Four years ago, I picked up a copy of Aru Shah and the End of Time in my middle school library. I had just found out about Rick Riordan Presents and I was thrilled to discover a series about Hindu Mythology.
For the next three years, I would follow Aru as she laughed and cried and learned, and I would revel in the knowledge that there was a character who looked like me. And she was a hero heroine.
Aru had the same skin color as me. She ate the same food as me. She had the same experiences as me. In a way, she was me.
One year ago, April 14th, I went to one of Roshani Chokshi's virtual book tours, the one she held with Rick Riordan. I was ecstatic. That night, I met two of my biggest inspirations, even if they didn't meet me.
Then a few days later I received my signed copy of Aru Shah and the City of Gold. I read it all in one night and screamed so loud my parents had to tell me to shut up. I couldn't wait for the final installment.
Today I clicked download on my library's digital copy of Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality. I read it in one sitting, in the middle of my 10th grade English class. And when I finally reached the end of a four year long journey, I cried.
And so today I said goodbye to Aru. To Mini and Brynne and Aiden and Rudy and Sheela and Nikita and Boo and even Kara, who I partially despised for most of last year.
I also said thank you to Roshani Chokshi, because I found myself in her writing. Because I found myself in her.
At ten years old, I entered Aru's world. Today, at fourteen, I'm leaving it behind.