Author's Note:
Hey folks! Here's the final chapter of the story. Huge thanks for the tremendous positive response to the previous chapters. Hope you enjoy the ending. I'll look forward to your comments.
All the characters in this story are above 18 years of age.
*****
Metamorphosis
. A process during which a small larva transforms into a beautiful butterfly. The larva spins a cocoon around itself and undergoes a transformation within. It finally emerges from the cocoon as an adult butterfly; fully developed; ready to spread its wings and take flight.
"Wow! That's a gorgeous dress. Your cousin looks so pretty," Nisha ma'am said.
It was a Friday night. My seventh semester classes had resumed that week, after the vacation. We laid on her bed, looking at my laptop. I showed her the pictures I had clicked at the wedding.
We went through the ones I had finalized and edited. Ma'am was happy to see my family and I having fun. She was especially happy when I narrated the events of the wedding and the stir I had caused among my relatives.
She kissed my forehead and said, "I am so proud of you, Sam. Look how far you've come."
Even after being so sexually intimate with her, I blushed when she kissed my forehead and praised me.
"That's all the wedding photos I had. Now, let's look at these..."
I clicked on another folder. This contained all the photos from our time together in Goa.
"Finally! I am so eager to see how these have turned out," ma'am said, enthusiastically.
We went through each of the photos. The pictures were really good and she looked lovely in them. I had shot few selfies of us too, but most of the pictures were of her with the scenic backdrop of Goa.
She admired every picture. "Can you copy these to my laptop as well?"
I nodded.
"You know what, I think you should volunteer as a photographer at the University annual festival this year. That'll give you a lot of exposure and experience," she said.
"Ok, I'll try it out."
She smiled at me and then grimaced with sudden pain. "Oh! It's killing me," she said, as she felt another cramp.
Ma'am was having her periods. It had started earlier that day. I knew the first day was always painful for her. She got severe cramps in her belly followed by a throbbing ache in her lower back.
I rolled her onto her back on the bed and gently massaged her lower abdomen. Then I massaged her lower back. I plugged in the electric heating pad, set it to a comfortable temperature and placed it under her lower back. She laid on the bed and sighed, comfortable for now.
I laid next to her. She hugged me, enjoying the warmth and comfort of my embrace. I moved my fingers gently through her hair and kissed her forehead. I slowly massaged her scalp, as she slipped into a peaceful slumber.
*****
As the seventh semester continued, my classmates got busy, preparing for the recruitment drives coming up in a few months. Since I wasn't going to be a part of that, I started preparations for the MBA entrance exams.
Ma'am helped me a lot with the preparations. She was an alumnus of IIMA, one of the best B-schools in India. Some of her friends had gone on to become professors at other prestigious B-schools. She introduced me to them and I was able to get some valuable insights into the selection process and beyond.
The recruitment drive was soon upon the students at the University. I volunteered as a student coordinator. Along with other student coordinators, I helped the University recruitment officer to conduct the drive smoothly. I interacted with the interview panel members and senior officials from top MNCs who visited the campus for the recruitment drive.
At the end, Zoheb had job offers from two different companies. We partied and celebrated his success.
After the seventh semester exams, I sat for several MBA entrance exams that are conducted by the different B-schools. I did well and was confident of achieving good percentile in them.
Finally, I was in the last semester of my engineering program.
I took up Nisha ma'am's advice and volunteered as a photographer for the University annual festival. I had a great time taking pictures of the various events and interacting with several students and professors from my University as well as those visiting from outside.
The results of the MBA entrance exams were published shortly. I got calls from several prestigious B-schools for further shortlisting. Ma'am helped me prepare for the interviews and group discussions that are usually part of the final selection process. I was ready.
*****
I sat on the lounge chair on Nisha ma'am's balcony at her house. It was a Saturday evening that I'd never forget. My last day with her. I was all set to permanently move out of Mumbai, and her life, the next day.
The final semester exams of my engineering program were done and dusted. Results were out. Certificates had been awarded at the valediction ceremony. Goodbyes had been said to classmates.
I had been selected into three prestigious B-schools. I still had time to decide and finalize my choice while spending the days with my family in Dehradun. Classes for the MBA program were slated to commence in another two months.
Now it was time to bid farewell to Nisha ma'am. I had spent the entire Friday with her. We both knew these were the final hours we had with each other.
"Ma'am, I can stay for few more weeks, you know. I don't have to go home so soon," I said, trying to convince her.
"Sam, we spoke about this. Trust me, you should spend time with your family. You won't get this chance again. Life would be really hectic once you start your MBA. And once you're done, you'll be off somewhere else for your career."
She held my hands and squeezed them softly, "Go home, Sam. Spend time with your parents. They'd be really glad to have you with them."
The sun had set in the western sky. The birds were flying home for the night. I had a lump in my throat. My eyes were moist. My voice wavered.
"So... this is the end..."
She nodded, holding back her tears. She caressed my cheek and said, "It's just an end to this chapter for your life. But also the beginning of another. You'll meet new people... have new experiences... make new memories," she said, getting chocked up, "I hope you'll look back at our time together with fondness... my sunshine."
I pulled her to me. We hugged each other tightly. Tears ran down our faces as we broke down and cried openly.
"I'll never ever forget you, ma'am. You'll always have a special place in my heart. I'll cherish these moments forever."
She kissed my lips. "Thank you, Sam. You came into my life and made me whole again. You brought me so much joy. Thank you for reminding me how to be happy."
She looked at her butterfly tattoo and caressed it. "Thank you for teaching me how to fly again."
*****