From Myth to reality

Another Day, Another Setup

For once in her life, Bhoomi was awake before her mother had to stage an intervention.

No water-splashing, no passive-aggressive chanting, no dramatic wake-up calls. It was a miracle.

She stretched, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before grabbing her phone. 7:00 AM. Wow. She should get a medal for this. The ‘Didn’t Wake Up Like a Lazy Panda’ Award.

Rolling out of bed, she got dressed in her usual comfy kurti and leggings, tied her hair in a messy bun, and shuffled toward the kitchen—because if there was one thing that could officially start her day, it was chai.

But as she entered, she found her mother already standing there, chopping vegetables with her ‘Doctor on a Mission’ seriousness, phone pressed to her ear.

"Haan haan, bilkul. Yes, we’ll be there at 7 PM. Hmm? Oh, Bhoomi will join after her office work. She’s always busy, you know."

Bhoomi raised an eyebrow as she poured water into the kettle. Her mother only spoke like this when she was making elaborate social plans.

That was her cue to leave. Before she got involved in whatever this was.

But of course, destiny wasn’t that kind.

The moment her mother ended the call, she turned with the sweetest-yet-most-dangerous smile.

"Bhoomi, we’re going out in the evening."

Bhoomi paused, stirring the tea leaves in the pot. "Okay…?"

"To meet my friend."

Ah. Here we go.

She blew on her tea and took a sip. "Alright."

Her mother’s smile grew. "And her son will be joining us too."

Bhoomi almost choked on her tea. She coughed dramatically, setting her cup down.

"Maa."

"Bhoomi."

They stared at each other for a second—the ultimate battle of wills.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "You do realize that this isn’t going to work, right?"

Her mother shrugged. "What? We’re just having dinner."

"Right. And I’m the Queen of England."

Her mother waved a hand. "Come on, you need to socialize. You can’t just spend all your time working, drinking chai, and talking to that Krishna photo in your room."

Bhoomi stiffened. She wasn’t even going to unpack that last part.

Instead, she simply sighed. What was the point of arguing?

"Fine. I’ll come after my meetings," she muttered, sipping her tea.

Her mother beamed, victorious. "Good girl. And wear something nice!"

Bhoomi groaned, slumping onto the dining chair. This was going to be a long day.