stars and snowflakes | ✓

1 | phonecalls and promises

Dedicated to my sister,
Ruksshana - for the sleepless nights she's had, listening to the stories
in my head
{ rosewood20 }

"Do you know something? I saw a cat today. Right on the porch of my house."

I rolled my eyes even though I knew she couldn't see me over the phone. Grabbing my jacket from my closet, I said, "And why does that matter?"

"It matters because..." I heard a shuffling noise, followed by crash. "Screw it," Preeti mumbled.

"What happened?"

"My mum has been asking me to study. And I was trying to make it look like I was," she said. "Forget about that. We were talking about your cat. The reason I told you that is because you have a thing for cats."

I wore my jacket then grabbed my phone from my bed. I turned off the speaker. "I don't. I had a crush on a guy who likes cats. That doesn't mean I do."

"Had. Sure," Preeti scoffed. "Don't pretend like you don't like him anymore."

"As much as I would like to relive this argument, Preetika, I have to leave now if I want to make it to the movie on time," I said, opening my room door. I kicked the door close behind me and knocked my mum's room door. "Ma! I have to go now," I hollered.

I heard my mum grumble, then: "Wait at the lift. I'll be out in a while."

The voice in my ear continued her ramble. "Akansha, I am not done with you!"

Pressing my phone to my ear with my left shoulder, I fumbled in my bag to check if I had any money. "I know but I am done talking about a guy who doesn't even know I exist. And besides, I don't care about Rohan anymore. My life is better off without any guys in it."

I unlocked the front door and gestured my younger sisters to get out. When they did, I closed the door behind me and made my way to the lobby of this floor.

"Hey Preeti? Are you still there?" I said into the phone.

"Nope. Her mum called her downstairs. It's Tania here."

"Oh. Hey, Tani. How are you doing?" I asked.

Tania was my friend who was also Preethi's cousin of the same age. She was also part of the Rokansha shipping fandom. Even the ship name indicates how disastrous this non-existent ship is.

"Just fine. I overheard Preeti talking about cats so I figured it was you. And what is this I hear about you not caring about Rohan anymore? Don't break my Rokansha shipper heart."

I sighed. "You guys just won't give up, will you?"

"Never. If you want us to stop, you should start with Celeste. She's planning to play matchmaker next year."

"Again, I'm asking that we check her birth certificate. I swear her dad is Cupid." A glance over my shoulder told me that my sisters were at the verge of grabbing my phone so that they don't have to hear all this nonsense. "I've got to go. Tell Preeti I'll call her later."

"Will do. Have fun. Love you."

"I will. Love you too, Tani."

As soon as I cut the call, my mum appeared next to me with the cranky face she always has when I ask her to drop me off somewhere during her nap time.

We took the lift downstairs to the basement where my mum's car was. I sat at the backseat since my youngest sister stole my usual seat at the front.

The conversation with Preeti came to mind as my mum drove past the serene trees and identical houses in the neighbourhood.

My friends seem to think that I can't get over a guy. Of course, I can. In fact, I had just made a promise to myself that I am gonna steer clear off all boys, at least until college. Not hard to do since my dad is out of my life, I don't have any brothers and I go to an all-girls school.

I didn't know that promises were meant to be broken.