𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐘𝐀

C H A P T E R - 19

Mayra

I unwrapped the towel from my wet hairs and let them fall free on my back. Mumbai morning's fresh air blows the curtains of my balcony.

I fished out a comb and a drier from my dressing cabinet and settled on a nearby stool. Last nights event still played on loop every time I don't engage my thoughts on other things.

I couldn't summon sleep until past three last night. Him showing up unannounced in my room then leaving a chaos behind ..it's unforgettable.

As I was done with my hairs I tied them in a sleek loose bun and then quickly did my make up. For today I wore a yellow anarkali suit because mumma told me to.. it's not like I'm complaining. I too like to dress on many occasions.

A knock sounded on my door and I turned around to face a confused Iti at my doorstep "What in the world happened?" she neared me. Before answering my eyes raked the whole of her. She looked breathtaking in that beautiful silk saree.

"Ah-- the knob broke" she pinched her brows but let the topic drop for now as she brought a near by stool and settled beside me. "Anyway. I'm so happy!! and I'm so sorry I was late yesterday" in my stupidity I was about to tell her I heard her call me around two.

"Oh it's okay. I slept early" she nodded taking my hands in her "Let's go. Breakfast is ready" we stood together to leave when Suvy maa showed up in the room.

"Ye kya hai?" (What is this) she eyed the hole where a knob was suppose to be. I should tell her about Aarav's misbehavior but that'll lead to many suspicious questions I don't want directed on me.

"Badi maa you're here, maa's looking for you" Aditya shouts while entering the room but immediately lowers his voice on Suvy maa's glare.

His eyes scan the seriousness of the room then strangely falls on the door knob "Oh my god. Ye kya hua. Door ke sath wrestling kon krrha tha?" (Oh my god what's this. Who was wrestling with the door) with his way of expressing surprise I doubt he knows about last night's event.

"Mujhe nhi pata ye kaise hua Suvy maa" (I don't know how it happened Suvy maa) I look at her in a hope that she believes me.

"I believe you Mayra because in any extreme situation you cannot pull a knob out of its socket" Adi interjects. was it an insult? but thankfully the blame's not on me.

"I'm sorry Mayra dear. You had to spent the night this way" I step forward and clutch her hand in mine "Don't be sorry maa" she pats my hair.

Suddenly Adi makes a bee line into my room "But badi maa I think I saw Aarav coming here yesterday" her brows pinched almost immediately "Aarav?" he stands beside Iti and mumbles something to her to which she chuckles. "Yeah he did." I thought Aarav and Adi were best buddies. Why did he tell on him.

"Mayra is it true?" I glance between him and Suvy maa, Adi gave me a look that I don't want to name. "I-" I was cut in by a sleepy voice.

"Maa.. is breakfast ready?" he dressed himself in a basket ball jersey and grey shorts. By the look I'm sure Suvy maa was on the brim of her anger. But with a deadly calm her voice ranged

"Aarav tell me. honestly. Did you break the knob of this door?" all eyes were on him but unfortunately his were on me. His look was venomous as if he believes that I told them about last night.

I averted my gaze from him not being able to take in all that hate at once "Yes. It was an accident" he admitted? he could've tossed the question into his favor by telling them he had no idea.

I looked at him again but he wasn't looking back. "I warned you many times Aarav. You're no child." her tone implies she's disappointed in him and his face was blank as if he wasn't expecting anything else.

"Clear your room and from today you're sleeping in guest room" he didn't move an inch but his glare slowly, very slowly falls into mine. If glares could harm I would've been dead by now.

Everyone filtered out of the room one by one. Adi was the one to leave at last, they shared some words that made Aarav clench his hand into a fist.

We descent downstairs into the open dining hall. I noticed there were all the members of the family present. I greeted Abeer uncle and Mayank chachu "Good morning Mayra" I wished them back just when Roop chachi came out of the kitchen "You're on time Mayra" Iti takes the bowl of kheer from her "You should also start eating I'm here to serve" she grins taking a seat.

On the far end of the table I noticed Moksha waving at me. I cross the space and settled next to her "Morning cutie" she fills my plate with a toast and omelettes then poured some juice.

Next to me was Ramika dadi and in front of me was dadu I greeted them and then began with my breakfast. Soon after Adi and Aarav joined the table with Sharan and Daksh. The little boy got smacked by his father for wearing headphones at the table "Table manners Daksh" he quietly mumbled a sorry.

After breakfast, Abeer uncle and Mayank chachu together left for office and I helped Iti clear the table.

And then Moksha, Aditya and Aarav went to their college. I didn't have much to do so I decided to spend my day helping Iti with anything.

We were about to head to her room when dadi called her "Iti beta. tumhe maine wo necklace dia tha na dadi saas ka usse niklwa do polish krwa deti hu aaj" (Iti, daughter. I gave you my grandmother-in-laws necklace bring it I'll have it polished) she nodded "Okay dadi" and we fell into step.

One moment I was ascending the stairs the other I screamed when a white cat out of the blue plunged by me "Kya hogya?" (What happened) dadu's frightened voice called us and I was about to apologize when a fluffy dog bounced on the stairs following the cat.

I placed a hand on my mouth to contain my terrified scream "I-I'm sorry" the couple giggled from the downstairs "It's okay daro mat ye dusre Moksha aur Adi hai iss ghar ke" (It's okay, don't be afraid they're second Moksha and Adi of this house) indeed.

I heard a chuckle coming from Iti "Yeah.. they're just goofy" I slightly nodded before we again ascent towards her room "What are their names?" she chuckled again.

"They seriously went so far naming their pets. The dog's name is Dobby coz Adi is a big potter head and the cat's name is Melchior" they're definitely the copy paste of the twins.