Of Lies & Love | on hold

8 | RIHAN

Drum beats echo in my ear, the sound growing louder and more annoying, eventually pushing me awake. I switch off the alarm and stretch my arms before sitting up on the bed. I am not exactly a morning person, but I have to wake up early if I don't want to start the day on an empty stomach. When you live alone, twenty-four hours never seem to be enough.

I scroll through the numerous messages from Veer, my best friend. It's nothing but a bunch of memes. He knows I don't like watching reels but he still sends them. I am about to put the phone down when it starts ringing. Ma is calling, as she does three times a day only to check if I am eating well.

"Good morning, Ma."

"Why do you sound like you're still in bed?"

"Because I am," I say, stifling a yawn.

"Not going to college?"

"It's Sunday."

"Oh, right. Then sleep some more. Call me after breakfast."

"I will. Bye."

After my usual thirty-minute workout, I step into the shower. I lost too much weight in school due to my addiction. Crazy how just a year can feel like forever. It stands as the biggest mistake of my life. My family was devastated. Ma, in particular, believed she failed as a mother because she couldn't protect her child. Since then, I have made a conscious effort to adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly, and that has become my lifestyle.

My phone rings again. I wrap a towel around my hips and rush to answer it.

"Hi, Mohan."

"Hey, bro. Are you back?"

I put the call on speaker while pulling on my clothes. "Yeah. It's been a few days."

"Why don't I know?"

"I have been busy. Mira is here."

"Really? Let's catch up."

I hesitate. I don't feel comfortable leaving Mira alone, not until she goes to rehab. I opened up to her last night, but she retreated to her room without uttering a word. I don't know what to make of it. "Sorry, man. Got something important today. I'll see you in college tomorrow."

"I see. Your priorities have already shifted."

I chuckle. "Bye."

I decide to make poha for both of us before walking up to her room.

"Mira, breakfast is ready."

Getting no response, I knock. "Mira?"

Her silence scares me, so I knock again with more force. Finally, a sleep-laden voice drifts from behind the door. "What?"

I exhale a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Get up. It's time for breakfast."

"Hmm."

I return to the dining area and eat while talking to Ma. She and Papa need to open the bakery, so I say bye to Ma and hang up the phone. Two hours later, Mira still doesn't make an appearance, which begins to annoy me.

"I am coming in," I declare, pushing the door open. But my annoyance fades when I find her peacefully curled up in a ball. My feet guide me toward the bed, and before I can stop myself, I am kneeling in front of her. With how gentle she looks, my determination to help her becomes stronger. If she refuses to stay at the facility, we can consider other options like outpatient treatment. Anything is better than not trying at all. Her sleepy eyes open, locking with mine, and she quickly sits up, hugging a pillow close to her chest.

"What are you doing?"

I clear my throat, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Uh, have you seen the time?"

She glances at the clock, her mouth forming an 'O'. "I am not a morning person."