The cold, green eyes zoomed in on her own fearful, brown eyes.. peering, angry, loathing. She whimpered under the pressure. But the green pupils didn't budge, "You write as ugly as you look like!" "No, no, no! My handwriting is not as bad!", Suddenly she spoke, and with conviction.. this time, and freed herself from the heavy, piercing, green eyes.
As she opened her eyes, she heard the familiar, welcoming music. She kept staring at the ceiling for the first few minutes, glad that she had woken up from the dream. The gentle sound of the alarm clock could still be heard in the background. She then turned her head around towards the curtained window and found the velvety smooth maroon petals gleaming against the sunlight that filtered through. Flowers don't differentiate between who they are with, they choose to spread cheer no matter where they stand. "Another beautiful winter morning", a faint smile danced on the dreamy eyes.
The aroma of fresh curry leaves and tomatoes getting cooked together filled into her room. Locking the door behind, she changed the course of her walk, peeking through the kitchen window, she asked the lady near the gas stove,"Bhabhi, what are you cooking? It's aroma is heavenly!"
"Wait for just a few more minutes and you'll get to taste it too!", The sweet daughter-in-law of the landlady smiled even more sweetly. They shared a love for South Indian delicacies. Bonding over food is the best type. Sometimes, only sometimes the daughter-in-law got to share her woes too, of being married in that household; which didn't happen much frequently because of her ever present mother-in-law.
"You know, I was feeling so low since yesterday, didn't feel like going to college today, and this yummy breakfast is holding me back too", she said in the midst of continued, spoonfuls of the tastiest tamarind rice. "Coffee next!", the sweet lady was quick to offer. Lots of things to talk about, it seemed and the right opportunity too, with the mother-in-law getting ready for a get-together with her friends. "Done!", Two pairs of twinkling eyes became brighter.
"Do you believe in such things, Bhabhi?", She asked recounting the 'flowers from the grave' idea presented by her best friend , but only after all the agony had been talked about and cooled down at the sweet lady's end.
Silence followed for one whole minute.
"Er.. I don't want to make an issue out of poor, pretty flowers", the sweet lady replied with a made up laugh, "neither should you. This world is full of superstitions of all kinds and colours. Let's not paint them maroon!", Another made up short laughter. This time from both the young ladies. "Why don't you show me the jackpot!" The girl was quick to comply. Unlocking the door to her room, she brought the bunch of roses out of the vase and gleefully walked up to the sweet lady. "Aren't these heavenly!!? Wow! Wherever they have come from, presently they are in the hands of the most beautiful young woman", the sweet lady was mesmerized by the glistening petals of the velvety soft roses.
