SOBIYA~

"Bhai, please come fast! We're getting late," I shouted from downstairs. Usually, people say girls take forever to get ready but in our house, it’s the opposite. I was all set, and my brother was the one still taking his sweet time.

Just then, Aleeza bhabhi walked in from the hallway, handing me my tiffin. "Sobi, here’s your lunch. Make sure you eat on time, okay?" she said with that gentle smile of hers. She always takes such good care of me I adore her for it.

"Bhabhi, you’re so sweet. Thank you for the tiffin. I’ll miss you," I said, trying hard to blink back the tears.

She pulled me into a warm hug. "No need to get emotional, my bacha. I’ll miss you more. Be safe."

I simply nodded, unable to say more.

"Let’s go. I’m ready now," Bhai finally appeared, looking like he just walked out of a fashion magazine.

"Finally, The model is ready," Bhabhi teased, laughing. "Next time, we’ll tell people you’re the one who takes forever, not Sobi & me!"

We all laughed, and with that, we loaded my bags into the car and set off for Mumbai.

As I looked out the window, watching the streets pass by, a wave of emotions hit me. I was leaving for Mumbai a whole new city, a new life. I’m going there for my studies, to chase my dream of becoming a fashion designer. I’ll be living there until my degree is complete. It’s exciting and terrifying.

I don’t have parents. They've been gone for years now. My brother, Adnan, has taken care of me ever since. He’s not just my brother he’s been my guardian, my support, my everything. A few years ago, he got married to Aleeza bhabhi. She’s been a blessing in my life so kind, so gentle.

Bhai once told me, "Aleeza came into my life when my world was at its darkest." And he was right. There was a time he was in a relationship with someone else, someone he truly loved. But for reasons I still don’t fully know, that girl didn’t end up marrying him.

And then, Aleeza bhabhi came into our lives.

She didn’t just become Bhai’s wife she became the light I didn’t know I needed.

After hours on the road, the car finally pulled into the gates of my hostel in Mumbai. My heart thudded in my chest part nerves, part excitement, part the ache of goodbye.

Bhai parked the car and stepped out with me, insisting on carrying my bags despite my protests. Aleeza bhabhi stayed back, waving at me with a soft smile that masked the emotion in her eyes. I waved back, biting my lip to stop the tears from escaping.

We climbed the stairs slowly neither of us saying much. Maybe we both were trying to make the moment last just a little longer.

When we reached my room, Bhai placed my bag down gently and looked around. It was a small space just a bed, a cupboard, a study table. Nothing fancy. But it was mine now.

He turned to me, his eyes a little too glassy for comfort. "So this is it," he said with a half smile.

I nodded, suddenly finding it hard to speak.

"I still remember the day you first learned to ride a bicycle," he continued, voice soft. "You were so tiny, and so stubborn. You fell, scraped your knee, and got up without crying just so I wouldn't stop you."

A tear rolled down my cheek.

"And now here you are all grown up, chasing your dreams," he said, his voice breaking. "I’m so proud of you, Sobi."

That was it. I couldn’t hold it anymore.

I hugged him tightly, tears falling freely now. "Thank you, Bhai for everything. For being my parents. My best friend. My everything."

He hugged me back just as tight. "Always, Sobia. Always. No matter where you are, you’ll never be alone. Call me if you even feel a little low. Promise me?"

"Promise."

He wiped his tears quickly, trying to smile again. "Okay, now I should leave before I embarrass myself more."

We both laughed through our tears.

As he walked to the door, he turned back one last time. "Shine bright, meri designer."

And with that, he left.

The door clicked shut, and I stood there, alone in a new city, with a heart full of love and the bittersweet taste of goodbyes, but I wasn't afraid I was ready.

—

I took a deep breath, clutching my tote bag a little tighter as I stepped through the gates of my college. My heart was racing. The campus was buzzing with students laughing, talking, walking like they’d done this a hundred times before. Meanwhile, I was standing there, trying to calm my shaky hands and the storm inside my chest.

You’ve got this, Sobiya. Just one step at a time.

I followed the signs to my department and finally found my classroom. As I stepped in, I quickly scanned the room rows of chairs, a whiteboard, and faces I didn’t recognize. I slipped into a seat near the middle, hoping not to draw attention.

