Shifting Stars

4. New Beginnings

MYRA

5:30 pm, in the evening

"So how many days do you want to join for?" Naresh Sir asked Mumma.

"Not sure. She just wants to join for her summer holidays and we'll confirm later if she wants to continue after school starts.." Mumma replied.

I look around, observing the place. It's an indoor academy with a cricket ground and a gym outside, near the entrance.

Upon entering, a cabin is immediately visible to the right, presumably where Sir rests. Continuing straight ahead is a doorway leading to the indoor badminton area, consisting of "four courts and a gallery for spectators.

"Myra, let's go. He told us to follow him towards his cabin." Mumma motioned me.

As we sat down inside his cabin, he told Mumma about the timings of class, and he also explained to her to get non-marking badminton shoes and also get my racket.

As we exited the cabin, I asked my mother

"Mumma..? Can we eat chaat?"

"Fine, let's go." She replied a minute later while wearing her chappal.

.₊✧⋆✮⋆✧.₊

ADHRIT

New day, a New Start

"Bhai, kya tum meree kuchh madad kar sakte ho?" I ask as soon as he enters the room.

(Brother, can you help me with something?)

"Mhmm, batao Adhrit." He nodded in response.

"Can you convince Mumma and Papa to let me join Badminton again?" I ask, nervously.

"Oh, the one which you used to go to when you were in ninth grade?" He asks, suddenly all interested, and gestures for me to sit next to him on the bed.

"Yes, can you convince them?" I ask while sitting beside him.

"Don't worry, leave it on me, Adu." He says patting my back.

I smile. The only person in this family who treats me like I am loved is Bhaiya. And for that reason, he's the only person whom I allow to call me Adu.

Once, Mumma tried acting all lovey-dovey and kept referring to me as Adu. I was so angry at her since I tried telling her numerous times not to call me by that name.

We were at a function with our so-called relatives sitting beside us. Mumma got so angry that I corrected her in front of them that she threatened to strangle me if I were ever to talk in front of our relatives when we headed back home.

"Mu-mma chodo mujhe, please!" I tried persuading her but she just kept her hand tight on my neck, pressing me towards the wall.

"Kameena!! Sabke saamne mera reputation chala gaya" She screamed, increasing the pressure of her hand on my neck.

"Pl-le-ase..I'm-m so-so-ry.. Main aisa kabhi nahi karunga" I plead.

I remember that night very clearly. I kept begging her to stop strangling me till Papa told her. I remember his exact words..

"Ruhi, use chhod do, kisee moorkh se bahas karane ka koee matlab nahin hai" My father said, without even looking at me.

I still can't believe he said that...Am I such a bad son to them that they don't even respect my life?..

After my mother let me breathe by following my father, I sat there.

I sat there and wondered,

"Am I not giving enough?"