"Again lost in your thoughts?" Akhya di entered the room with a bowl full of mustard oil. I wondered where would it be used considering my medium-length hair. The strong stench of the oil wafted to my nose, making me crinkle it.

"No" I answered though it was a lie. I was indeed lost in the alley of my thoughts. With too many things I left in the past, the foundation of my future seems to now be weakened by my superfluous actions.

Leaving college was a bet I placed on myself; on my knowledge. It was one of the humongous decisions I took, one that could ruin my future. Apart from this, another thought was permeating my thoughts was- Valentine's day was near and I was yet to make my gift or think of it.

Being a non-earning person, I was only able to create things from my hands and sheer emotions; I hope to earn someday.

"Lies are unacceptable." She tugged my hair and started applying the oil without further waiting. If it were any other, I would have freaked out but for some reason as abstruse as aura, I allowed her to touch my head.

"Just college, nothing more. Aarav was talking about reaching there the day before yesterday. I just..." With a bite on my lower lip, I stopped. I knew this was not the best time considering my mental health but it feels absconding to leave as such. I just couldn't cede my future to destiny and this was what left me thinking about the same, quite vehemently. 

"Relax your brain a little." She continued mildly as ever. Her eyes were on the mirror ahead of us while she struggled to reach the top due to the difference in our height.

"Should I sit?" I enquired seeing her struggle but she just shook her head. " I am your big sister, I could see you rise from down here too."

With this, my morning ended and the wall got its share of glare, along with a bowl of half-finished mustard oil. Soon the afternoon came by, and I was up at the terrace hanging clothes. I sighed under my breath while spreading the towel on the roof. The warmth of the sun was just mellow but it was the winds that brought the cold; I don't seem to hate this particular cold as someone was in tougher condition ou there, my nitwit. I hope he is alright.

My eyes drooped a little de to the lack of sleep; nightmares were not very supportive to attain a sound sleep. A yawn articulated on my lips as I remembered last night's dream. The past seems to be haunting me for a very long time, every time with different faces but these nights there is a ball of light that shrouds away all the darkness and shields me before the ultimate blow is conferred and I wake up.

If not ethereal, it makes me feel safe; a protective charm for a withering one.

"I need to get dreamcatcher soon," I grumbled while practically crumbling the wet kerchief. "These are getting worse each day."

"What is getting worse?" Akhya di called from behind, she was spreading the sheet on the railing. Unlike my tightly-tied high ponytail, her black tresses shimmered under the sunlight along with those golden specks. Her thin lips were pressed together and a frown was present on her forehead, reminding me of the face of Anisha, her daughter. Not to say further, I laughed then and there making her raise her brows in confusion.

"Are you alright Vanshi? No issues with your brain?" She inquired with he sarcasm laced tone and I shook my head in denial. Much to her dismay, her tough exterior suddenly started to feel amusing to me; all thanks to her daughter for that.

Family is indeed my backbone.

✦✧✦✧

How was the chapter?

Was it good enough?

What do you think Vanshi would give for Valentine's day?

What do you think she would receive?

Would she even get a chance to meet her dearest?

Sorry for such short and late updates💖