Unbreakable After You

Episode 2: A New City, A New Beginning

(Aarohi’s POV)

The train finally slowed down.

My heart started beating faster without any reason.

This was it.

The city I had dreamed about… the place where I was supposed to change my life.

As I stepped down onto the platform, a wave of noise hit me—people rushing, announcements echoing, the smell of chai and dust mixed together.

For a moment, I just stood there.

Holding my bag.

Looking around.

“This is it, Aarohi… your new beginning.”

Before I could even process anything—

“AAAROOOHIII!”

I froze.

That voice.

I turned—

And there she was.

Running toward me like nothing had changed.

Riya.

My best friend. My safe place from college days.

And before I knew it—

She crashed into me, hugging me tightly.

“You i***t! Finally you’re here!” she almost shouted.

I laughed, hugging her back just as tight.

“I missed you…”

“I missed you more!” she pulled back, holding my face dramatically. “And wow, madam city girl… already glowing!”

“Shut up,” I rolled my eyes, smiling through everything I was feeling.

Excitement. Comfort. Relief.

I wasn’t alone anymore.

⸻

We somehow managed my luggage and stepped outside.

The city felt bigger now.

Louder.

Faster.

Riya quickly booked an auto.

“Come on, let’s go before you start overthinking your life choices,” she said.

“Too late for that,” I muttered.

She laughed.

⸻

As the auto moved, I kept looking outside.

Tall buildings. Busy roads. Unknown faces.

Everything felt unfamiliar… yet full of possibilities.

“So…” I turned to her, “tell me about the PG.”

Riya made a face.

“Okay, so… don’t expect luxury.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“That bad?”

“It’s not bad… it’s just… cheap,” she said honestly. “That’s why I’m still there.”

I smiled slightly.

“That’s okay. I was anyway planning to stay with you until I find a good place.”

“Same!” she said excitedly. “I was thinking we’ll find a flat together.”

I nodded.

“But until then…” she continued, “we’ll have to survive.”

“How many people?” I asked.

She hesitated.

“…Five.”

“What?!”

“One room. One bed. Four girls already. And now you.”

I stared at her.

She burst out laughing.

“Relax! We’ll manage. We always do.”

And somehow…

I believed her.

⸻

The PG was exactly how she described it.

Small. Crowded. Slightly messy.

But…

It had life.

Girls talking, laughing, arguing over chargers, someone cooking Maggi, someone on a call.

It felt chaotic.

But not lonely.

And right now… that was enough.

⸻

After settling in, the first thing I did was pick up my phone.

“Mumma” flashed on the screen.

My heart softened instantly.

I called.

She picked up in the first ring.

“Aarohi? You reached?”

Her voice…

That was home.

“Yes, Mom. I reached safely.”

A pause.

A soft breath of relief from her side.

“Are you okay? How is the place? Did you eat anything?”

I smiled, my eyes getting slightly moist.

“I’m fine. Really. Riya is here with me.”

“Hmm…” she said softly. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will. And you too.”

There was silence for a moment.

The kind that holds emotions.

“I miss you,” I whispered.

“I miss you more,” she replied, her voice gentle.

I closed my eyes for a second.

“I’ll make you proud, Mom.”

“I already am,” she said.

That was it.

That was all I needed.

⸻

That night, I lay on the bed—half of it mine, half Riya’s, adjusting between pillows, bags, and other girls.

It wasn’t comfortable.

It wasn’t perfect.

But my heart felt full.

Tomorrow was my first day.

My first step toward everything I had dreamed of.

Sleep came slowly…

but it came with hope.

⸻

(Next Morning)

I woke up before my alarm.

Nervous.

Excited.

Scared.

Everything at once.

After getting ready, I looked at myself in the mirror.

Formal clothes. Tied hair. A different version of me.

“New city, new life…” I whispered.

Riya peeked from behind.

“And new stress,” she added.

I threw a pillow at her.

⸻

The office building stood tall.

Glass walls reflecting the morning sun.

People walking in with confidence.

And there I was—

Standing at the entrance, holding my file tightly.

“You can do this.”

I walked in.

The reception area was huge, elegant, perfectly organized.

Everything felt… professional.

Structured.

Nothing like my chaotic little world.

After formalities, I was guided to a room where three other girls were already sitting.

New faces.

New stories.

New competition… maybe.

They looked at me, smiling politely.

I smiled back.

“Hi… I’m Aarohi.”

And just like that—

another chapter of my life began.