PERDITA

..6..

(HER POV)

Her mind is a maze of memories that last,
Yet her face reflects a present unmasked by the past.

After returning to my room-well, the room that's supposed to be mine-I couldn't shake the memory of Mr. Thakur forbidding me from staying in the hostel. I was ready to rebel, though I'd never have the courage to confront him directly. But behind his back, I did almost everything he would disapprove of.

Taking advantage of the fact that, in all these years, not a single soul had ever stepped foot in my room, I felt a strange sense of freedom.

After his refusal, I began quietly moving my things, bit by bit, to my new apartment, sneaking them into my bag on the way to college. The irony is, that I rarely even went to class, maybe once or twice a month.

Right now, the only things left in this room are a few spare clothes, some technical books, and the paintings on the wall-paintings that only I ever touched or appreciated. A few everyday items like a comb, shoes, and other small things remain. And now, with all the wedding preparations underway, the planning charts and setups have taken over the wall near the table that used to be my study table.

If someone were to glance around, they'd hardly guess this wasn't just a guest room.

After my bath, I was drying my hair with a towel, dressed in a simple white shirt and blue jeans, when I heard a knock at my door. I froze, standing there in confusion until the second knock echoed in my ears. No one had ever come to my room before-not even the servants. Who could this be?

A glance at the clock showed it was already 9 a.m. I tossed the towel onto the bed and walked over to open the door. There, standing in front of me, was my elder brother.

"Hey, you know, I just realized I never even knew where your room was. I had to ask a servant for directions," Ravi Bhaiya said curiously, trying to sneak a look inside through the small crack in the door.

Nervously, I tried to close the door a little more to block his view, but when I noticed him stepping forward, I quickly stepped out, closing the door behind me. It only took a second for both of us, him to raise an eyebrow, his look filled with questions.

"Umm, no, it's just fine... Anyway, did you need something?" I asked, cursing myself immediately. Who asks that so directly? Now he'll think I assume he only came here because he needed something.

"Ah, right. Why don't you join everyone for breakfast, hmm?" he replied, pointing his thumb toward the dining area. His expression made it clear how little he knew about me.

I've never eaten at that table-not with everyone, not even alone. I'm used to eating out or in my room, always by myself.

When I didn't respond, he spoke again. "Oh, come on, what are you thinking about? Kiara's here, and she wants to talk to you," he said, stepping closer and wrapping an arm around my shoulder, gently guiding me toward the dining area. I've never learned how to protest.

So that's why I was called. Silly of me to think it could be for any other reason.

For the second time, I felt uncomfortable with his touch. It wasn't that it was inappropriate-he's my brother, and this kind of gesture should be natural. But the fact that he's unaware of so much about me made it unsettling.

"I can talk to her later, sometime," I tried to excuse myself, but he didn't stop.

"No, I never see you around at home, always locked in your room," he said. That made me fall silent. At least he noticed something about me.