Love Between The Lines

01 | Chaos

Before You Begin :-

Thank you for choosing to join Kanika and Samarth's journey. I hope you'll come to cherish them as much as I do.

I aim to upload a chapter every week, but if my schedule ever gets the better of me, please bear with the slower updates... After all, I'm just a tiny turtle. I appreciate your patience and understanding in advance.

Happy reading!

Chaos / ˈkeɪ-ɑs / n.
1. Lack of order.
2. A situation or state marked by unpredictable and uncontrollable events.

⭒˚. 🌙 ⋆˚.  KANIKA ⋆˚. 🌙⭒˚.

The alarm blared obnoxiously for the third time, cutting through the soft remnants of my dreams. I blindly slapped the snooze button, sinking deeper into the warmth of my bed. Just five more minutes. Five minutes of blissful nothingness.

But those five minutes passed like five seconds when I heard the familiar jingling of my maa's bangles outside my door. My eyes snapped open, and I shot up, the hazy comfort of sleep quickly dissolving into the blinding light of morning. I dashed into the bathroom at the speed of light—or, at least, as fast as I could manage before she caught me still lounging in bed.

Stumbling into the bathroom, I quickly splashed water on my face. The first day of school after summer vacation. Two glorious months of sun, laziness, and laughter were over, and now it was time to get back to books. Not that it bothered me—I had a way of cruising through school without much effort. It’s a skill, really. Some people stress about every little thing, but I?

I just go with the flow.

Pulling on my school uniform, I felt the familiar excitement building. Sure, school had its lectures and tests, but I was ready for another year of balancing studies with fun, and honestly, life was too short to be stressed about every little thing.

Downstairs, the aroma of breakfast hit me before I even saw it. Papa was already on his second cup of chai, absorbed in his phone. Meetings, spreadsheets, clients—his usual morning routine as a bank manager.

"You’re up early, aren’t you?" Maa’s voice came from the kitchen, the teasing tone unmistakable. Once a teacher, always a teacher. She had that tough-but-soft coconut vibe, Yash likes to say that.

I gave my dad a pleading look. He grinned behind his cup, fully understanding. "Come on, Aruna, it’s her first day back. Give her a break. It takes time to get back into the groove."

"Exactly!" I said, slipping into the kitchen. I spotted the sandwich maker, just in time to see two golden sandwiches emerge, crispy and perfect.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I grabbed a plate and reached for one when—"Ouch!" I jerked back, my fingers stinging.

"Kanika! A little patience wouldn’t hurt, you know," Maa said, inspecting my hand like I was five again.

"These are all for you, but let them cool first."I flashed her my most sheepish grin. "Sorry, Maa," I muttered as she piled sandwiches onto my plate, generously adding a side of ketchup.

I settled next to Papa and was about to take my first bite when "Have you packed your backpack?" Maa’s voice cut through the air. I shook my head, still chewing.

"Did you check your shoes? Are they clean?" Another shake.

"And your hair?" She turned towards me "kanikaaa! you haven’t even done your hair yet"

I nudged Papa with my elbow. "Rescue me?"

He chuckled. "Don’t worry, she’s not a little kid anymore."