Amidst Mumbai & Mantras

Chapter 3 - I've been rejected more by Rickshawalas then by boys

Chapter 3 - I've been rejected more by Rickshawalas then by boys

I wake up to my mom shaking my shoulders, asking me to get up as I have to go to college. I am tempted not to open my eyes but I do it and sit up, leaning against the fluffy pillows on my bed. I rub my eyes, waking up in the morning is one of the worst things ever. You could say I'm not a happy camper in the morning. Sunlight is flashing through the open window along with cool breeze which makes it more hard to wake up in winters. I switch off the fan and I still feel cold. All I want to do is snuggle in my bed with my soft blanket. But alas! I have to go to college today.

I unwillingly push the blanket off me and grab my phone to check messages. Yep, I am one of those people who wake up and check their phones. My mom hates this habit of mine. After deleting all those whatsapp spam from family groups, I go to the wash room to get ready.

After a hot shower, I feel much more fresh. I'm relatively early today so that's nice. Finding clothes in my messy cupboard is a task which I've managed to accomplish over the past few years. I settle on a light blue cardigan and my ripped black denims. After combing my long hair, I walk into the kitchen to see my mom cooking lunch for us, she is multitasking (Mom's are cool that way), chopping some tomatoes while stirring something in the large utensil. I drink the green tea which she has already made for me and go to the living room where my brother is sitting at the dining table. His books are strewn all over the table and he's busy concentrating on the huge book (I think it's law) in front of him. I push some of them aside and set my mug and a plate full of khakras down.

He looks up at me and steals a piece of methi khakra off my plate, I mock glare at him. He looks tired, he's still in that ratty Batman T-shirt and shorts. There are dark circles under his eyes. He's been studying hard these days. I feel bad for him sometimes.

"Good morning, fat ass." I take everything back. I know he's teasing me but that doesn't make me less annoyed.

"Good morning, ass." I reply cheerfully, though we both know it's fake. He's grinning widely as he knows he got to me.

I am about to say something when my phone rings, I dust my hands and pick it up when I see Anayka's name flashing on the screen.

"I really don't want to go today." She says groggily. She's still sleepy I think. Like me, Anayka has a habit of sleeping late at night.

"Neither do I but we have to." I sigh.

"Meet you at the station in 15."

"Yep! Bye." I end the call. My brother is looking at me suspiciously, he was listening to the whole conversation. Well, studying can make you focus on anything other than actual textbooks. During my boards, I once saw a spider trying to make a web for half an hour near my bedroom window rather then studying for my science exam.

I ignore him and go to my room to pack my bag. I put in my comb, some tissues, mint, a little make-up (compact  and gloss) and a notebook and a pen. After putting some sunscreen on, I comb my hair again whilst re-checking my outfit in the mirror.

"Staring at the mirror won't change you from being ugly." a voice whispers into my ear, startling me. It's my ex-brother. He smirks while I punch him on the shoulder which launches us into a full slap and punch war which is stopped by my mother who looks at us in disbelief and scolds us not to fight in front of our guests or the pocket money will not be given to us. That stops us, mom knows how her kids mind work. He goes to his room after giving me a warning look saying, this isn't over. After apprising my mother, I leave the house. I look at the time on my phone and realize that stupid fight with Samar has made late. I press the down button near the lift again. When the lift dings, I enter it quickly and press the the ground floor button.