Unaware Of Untiteled Threads

Grey-eyes

-Her POV-

"Aaru, bacha, sit here," Aunty ji said gently, patting the spot beside her as the doctor prepared for his examination. His fingers pressed lightly against my neck, tracing the nerves, and then, just as I expected, came the inevitable—the freaking torch shining down my throat.

I was too lost in my thoughts to register a single word he said. But one thing has become clear—I'm not allowed to speak for the next four days. Few days. Oh, this is everything I've ever secretly wished for.

The same annoying infection I had back in boarding school, 4th grade.

For a little while, there will be silence. Peace. Even if it's just for a few days...

As the doctor left, Aunty ji turned to me with a playful smile.

"Now you know what happens when you sneak ice cream at night," she teased, giving me a mock glare. I couldn't help but smile back, trying my best to look all innocent and cheesy.

"Alright, the doctor said to talk less, so let's make the most of it. You're officially on maun vrat for the next... four days—not a single word! And don't even think about having anything other than soup and medicine," Rani Maa declared in her usual no-nonsense tone. She looked too frustrated. I sighed but nodded.

Well, at least now I can focus on my artwork in peace and quietly help with the wedding preparations—without saying a word.

Phew... deep breath

After forcing down that miserable excuse for soup at dinner, I wandered through the palace halls. The evening's noise and chaos were fading, replaced by the soft hum of imaginary song lyrics drifting through my mind. Humming quietly to myself, I jumped and twirled my way to the quiet part of the palace now designated for me and my work.

As I approached my room, I tugged the dupatta from my neck and draped it over my forearm. With one hand, I reached back to loosen the doori of my deep-necked kurti, while the other turned the door handle. I stepped inside and closed the door with a soft click.

Spinning on my heels, I made my way to the bathroom, letting my clothes fall away piece by piece. The moment the hot water touched my skin, I felt the day's tension melting away, the steam wrapping around me like a warm embrace.Ahh... the relief. Today, of all days, I needed this.But of course, if tonight feels this good, it probably means something is waiting to go wrong tomorrow. Shaking off that thought, I allowed myself to savor the shower for a solid fifteen minutes. When the water finally stopped, I wrapped a towel around my torso and stepped into my room, heading straight for the closet.

It's funny, really—how I have way more clothes here than I do at my own house.
Yeah, the house you only pretend is yours, my inner voice chimed in, laced with sarcasm.

I brushed the thought aside and slipped into a cute black set of garments, layering it with an oversized T-shirt and jean shorts that barely peeked out from underneath. Settling onto the couch with an apple in hand, I scrolled through the latest projects and collaborations happening at ICY.

Ugh, every bite of this apple feels like sandpaper in my throat.

With calling anyone out of the question, I typed away for hours, responding to every update, every message, each one taking a little more energy than the last. My fingers got their workout, but at least my throat was getting the rest it desperately needed.

It's 1 a.m., and here I am, staring at the ceiling. Sleep? Nowhere in sight. Dreams? Even farther away. But my stomach? Growling like it has its own midnight agenda.

With a groan, I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the small kitchen on this side of the palace. Small, at least, compared to the massive kitchen in the main hall. Standing there, I pondered what to make, but nothing healthy came to mind. So, I settled on some spicy veggie noodles. I know it's going to burn later, but with all that flavor, it's worth it!