The girl in the mirror

Chapter 1

Glossary 

poppa - grandfather

Chechi- a term of respect meaning older sister. Can be anyone.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen we are departing in a few minutes...". The pilot voice spoke overhead. I gaze out of the tiny window. I'm leaving home to go to India. A country I barely know. My stomach feels queasy. The plane rumbles and makes loud  noises. I continued to look at the window until the green hills became a white blanket of clouds. Questions circle my head. What if they don't like me? Okay calm down Eve. They are family and we know them. But what if they judge us? After all, we have not seen them for a long time. Stop thinking that let's think positive. But those thoughts kept coming back. My fingers start rubbing against each other. I need to draw my mind away from this.

In the seat next to me is my bag. I grab my sketchbook out of there. The pencil flies across the page. The blank page transforms into the backs of other passengers. My eyes land on a sleeping man. His posture is interesting. I open a new page and start copying him. Shapes. Think of him as shapes I think to myself. He is just made up of circles and rectangles. That's all people are . Circles and rectangles joined together. But people are more complicated than circles.

"Hello miss, would you like something?". The flight attendant comes out of nowhere. Shit. "Um no thank you I'm fine". She smiles and leaves. I turn my head towards the window again. The sky is navy blue with scattered white dots. The city lights up the bottom. It looks magical. My body lets out a heavy sigh. Let's just sleep. I'll feel better after I take a nap. I grab my neck pillow and lean against the window side. The final thing I heard as I closed my eyes was the peaceful hum of the engine.

I woke up when we landed in Kerala. It's night time when the humid air hits me. I look around for poppa. Butterflies build up in my stomach. I fidget with my hands to distract myself. I scan the crowd for him.

"Eve!". I see an arm raised in the air. My eyes lit up. "Poppa!". I rush over and hug him. He's just how I remembered him. Only with a bit more wrinkles and gray hairs. His eyes twinkle behind his wire glasses. "Come on, let's get in the car". He offers to take my suitcase but I tell him it's fine. I cling on to his arm as we walk out of the airport.

The drive to poppa's house doesn't take that long. It's night time but the streets are full of people. Mass of people crowded into restaurants shoving food in their mouths. The buildings block most of the stars and the moon. The sky is the same shade as my navy blue paint. It will make a beautiful painting.

"Even you must be very tired from the trip. Emma is waiting for you but you can greet her in the morning" Poppa says. "Oh no it's fine I want to see her. I haven't seen her in ages". If she stayed up this late to see me I would disappoint her if I went to bed. " Okay whatever you say. If you change your mind let me know. I will chase her out!" he chucked, raising a fist in the air. I give a tired smile. It's okay if you can sleep a little later.

We pull up to the house. I get out. "Eve chechi!". I was body slammed by my cousin, Emma. I haven't seen her since she was little. I force my tired arms to hug her tightly. "I missed you''. " I missed you too, Eve chechi!" Emma tugs my hand to lead me into the house. Her brown eyes are overflowing with joy and happiness. " Wait Emma, I have to get my luggage". " It's fine poppa will get it inside. I want to show you what I made". She pulls me forward causing me to stumble. I can see from the corner of my eye poppa taking my suitcases out. "Oh Poppa I can take that '', he tries to protest but I snatch them out of his hands. "Hey Emma Can you help Chechi with taking her stuff inside?". She rushed over to help me. She's so cute trying to carry my suitcase to the front door. " Take this one, it's lighter". I hand over my lighter suitcase " It's fine I can carry this' '. " You sure?".

Auntie hugs me at the door. "Oh it's so good to see you. The last time you came you were so small. Look how big you have grown". " I'm happy to see you too". "Come in Come in you must be tried. Emma, show Chechi her room." "It's fine I can chat for a bit". "You sure? Well then sit down i'll bring some chai". I stayed up until 11 talking to them catching up with their lives. Emma refused to go to bed but Auntie gave her a look. She leaves the room with sad puppy eyes. "Well then Auntie it is late I should go to bed". I kneel down by Emma "Hey can you show me your room". She lights up and drags me to my room. I say goodnight and watch her skip to her room.

My suitcase was left on the door. My feet shuffled towards the bed. My body was barely standing before I collapsed on the bed. The pillow was so soft and I sunk into the covers. I face the window. The sound of the roaring cars and people becomes a lullaby as I drift to sleep.