I woke up the next day with a headache. Last night was pretty hectic. After performing, we stayed at the festival till late in the night, dancing to the beats of the thumping music with our friends. As memorable as it was, it was pretty tiring. By the time I reached home, it was around 3am. As soon as I had walked into my room, I hit the sack and was out, dead asleep.

But even after waking up, I felt tired.

I yawned and sat up on the bed. It was late in the morning. After a quick visit to the toilet, I walked out of the room, scratching my head. I could smell the aroma of food in the house. My mother was cooking in the kitchen, and it smelled like she was cooking my favourite dish - fish xacuti. It had been so many days since I had my mother's food. I smiled at it and grabbed a scrunchie, tying my hair.

When I walked into the living room, I found my father sitting on the sofa, reading the newspaper. I looked at him in silence for a while, before gathering up some courage and walked towards him.

"Hi," I said, and stood in front of him. He looked up from the newspaper through his glasses, which rested low on his nose, and raised his eyebrows. Then he looked back at the newspaper and hummed disinterestingly.

I rolled my eyes and slumped down on one of the dining table chairs. Grabbing my phone, I aimlessly browsed through my Instagram and my twitter. I replied to a few fans here and there, and giggled at a few memes of myself.

The fandom was really crazy. And I loved it.

A text came from Felix and I opened it.

Reached safely? He asked.

Yeah :)

Was a tiring journey, but made it 💪, I replied.

Good.

Well obviously, it was more than 12hrs, right?

Yep, flight was that long.

I wanna see where you are 😞

I laughed a little. What?

Send me some pictures.

Now?

Uh huh.

I sighed and got up. Walking to the verandah, I turned my camera on and clicked a few random pictures of Goa scenery and sent it to him.

Wow 😳

Yep 😏

It's so beautiful and peaceful.

It is. Goa is really peaceful. Come here sometime.

I def will.

I snuck a few glances at my father as Felix and I shared a few more messages, but he seemed drowned into the newspaper, reading it with utmost attention; he had probably memorised the damn thing by now.

After half an hour, I let out a sigh and got up from the chair, realising there was no point in sitting down because my father was not going to talk with me. Instead, I decided to help my mother in the kitchen.

As I had guessed, Ma was making fish xacuti.

"I'm here to help," I announced and grabbed the spatula from her hand. I shushed her protests and starting stirring the fish curry.

"Do you really need to go back tomorrow?" My mother asked.

I smiled at her ruefully. "Sorry ma, but we only came her for three days, for the festival. We have to go back tomorrow, the second album is in the making."

"I know, but. . ." She let out a heavy sigh. "Take a leave. Stay for a week."

I chuckled lowly. "There are no leaves in my job."

Her face became small.

"Aw, mom, don't make that face." I hugged her. "I call you, don't I?"

"Not enough."

I pursed my lips. "Alright, look, I'll make it sure to call you more, okay? I promise."

She looked unconvinced, but nodded. I kissed her cheek and went back to the cooking.

After finishing up, I jumped into the bathroom for a quick bath, before heading towards the dining room, excited to have my fish xacuti. It was around one thirty in the afternoon. I had skipped breakfast today, so I felt famished.

Me, my mom and dad, were all seated by the table. I dug in the second my mother finished saying grace.

"I love this, ma. It has been so long since I had your homemade food," I said, and stuffed another spoonful of rice into my mouth. My father gave a low laugh. And for some reason, it felt mocking to me.

"What?" I asked.

He gave out a chuckle, this time louder, and shook his head. "You're speaking with an American accent now."

I made a face. "Umm I mean, I do live in America, dad. What did you expect? Obviously I was going to pick up the acce-"

"'Dad.'" He bellowed in laughter this time. "Because pappa is too Indian for her now."

I knitted my eyebrows together. "Wha-"

"Mâri," my father called my mother. "Bring her some cheeseburgers, your homemade food is too cheap for her hefty purse."

"What are you doing?" My mom hissed at him, but my blood was already boiling.

The homemade food was too cheap for my hefty purse?

He was seriously bringing our monetary status here? Blood thumped into my ears and I balled my fists.

"You know that I would never," I gritted out. "compare my status with yours. I would never let myself feel proud in front of you that way, because you were the one who raised me and yet, you say that to me."

I stood up, pushing the chair as it made a loud screeching noise. I looked at my dad and said in a stern tone, "you crossed a line there."

"Koko!" My mom called out, but I ignored here as I walked straight into the kitchen, grabbing a container. My ears were ringing, and I had to get away.

"Did you really need to do that?" I heard my mom say to my dad. I searched for a spoon.

"I was only stating the truth." My dad defended himself. I poured some rice into the container, which was followed by the fish gravy.

"You were not telling the truth, you were rude to her. You were insulting here."

I mixed the components together and searched for the lid.

"The truth is always bitter."

"She has come to India only for a few days. Why are you making her stay bitter?"

I covered the container with the lid. Tucking it into my hand, I marched out of the kitchen towards the front door. I turned around once towards the two pairs of surprised eyes and said, "I'll be at Maya's."

Then I stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind me.

I marched down the road towards Maya's house. It was a little far, but at this moment, I didn't give a shit. While walking, I opened the lid of the container and started hogging down the food.

I didn't care who thought what of a girl eating rice while crazy walking. Keighlah D'Cruz photographed eating rice in the middle of the road, fuck it. I didn't give a damn.

I passed by Andrew's house. I glanced at it. I could've just gone to him, but recently, my hormones have been all over the place and I have been confused about my feelings for him, and that thought gave me more anxiety. I desperately needed some girl time.

I was shocked at how fast I was walking. In no time, I was standing in front of Maya's wooden door. I gave three sharp knocks and waited.

She opened the door a little while later. I watched as her face changed expression from surprise to happiness to confusion as she looked at my startled state.

I looked at her in urgency and said, "water."

•••

Next chapter - next Wednesday at 10pm IST.

Translation (Hindi > English): pappa - father