Chapter - 7

"How was your exam?" Natasha's mother was curious.

   "Good, mom" she replied getting her bags to the living room.

    "Dad was asking if he could come to drop you to college." Mom asked anxiously.

   "No! I hate him and I don't want him anywhere near my success" Natasha lashed out.

   "Beta, leave the stale topic. He's your dad. He's trying to make up to you. Besides, whatever he did was years ago! He's no more the same person" her mom tried convincing her.

    Natasha slammed shut the door. The past incidents took form before her eyes again. Constantly conflicting parents.

A father who would blame her mother for his downfalls. He had been a pathetic son, a suspicious husband and a least interested father.

   And finally he left them for a wealthy woman with three heirs, who would never love him enough.

   Left with nothing but a job, her mother had to bring up two kids. Without a house to live or a safety about future. The hardships her family faced, the fear they felt, and it later came out to be their best asset. They had won over the situation by not sitting in the corner waiting for someone to come and help.

    They had won by getting up for themselves. It was then, that Natasha learned what she wanted her man to be like. She had set her standards high.

  She had been independent child, an overly mature teenager and now she was being a classy woman.

   In spite those memories, she felt home. The happiness of being back to this house. The welcoming warmth of the quilt. The scent of home.

  Reading the message from Mayank she blushed at the dinner table. Her brother took a sneak peek into her screen and winked at mom.

  Mom knew Mayank for his simple tastes and humble personality. She did want Nash to marry him someday. But, she was afraid too. For the experiences she had. The taste of bitterness of a

stale relationship lasts longer. And many get afraid to taste a new relationship, just like her mother.

Natasha's mom knew her well. She wouldn't give up on Mayank. But, if he tried to cut her wings off, she would fly away. She would let him grief alone for his life.

    Vibha was home to silence. She had loved being in serene surrounding. A little extra noise or prolonged useless talk would awaken the storm in her. Sitting in her comfy pajamas, she sipped coffee.

She was looking at the beautiful landscape but mind was creating scenes, making dialogues and

animated actions. Her stronimaginative powers could let her see things from different perspective.

  "Have you been writing again?"Vibha's father asked.

  "I try not to" She replied.

  "I take it as 'yes' to my question" He smiled and added, " Look, I know writing is really your thing but don't be dependent on this single one "

   "Meaning?" She was amused.

   "Meaning...Complete your degree. Get a nice job and you can still continue writing."

   "Yes, that's the plan for now" She replied.