As Ava stepped into her home, the familiar weight of responsibility settled upon her shoulders. The lingering aroma of last night's dinner wafted through the air, mingling with the unspoken tension.
Her aunt, Tai, greeted her with a piercing gaze, accusation-laden words spilling forth like venom. "Where were you the whole night? You must be with some boy, I suppose?" The tone cut deep, Ava's heart sinking.
Dravid intervened, his calm demeanor a balm to Ava's fraying nerves. "No, I saw her leaving with Hazel." His statement carried authority, dispelling some of the tension.
Ava nodded in affirmation, her voice steady. "Yes, I stayed at Hazel's house the whole night." Dravid's presence provided a sense of security, shielding her from Tai's wrath.
Tai's expression twisted into a scowl. "Well, that's fine," she said grudgingly, her tone dripping with disapproval. "Wash the dishes. They've been waiting for you for ages."
Kathy arrived, her bright smile a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere. "Of course, dear! Help yourself to the leftover sweets from last night. You love them, don't you?" Ava's silence was telling; she'd grown accustomed to her grandparents' criticism.
Her father's inability to intervene, cowed by his parents' dominance, left Ava feeling isolated. The familiar sting of their words echoed in her mind: "You're a curse." The phrase, once a distant whisper, now seemed a haunting truth.
"What kind of family have I got?" Ava wondered, the weight of their disapproval crushing her. "If the company sank when I was born, what was my fault in that?" Self-doubt crept in, eroding her confidence.
After washing the utensils, Ava retreated to her room, seeking solace in the familiarity of her daily routine. As she prepared for college, her thoughts lingered on the morning's events. "What a dismal start to the day..." The words hung in the air, a poignant reflection of her turbulent emotions.
Hazel was waiting for Ava outside, leaning against her scooter, its engine still warm from the morning ride. The sunlight danced across Hazel's concerned expression. "You're running late, Ava. Everything okay?"
Ava shrugged, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You know the utensils were left for me to wash. Tai was in one of her moods." The familiar weight of household responsibilities settled upon her shoulders.
Hazel's expression darkened, her eyes flashing with indignation. "This is too much, Ava. I'll report them to the police. They treat you terribly, like a servant. Don't they realize how talented and kind you are?" Her anger simmered, threatening to boil over.
Ava placed a calming hand on Hazel's arm. "It doesn't matter, Hazel. It's family. They don't mean it." But the pain in her eyes betrayed her words.
Hazel's frustration boiled over. "If that's what family means, I'd rather you stayed with me. At least I care about your well-being." Ava's gentle refusal was met with Hazel's resigned "Okay, fine. Shall we head to college now?"
As they rode to college, the crisp morning air carried the promise of a new day. After a brief moment, they arrived at college, the vibrant campus buzzing with activity.
As they took their class, Ava's mind wandered to the upcoming college festival. Their drama monitor, Sridhar, addressed the group, his enthusiasm infectious.
"We have a drama performance in the festival, folks! You've likely heard the story – an angel falls in love with a human, and after many struggles, they ultimately unite. It's a beautiful tale of love and acceptance." However, the others seemed uninterested, dismissing it as a sappy love story.
Ava and Hazel, determined to make the most of their final year, were intrigued. Hazel landed the role of Sophia, the girl's best friend, while Ava was cast as an extra for the female lead, Elara. Gabriel Flynn, a charismatic student with piercing blue eyes, played the angel, Ariel.
Sridhar assigned roles to the rest of the group: Rachel as the villainous sorceress, Liam as Elara's brother, and Emily as the wise old crone. Rehearsals began, with Sridhar guiding them through the emotional highs and lows of the story.
As Ava immersed herself in the world of angels and humans, she found solace in the fictional tale, her own struggles momentarily forgotten.
Everyone received their part's story. Hazel was visibly nervous, so Ava led her to the canteen. This wasn't their first drama experience, but the significance of their roles this time was daunting.
Ava asked Hazel, "Not comfortable with your role?"
Hazel hesitated. "It's not that. I'm just feeling a bit scared."
Ava reassured her. "You landed the role outright; that's impressive!" Hazel nodded, still looking uncertain.
Realizing they hadn't eaten since breakfast, Ava headed to the counter. Hazel immersed herself in her script. Ava returned with two steaming samosas, and they began eating.
Noticing Hazel's pale face, Ava asked, "What's wrong? You'll share the stage with Abigail Chase. That's fantastic!" Hazel confided, "You know how intimidated I am. This will be my first time delivering lines alone with her. She's incredible, and I worry about keeping up."
Ava understood Hazel's concerns. Their college was renowned for producing exceptional talent, with many students going on to excel in various fields. Abigail Chase, an accomplished actress nearing graduation, was particularly notable.
Ava encouraged Hazel. "You wanted to learn drama; now's your chance! Don't let fear hold you back. Imagine yourself in a leading role someday; that'll boost your confidence." Hazel's face lit up.
"I guess you're right," Hazel said, her nerves easing. "But when Sridhar announced my name, my heart nearly skipped a beat!" Ava chuckled, offering a reassuring smile.