The Bride they burned

"He didn't call me 'Mama'. But he looked at me like I'd never left."

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NYRA VORA

I hadn't seen him in 2 years.

Not since the night Ravian forced me to choose between my son's life and mine.

I chose his.

Walked barefoot on glass.

Collapsed in blood.

And woke up as Nyra.

But today—

Today, I was just a woman desperate to see her child.

---

DELHI INTERNATIONAL BOARDING SCHOOL

Celeste waited for me outside the admin building.

No heels. No fire. Just quiet sadness in her eyes.

> "He's inside. Reading. Same tree."

> "What did he say to you?"

> "Nothing. He doesn't know me. But he stared."

"Your eyes, Nyra. They're his now."

I stepped past her.

And the moment I saw him—

The world.

The revenge.

The pain.

All of it shattered.

---

He was so small.

So familiar.

Curled up under the tree, nose in a book, backpack too big for his shoulders.

Aarav.

My son.

I couldn't speak.

Not yet.

I just watched.

Until he looked up.

His eyes locked on mine.

And my knees almost buckled.

---

> "Hi," he said softly.

I forced a smile.

> "Hi."

> "Are you new here?"

> "No," I whispered. "I've just been far away."

> "You look like someone I know," he said.

My heart thrashed.

> "Oh?"

He nodded.

> "From my dreams."

I sat beside him, slowly.

Carefully.

He didn't move away.

He just… looked at me. Like I was something he was trying to remember.

> "What's your name?" he asked.

I hesitated.

> "Nyra."

He tilted his head.

> "That's a pretty name."

> "Yours?" I asked.

> "Aarav."

> "That's even prettier."

---

He picked at the hem of his shirt. Then quietly asked:

> "Do you believe in stars?"

I smiled, blinking fast.

> "I live by them."

> "My mama became one."

> "I know," I said softly.

He turned to me, serious now.

> "She had a scar on her hand. And a lullaby voice. And she always smelled like roses and burnt toast."

I choked on a laugh.

> "She sounds magical."

> "She was."

Then—

He leaned closer.

Inhaled softly.

> "You smell like her."

Silence.

He blinked.

> "You smell like my dreams."

I nearly broke.

> "That means your dreams are stronger than you think," I whispered.

---

LATER – SCHOOL OFFICE

I signed the visitor form with shaking hands.

Kai waited outside with Celeste, arms crossed.

> "He didn't know her," Celeste whispered. "But he felt her."

Kai didn't speak.

> "You okay?" she asked.

> "No," he said. "Because when he does find out who she is… he'll want her back."

Celeste frowned.

> "And you don't?"

Kai looked at her, dead serious.

> "I never had her to begin with."

---

NYRA – ON THE DRIVE BACK

I stared out the window.

One tear.

Just one.

And a silent promise:

> "I'm coming back for you, Aarav.

As your mother.

Not just a memory in a book."

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💔 End of Chapter 15

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