18-08-2025, 09:46 AM
Thursday Evening – Sisters in the Kitchen
The lock turned, and Meghana glanced up from slicing papaya at the counter.
Varnika stepped in, hair slightly wind-tousled, the faint scent of the outside clinging to her, scooter exhaust, campus dust,
And something softer Meghana couldn’t quite name.
“You’re back late,” Meghana said, slipping the knife into the sink.
“University visits take that long, or did you get lost on purpose?”
Varnika dropped her tote by the shoe rack and padded barefoot into the kitchen.
“Oh, I didn’t get lost. I had excellent company.”
Meghana arched a brow. “Abhi?”
“Who else?” Varnika grinned, leaning against the counter.
“He even waited while I chased the slowest admin officer in Hyderabad. Then he took me for coffee. Then...” She paused,
Eyes glinting with mischief but layered with something heavier.
Meghana folded her arms. “Then what?”
Varnika’s voice softened. “Then I told him something I haven’t even told you yet.”
That made Meghana straighten. “Okay… what is it?”
Varnika hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of the counter.
Then, slowly: “My papers for the UK got approved. I’ll be leaving in less than a month. Maybe sooner.”
The words hung in the air.
The hum of the fridge, the faint street noise from below, they seemed suddenly louder, as if to fill the silence.
Meghana blinked. “You’re serious?”
Varnika nodded. “Got the email yesterday. I thought I’d feel… thrilled, you know? Like everything I worked for was finally paying off. And for a few minutes, I did. But then…”
“But then what?” Meghana’s voice was soft, careful.
“But then I realized I didn’t want to leave. Not everything. Not him.” Varnika’s gaze lingered, unflinching.
Meghana’s lips parted slightly. “You told Abhi this?”
“Yes.” Varnika’s smile was faint, almost shy. “He was the first person I told.”
Meghana tilted her head, studying her sister. “Why him before me?”
The lock turned, and Meghana glanced up from slicing papaya at the counter.
Varnika stepped in, hair slightly wind-tousled, the faint scent of the outside clinging to her, scooter exhaust, campus dust,
And something softer Meghana couldn’t quite name.
“You’re back late,” Meghana said, slipping the knife into the sink.
“University visits take that long, or did you get lost on purpose?”
Varnika dropped her tote by the shoe rack and padded barefoot into the kitchen.
“Oh, I didn’t get lost. I had excellent company.”
Meghana arched a brow. “Abhi?”
“Who else?” Varnika grinned, leaning against the counter.
“He even waited while I chased the slowest admin officer in Hyderabad. Then he took me for coffee. Then...” She paused,
Eyes glinting with mischief but layered with something heavier.
Meghana folded her arms. “Then what?”
Varnika’s voice softened. “Then I told him something I haven’t even told you yet.”
That made Meghana straighten. “Okay… what is it?”
Varnika hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of the counter.
Then, slowly: “My papers for the UK got approved. I’ll be leaving in less than a month. Maybe sooner.”
The words hung in the air.
The hum of the fridge, the faint street noise from below, they seemed suddenly louder, as if to fill the silence.
Meghana blinked. “You’re serious?”
Varnika nodded. “Got the email yesterday. I thought I’d feel… thrilled, you know? Like everything I worked for was finally paying off. And for a few minutes, I did. But then…”
“But then what?” Meghana’s voice was soft, careful.
“But then I realized I didn’t want to leave. Not everything. Not him.” Varnika’s gaze lingered, unflinching.
Meghana’s lips parted slightly. “You told Abhi this?”
“Yes.” Varnika’s smile was faint, almost shy. “He was the first person I told.”
Meghana tilted her head, studying her sister. “Why him before me?”
.
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