Escape to Reality ✔

CHAPTER 1

✧• 1 •✧

"Ammu, come down, kanna! It's getting late—we've got a flight to catch!"

"I'll be down in ten minutes, maa!" I shouted, frantically tossing random things into my suitcase—half of which I probably wouldn't even need.

My older brother, Siddharth, snickered from the doorway, clearly amused.

"What are you watching? Come help me pack, you idiot!"

"Why would I? Especially when I know you're about to get royally scolded."

That brat.

"Come on, man! I swear I'll help you with your projects next time."

"You sure about that?"

"Pakka." (Which means definitely.)

Deal struck. He joined in, and together we stuffed everything remotely fashionable into my rugged old suitcase. It was just a two-day trip to New Delhi, where I'd completed my postgrad in Historic Archaeology.

Heavy footsteps echoed up the stairs. Who walks like a giant panda? (P.S. Pandas are cute.)

"Are you done yet? Why does it take so long to—"

My mom stopped mid-sentence as she took in the disaster zone that was my room. Clothes everywhere, shelves emptied, books in chaos. A full-blown mess.

Before I could explain, the lecture began—first about my room, then my friends, and finally, my life choices. Classic.

"Mom, please. It's just a room. I'll clean it when I'm back. Peace out, bro."

"Don't you 'bro' me, Alia! This place looks like a kuppathoti (trash can)!"

That's when I knew she was really mad. But hey, not entirely my fault. My friends trashed the place during last night's party/sleepover—which, by the way, my mom didn't know about since she just flew in from Singapore this morning.

I made sure Sid wouldn't spill the beans by inviting his friends too. Master plan, Alia. Well done.

"What are you even thinking about while I'm scolding you?"

"Mom, calm down! I'll be down in a few minutes and clean everything when I get back. Promise."

She huffed and left. Silence returned—until Sid burst out laughing.

"Oh, shut up. I'm already the family disappointment. Imagine if she finds out her 'perfect son' hooked up with my best friend last night."

His face went pale.

"What is it? Did u forget to use protection or...........?" I trailed off, giving him time to think.

"No, no- it's not that. I... don't remember."  He blinked.

Did he seriously say that?

"Whaaaaaaatttt!? How-" He cut me mid-sentence. 

"I was drunk, okay?!"

"You know what, I don't have time for this and honestly I think I might pull an advantage out of this."

Downstairs, my suitcases were lined up, ready to go.

"Kanna, did you eat breakfast, ma?" came the warm voice of my grandmother—my favorite person in the world. ❣️

"Yes, paati. Don't worry. I'll call you when I land."

She smiled, her eyes full of love. She has always been kind and bought me everything I've ever wanted since childhood. I grew up listening to her bedtime stories and enjoying snacks with her, where we would talk and play with kitchen sets while watching random TV shows.  She was my safe place.