The Metro Between
Chapter 1: Shadows in the Mirror
In the narrow bylanes of East Delhi, where buildings leaned over like old men whispering secrets to each other, lived Aarav. At eighteen, he was tall enough to be spotted in any crowd, but what people noticed first was his weight. Fat—not overweight, not chubby—just fat. He wasn't ugly, not by a long shot. His skin was clear, his eyes a deep brown that held a world of unspoken stories, and he had an awkward charm that could have won hearts… if only someone had looked past his body.
But no one did. Not in school, not in his colony, not even his cousins who always called him "Motu" with a laugh that hurt more than sticks and stones.
He didn't care much about appearances. Self-care was a foreign concept. His wardrobe consisted of oversized T-shirts and faded jeans. His idea of skincare was soap, and even that was optional. While other boys styled their hair and sprayed perfume, Aarav smelled faintly of sweat and old books.
But life was about to shift like tectonic plates under his feet.