Part 2
Back in the room they shared, Misha and Pia sat down to study. After struggling with her assignment for maybe five minutes, Misha gave up, and pulled her fingers through her wild curls in frustration. Sighing deeply, she looked over at Pia, who was bent over her own work, writing furiously.
Misha smiled affectionately.
Pia. Her best friend. Her sister. Her arrival in their lives had been somewhat of a surprise - a huge shock, rather.
In December, a letter had arrived. Her mother's will that said that Pia was Mr. Arnab Dobriyal's daughter, and since she was now eighteen, she could live with her father and his family if she chose, or make it on her own.
Though initially Misha had resented this intrusion, but the moment she had seen Pia, all her protective instincts had kicked in, and she had become her champion. The path from being a champion to becoming a best friend had been rather short, and now the two were inseparable.
Misha's elder sister Panchhi had never even thought of Pia as a stranger - that was the way she loved.
Dad had been delighted, of course. He had finally been reunited with his beloved daughter after years of separation.
Mrs. Madhu Dobriyal's reaction was another matter though. She had known everything - her husband's second marriage with Pia's mother, the existence of Pia, and even the fact that one day Pia would become a part of their family. Yet, there was something in her attitude... she was pleasant and welcoming enough, took good care of Pia's health, but there was a kind of...hesitation in her interactions with Pia - a holding back that was discernible only to Misha...
Just then a pair of arms slipped around Misha, nearly suffocating her, and a voice squealed, "Misha!!!!!!!!!! I missed you brat!"
Misha tried to pull free, but to no avail. "Uff Panchhi!!! Chhod mujhe fatty! Apna saara bhaar mujh par daal diya hai, meri growth ruk jaayegi."
Panchhi only laughed, and rushed off to hug Pia.
"Pia! Kaisi ho? Missed me?"
Pia returned her hug, smiling serenely, but with happiness just leaking through. "Yeah Panchhi. Missed you loads! How was your trip? And how is Daanish...jiju?" she added teasingly.
Panchhi blushed. "Daanish is fine. We had a brilliant time at the old palace. It is such a spooky place! But it is sooo beautiful! And Daanish...", she trailed off, lost in thoughts of her fiance, a dreamy smile plastered on her face.
Misha rolled her eyes and slapped Panchhi on the arm, jerking her out of her dreamland. Panchhi slapped her back, and soon the two sisters were involved in a pillow fight. Pia watched them bicker with a smile, then got up and went to the window. A bird flew away into the distance, a black shadow against the deep blue twilight sky. Pia sighed.
Noticing her mood, Misha and Panchhi rushed up to her, hugging her from behind, and a beautiful smile made Pia's face glow as she reached up to return their hugs.
Under the window, something moved in the blackened foliage...
***
