Excitement bubbled in Anya's veins as she was woken up by butterflies perching on the edge of her nose and softly tickling her cheeks. This was going to be her day, the day everything would change, and her parents would see her for what she was and what she could be capable of. She had already picked out her outfit the previous day- a fully embroidered white kurti with a high neck with buttons all the way down and a blue palazzo, unable to contain her high energy.

"You're picking outfits earlier?" her mom had inquired with a raised eyebrow, as she stirred the pickle, sniffed it and added more oil for good measure.

Anya nodded as the smell of garlic and lemons wafted over to her. "You're making more lemon pickle?"

"Yes. You never pick your outfits the previous night for when we have to go to the church on Sundays and all of us get late because of you. Now you decide to suddenly turn right?" her mother placed her hand on her hip and stood waiting for an answer. "Don't try to distract me from the conversation. What's the occasion today, honey?"

There were vessels being clanged together as other delicacies cooked themselves on the stove. A ladle hovered mid air, pausing as her mother waited for an answer and then fell back in the pot.

"Amma," she groaned. "I'll tell you after I come back okay? Just know it's special." Anya stepped closer to her mom, daring to sneak another glance at the half moon lemons soaking in red. They looked like little boats, some of them upturned and already having met their demise. Some of them had little garlic in them and struggled to swim through the thick pickle masala.

"Well, if you say so, but you're starting to sound suspicious," she waved the spoon. "No one's birthday is around the corner."

Anya felt the tension rise in her shoulders as she bounced on her heels. "Maybe."

She stole a half lemon pickle which was set aside for tasting and bolted out of the kitchen.

Now, standing in front of the mirror, and braiding her wavy black hair, she couldn't believe her dreams would be coming true in a few minutes. She added a final touch of golden jimikis with a peacock design and set out for her day. The butterflies followed her almost everywhere and crowned her head and buzzed with the same excitement as her, spinning circles around her faster than ever.

A metal seahorse floated over to her and the corners of her lips lifted in a half smile. It was her last birthday present from her mother and she adored the little creature made from tiny scrap metal of bronze and copper. It nuzzled her neck softly and she let the cool metal rest against her skin and offer her comfort. "Hello, Thangam."

It stopped moving with much vigour and restless as though absorbing her warmth.

She drove her Honda Activa scooter to the place and turned the ignition off. The place was perfect. The building stood on the curve on a junction and was right next to the shopping complex. People were bound to buy jasmines and marigolds to pair off their dresses and to decorate their homes for the upcoming Onam.

The smell of delicious baked goods assaulted her senses and Anya felt her excitement rudely ripped away like a flower just starting to bloom and then thrown into the fire. Nothing would prepare her for the way her dreams would be crushed but then maybe, there was a chance she was wrong, after all. She tugged at her hair, braided with jasmines and sighed. A trickle of people walked down the steps of the shopping complex, carrying huge paper bags with delightful smiles on their faces and she was even more irritated at the sight. Dragging herself to the white building, she dared a look inside and gasped.

Perhaps blue was an unlucky colour, she grimaced, as she walked in.

There were a handful of people looking around and some of them signing papers and the rest of them quietly judging the space. A woman by the end was pushing the display counter and paused, frowning. She then pushed it some more until it was in the centre, demanding attention at the otherwise empty space. Towards the corner, a table stood where a woman piled on sweets on a ceramic plate. People who shuffled in and out of the building helped themselves to a treat or two. Anya went closer and spotted crisp yellow and orange ladoos, set in white wrappers, with cashews and raisins peeking out like shy visitors, kaju barfis cut in diamonds dusted with silver foil, all set in a circle like they were in a meeting of the most distinguished royals. She could tell the barfis would lose, they were sore losers and couldn't even stand with pride to their full height.

Raisins were the real villains though, they crept in unannounced in almost every sweet and the texture only made it even more awful. Inspecting the ladoos she scoffed at whoever decided raisins weren't a threat to the tastebuds of humanity and walked away.

Nothing good could come from this. She felt the high neck collar of her white kurti suddenly feel tight around her neck and took in a deep breath. Scanning the area, she approached the woman who was still frowning at the display case.

The girl looked up. She had rich reddish brown eyes like the terracotta roofs of most houses, flecked with gold, like the kanikonna trees had just had their first golden shower and nuzzled into the crevices of the roof tiles. Her brown hair was swept to the side and a pastel hijab covered most of it, save for her bangs. She wore a plain soft pink kurti with full sleeves, embroidered at the cuffs and white wide leg pants. The girl adjusted her shawl over her shoulder and cleared her throat.

Anya had to turn away for a second. Did she think her blinding gorgeousness would make Anya stutter and lose her footing for a second?

"Hi, could you tell me where the owner of the building is?"

"They just went away after signing the papers," she paused, looking Anya up and down, assessing who she was. "Do you...know them?"

Anya wasn't going to back away now. "Yes. He showed me the building after I said I was interested. They told me it'd be ready for me today. I see he's not kept his word."

A corner of her lips rose up in a sly smile or smirk, Anya couldn't tell.

"And what business do you do?"

"I'm a florist," Anya said, determined.

"I see," the girl turned around, starting to walk and motioned for someone. "This way, please."

A man and a woman came in, carrying sets of chairs and another brought in tables. "Oh, just set it here, I'll arrange it soon."

She turned her attention back to Anya, who looked at them with great disdain. Her expression looked pained, almost, if not for the fact that her hands were clenched and her chest heaved with anger.

"I thought you had something to do with moths," the girl gestured towards the butterflies flying around Anya, now slower and more dejected. "Well, we are bakers. You've probably heard of Kulsum's Confectionery, yes?"

Anya couldn't say no to that. She was aware of how large their network was. They were branching out. "Yeah, I have."

"Well then, that's settled!" the girl clapped her hands with a wicked glint in her eyes. "So, you'll politely get out of my way then? "

Anya gaped at her for a moment and then stepped forward. "No, you listen here. I looked at this space first. I have every right to confront the owner and-"

"Oh, go ahead, honey," she snorted. "We'll see who gets the last word."

***

Welcome to my first ever attempt at sapphic, polyamorous rom-com! All of this is set in Kerala, a state in South India. Lots of food and lots of chaos to come.

There will be some words in Malayalam, used repetitively, and I'll provide the glossary of them. Meaning of words not used very frequently will be at the end of each chapter, if any. 

GLOSSARY

Amma: Mom/ Mother

Kanikkonna: Cassia Fistula trees/ golden shower trees. It's so common here, I included a picture at the top!

Jimikis/ Jhumkas: A type of earring which usually has a bell shape.