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I was lost in a deep slumber when my eyes suddenly snapped open. My throat felt parched and itchy, and I instinctively reached for the water bottle on my side table, only to find it empty.
I glanced at the clock and groggily noted the time - 4:00 PM As I turned towards the window, the sun's rays streaming through the panes hit my face, disturbing my peaceful rest.
The sun was already setting, preparing to move on to its last stage in the sky.
"Maa! Maaa!" I cried out, my voice hoarse with desperation, but the silence was deafening.
Exhausted and frustrated, I resigned myself to fetching a drink from the kitchen myself.
As I trudged down the stairs, I was met with the most annoying face in the world, chatting with my Badi maa and Maa, no doubt discussing my latest mishap.
"Vritu, how are you now?" Sanya asked.
"I'm fine," I replied, my face a mask of nonchalance.
"What are you doing here, Vritu? You should be resting," maa admonished.
"I'm thirsty, Maa," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Radha, bring her a glass of water and refill the bottle in her room," Badi maa instructed.
I dragged myself to the sofa in the hall, collapsing onto the cushions with a sigh.
"So, where did you disappear to, Sanya? We were searching everywhere for you! Do you have any idea how terrified we were?" my mother exclaimed, her voice laced with worry and exasperation.
But Sanya merely started to speak, "Aunty, it's that—" before abruptly stopping and changing the subject. "Where is Adwait Aunty?" she asked bluntly, disregarding my mother's concerns.
Janav bhai entered the hall, his expression somber. "He's still in the hospital."
She nodded curtly and departed, leaving my mother's questions unanswered.
"Okh" was all she said before exiting.
"Where are you off to, Sanya?" Badi Maa called out, her voice laced with a mix of concern and frustration, but Sanya was already gone, her reply hanging in the air. "I'll be back soon, Aunty..."
Badi Maa's words were cut short as Sanya hastily departed the palace, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.
"What's gotten into this girl today?" Maa exclaimed, her worry evident.
Badi Maa shook her head, her expression a mix of confusion and helplessness. "God knows, dear."
A servant approached me with a glass of water, and I gratefully accepted it, my thirst finally quenched. As I handed the empty glass back, my thoughts drifted to the woman who had just left. I knew her secrets, and they weighed heavily on my mind.
