𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐡

4. priya.

"Papa, is everything okay?" I asked, sensing something unusual.
"No, beta, we just want you here this evening," he replied. My father, Mohan Das Kaur, was an ordinary man who had once been a dedicated teacher. He retired last year. To me, he was my entire world-my first love.

"Are you sure everything's alright?" I probed again.
"Everything is fine, beta. Just come tonight," he assured me. I glanced at the clock; it was already 3 o'clock. I needed to get ready. "Alright, I'll be there," I said before ending the call.

I quickly slipped into a white button-up shirt and black trousers, letting my hair fall freely as I rushed out of my apartment.

As I stepped out of the car, the familiar scent of home enveloped me. This was my sanctuary. I had once been a regular girl, unsure of my future, until I discovered music at 16. My career took off at 18 when one of my songs went viral. My parents had always been supportive, encouraging me to chase my dreams.

When my career was reaching new heights, I had to move to Mumbai to continue my journey. But Papa and Mumma were too attached to this house; it held so many memories for them, and they chose to stay.

Mumma greeted me at the door with a warm smile. Okay, so it's nothing serious.
"Hi, Ma," I said, removing my shoes before entering. "Come in," she invited, stepping aside.

Inside, I spotted my cousin Priya, her cheeks flushed in a colorful kurti and jeans. Chachu and Chachi were seated nearby, while Papa smiled at me. I gave Priya a questioning look, and she looked down, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Priya had been my best friend since childhood. We shared countless sleepovers and adventures until her family moved to a bigger city when we were in sixth grade. Since then, our contact had dwindled, though we would reconnect during summer visits to Nani's house. Those were the good old days.

"Come, beta. Sit," Papa said, motioning to a chair beside the sofa.

"Namaste, Chachu, Chachi," I greeted them, then turned back to Papa. "What's the matter, Papa?"

He smiled, glancing at the blushing Priya before looking at me again. "Priya's getting married."

---

I leaned against the bookshelf, with Priya now sitting in my room. I shot her a teasing smile. "So, how come I didn't know sooner?" I asked as she blushed.

"Riva, it all happened so fast. I didn't have the chance to tell you," she replied, grinning shyly.

I laughed. "God, you're blushing so hard!"

Priya and her long-distance boyfriend, Vikram Kumar, were getting married. They were head over heels for each other. Like me, Priya had always dated with the hope of finding her forever person. She found love, while I lost mine. I know I'm acting like it's the end of the world, but that idiot was my world. Still, I'm happy for her-she deserves all the love life can offer.

Priya, a year older than me, had always been passionate about law. She completed her master's in it, fulfilling a childhood dream, and now she was about to marry the love of her life. My baby had grown up so fast. *insert crying emoji*

I sat on my bed, scrolling through old photos, while Priya excitedly shared details of how Vikram proposed.

"And I blushed so damn hard," she laughed, covering her face.

I smiled softly at her.

"I'm really sorry about what happened between you and Ashish," she said, fidgeting with her fingers. "You deserve the world, Riva. He didn't deserve you."

"Shhh," I whispered, shaking my head. "This is my safe space, and I don't want to hear about that idiot anymore."

She smiled, her eyes gentle. "As you say."