In-yeon

Chapter 12:- Echoes of Yesterday

6 Years Ago

Haseena didn't get much sleep last night. After missing her bus, she waited over an hour for the next one, finally stumbling home around 2 a.m. Thanks to her 7 a.m. class, she had to force herself awake at 5, sluggishly walking to the bathroom and picking up her brush like a zombie. She is so tired that it feels like she's sleepwalking.

She managed to get herself ready and poured a strong cup of coffee, hoping it would wake her up. On the bus, she sank into a seat, holding her coffee in one hand and her bag in the other. Out of habit, she put on her headphones and hit play, but something felt off. Something was wrong. She didn't know what she was feeling. Was it a vague sadness? She felt sad, yet her mind couldn't grasp the reason behind it. A faint ache sat in her chest without a clear cause. Part of her wanted to push those feelings away, while another part felt stuck, unable to identify what was causing the discomfort.

After a moment, she paused the music. Maybe she was too tired even for that—too drained to listen, too restless for the thing that usually eased her mind. She stared out the window and watched the city blink to life. And then, like the flicker of a low-burning ember, Karishma's face came to her mind. Karishma's words from last night wrapped around her, making whatever she felt before more intense.

"Am I really letting some girl's words and judgment get under my skin? She shouldn't even matter." she thought.

"Clearly, I am emphasizing it and feeling this way because I am exhausted. Let it be; it will go away," she told herself.

As she stared blankly out the window, lost in thoughts, her phone buzzed. The screen lit up with "Abba ji," and she couldn't help but smile. His calls always felt like a warm hug, especially on mornings like this. She picked up, and she could already feel the weight begin to lift.

"So, how's life without your Ammi's constant bickering?" he teased.

A question that can easily pull her focus from anything else. 

Haseena laughed, but there was a familiar tension in her voice. "Do you really think a few thousand miles can come between me and her mothering?" She sighed. 

"She's got my entire life on a schedule. Just yesterday, she sent over a bag of clothes she insists I wear. And my phone ? It's constantly buzzing with her reminders, perfectly timed for every little thing to keep me polished and proper. I feel like some royal princess under the strict watch of the mother queen, training me to be the flawless vision of poise and femininity." These were the things she could never say directly to her mother. So, sharing it with her father brought a rare relief.

Haseena's father chuckled, "You know your mother. This is her unique way of showering love, ensuring you're cared for from miles away. She knows you won't look after yourself the way she would want."

"Love?" Haseena questioned herself. Is it really out of love? Does her mother love her? It's been months since she settled in a new country, and not once has her mother asked how things are going with her. Is she alright? Has she adjusted well enough? How are her classes going? Nothing. It's always been, "Make sure to do this, do it that way, eat this, don't eat that."

"Right. If this is love, I'm at risk of suffocating someday." Haseena said, her frustration lacing every word. "I do take care of myself, you know. I nourish my mind, and that's plenty! I like my hoodies, sweatpants, jeans, shirts, jackets—all the comfortable stuff in my closet. Not exactly keen on a wardrobe full of 'proper' dresses and gowns. Do you know what she sent me this time? Half of it looks like it came straight from the Met Gala."

As Haseena's words trailed off, her father chuckled softly, sensing her exasperation. "Areey those dresses are for Mr. Abbass's party. He specifically invited us, but with all the work here, I can't make the trip. So, we thought you could represent us. You know how he gets—he would be furious if none of us showed up. Especially when he knows you're just an hour away from his house."