Switched

Chapter 1

Raizada Mansion

She stepped into the room, her heart pounding with a mix of nervousness and excitement. The house, unfamiliar yet filled with warmth, wrapped around her like an old, comforting shawl. The aroma of freshly made parathas wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of flowers that adorned the side table.

Her eyes darted around, absorbing the new surroundings—the plush sofas, the elegant decor, and the faint hum of voices from the kitchen. But it was her mother, standing by the table, with a distant look in her eyes, who drew her attention.

With a surge of emotion, she moved quickly towards her, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "Maa," she called softly, her voice trembling with unspoken emotions.

Her mother turned, surprise etching lines on her face. "Aarohi?" she questioned, confusion marring her features. "Tum aagayi?"

Ignoring the query, she rushed forward, enveloping her mother in a tight hug. "Maa, I missed you so much," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

For a moment, there was only silence, the kind that speaks louder than words. Her mother's arms hung limply by her sides before she hesitantly patted her back, still taken aback by this sudden display of affection.

"Kya ho gaya hai tumhe?" her mother asked, her voice tinged with concern and confusion. "Are you alright?"

The realization hit her like a cold splash of water. She had forgotten, in her eagerness, that Aarohi wasn’t used to showing such open affection. Embarrassment heated her cheeks. "I... I'm sorry, Maa," she stammered, quickly stepping back. "I don't know what came over me. Bas aapki yaad aa rahi thi."

Her mother’s eyes softened slightly, yet held a flicker of disbelief. Before she could probe further, the lively chatter of the family spilled into the room, breaking the tension.

Relieved, she pasted a smile on her face and joined the others at the breakfast table. The lively atmosphere provided a welcome distraction from her mother’s scrutinizing gaze. As she reached for a paratha, she felt the weight of their stares.

"Good morning!" she greeted cheerfully, her smile widening as she tried to blend in.

The family exchanged glances. "Aarohi, tum aur parathas?" Anjali teased, a hint of incredulity in her voice. "Yeh naya kaisa shauk lag gaya hai tumhe?"

She froze momentarily, realizing her mistake. Aarohi never indulged in oily food. "Oh... woh... bas aaj mann kar raha tha," she replied, forcing a casual tone.

"Pehle toh kabhi mann nahi kiya tumhara" Payal remarked sharply, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Chalo, acha hai," Nandkishore chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Waise bhi, kabhi kabhi rules todna achi baat hai."

The conversation resumed, the atmosphere easing back into its usual rhythm. But Arnav remained silent, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race.

I averted my eyes, unable to meet his scrutiny, a sense of unease settling over me like a heavy shroud. What was he thinking? What did he see when he looked at me?

As the chatter around me continued, I forced myself to focus on my food, pushing aside the lingering sense of unease that lingered in the depths of my mind. But Arnav's watchful gaze remained etched in my memory, a silent reminder of the secrets I carried.

I devoured my breakfast hastily, my heart fluttering with the anticipation of escaping to the sanctuary of my room. But as I pushed my chair back, a sudden surge of panic swept over me—I had no clue where my room was in this huge mansion. Frustration threatened to overwhelm me, but I swiftly pushed it aside, relying on my innate mischief to come to my aid.