INVISIBLE STRINGS // SARAJ

spilled juice and weights

The rain pounded rhythmically against the window of Savi's dimly lit room, filling the quiet with its steady beat. She yawned, eyes heavy, snuggled deeper into the covers as she attempted to finish reading her textbook. At college, Savi was the life of the party—bold, popular, and always ready for mischief—but at home, she was someone entirely different. The pressures of her traditional family weighed heavily on her, especially with her Badi Ajji, the family matriarch, constantly enforcing old customs and expectations that clashed with Savi's independent mindset.

Her Badi Ajji's world revolved around women staying in the background, a role Savi had sworn never to accept. Rebellious and fierce, she often found herself drawn to thrilling, sometimes reckless actions, just to break free of the suffocating expectations. It was her way of feeling alive.

But Savi refused to let anyone or anything stand in the way of her education. It was her key to freedom, her path to becoming an IAS officer—a goal she clung to with fierce determination. She wanted to prove herself, to be more than just another woman molded by tradition. She wanted to be her parents' daughter, someone they would be proud of.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Savi?" Her Ashwini Ajji's gentle voice came from the doorway. Savi's eyes softened at the sight of her, concern etched on the older woman's face.

Ashwini Ajji sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb Savi's legs, and cupped her face. "It's late, beti. You should sleep."he was younger and free and she knew her image at college, never would have people knowing the things she goes through at home. She often felt like a mosaic, out of place yet drawing attention to herself. Deep down, more than ever, she wanted to find her place, her home in a person, who she could wholeheartedly call her own. 

Yet she strayed away from the idea of love, it had become bitter due to her Badi Ajji's insistence on her dropping out of school to get married. She was cut off her wings to fly with the freedom of living a life she wanted, but she didn't let this stop her. She didn't let anything stop her from her education, she considered her greatest strength, something that would lead her to her lifelong dream of becoming an IAS officer. A step closer to truly becoming her parents' daughter. 

"Savi?" A sweeter voice came from the doorframe, and savi's eyes snapped up but softened as she saw her Ashwini Ajji, looking concerned as she stepped in. She sat on the bed, careful not to sit on savi's legs, but close enough to cup her face. "It's very late, you should sleep"

Savi smiled, at the warmth and affection held in her Ashwini Ajji's words and touch. She was the only motherly figure savi had left in her life, and she treasured her immensely. Ashwini Ajji never stopped her from her ambitions, like the rest of her family did. 

"I will Ajji" Savi smiled, before she took in her Ajji's suken eyes, a feeling of guilt clawed in. Spending most of her time wrapped up in studies and the rest maintaining her social life at college, she barely returned home to care for her Ajji. "You should take care of yourself too"

She brushed past her concern, with another affection pat on the cheek before leaving Savi, alone once again to the stillness of her room. 

***

"Oi Siren, mera chai kidhere hai!" Savi called out, as she leaned against the chair in their cafeteria.Siren hurried over, with two steaming cups of chai and set them onto the table. "What's the drama today?"

"Samantha is very upset since she's been in love with Arjun for a year, but recently we heard that he might be interested in you" He whispered conspiratively, Savi's eyebrow rose at the statement, and her lips contorted into a smile before they dropped.