I kept fidgeting with the strap of my bag, pretending to look busy as more students trickled in. My mind was full of what-ifs what if I didn’t fit in? What if I had no friends? What if this wasn’t the right path after all?

Just then, a soft voice behind me broke my spiral.

“Hey, is this seat taken?”

I turned around to see a girl with the brightest eyes and the warmest smile. Her hair was tied in a loose ponytail, and she had that effortless kind of cuteness that made you instantly like her.

“No, not at all,” I replied, scooting a bit to the side.

She sat down, settling in beside me, and leaned forward a little. “I’m Inaaya, by the way. First day too?”

I smiled, grateful for the conversation. “Yeah. I’m Sobiya. But you can call me Sobi.”

“Ooh, Sobi! That’s such a pretty name. You seem like a Sobi soft and cute,” she said, making me chuckle for the first time that morning.

We exchanged a few more words before the professor walked in and the lecture began. But every now and then, I’d glance back at her and catch her doodling little flowers in the corner of her notebook.

By the end of the class, Inaaya leaned forward again. “ You seem like you didn't belong from here”

“You’re right,” I laughed. “I just moved here . Came for the fashion design course.”

“No way! Fashion designer! That’s so cool.” She paused, then tilted her head slightly. “Do you live here alone?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m staying in the college hostel.”

“What about your family?”

I hesitated for a second, then replied, “I live with my brother and bhabhi back home. We lost our parents a few years ago, so Bhai’s raised me since.”

Inaaya’s smile softened. “That’s… beautiful. He must be really proud of you.”

“He is,” I said, my chest tightening at the thought of him. “He’s my whole world.”

She nodded thoughtfully, then bumped my shoulder playfully. “Well, now you’ve got me too. I officially claim the title of your first Mumbai friend!”

I laughed. “I’d like that.”

“Good. Come on, let’s go grab something from the canteen.”

And just like that, the heavy fog of nervousness started to lift. Maybe this city wasn’t so scary after all.

I pushed open the door to my hostel room and dropped my bag by the side. The moment I sat on the bed, a tired sigh escaped my lips. My shoulders ached, and my mind was still racing with everything from today.

Just as I leaned back against the pillow, my phone buzzed.

Bhai.

A soft smile tugged at my lips. I picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Sobiaaa!” It was Bhabhi’s voice sweet, warm, and full of love. “How was your first day, meri jaan?”

Before I could answer, Bhai's voice cut in. “Did everything go okay? You settled in fine? No issues?”

I laughed softly. “Yes, Bhai. Everything’s fine. The college is huge, but I think I’ll find my way soon.”

“And how were your classes?” Bhabhi asked eagerly.

“They were good,” I said. “And… I made a friend too.”

“Acha?” Bhai sounded surprised but happy. “That’s great!”

After a few more minutes of chatting, I assured them I was doing okay, promised to eat dinner, and cut the call.

The room felt quiet again.I stared at the ceiling, Inaaya’s face flashing in my mind.

She was nice. Really nice. The kind of girl you instantly feel drawn to.She told me she’s from Mumbai and lives in a cozy apartment nearby. Her vibe was comforting like a warm cup of chai on a rainy day.

I liked being around her. I don’t know what it was exactly, but I just did.Maybe this city wouldn’t feel so unfamiliar after all.

The hunger I’d been ignoring all evening finally made itself known with a loud growl. I sighed, dragged myself off the bed, and opened the small tiffin I had packed earlier in the morning.

Simple food roti, sabzi, and a little pickle. Nothing fancy, but it reminded me of home. I sat cross-legged on the bed, eating slowly, my thoughts still drifting back to the day.

Mumbai felt less scary now. A little loud, a little fast but maybe, just maybe, it had space for me too.

Once I was done, I cleaned up and changed into my nightwear. The hostel room was quiet, the kind of quiet that doesn’t feel empty, just peaceful.

I slipped under the blanket, letting the fan hum above me.

As my eyes began to close, a soft smile found its way to my lips.

Day one survived. And maybe something beautiful has just begun.

And with that thought, I drifted into sleep.

A/N

That was the first chapter of His Sobiya

I really hope you liked it. It’s just the beginning of Sobiya’s journey, and there’s so much more to come. Let me know what you think I’d love to hear from you.

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