UNSPOKEN BONDS

1. Everything Unsaid

© archanaj1308 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

The night in Singapore had already softened into its quieter rhythm, but inside the Rambhia home at Wallich, Tanjong Pagar, nothing about it was calm. Because Dhwani Rambhia was pacing—back and forth, like the floor personally owed her answers. Her phone lay on the bed, still lighting up with missed calls that she had already stopped reacting to.

At this point, even the ringtone sounded tired of itself.
"Pick up, Amritha..." she muttered under her breath, stopping abruptly mid-step. "I swear I'm going to—"

The doorbell rang. She froze. Then blinked. And before she could even react properly, the voice from downstairs floated up effortlessly. "Don't threaten her like that, she's already outside your building with food."

Dhwani blinked again. That voice. That energy. That absolute lack of warning. "AMMU?" she shouted, already moving toward the door.

Amritha Srinivasan stood at the entrance like she had walked straight out of a completely different mood. Hair slightly wind-tossed. A tote bag slung over one shoulder. And in both hands containers. Many containers. The smell hit first. Fresh, warm, crispy.

"You brought youtiao?" Dhwani narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Amritha grinned. "Not just youtiao." She lifted another bag. "Best in town. Don't ask questions. Just worship."

From the kitchen, a voice interrupted dramatically. "If it's good food, I am emotionally already involved."

Dhwani's mother, Deena Rambhia, walked in with the calm authority of someone who had survived both airline turbulence and family chaos for decades.

And behind her Dinesh Rambhia, holding a cup of tea like it was a diplomatic agreement.

He squinted at the containers. "Is this... a girls night?"

Amritha nodded immediately. "Yes. Strictly girls night. No men allowed."

A beat. Dinesh placed his cup down slowly. "Then I will book myself a suite at Marina Bay Sands and emotionally recover."

Dhwani burst out laughing. "Papa please—"

Deena didn't even look up from inspecting the food. "I'm joining the girls night."

Silence. Amritha slowly turned. "Excuse me?"

Deena smiled. "I am a girl. I qualify."

Dhwani groaned. "This is going to turn into a family summit."

Amritha sighed dramatically. "Fine. But no serious life advice from parents during youtiao consumption. That is illegal."

Dinesh raised his hand. "Noted. I will only give emotional commentary."

The living room slowly transformed. Lights dimmed. Food spread across the table. Laughs starting to build. Deena insisted on tea pairing. Dhwani fought for extra sambal on vegetarian snacks.

Amritha declared three times that this was "the most important meal of the month." And for a while it actually felt like that. Normal. Warm. Safe.

Later that night, the chaos slowly settled. Deena had retired upstairs after declaring she "emotionally over-invested in fried food." Dinesh had also disappeared after dramatically saying, "I am going to reflect on my life choices." Which left only Dhwani and Amritha in Dhwani's bedroom. Lights low. Beds unmade. A half-empty box of youtiao between them like a truce.