Ishqana Dil

Part 57

A/N: Okay, so I am almost dead and my brain is giving up on all academic work, except that for some reason, it's itching to write, so I pulled this up and I tried to do something... I don't even know anymore... Anyway, I hope you like it enough and... yeah, I have no idea when I can get the next update done. Lemme try to struggle with shitty Cal first... ughhh!

With a yawn, she shut her sketchbook and placed it next to her on the floor before hugging her legs to her chest and wrapping her cardigan tighter around her. She let her chin rest on her knees as she tilted her head to look outside. The sun was just rising, another beautiful morning. In a few more minutes, she would hear the cacophony of the temple bells. She smiled as they started. This was the same sound she hated when she had just arrived in this mad city and now...

She avoided looking at the house just across the street from hers as she got to her feet. Instead, she picked her pencils and sketchbook and moved away from the window, dumping them on her table before she started tidying her bed up.

"You are up already?"

When she looked up, Jasmine was standing in the doorway. She smiled. "Hmm... I had gotten up earlier to finish some of the designs. Tumhein kissi cheez ki zaroorat thi?"

Jazz shook her head. "Nahin. Look, I know that we should not be bothering them but... you do remember what day it is today, don't you? Just one phone call? To make sure everything is fine?"

Smiling sadly, Amaya nodded. "Of course, Jazz."

***

"Sab theek hai."

She frowned accusingly at her younger sister. "What? Aur tumne phone rakh bhi diya? Jazz, you didn't even let me talk to them!"

"Relax, Amu! Maine kaha na, sab theek hai. They're very busy right now, they didn't have time. They must be getting ready for the final hearing right now, plus everything has to be ready so that they can make the official statement in two days. Anyway, they sounded so busy, she probably didn't think about it."

Amaya sighed, still disappointed. "Yeah but still..."

"You worry too much, Amu... What's that smell? Oh god, Amu! Tumne phir se toast jala diye?"

***

"Yeh lijiye, Miss Mathur, aapka tiffin."

"Hmm... keep it there, I'll look at it later..." She heard an annoyed sigh that she ignored because she was too absorbed in her work but the moment she paused and brought her pencil to her lip thoughtfully, she found her sketchpad being snatched away from her. "Uma, tum kya-"

Uma's eyes were round with anger when she looked at her. "Wah beta! I worked so hard to cook this delicious food for you and I bothered myself to come all the way here as fast as I could so that you can eat this while it's still hot and this is how you reward me?"

"I am working, Uma!"

"Yes, I saw that but it doesn't mean you can't take a lunch break! Kyun Barfi Miya?"

The old man shook his head dismissively without even looking at them as he replied. "Arrey, yeh aap dono ke roz-roz ke naatak se toh hum thak gaye hai. Aap apna lunch break lelijiye mohtarma!"

Satisfied, Uma put her fists on her hips and raised her brow. "Chalo. Eat this up, right now!"

"Yes, mom," Amaya muttered with annoyance.

***

She allowed herself to fall back in the sofa the minute she got home. She was exhausted. But happy. Actually very happy with what she was doing in life. Her Superman would be proud, wouldn't he? She bit her lips as the tears returned with a sting and sat up. Her eyes fell on one of the framed photos in the living room and she had to look away.