Short Stories collection

Shadows of Silence (New Ss)

Shadows of silence

Chapter 1: The Quiet Girl

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light across the house. The old man in the heart of city came alive with the sound of holding the clatters of ties, the soft murmur of voices, the wrestling of newspaper. The Jaiswal family was an institution in itself, house, built tradition, success, and a living sense of expectations , house was full of old warm charm. It's antique furniture, large windows, grand arches, giving it feeling of weight, heavy with history. The family home so family morning routine fill the air.

The kitchen was already filled with the smell of freshly brewed tea and parathas sizzling on pan. Ruhi entered the dining room late as usual arise were still heavy from the sleep. Her mind lost in fog of yesterday's and full day, the long, dining table polished and cleaning was set for breakfast, but only half of it was occupied.

Rajesh Jaiswal, her father sat on the one end. His attention split between his newspaper and the occasional glance at a smartphone. He was that man who believed that his work and families well-being were one and the same.
Suman, her mother sat beside him busy, adding a dollop of ghee( clarified butter) on top of parathas, as if that was one thing, what was a matter of life and death. she glanced up for a fleeting second. Her tired eyes softened when they met with Ruhi.
" Good morning, beta, Suman said in her usual sweet tone, though her voice lacked the warmth it once held, she was always trying to keep the peace, always trying to keep things normal with her.
Ruhi nodded with a small polite smile. Her mother's greetings didn't mean much, specially after that incident of three months back.

Ruhi sat in her usual spot at the far end of the table, the breakfast table, despite its size, always felt cramped to her as of the spaces between the family members for two wide to cross.
Or rather say between her and family members
Dada(grandfather Prakash) was buried behind his newspaper, he nodded occasionally to acknowledge her presence, his world existed in a quiet authoritative corner, and Ruhi knew better to disturb him with small talk.

Dadi(grandmother, Sunita) busy organising some embroidery, raised her eyes for a moment, offering Ruhi a brief smile, but it will speak. She never did. She was silent pillar of the family. Always there, but never fully involved in the day today of the lives around there.

Meanwhile, Chacha (Ajit) was already halfway through his breakfast, his business phone in one hand as he negotiated with the client on another end, his conversations were filled with technical terms, numbers, and business jargon as he didn't even look up when she walked in. He did, however, acknowledge Vikram, who had just walked in with her, saying "morning, son, any news on the new contract", Vikram didn't even pause to greet his aunt. He simply dropped those things into the table, and we can check his phone while grabbing a piece of toast. Vikram was the only son of the family. The technical hire of the firm lawfully. Vikram was elder child of Ajit and his wife Preeti.

As Ruhi reached for the paratha, she noticed her Chachi (Preeti) whispering to Priya, her daughter, gossiping about the next big social event in the city, with Priya's Instagram feed open in front of her. They were discussing outfits, plans, and what guests were invited. It wasn't long before they were talking about the family's next wedding, the one between Ruhi and Abhi Goenka, in that offhand, casual way they always did—like it was just another business deal, another family obligation.

"Ruhi, darling,"Chachi finally turned to her, her tone a little too sweet for Ruhi's liking. "I saw some of the new bridal collections online yesterday. Have you decided what you're wearing for the wedding yet? Abhi will love something traditional, I'm sure."