The Strings Of Heart

10

Sitara POV

Apparently, my sister's best friend drove here in his car. I settled in the back seat with my luggage.

I didn't know I had to pack tons and tons of things. I'm shocked to see the number of things and clothes I own.

I didn't speak much with my sister nor him. Throughout this road journey, I observed my sister's best friend. I heard from my mum and sister about David's nature. I never know that he is a very calm and collective person who is totally opposite of me.

I rolled my eyes as I watched him grin again for whatever my sister said. I have my earphones plugged in to block their voices. I looked out of the window, clicking the pictures.

I went through the photos on my camera. I need to buy a new phone immediately when I reach home. A soft song is playing which made their voices hearable. They were talking about their road trip to Chikmagalur.

"What did aunty say?" He asked Elora.

"She asked when we will be reaching. I told her, approximately two hours."

I saw him turning back through my peripheral view. "Is Aishu aunty throwing any welcoming/ graduation party for her?"

"Uh-huh... I don't have any idea about that David. I was thinking she would call everyone for a family dinner along with our close friends. That is what mumma did when I graduated but I'm not sure about today..."

I changed the song as I don't want to hear their words. I don't have any friends back home, I'm not even close with my cousins like my sister. My cousins and I are of the same age, the only problem is that we never had cousin time. I studied all my life in a boarding school and the only time I return is for summer vacation. Their parents have disliked me and loved my sister from childhood which drew a line between them and me.

I don't think she will throw a party knowing my friend's list is zero. Family dinner? Probably, mumma loves get-togethers for a reason which I don't understand.

I'm sure she is cooking for all the family members or selecting the menu. I can tolerate a few family members but not all.

I dislike my aunts who gossip for every f*****g thing. They just need a word and they play the word game making stories.

It was five in the evening when we reached home. I pulled my earphones out and I'm desperate to get out of the car.

I'm bored as hell and need fresh air. The huge gates of our huge house opened and David stopped in the driveway. I quickly got out and looked at my sister as she looked tense. I stretched my arms before rushing into the house with a little hope.

I may not like to come here but nothing less this is my home where my mum and sister stay. Somewhere in my heart, I miss home and my mum even though we don't spend much time together. I'm excited to meet my mum.

Empty... A dark shadow clouded my mood and mind as I looked at the empty living room. I know Elora spoke with mum five minutes ago.

I heard footsteps as I stayed rooted at the entrance of the house. "Sitara, mum will be here in an hour."

I would be lying if I said I don't care. It hurts... It hurts like someone has stepped on your chest multiple times that it became hard to take a breath.

"Wel—f*****g—come... home!" I say loudly before going upstairs to my room. I didn't enter my room when I remembered something. My luggage...

I jogged back to the driveway to see David pulling my luggage out of his car. There were six suitcases, two mid-sized boxes, two duffle bags, my training kit and a backpack.

As I pulled two huge suitcases. "I will help you." He said.

I left the suitcases there and started walking back. "Huh?"

"Oh, sorry thanks. I want them upstairs, you know where my room is right?" He looked stunned and I frowned, he wanted to help and I let him. Why is he stunned?

"Sitara... You want David to carry your luggage? He has to go back to work." Elora walked to where we are.

"Pft! He wanted to help, I'm letting him." I walked away but heard him say.

"Your sister... She is something else..." I scoffed and closed my eyes as I watched the empty house. There was a little hope that mumma will be there and welcome me home but I guess was wrong like always...

I pushed the door open which has a board saying "Do not disturb."

Everything in the room looks the same, it is clean and kept neat. The house cleaners cleaned it, at least one thing they don't forget. I removed my slippers and got under the sheets to sleep. Not caring about dirty slippers or my hungry stomach.

•

I woke to the voice of my sister. "What?" I pushed my head into the pillow not wanting to get up.

"Get up."

"No, go away. Don't disturb."

"Sitara." I felt her wrap her hand around my ankle.

"I will kill you if you pull—" She pulled me roughly as I ended up getting up.

"What?!" I barked not liking the idea of leaving my room.

"Go clean up and change your clothes."

"Why?" I asked pushing the hair off my face.

"Your clothes are dirty and face too." I looked down at the sauce patch on my shirt and pants.

"It's about dinner time. I will change after eating." I didn't care about my appearance, knowing clearly my mum is going to make a face for sure.

"Sitara ... No!" the door was already open so I went to the stairs barefoot and stopped when I saw my little cousins running around. The hell...

"What's happening there?" I asked when I felt her beside me.

"Everyone is here for your graduation party. It's a family dinner, go and change your clothes."

"Like I care." She groaned as I went downstairs.

"Sitara, mumma doesn't like tidiness. It's better if you change into clean clothes."

"It's just a patch and everyone who knew me knows that I'm a messy eater."

Scrubbing my face with a blank look I went to the kitchen. My maternal aunts are scattered around.

"Hey, Sitara. How are you?" Lilly pinni (aunt) asked.

"Right now, I'm tired." She chuckled as the others scanned me from head to toe.

"Didn't your hostel provide good food? You look lanky." The other said with a sly smile as I shut the refrigerator door with force.

"Maybe you should try their food aunty." I scanned her from head to toe. "Excess fat leads to health issues."

My sister gave them an awkward smile as I slightly smirked looking at her gloomy face. Think before speak...

Lilly aunty laughed "She isn't Sitara if she isn't blunt."

"Oh, you four met Sitara." I gulped down the water as mumma entered the kitchen in her smooth Saree.

"Yes, must say Aishu your Sitara is a patakha." Lilly aunty said as my mum stood beside me.

Basically, patakha means firecracker. Usually, they use it for bombshell girls and I'm the patakha of our family.

"Why don't you all go and take your seats. Food will be served." The four walked out as I waited for my mum to say something.

"Is that the way you talk with your aunts? And why are you wearing the same clothes."

My mum isn't ignorant, I left for boarding school at a small age and we never got that mother and daughter time. The distance between us two increased and we both became distant. I'm the total opposite of my sister, I like to break her rules which makes her mad.

My sister Elora listens to everything my mum says like the goodie elder sister. They are very close as they work together and I'm the spoiled brat because I'm cold and distant. So it's complicated...

"Thank you."

"Huh?" Her face turned into confusion. It took her a few seconds to understand. Guilt crossed her eyes and I looked away.

"I'm so sorry Sitara, I tried my best to come but we had an important meeting with our foreign investors..."

"It's okay."

"No—no it's not okay. I know how you feel." My eyes snapped at hers.

"It doesn't matter and don't say you understand when you don't." If she know how I feel she would've attended my graduation no matter what. I bumped into someone as I left my mum and sister. "Oops, hey Sitara!"

My mood instantly dropped as I looked at my sister's best friends.