This, Somehow.

Ch-1 New City

#Rules to sirf Bulletin Board par hi ache lagte hain.!
[who cares about curfews !?]

A foot in white sneakers stepped off the halted train onto a platform that looked more like a postcard, buzzing with hot metal, loud voices, and impatient teenagers.

Glancing around, she sighed.

"The city of Uttaral welcomes you. Have a safe trip," chirped the female voice from the station's announcement system.

"Ouch!" She jolted aside, colliding with her own luggage as a boy dragged his Louis Vuitton suitcase like it owed him rent, not sparing her a glance, let alone an apology.

Bewildered, she muttered under her breath, "Hmm. Nice place. Nicer attitudes."

Her phone buzzed.
Maasi calling.

She picked it up and hurried off the platform, speaking quickly into the receiver.
"I'm here. Please wait outside, I'm coming."

Rushing out, she spotted the white Fortuner parked at the far end of the station, strategically tucked away from prying eyes.

Her Maasi stood there, draped in a crisp shawl, calm as ever, but today her eyes glistened with something more.

The moment she reached her, Maasi pulled her into a warm hug. Vyomika didn't hesitate, she hugged back, hard.

Neither said anything. They didn't need to.

The car departed, gliding along the curvy mountain roads.
Snow clung to the roof, melting into streaks on the windows.

It was quiet, until the question came.

"So, Vyomika, excited?"

"For what exactly?"

"What else? New place, new people, new Uni."

"I've been changing places and people since I was twelve, Maasi. So no, not excited... anymore."

Geetika just hummed. What could she say? She knew the weight her niece carried.

The car pulled up in front of a cozy cottage nestled among the pines. A househelp rushed to open the gates and assist with the luggage.

"Go relax," Maasi said gently. "You'll be called down for dinner."

Vyomika entered the room and, instead of unpacking, walked straight into the bathroom.

When she stepped out, towel-drying her hair, a soft knock came at the door.
"Dinner's ready," the househelp called.

She hummed in response and came downstairs a few minutes later. Maasi was already seated at the dining table.

Vyomika took the chair beside her, and dinner was served. It was quiet, comfortable, calm.

After dinner, Vyomika sat cross-legged on the floor mat in Maasi's bedroom while Geetika gently massaged oil into her damp hair.

"Vyomika..."

"Hmm?"

"Tomorrow, you'll have to move to the hostel. Try to be a little early. I've spoken to the in-charge, she knows who you are and will help with accommodation."

"Hmm," Vyomika hummed again.

"Not feeling well?" Maasi asked gently.

"No, just... a bit nervous," Vyomika admitted with a faint voice, fiddling with fingers.

"What's there to be nervous about? You're Vyomika Ranawat, niece of Geetika Rathore! Loosen up," Geetika said, giving her shoulders a playful squeeze.

"Oh, right!" Vyomika laughed. "The dean's my Maasi; except nobody can know that, right?"