The Mirror of Trust
She stopped a few steps away, catching her breath. "Is that dog yours?" I asked, adjusting winter in my arms.
"Yes, thank you so much for finding him and bringing him here," she said, her voice warm and filled with gratitude. "He ran away during his treatment. I was so worried."
She stepped closer, her hands reaching out as she softly called, "Romeo, come here." But Romeo didn't budge. His muzzle remained firmly pressed against my shoulder, his body relaxed in my arms.
"I guess he doesn't want to go back for treatment," I said with a small chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
She smiled, her lips curving into a grateful expression. "He's stubborn like that. But... could you please help me with him? I don't think I can carry him back on my own."
"Of course," I replied without hesitation.
Together, we made our way toward the clinic, her steps matching mine as we walked side by side. She occasionally glanced at Romeo, her concern for him evident, and I noticed the way her eyes would flicker to me as well, as though assessing whether she could trust me.
When we reached the clinic, the door swung open, and the veterinarian—a middle-aged man with a kind but tired face—immediately approached us. "Ah, Romeo! You found him," the doctor said, his tone relieved.
As the veterinarian reached out to take Romeo, I felt the dog's slight hesitation, his muzzle still resting against my shoulder. "It's okay, buddy," I murmured, giving him one last stroke on the head before gently handing him over.
"Hold him just like that; it'll only take a second," the doctor said as he approached Romeo with a small spray bottle in hand. I adjusted my grip slightly, keeping Romeo steady. He let out a small whine but didn't struggle, his trust in me evident. The doctor carefully applied the spray to the injured leg—a minor wound from playing in a garden, aggravated by the sharp thorns of a safety hedge. Romeo flinched at first but soon settled, his ears twitching as I murmured soft reassurances.
Once the treatment was done, the doctor gave us a nod. "He'll be fine. Just keep an eye on him and try to prevent him from running around too much for a few days."
I carried Romeo out of the clinic, his warm, furry weight oddly comforting. The girl—Ananya—walked beside me, her expression one of relief now that Romeo was treated. We stepped out into the cool night air, and she gestured toward a nearby bench.
"My car's on its way to pick us up," she said. "Would you mind waiting with me? It's late, and I'd rather not sit alone."
I nodded and followed her to the bench, settling down with Romeo still in my arms. He seemed content, his head resting against my chest as if he were falling asleep. The street was quiet, the occasional breeze rustling through the leaves, and the soft glow of a distant streetlamp cast a warm light over the scene.
The girl turned to me, her expression softening even further. "Thank you... I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't helped."
"I'm really grateful," she said quietly, her voice carrying a sincerity that warmed something in me. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I'd done something that truly mattered.
We sat on nearby bench because she said her car is coming to pick her up. It was night so I didn't leave her alone and she asked so…
My name is Ananya Rathore thanks for helping me with Romeo. She introduced herself.
You're welcome, my name is Raj Jadhav I said introducing myself to her.
I have seen you somewhere? She spoke
I guess not because I didn't recall a memory to meet someone like you especially a girl. i said.
Maybe I have seen you in college Which college do you attend? She asked
I'm in my final year of junior college. The city junior college. I spoke
I knew it I attended the same junior college and as the same age as you she said.
Oh... I said at that time a car arrived.
Can I give you a ride towards your home? She asked
No, I'm just taking a walk after dinner I said
Okay I need to go come on Romeo she said and Romeo who was in my arms jump off and followed her into car. They left in the car and I moved towards my apartment.
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The chirping of birds and faint sunlight coming from window wake me up. I remember today is the day when water is coming to tap. I immediately get up and connect the pipe towards the water storages from room.
The water come as scheduled and I was busy washing water storages and refilling them at that time someone called my name from outside of room, I just heard and feel a numb sound echoing. My room don't have a bell. It is just a two-room apartment my parents choose for me.
I put a pipe into water storages and go outside to see who's calling me.
Oh! You so do live alone! A fine-looking guy maybe around the age of 24 or 25 standing in front of me. He wears glasses that suits his face too well and his hairs was formally cut as some kind of institutions workers.
I'm sorry I don't recognise you? So please can you tell me who are you? I asked
It's okay you probably don't remember me but I'm your new class teacher, you didn't come to college and I heard what happened. He said
About that... I said and about to ask him can I come to college again but he continued with
So, I came here to tell you this that the situation was resolved and you are not expelled from the college so please come to college again that's it. He said looking at me.
His face was so refreshing and bright when he told me the news.
Th.... thanks I said.
So get ready. We have college to attend he said.
Right now? But I didn't even eat breakfast and make my lunch I said
Don't worry we can eat on our way and can take out for lunch I usually to that he said.
Can you give me 15 min because right now water is coming and I have to fill out my water storages. I spoke
Okay I can wait he said.
I called him in my apartment and offered him tea while keeping eye on water.
I refilled every water storage from the apartment and changed into my uniform and went towards the bus stands with my new teacher.
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On the bus stands we go towards the breakfast hotel and eat dalcha rice and for lunch we take out from another family restaurant.
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"The 'Losing Hero' just found his 'Good Luck Charm.' 🐾✨