The girl in the mirror

chapter 5

Glossary 

Meale is a term of endearment for females

Ugh I can't think of anything to draw. I've been trying this new challenge on Instagram and I got art block. I scribble out another sketch. There are a bunch of them across the pages. I just can't find the right idea. I throw it to the side and lay down on the floor. I sigh loudly in frustration. The mirror is still cloudy. They're taking forever.

"That was a big sigh". I lift my head. The mirror shows Ashwin leaning against the door frame. "Oh hey Ashwin". He laughs as he walks up to the mirror. He is still in his uniform.

"Where's Anshia?".

"Soccer club".

"So right today is Wednesday". I completely forgot.

He spots the sketchbook "Got an art block?".

I sit up "yeah. I'm doing a weekly challenge and I can't think of anything".

He crosses his legs on the floor "What's the prompt?".

" song lyrics ".

"That's broad".

" I know that's the problem. How do I draw that? " I groan in frustration. He thinks for a minute. He grabs paper and pencils from Anshia's desk.

I raise an eyebrow "um what are you doing?".

"You said you are stuck. Two minds are better than one". He lifts up a pencil "So what's your favourite song?".

Anshia POV

"I'm home!" I yell. I dump my shoes by the door. Mama is sitting watching soap dramas again "Hey meale, Ashwin is upstairs". 

"Huh he's here?". 

"Yeah he came here right after school". Why is he here? 

"Okay mama thanks". I rush up the stairs. I hear out of tune singing and giggling from my room.

"Um hello" I say as I open the door. Ashwin is on the floor surrounded by papers. Eve is holding her stomach."Hey Anshia, did you know Ash has the best voice" she says grinning. Ash? I look at him then at her. This is fucking weird.

"No way nah that was the first and last time I'm singing" Ashwin shakes his head.

"Come on, it was good" Eve says holding up her phone giggling.

I interrupt "I heard the singing outside. It was trash. Don't let Eve inflate your ego".

"Okay it wasn't that bad".

"Don't lie Eve. It's okay if his feelings are hurt".

"See Eve, She is a bully. I'm being bullied here for no reason". I stick my tongue at him.

"Soooo what did I miss, Ash" He gives me the look of annoyance. Oh wow so if she does it it's fine but not your own cousin. The freaking audacity.

"Do I get an update or do I have to deal with you guys dying of laughter".

"Sorry so what happened was..." Eve  says wheezing. She tells how she had art block and couldn't think of anything. So Ashwin and her thought up of the idea of doing a drawing based on Toxic. Ashwin has a small smile plastered on his face the whole time. Eve showed me the video of Ashwin singing and being all dramatic.  She drew one of the poses of him holding my hairbrush and singing his heart out.

"Hahahaha" I crackle at the video. It is priceless. 

"Can you stop laughing like a witch" Ashwin covers his ears.

"Can you lighten up" I snapped back.

"I can't believe you showed her, Eve I thought we had a bond" he pretends to be heartbroken.
"It was too good to not show her".

"You're lucky I like you and you're on the other side of a mirror or else" He says back.

"Or else what?" She asks with a tensing smile. Her dark eyes shine. He freezes and starts stuttering. Eve laughs at him and he gets mad. I sit awkwardly as the third wheel. Mama calls from downstairs that she has juice. I use that as an excuse to leave those lovebirds behind. I glance at Ashwin's smiling face. He looks happy...he's finally smiling again. Looks like I have to be a matchmaker. After All there is no way either of them are going to confess without a push. Ugh I always hated and loved slow burn but when it's playing right in front of you it's annoying as hell.

A couple of days later when school ends. Ashwin says he is going over to my place "is Eve meeting us today".

"Maybe".

"What kind of answer is that?".

"Maybe some samosas can jog my memory" I blink innocently at him.

He rolls his eyes "Fine, how many do you want?". Wait, it worked. I blink at him in shock. I'm going to milk him dry. I smile evilly "three".

"You are going to eat all three, do you know how big they are?". He stares with judgemental eyes.

"And what's your problem? You didn't say anything when Eve talked about how she ate five". He stutters "that's um that's different Eve is... so um three it is". He speeds walks to the stall nearby.

"Wow, look at you changing subjects" I roll my eyes.

He brought me my samosas. I munch on them while we walk home. As we walk past the chai shop near my house, Ashwin comments "Oh we should take Eve here she loves chai".

I stare at him. "What are you staring at?" he says annoyed.

"How do you know Eve likes chai?".

"She said it once when you guys were talking about food and stuff".

"How did you even remember that? Man it's so obvious you have a crush on her". He freezes. "What. The only reason why Eve hasn't noticed is because she's dense and doesn't know how you usually act around girls".

" Wait a second I don't like her. I mean she's sweet and pretty and talented and kind. I mean we just because we always get along but that doesn't mean I like her". 

I stare at him. "You don't like her".

"Yes".

"But you listed all the things that you like about her".

"You're done. Go away" he stutters.

He starts running to my house. I yell at him "You can't just deny you like her and run away!".

"Watch me and don't yell that!".

"Stop running then. Its too much effort to run after you!".

"Don't you do soccer?This exercise isn't going to kill you!".

"Yeah but I might!" I sprint after him.

We arrive at my house huffing and panting. Mama is sweeping outside"Is there a reason why you are running like buffalo's? I could hear you running from a mile away. Do you want all the neighbours to think I'm raising animals in this house!" She raises her broom. We yelp and run to my room for safety. 

The mirror is still cloudy. We take a breather before she comes. The mirror clears up after 5 minutes. Eve waves as she walks towards us. 

I nudge Ashwin and whisper "Hey look your girlfriend is here".

"She isn't my girlfriend" he hisses back.

"For now".