Small Life

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Summary

Aarav was forced by his parents and relatives to become an engineer, even though his true passion was caring for animals. Feeling trapped and misunderstood, he left his home and college one day without telling anyone. Alone and struggling, he chose to dedicate his life to helping injured and abandoned animals, no matter the cost. Though he faced hardships, he finally found purpose and peace in protecting those who couldn’t speak for themselves.

Status
Ongoing
Chapters
1
Rating
n/a
Age Rating
16+

Chapter 1

Aarav never hated studies.

He just never loved them the way everyone else wanted him to.

In his house, there was only one dream—engineering.

His father would say, “Stability chahiye life mein.”

His relatives would compare him to toppers.

His mother stayed quiet… but her silence carried expectations too.

And Aarav?

He stayed quiet as well.

But inside, something kept breaking.

He used to stop on the road to feed stray dogs.

He’d skip classes just to sit near the lake and watch birds.

He once brought home an injured kitten and got scolded for it.

“Tumhara future kya hoga?”

That question followed him everywhere.

But no one asked—

“Tum khush kis cheez mein ho?”

College wasn’t a place for him.

It felt like a cage.

Lectures, assignments, pressure… and no space to breathe.

One day, during a lecture, Aarav stared at the board full of equations…

…and suddenly, he couldn’t take it anymore.

His chest felt heavy.

His mind screamed, “Yeh main nahi hoon.”

That evening, after another argument at home, something snapped.

No shouting.

No drama.

He just packed a small bag.

And left.No plan.

No destination.

Just one thought:

“I’d rather struggle for something I love than succeed in something I don’t.”

He walked for hours… then days.

Sleeping wherever he could.

Eating whatever he found.

It was hard.

Really hard.

But for the first time—

he felt free.One night, in the middle of nowhere, he heard a weak sound.

A dog. Injured. Shivering.

Aarav sat beside it, gently placing his hand on its head.

“I don’t have anything… but I won’t leave you.”

He stayed there the whole night.

Hungry. Tired. Cold.

But he didn’t move.

That night, he made a promise—

Not to the world.

Not to his family.

To himself.

“Chahe kuch bhi ho… main jaanwaron ko akela nahi chhodunga.Days turned into weeks.

Aarav started living near forest edges and small villages.

People thought he was strange.

Some helped him.

Some ignored him.

But animals?

They trusted him.

Slowly—

He learned basic treatment methods

He rescued trapped animals

He fed strays with whatever he could arrange

He had no degree.

No money.

No security.

But he had something most people didn’t—

Purpose.

Even if it costs me everything… even if I die trying.”Sometimes, at night, he would think about home.

About his parents.

About the life he left behind.

It hurt.

But then he’d see an animal resting peacefully beside him…

And he knew—

He didn’t run away.

He just chose a different path.People say he ruined his future.

But if you ever see him walking alone with a group of animals following him…

you’ll realize—

he didn’t lose his way.

He found it.