Unraveling Hearts

Chapter Six.

♡ M I L A ♡

His gray eyes pierce into mine, and I feel his arms around my waist, holding me closer to his frame, and his minty breath tickles...

My eyelids flutter open, waking me up, and my mind is instantly alert. The world around me comes into focus, and I feel the softness of my bed beneath me. I stare at the plain, white ceiling above me as a shiver runs down my spine, causing my body to tense up. It's then I realize what I had just dreamt about, and I feel my cheeks starting to heat up.

I shoot up straight in bed, my hair a tangled mess, and hurriedly cast a glance outside the window. The sun is slowly emerging from behind the clouds, painting the sky with a stunning palette of pink, orange, and red hues. The sight is breathtaking, and I can't help but admire it for a few moments. However, reality sets in - it's Monday, the start of the college classes, and I have to leave my cozy bed.

The weekend flew by too soon, and my hopes of meeting my supposed savior were dashed. Jennie and I had to make do with exploring the local cafes and stores. But looking at the vibrant dawn sky, I feel like this week might bring some colorful surprises my way.

"Hey, Red!" his deep, smug-filled voice pops in my head when my alarm goes off, startling me. I jump a little, then calm myself down as I reluctantly step out of my warm blanket. I like to be early for my classes, not late. Being tardy makes me anxious and annoyed. I need to get ready soon. I must not waste time.

"Ugh! Turn it off, please!" Jennie grumbles, interrupting my quiet moment. I look over at her as she dives her head under the pillow. Snoring. I stifle my chuckle, shaking my head in amusement before I approach my table and shut it off. I see her shuffle and stir, but her snores assure me she's happily in her dreamland.

"You're welcome, Sleeping Beauty," I murmur sarcastically. I glance at my phone and see it's 7:05, so I stretch my limbs and tie my hair up in a messy bun. With a practiced hand, I make the bed, tucking in the sides neatly, and as I grab my toiletry bag from my closet, I give it a quick check to make sure I have everything I need for my morning routine.

Before heading out, I leave a little gift for her - a single leaf of Advil and a Frooti juice box on her desk. She'll be thanking me later, I'm sure of it. And with that, I walk out of the room, closing the door behind me and hoping to catch some hot water for a refreshing shower, which is exactly what I need to start my day on the right foot.

I enter the room after my twenty-minute bathroom routine and find her fast asleep in an unique position. Quite a sight, I must say. I carefully don the clothes that I had so meticulously ironed earlier. I've got on a short black kurti, rolled-up boyfriend-fit jeans, and a vibrant orange scarf around my neck with kohl-smeared eyes and silver junk earrings. I let my hair cascade down my back in long, luscious waves but kept a scrunchie around my wrist, just in case.

I tug gently on the hem of the scarf and smile, feeling pretty good about the outfit I've put together before I make my way over to the small praying altar I've created in the room. With Jennie's help, we secured two small tables from our strict RA. I've draped mine with a shiny red cloth and have a statue of Lord Krishna sitting on it. He is the divine embodiment of love and empathy and was gifted to me by my Nani on the day I left Mumbai. She always tells me to keep him in my heart, as he is the reason for everything in our lives and encourages me to remember him and thank him whenever I start a new chapter in life. I used to pray half-heartedly as a child. Now, it brings me peace and comfort and connects me to my roots on my mother's side.

I stand before the statue with folded hands and a bowed head, murmuring a heartfelt prayer under my breath. I seek blessings as I reach out to touch the feet of the deity and offer my gratitude with a smile, then I turn around, only to be fleetingly surprised by my roommate's voice. "Good morning, roomie!" she grins sheepishly.