UNSPOKEN BONDS

2. There Is No Line

© 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.

Morning for Amritha Srinivasan and Dhwani Rambhia started a bit slower than usual which, in their defense, was justified.

They had slept close to four in the morning after endless conversations, emotional unpacking, unnecessary snacking, and Dhwani forcing Ammu to watch random travel reels that somehow turned into debates about honeymoon destinations neither of them currently needed.

By the time sunlight aggressively pushed through Dhwani's curtains, both women were very much still unconscious.

It was nearly 9am when Dhwani finally groaned into existence.
"Ammu..."

No response.

She turned toward the other side of the bed and found Amritha fully wrapped inside the blanket like a defensive cocoon.
"Ammu."

A louder groan this time.
Still no movement.

Dhwani grabbed a pillow and threw it at her.
"We are alive. Unfortunately."

Amritha let out a muffled sound from under the blanket. "Five more minutes."

"You said that twenty minutes ago."

"That version of me was optimistic." She mumbled.

Dhwani stared at her.

"You're thirty seconds away from me exposing your childhood haircut photos."
That worked instantly. Amritha sat up.

"You're evil."

"You're dramatic."

"Same family."

"Not even remotely."

Both of them looked half-dead as they dragged themselves toward their respective bathrooms. An hour later, freshly showered and significantly more human, they walked into the living room. The Rambhia household was already fully alive.The dining table was set. The smell hit first.

Sabudana khichdi.
Fresh vagharela khaman.
Masala chai.

Dinesh Rambhia was already seated with his morning tea and newspaper while Deena moved around the table making final adjustments.

Dhwani smiled.
"Good morning, Maa. Papa."

Amritha followed warmly.
"Good morning, uncle. Good morning, aunty."

"Good morning, girls," Deena and Dinesh replied together.

Deena placed the final serving bowl down dramatically.

"Breakfast is ready. Sabudana khichdi and vagharela khaman."

She placed her hand on her chest.
"Two sacred Rambhia household specialties."

Amritha gasped loudly. "You made vagharela khaman?"

She immediately walked toward Deena and hugged her tightly.
"You are officially my favorite person in Singapore."

Deena laughed.
"Oh really?"

Then she raised an eyebrow innocently. "If I'm your favorite person in Singapore..."

A deliberate pause.

"What does that make my nephew?"
Amritha froze.

Just for a fraction of a second. A very tiny pause. But noticeable. Dhwani noticed instantly. Of course she did. Dinesh noticed too-but simply returned to his tea. Deena noticed it, blinked once, but didn't dwell on it.