Veiled desire

Sara's pov: I woke up to the intrusive brightness of the morning sun, cursing its relentless intrusion into my much-needed sleep. Grumpily, i turn away from the offending light, seeking solace in the comforting darkness of my room. But just as i start to drift back into slumber, the sound of my bedroom door creaking open jerks me back to consciousness.My irritation peaks as I squint against the sudden influx of light, expecting to find solitude disturbed by the unwelcome intrusion of the day. However, my annoyance escalates to a whole new level when you see your mom standing there, unannounced and unexpected. A knot forms in my stomach, a familiar sensation of impending doom that I've come to associate with my mom's persistent attempts at matchmaking. It's like stepping into a new trap, a blind date arranged without my consent or desire.With each step she takes into my room, I can feel my frustration morphing into resignation. It's a feeling I know all too well—the inevitability of yet another attempt to "fix" my love life, regardless of the collateral damage it inflicts on my sanity.But this time, as I look at her, the weariness in my eyes is tinged with a newfound resolve. I'm done i guess. As annoyance bubbles within me, I can't help but feel a pang of guilt. It's not that I don't want to fulfill her wish of seeing me settled down and married—it's just that I'm still grappling with the emotional aftermath of my past relationship.My heart clenches painfully as memories of my ex flood back, each one a reminder of the love lost and the wounds still healing. The thought of diving back into the world of dating feels like stepping into a minefield, with the potential for heartbreak lurking at every turn.Despite my mom's well-intentioned efforts, I can't shake the feeling of being trapped between her expectations and my own emotional turmoil. It's not that I don't appreciate her concern; I just wish she could understand the complexities of my situation.Feeling slightly more composed after my shower, I slip into a cute dress, hoping to shake off the lingering frustration from the morning's events. As I make my way downstairs to the dining table, the fabric of the dress swishes softly around me, a small comfort in the midst of uncertainty.With each step, I try to push aside the nagging questions about my mom's unexpected visit and focus instead on the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with loved ones. But as I reach the bottom of the stairs and round the corner into the dining room, I freeze in surprise at the sight before me.Seated at the table is not a stranger or a potential blind date, but my best friend, Hari Pillai, a sight that instantly lifts my spirits. A smile breaks across my face as I hurry over to her, feeling a wave of relief wash over me at the familiar sight of her friendly face.With Hari's presence by my side, the tension of the morning melts away, replaced by a sense of warmth and camaraderie. As we settle in at the table together, I can't help but feel grateful for her unexpected visit, a timely reminder that even in the midst of life's uncertainties, there are moments of joy and connection to be found.My mom is making pancakes with chai and damn in my 26 years of life she never looked so happy, I'm getting bad feeling in my guts . I looked at hari with meaning full graze asking about mom , even she looks bit stressed yet she says slowing not wanting reach the noise to mom .hari: I don't know sara what's running in aunt head! Sara i have something to say. she says with helpless graze which makes me curious about whats making her so helpless. i get distured with noise of plates which are brought to table by mom, i looked at her for her weird habit for drawing attentions of people. she ignored my look and smiled while having sit on chair. she asked hari to return India with 'Us'. Confusion and disbelief wash over me as my mom drops the bombshell about our trip to India. I hadn't the faintest clue about such plans, and the news hits me like a ton of bricks. The frustration and irritation I had been feeling all morning surge back with renewed force, mingled now with a sense of betrayal and helplessness.Hari's questioning look only adds to my mounting sense of unease. I can see the concern in her eyes, the silent question of whether I'm okay, and I wish I had answers to give her. But in that moment, all I can manage is a weak shrug, a silent admission of my own confusion and frustration.As I struggle to process the news, my mind races with questions and uncertainties. How could my mom spring such a major decision on me without any warning or discussion? What about my job, my commitments here? And what about all the emotional baggage that comes with returning to a place filled with memories, both good and bad?