SHE

I looked into the mirror and winced at my reflection. Ignoring whatever I felt, I started dressing for school.

When I walked downstairs, the kitchen was dead silent.

I stepped in there and realised my parents' had left early yet again and it was my duty to drop my brother at school. It was fucking frustrating that I didn't know what I was feeling, so without pondering further, I walked towards my brother's room to wake him up.

We bickered with each other while he helped himself into the bath while I prepared both of our breakfasts – bread and eggs. We were almost finished when the classic sound of the bell ringing sounded outside our house, followed by her loud yell.

"Sana Didi has come." Kiaan stated the obvious.

I laughed at him innocent crush and I wasn't really blaming him – she was just the girl of anyone's dreams. Throwing the plates in the kitchen, I told Kiaan to chat with Sana. Locking the house like usual, I took out my cycle and I waved at her. She whispered in my ear with concern in her eyes.

"Again?"

I nodded, laughing.

Frankly it didn't really matter. Everyone was busy with their lives, so we weren't expecting much anyways. Life seemed to flow in the same pattern – dull and depressing – as long as I could remember. The universe always was out to fuck my life and to be honest, I would have died long before my designated time if it wasn't for Kiaan and Sana.

They made my life a bit better each day and I was grateful for that.

There wasn't anything interesting in the next few days, but suddenly after a week, it seemed as if things were different. I still felt the overwhelming sense of absolutely nothing and was too tired to gauge what was I feeling, but I could feel it. The atmosphere was different in the house as my Maa and Papa were present more. I still couldn't place if I was happy or sad about it.

But it wasn't long when I knew the motive behind their sudden presence in my life.

They called me downstairs in a sweet voice, quite unusual for them. My brother had gone to his friend's house to play, so it felt odd to see my parents sitting together with smiles on their faces and my brother out of the equation for the moment.

"We have good news." They beamed, passing me a chair.

I, on the other hand was void of any emotions. I mean I was well aware that their marriage was slowly falling apart, so a new sibling didn't seem to be the 'good news'. Still, it bothered me, especially due to their humane acting.

"We got you admission where your Mom and I were alumni."

I frowned, "In a law college?"

They nodded, looking at each other and frankly, quite happy with what they have done.

I winced, trying to make excuses, "I just started my last year in school. The counselling is months away."

"That doesn't matter." My Papa laughed, showcasing how they both belonged to the top category of lawyers in India.

Taking a deep breath, I kept my eyes closed and this time, voiced my honest thoughts, "I don't remember ever agreeing to study law in the first place."

"That was never up for discussion." His voice was cold, all the happiness disappearing in an instant.

"It's up for discussion because it is my life." I say, gritting.

"Beta, it will be good for your future." Maa said, her voice anxious.