Unspoken feelings are unforgettable

Chapter 25

"Morning" Sunshine was sprinkled across Riya's smile. She giggled as she spread fruit jam onto Arisha's toast. It was sweetly strange, she never cooks her breakfast for school so what made it special enough to make her do it the day she was moving cities? The day she was meant to be the busiest. 

"Morning, mum" She replied, sliding into her chair. The ceiling was worked really hard by the packers and movers team. They had arrived earlier than Arisha woke up. Her study and dressing tables were out of place, leaving just the bed in the entire room. Not even the rug by the door. Must've been Vidisha's plan. 

Arisha hurried into the washroom, not finding her supplies. Except for her toothbrush, the toothpaste had also been packed. Then she had to rush to the nearby store and get herself the supplies. This, for sure was Vidisha's plan. Having done her morning chores, she went down to her mom to find the strangest Riya cooking her breakfast. Wishing her morning in a long time now. They were shortly joined by Vidisha, who was kind enough to prepare them tea. The ceiling and the doors still seemed to roar. And it was agitating. It kept her away from the house for almost an hour. Though she wanted to savor each moment she could gather in her childhood home, her head started hurting, drawing her outside eventually. She wouldn't go to Ronil at any cost and Swati's classes might still be regular. Was this the first time she felt that she could've tried and actually would've made a few more friends? Then she wouldn't have felt this lonely. So helpless. It was a defining question, it made her take an important decision, the decision to get herself countless friends in the new place. She'll try to be the girl she's always wanted to be. The one who actually exists and people care about. The girls who are not played by guys or fooled around.

A girl who never feels empty or lonely. She decides to overcome every trait of her she hates. Factly, she hates herself not in parts, but as a whole. She'll become a bold woman. Keep away from rude guys and would not fall in love. Such a productive way to begin her day. Arisha accompanies herself to the sweet shop across from Swati's place. She buys herself an orange popsicle, the one Tushant got himself. And her insides force her to walk over to the lush green house and knock. To confirm if her friend would be on time to wish her goodbye or if she would miss their last moment. 

"Arisha?"

"Hello. Uncle"

"Swati isn't home, sorry. But do come in"

"No thanks, uncle. I need to pack" She fiddles with her words, trying to not let him know the facts, "I mean, would you ask her to visit me as soon as she gets back? Please?"

"Will tell her" He topped his reply with a warm smile and nodded, "Everything's good at home?" Typical adult's question.

"Oh...of course. Totally. We're all good" She shook her head, still fiddling with her words. Such an awful liar was she, howsoever, Swati's papa couldn't frame out her discomfort.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Thanks. Bye," She said. Taking pauses between the words. She was doing her best to sound polite while she tried to avoid him. She turned around on her heels before he could wish back. Hurrying straight home. The sun was overhead, her hair steaming hot. It was shining golden in the light. A beautiful day. She would rush home and note the date down in her journal. The last one of them. Her final day here. Probably it's not, maybe Riya would someday want to come back but it shouldn't happen in a year or two.

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The evening had struck. And it was time. The back door was already locked and the house was almost emptied. The flooring felt forsaken, just as the home was ignorant of its foundation for so many years. It felt grave without the carpets and furniture that were once laid over. The garage had built a net of spider webs. It stunk of dust and creatures. But this was over. They're leaving this house to Shashank. Not a trace of hurt in Riya's words as she spoke of the memories they made here. Topped with terrible quarrels and life-changing decisions.