Mythili sat before the mirror, the soft folds of her organza dress mocking the heaviness in her chest. She had to be perfect for Sowmi's engagement—she couldn't let her heartbreak ruin her best friend's brightest day.
Ring... ring...
She checked the caller ID. For a split second, her heart leaped, thinking it was him—the man who had ignored her for half a year only to suddenly haunt her phone today. But it was just Sowmi, shouting with nervous bridal energy.
"I'm coming, meri maa." Mythili forced a chuckle. "I'll be there in no time."
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As Mythili prepared to leave, her mother, Vasu, entered with breakfast. The silence between them was thick until Mythili noticed the hesitation in her mother's eyes.
"Mythu, have some breakfast. Come." said Vasu.
She was a whirlwind of motion, hurriedly stuffing her handbag. "Amma, not now! Sowmi is waiting, and she'll kill me if I'm late." she said, her mind already halfway to the engagement.
"Arey, what about breakfast?" Vasu asked, her voice trailing her daughter.
"I'll eat something there, Amma. Don't worry!"
"Shut up and sit." Vasu said with a mother's authority, firmly pulling Mythili toward the bed. "I know you. Once you get there, your head will be in the clouds with Sowmya, and you'll forget your hunger. I'm feeding you myself. Now, sit."
She watched her mother's face closely. she could see a deep hesitation in her mother's eyes—the look of a woman holding back a secret that was finally ready to be told.
"Emaindhamma?(What happened, amma?)" She asked softly, resting her hand on her mother's lap.
Vasu forced a small, tired smile and offered her another morsel. "Nothing, mythu." she murmured, but her eyes told a different story.
"Tell me, Maa. What's the matter?" Mythili insisted, her voice firm yet tender.
Vasu looked directly into her daughter's eyes, her voice trembling. "Are you angry with us,mythu?"
Her eyes glazed with tears, but she blinked them back, refusing to break. "No, Amma. Never."
"Then why have you become a stranger in your own home? Why do you only speak when you absolutely have to?"
"Adhem ledhamma... (It's nothing like that)." She whispered, looking away. "I'm talking normally."
"Should I believe that?" Vasu asked softly, her eyes searching Mythili's face.
