The loud patter of raindrops against the windowpane abruptly disturbed her sleep. Groggily, she woke up and turned her attention to the outside world. It was still pouring, and the sight of the rain-soaked trees and leaves caught her eye. In the dim light, it seemed as though the leaves were engaged in a joyous dance, celebrating the rain's arrival.

For a moment, she marveled at the beauty of nature's celebration. Even the pole just in front of her flat, a lifeless object with no reason to be happy, appeared to exude happiness. It was as if everything around her was rejoicing for her, and she couldn't help but smile.

But reality soon jolted her out of her reverie. These fleeting moments of joy couldn't mask the impending challenges she had to face the next day, challenges she despised but couldn't escape.

With a heavy sigh, she turned away from the window. Her life had become a monotonous routine, far removed from the happy and cheerful girl she used to be. Rain had, in the past, brought negativity into her life. However, this time, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of joy, despite the turmoil within her.

Just as she began to ponder this inexplicable feeling, her phone rang, breaking the silence. She closed the window to block out the rain's soothing sound and decided to answer the call, hoping to divert her thoughts.

The caller ID displayed "Maa," and she took a deep breath to calm herself before picking up the phone. "Hello, Maa," she greeted her mother.

"How are you doing, beta?" her mother inquired.

With a casual lie, she replied, "Fine, Maa."

Her mother's voice took on a somber tone. "I called you to remind you that you have to talk to your director tomorrow."

An outburst of frustration and desperation erupted within her. "Maa, why do I have to give up my dream for this? I'm already sacrificing so much."

Her mother's voice remained firm but loving. "Beta, trust me, whatever I'm doing, it's for your betterment."

Unable to bear the weight of her emotions any longer, she cut the conversation short. "As you say, Maa, I'm feeling sleepy. I'll call you later." Without waiting for a response, she hung up the phone.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and a bitter taste filled her mouth. She stood up, walked towards the balcony door, and stepped out into the open, gripping the railing. The raindrops hid her tears as she silently wept.

Why couldn't her mother see that she wasn't happy? Why did she have to conform to her mother's idea of what was best for her? Her life felt like an endless maze of decisions made for her, and it was causing her unbearable pain.

She cried, gazing up at the rain-soaked sky, her eyes closed, as tears mingled with raindrops, a secret sorrow hidden from the world.

-------

The room was filled with the warmth of Vaishnavi's joy as she hugged her younger sister, Reem, tightly. Vaishnavi had just received the news that she had secured a position in her dream company, Malhotra Designers. Her face radiated with happiness as she planted a loving peck on Reem's cheek.

"I never expected to get my first-ever placement in Malhotra Designers!" Reem squealed in delight, her eyes shining with pride for her sister.

The two sisters sat on the couch, gushing about the exciting new events in their lives, sharing dreams and aspirations. It was a moment of celebration, and the room seemed to be filled with their laughter and happiness.

However, amidst the joyous atmosphere, their father, Mr. Malhotra, sat silently on the sofa, his thoughts a world away. His mind drifted to his eldest child, Avneet, who was currently in Australia. She had plans to return home in a few days, but she would be leaving her own dreams behind for the sake of her family.

Mr. Malhotra's heart ached as he replayed the events of that fateful night in his mind. He remembered the injustice that had befallen his innocent daughter. Avneet had done nothing wrong, yet she had to suffer the consequences of a boy's actions.

"Why are you so gloomy, Dad? Aren't you happy?" Reem pouted, noticing her father's distant expression. She moved closer and sat beside him, seeking to comfort him.

He shook his head, a mixture of emotions welling up inside him, and pulled Reem into a loving side hug. "Of course, my gudiya," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine affection. He tenderly kissed her forehead but remained silent about the deep concerns that plagued his heart. He wished he could use his name and fame to make his daughter Avneet happy, to right the wrongs that had been done to her. But he knew that in matters of emotions and family, his influence was limited, his power meaningless.

Reem understood her father's unspoken worries all too well. She knew the pain he felt for Avneet, and she was also aware of the dark incident that had unfolded that night, tearing her family apart. As she sat there, wrapped in her father's embrace, she couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility and determination. She knew that she needed to find the strength within herself to confront the past and protect her sister's future, no matter the obstacles that lay ahead.

_____

Siddharth sat at his cluttered desk, his laptop screen illuminating his face as he reviewed his presentation for the umpteenth time. He was known for his diligence and punctuality at work, never one to leave things until the last minute. But today was different. He couldn't shake the thoughts that had consumed nearly an hour of his evening.

Her face, her smile, her laughter—images of her kept intruding into his thoughts, distracting him from the task at hand. He was normally excellent at maintaining focus, but tonight, he was a bundle of nerves and excitement. Siddharth had spent the better part of the evening daydreaming about someone special, someone who had unknowingly captured his heart.

