Suhani Vashishtha (me) stood before the mirror, her eyes tracing the contours of her face. Beautiful, charming but haunted. Tears welled up, a familiar companion to her turbulent emotions.
Her anger simmered, a constant battle within. One wrong word, and the damn would burst. Her parents always critical, never understanding. "You are too emotional, suhani. Control yourself.."
But how could she? The world outside was chaotic, and her family's distrust cut deep. They saw her as fragile, incapable of making decisions.
Her younger brother, lakshay, burst into the room, oblivious to her fragile state. "Suhani, did you take Mumma's phone?"
Suhani's gaze snapped towards him, irritation flaring. "No, lakshay. For the hundredth time." Lakshay shrugged his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You are always so uptight, didi."
Suhani's heart ached. She loved lakshay, but his constant annoyance drained her. He didn't understand her feelings and struggles, never offered support.