you miss me, look up.
I'm the loudest star. The one who never stops burning."
I didn't cry.
Because Mama said stars don't cry.
They shine even when it hurts.
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ACROSS THE STREET – CELESTE MIRZA
She stood in a long beige trench coat, sunglasses, and no makeup.
Watching the boy.
She didn't breathe for three whole minutes.
Not until she saw the book.
The same book Meher once kept beside her bed.
The one she read to Celeste on nights when she couldn't sleep.
And now…
Her son held it like a shield.
He dropped it while running back to class.
Celeste picked it up.
Held it close.
Whispered:
> "So you're hers."
Her voice cracked.
And for the first time in years—Celeste cried.
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LATER THAT EVENING – NYRA'S ROOM
The door slammed open.
Kai barged in.
> "He's been found," he said.
I stood up.
> "Aarav?"
> "Yes."
> "Where?"
> "Delhi. Celeste found him."
I froze.
> "She saw him?"
> "She cried."
My heart twisted.
> "We're going to him," I said.
> "You sure?" Kai asked. "Once you see him, you can't go back to being Nyra."
> "I don't want to be her anymore," I whispered.
"I want to be his mother again."
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MEANWHILE – CELESTE
She sat in a car outside the school gates, clutching the book.
Phone in hand.
She texted Nyra:
> "He's beautiful. And he's waiting for you. Just say the word."
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💔 End of Chapter 14
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