The days passed quickly and without any casualties. And that's saying something in my case. But still, home was so much different from school. Here it was just three of us and a bunch of servants in one big house. So there was hardly any room for drama.

Though I had planned to learn a tad bit during the holidays I was way too distracted to even touch the school bag. I was not going to waste two free weeks, learning. I lay in my room all day religiously re watching all the marvel movies, binge watching Money Heist and the rest of the time scrolling through my Instagram feed.

I chatted with Kimayra occasionally. Her texts seemed normal and it actually didn't seem like she wasn't upset with me at all. Yuvan texted everyday.

But Ishaan?

Zip. Zilch. Nada.

But I knew he was still active on social media. He had put up stories on Instagram of the Golden Temple, the Jallianwala Bagh and some famous museum in Amritsar.

Well, if Ishaan wanted to keep sulking with me, let him. I really was helpless. I was not going to let his sulking spoil my mood.

But then, why did I feel so bad?

I was also trying not to be too upset with him. At least he had not blocked me.

Christmas was over and then new year came.

My Instagram and Snapchat were overflowing with "This year is ours!", "New year and a new me" and "Let us learn from the mistakes of the last year and change this year", posts.

Please! It's the same drama every single year but nobody ever changes after all that.

New year was always simple at home. We had a scrumptious dinner of course, watched the Screen Awards on Star Plus or a Hindi film, texted everyone at 12 am and then went to bed.

On new year's day, my parents gave me the yearly allowance, full in cash. I was delighted as always and hurried to put it in my bag.

Two days before the holidays ended, I started the packing again.

God! Being a boarding school student means half of your childhood is spent in packing and unpacking.

I found that I had run out of some things and I had to buy some to take with me. You know, body lotion and stuff like that.

"You can purchase them tomorrow", my dad said when I told him at dinner, "Your mom and I are very busy tomorrow. You won't be seeing both of us till evening. I'll ask the driver to take you wherever you want."

I agreed and was about to leave the table when my mom asked me to come to her room. I curiously followed her.

She led me to upstairs and on the bed sat a neatly wrapped package in a cardboard box. I instantly knew what it was.

She pulled out the package from the box and gave it to me.

"Beautiful. Isn't it?"

It was. It was pink and pretty.

But it was a handloom saree!

I know handloom series are quite in vogue these days but this one was literally ancient.

But anyway, since my backup plan was safely tucked up in my room, I happily took the saree from mom.

"I bought it from a friend. She has a boutique. And honestly, these boutiques are much better than the mall", she added cheerfully.

Mom! Come on! I'm not promoting Gandhiji's Khadi Movement on Farewell night.

"Goodnight mom", I said as I left the room with the saree in my hands. I pushed it into one of the deepest ends of my suitcase and forgot about it.

The next day I went to the shopping complex near our house. My bags were packed and ready in my room. I was leaving the next day.

I went to the store and finished my shopping.

Since I knew my parents wouldn't be at home, I took advantage of my time and stopped at the bookstore, the spa and the icecream parlour where I tucked into a double chocolate cone before I finally came home. Since I was an only child I was used to doing shopping and stuff like that one my own.

To my slight dismay I saw my parent's car parked in front of the house.

Trying not to be too tensed, I entered the living room. There was no one there.

The maid was cleaning the tables and I asked her where my parents were. She pointed upstairs. I went up. They were not in their room. I stood there wondering when I spotted my room and the door was ajar.

Oh God! No!

I dashed to the door hoping it was nothing. But the second I entered the room I knew it.

It was too late.