My Mr. Artist

Chapter 37

The next morning, after waking from her night's sleep, Kiyah stepped out of her room. What greeted her wasn't warmth, but quiet disregard. Her beloved mother and boyfriend, who came at some unknown time were chatting imaginatively, so absorbed in their topic that they didn't even glance at her.

Kiyah freshened up, poured herself a bowl of cornflakes, and sat beside them. She listened, trying to catch threads of their talk, but it was impossible. Perhaps her mother hadn't noticed her yet... or perhaps Saransh had, but chose instead to impress his future mother-in-law rather than greet his girlfriend. Kiyah let it be. She didn't mind—much.

At last, her mother's voice broke her thoughts and maybe she finally became visible.

"What rubbish are you eating? I already made breakfast—it was right there on the counter! All you had to do was reheat it. First, you wake up so late—look, it's nearly lunchtime already! And now this! My cooked meal will go to waste. You even kept Ansh waiting for hours!"

So that was her mother's good-morning greeting. Kiyah smiled faintly to herself and translated it in her head: 'Morning, my baby. Did you sleep well?'

"Sorry," Outwardly she acknowledged her mistake.

"Ma, where's Baba? And Karan?" She quickly shifted the topic, hoping to draw attention away from her cornflakes.

"Baba went to your grandparents' house. As for Karan, I don't know—probably at Aarya's place."

"Why did Baba go so suddenly? Are you also going to Nanu's house?"

Her mother hesitated, side-eyeing Saransh before answering. "Your dadu called this morning. He insisted all his sons and daughters gather, and your father couldn't refuse, so he left early. As for me... I may go tomorrow. Your massi is visiting, and she's been urging me to meet her. She doesn't get holidays often, you know. But leaving you three behind makes me uneasy—especially Ansh, since your father isn't home."

"Oh," Kiyah murmured, still munching. Her eyes kept drifting to Saransh, which clearly irritated her mother.

"Auntie, please don't worry about me," Saransh said quickly, flustered. "I came on my own—don't trouble yourself over me. Please, carry on with your travel." Then, stumbling, he added, "Kiyah..."

But Kiyah hadn't heard half her mother's speech. She simply blinked at them both, absent-minded.

Megha caught her daughter's distraction and sighed inwardly, cursing her hopelessness. Then, deciding to leave the two alone, she rose and went to her chores.

"Maa!" Kiyah called after her with a grin. "Go wherever you want—I'll handle these two monkeys!"

No reply came. Megha was done with her for the day.

The moment the chance arrived, Kiyah set her bowl aside and leapt onto the seat next to Saransh. She kissed his cheek softly, whispering, "Good morning. I missed you."

Saransh chuckled, pinching her waist lightly. "You heartless little creature! You left me last night without looking back. This morning I had to wait hours for Her Highness to wake up. And now you say you missed me?"

"Whose fault was that?" she shot back, poking his side. But as her thoughts drifted to the night before, warmth flushed her cheeks. Saransh caught the blush, gazed at her for a moment, then quickly looked away, fighting to steady his own unruly thoughts.

He cleared his throat. "So... what are you doing today? Want to meet your friends? Ashi and Reva, right?"

The names struck her like a stone. Her smile faltered, the corners of her lips sinking.