With a sigh, he forced himself to redirect his attention to his presentation. He knew it had to be impeccable. Siddharth had been meticulously working on it, and he couldn't afford any mistakes. He was in a hurry not just because of his infatuation but also because he needed to request a two-week leave from his boss.

As Siddharth went through each slide, verifying data and polishing his words, he couldn't help but worry about his family. It had been almost a week since he had a proper conversation with his parents. Abhishek, his elder brother, had been acting strangely when he called three days ago, and now he wasn't picking up his phone at all. Something was amiss there.

His younger brother, Bhavesh, was another puzzle. Bhavesh had closed himself off lately, not responding to Siddharth's messages or calls. Siddharth was certain that something significant was happening within his family, something he was not privy to.

With a sense of urgency, Siddharth decided to give his brother Abhishek one more try. He picked up his phone and dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail. Abhishek's phone was turned off. It only added to Siddharth's growing unease.

Siddharth hastily gathered his files, placing them into his bag. Glancing at the clock, he realized that it was late into the night. He knew he couldn't dwell on his family issues now; he had a crucial presentation to deliver, and his personal life would have to wait.

Siddharth's irritation had slowly crept in, punctuated by the realization that he had forgotten to offer dinner to his guest. How could he have overlooked such a basic courtesy?

Rushing to the guest room, Siddharth noticed the slightly ajar door and peered inside, but it was dark. He hesitated for a moment, chastising himself for his negligence. What if she had already gone to sleep? Offering her dinner could have been an opportunity for them to spend more time together, and he had let it slip through his fingers.

He retreated to his room, determined to rectify his mistake. As he stepped out onto the balcony, he was met with the sight of the pouring rain. Then, to his left, he saw her standing there, drenched from head to toe. Her bloodshot, puffy eyes caught his attention, and her frail form shivering in the rain tugged at his heartstrings.

Siddharth frowned, concern etched on his face. What was she trying to do? Her eyes were closed, her body trembled, and she clung to the balcony railing with such intensity that her knuckles had turned white.

Taking a step closer to her, Siddharth prepared to speak, only to pause abruptly. It struck him that they hadn't even exchanged names yet. Why hadn't they done so? It was a peculiar omission, but right now, that wasn't the most pressing issue. He needed to understand what had upset her so profoundly in less than an hour of her arrival.

However, a nagging thought crossed his mind. Was he intruding on her privacy by prying into her actions and feelings? After all, who was he to question what she was doing on his balcony?

Doubt gnawed at him, and he decided to withdraw silently. Returning to his room, he picked up his phone and dialed Jessica, his neighbor from the upper floor. Jessica was not only an excellent cook but also a friendly and helpful neighbor. She answered the call, and Siddharth explained his predicament. Fortunately, she had some leftover food from her own dinner, and without hesitation, she agreed to assist him.

Minutes later, Jessica arrived with a container of food, instructing Siddharth to reheat it. As he stood in his kitchen, he couldn't help but feel grateful for Jessica's kindness, even as he continued to wonder about the enigmatic guest on his balcony and the turmoil that seemed to engulf her.

Siddharth had placed the food in the kitchen but couldn't bear the thought of leaving his guest alone in her distressed state. He knocked gently on her door, a quiet reassurance that he was there for her.

After a few moments, the door creaked open, and she stood there, her clothes still damp from the rain. Siddharth noticed that she had managed to wipe her hair dry, a sign that she was trying to regain some composure.

"Hey, I was just calling for dinner," he said, his tone gentle and inviting. He gestured towards the kitchen, a silent offer of comfort. She nodded in response, but then her gaze dropped to her soaked attire, and embarrassment colored her cheeks.

"I—" she began to explain, but Siddharth quickly interrupted, sensing her unease. "I have some of my mother's clothes here. You can put them on," he offered kindly.

Her face lit up with gratitude, and she managed a shy smile. "Thank you," she said softly.

Siddharth nodded and walked across the hall to the room where his parents stayed when they visited. On the wall, he noticed a picture of his parents, a nostalgic reminder of how much he missed them. His work had been going well, but despite his accomplishments, he couldn't shake the feeling that this place didn't quite feel like home.

As he rummaged through the closet, he found the long top and plazo that he had once convinced his mother to wear during their visit to Queen Victoria Market. He vividly remembered the playful argument they had as he urged her to try on Western clothes, eventually settling on this combination after hours of negotiation.

Now, as he held those clothes in his hands, he couldn't help but appreciate his mother's slender figure at that moment. He returned to the guest room, where his guest waited, and handed her the clothes. There was an unspoken connection between them, a shared understanding of the complexities that life could throw at you.

With a sense of warmth and empathy, Siddharth hoped that this small act of kindness would bring some comfort to his guest and help them find solace in each other's presence, even in the midst of their individual struggles.

Reviews please! 🥺