Only one more week left till the inauguration. There were lots of works that others were managing but the most was figuring out how many would come and making sweets for the guests. She estimated about a hundred since it was a small space.

She planned pedas and laddoos which were easier to eat and distribute; unlike jalebis which got your hands sticky. Being around sweets had made her so used to the smell and she didn't feel the giddy pleasure from making them like she used to as a little kid –the way her mom melted butter to make ghee, the milk being stirred continuously until it became thick, the sweet sugary smell that wafted to her when she was busy studying and she snuck into the kitchen for a delight, none of those happened much now.

In fact, she preferred all the more savoury items. Well, at least Mirza liked them enough that she traded a sixteen piece sweets box for a sweet designer dress that Mirza had designed.

Speaking of which, it had been a while since she got to speak to Mirza but she assumed she was just busy, like she was on weekends.

Anya came in nervously, her hair bouncing. She was all dressed up and Kaynath raised an eyebrow. She actually looked quite stunning, in a strappy Ajrakh print short kurti that reached mid thighs with blue jeans. Her hair was perfectly curled and she smelled like jasmine and coconut oil.

Anya looked around and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her. "Hey."

"Hi," Kaynath managed even though she was tongue tied for a bit. The dress was so low cut that Kaynath didn't know where to look without being rude. "You're all dressed up."

"Yeah, I'm going out with um, some friends. I wondered if you'd be able to manage it on your own today? I promise I'll come back as soon as the movie is over!"

She saw Anya rev her Honda scooter and someone else get behind her as they held onto her waist. She felt weird seeing them– her insides turned to rotten eggs and she made a face as they turned a corner and out of sight. She never saw Anya's friends so it was quite unusual to see her bubbling with energy when normally she was by herself.

It was quite lonely. If she was being honest with herself, she was getting used to bickering with Anya and Mirza was being so distant. She could act normal, she supposed. Bury all longing within the depths of her and forget that anything ever happened.

After all, it looked like Mirza deeply regretted it.

Guilt racked her body the way she first felt when she ate too many sweets and felt heady from the rush. She could text Mirza. Apologise. She might not have to see disappointment that way face to face.

Kaynath whipped out her phone and typed and deleted and typed and deleted. Finally, she settled for the mundane.

Hey

She paused, awaiting a response. The message instantly delivered and she waited biting her nails. Most of her nail polish was chipped that way but oh well, she reapplied it every week.

She heard soft footsteps behind her but before she could turn cold hands wrapped around her eyes and she yelped.

She would've scratched their arms off if their laugh didn't fill the air and Kaynath perked up. She turned slowly.

"You said you won't be coming until Christmas!"

"Well, hello to you too," she smiled and pinched her nose.

"Did you get paid leave then?" Kaynath's eyes sparkled. "I missed you." She hugged Kulsum around the waist and Kulsum held her softly. Kaynath pulled back and took a look at her sibling. She was much much chubbier now, her cheeks glowing. Her hair was pulled back messily and her hijab now rested on her shoulders as she straightened it to cover her hair. Something was different about her.

Kulsum pinched her nose affectionately. "I did. Why were you looking at your phone like that? Waiting for a text?"

"Shut up!" Kaynath felt her cheeks getting hot. She fanned herself with the ends of her hijab and hunted for the A.C remote.

"Haha, you're supposed to call me chechi," she laughed. "What are you so embarrassed about anyways?"

"N-nothing!" Kaynath faltered.

"Awee, I come home after long–"

She was cut off by an elegant woman coming in with her hands on her hips. "My favourite daughter is here!"

Kaynath winced. Well.

"Ummi," Kulsum gave her mom a side hug.

"C'mon you two. Go take a shower, Kulsum. Lunch is prepared! I didn't know you girls were talking here, by the way."

In response her stomach growled and they laughed. Ummi talked to her and Kaynath trudged behind like she was never a part of them, of anything.

Kulsum turned and winked at her. She mouthed. "Gossip later, you and me."

That lifted her spirits a little and she ducked her head, grinning a little. She checked her phone as soon as Kulsum turned but no responses came through. It hadn't been read either, which she wasn't sure how to feel about. Being left on read? Horrendous. Her gut twisted with worry like sour jalebis just picturing the scenario.

She wasn't really a believer but in that moment she shot a quick prayer to the heavens. Allah, keep her safe.

Kaynath told the workers to take their lunch break as she headed to her house. Technically, it was only a five minute walk.

Kaynath inhaled the smell of garlic and pepper and rushed in. "Fish fry!" And her favourite: sardines. God, they smelled good and she couldn't wait to dig in. She rushed upstairs to change. She heard sounds coming from her sister's room and caught onto some of their conversation.

"Did you tell your parents yet?" her husband, Riyaz asked.

"No," she sighed. "I am waiting for the right time, I guess."

"Okay," he whispered. "Whatever it is, you know I'll support you. Be staying here or at ours."

Kaynath didn't realize she inhaled sharply or that she had paused. Well, okay, she definitely sneaked in on their conversation on purpose. The door was slightly ajar and as Kaynath moved, she realized they could probably see her shadow.

Kulsum laughed. "Don't just stand there, Kaynath."

Muttering something about her sister having superhearing, she cleared her throat and swung the door wide open. "You tease me a lot."

"Now you can enjoy double that both from me and him," she pointed at Riyaz.

"It's supposed to be me and you against him," she said bitterly. She let it settle in. "You're not staying."

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Kulsum sneak a glance at Riyaz. He came forward and ruffled her hair. She had let down her hijab now that she was home and was about to take a bath before food.

Oh yes, food.

Riyaz kissed Kulsum's cheek as Kulsum held his hand, her thumb brushing over his knuckles.

Kaynath felt a prickle in her chest at the sight. It was not jealousy, she swore. A deep rooted yearning filled her and she didn't know what to make of it. Like something she longed, but didn't quite know where to put down the feeling. She stared at her hands. Nobody had made her feel like she would like to melt into their arms, in their deep embrace and soft touches, but looking at them made her want something more.

I want to die of sugar overload in love. No, I'll never have that. Simply because I have never felt it, all that much.

***
Heyyo update! I know this chapter is technically shorter than others, but I'm starting to think that might be better?  Well, we'll see. Vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter. 

Glossary:
Chechi: a lovable way to call an elder sister, in Malayalam.
Ajrakh print: A form of textile block printing found in Pakistan, and the village of Ajarkhpur in India.