Aap Koun Hai? PT 1

The Visitor🥸

After college I quickly bid Amara bye and rushed onto the next bus home.

I wouldn't say I lived anywhere too fancy

I lived in a small chawl , with barely two rooms in our house. I climb up the crusty black stair, the steps and walls now patched with red and grim . I cringe and try to make sure I don't touch those parts.

On the second floor at the end of a long hallway of doors is my house.

I run across my bag loosening on my shoulder, my sole smashing on the bricks below.

Until I finally swing the door open with a bang
"Shh" the old lady from the room opposite ours snaps.

"Sorry" I quickly apologize, cheeks coloring and rush inside.

I meet Sam and Tam sitting on the ground with plates filled with food and mother in the middle serving.

They grin once they see me. "How did the article go?"

My stomach tightens at the question and my eyes narrow as I point them to mom.

And they immediately lurch.

They all know about my little passion. It's no secret in this house, but ma isn't pleased with it as much as Sam and Tam are. I didn't want her finding out. I expect her to blow up again like she did the time before this and the time before that and so on. But she just focuses on the food right now ,not reacting yet, but it's the calm before the storm.

I look at the food, its dal anyway, so I plan to tiptoe my way in the bedroom, but as I sneak around Tam and Sam and am right before the entrance to the other room she calls my name
"Payal"

I freeze. Is she going to throw a chapel at me?

"Come eat"

I turn around confused but her face is in no mood to be in anger today. It's sulken and dead like there is something far worse for her to worry about than me.

I furrow my brows and walk over tossing my bag aside. "What happened?"

"Nothing, sit down,"she says grimly.

My mom wasn't completely out of the ordinary or in her worst state. I've seen it on a regular basis but this wasn't anything near that. Normally it would have been worse.
She would be in her bed, head down crying, wearing the same clothes for days, the house would be a mess. She would stop going to work or help with household chores. She would basically isolate herself.

And that's how we would know it was something to do with our father.

It was...a nightmare...for all of us honestly.
With really not much of a mother, until now.

I shudder thinking about those days and at least it's not like that. It's been the longest since she fell into such a state, around nine months and a part of my mind wonders if she might break that record.

I grin walking up to them and taking a seat next to Tam, both of them sit quietly facing forward as they eat.

"Tomorrow" I say taking the plate mother has passed me "I will help take care of the shop. I will make such money that your eyes will pop out."

She fills a plate with steaming rice and bright yellow dal, the rich aroma stuffing my nose.
What a mistake it would have been if I left.
But my mother's mood doesn't seem to lighten.

I smile while mixing the food, I am not done with the effort to lighten the atmosphere.

"I am thinking tomorrow I will also cook...." I rub my chin pretending to be in deep thought. "Okra?"
Her favorite food.
She smiles. Bingo.
I smile too as she softens her face, even giggles a little