Ara's POV
I rushed into the hospital straight from school, my heart hammering in my chest. Aunt Rhea and Leo were already there, seated stiffly on the cold metal waiting chair outside the operating theatre.
I dropped my rucksack beside them without a word.
"Ara," Aunt Rhea stood up, gently touching my arm. "She's inside. It's not serious—just a few bruises. The doctors are checking her now."
I nodded, swallowing hard. The sterile white walls and smell of disinfectant made everything feel too real.
Leo rolled his eyes. "It's not that big of a deal. A bicycle hit her, not a car. She's fine."
I ignored him.
We waited in silence. My legs wouldn't stop bouncing. The door stayed closed for what felt like forever.
Then—finally—it creaked open.
A nurse stepped out, scanning the hallway. "Family of Aria Rao?"
We stood.
"She's stable. Minor injuries—bruises and scrapes mostly. She's been moved to Room 312. You can go in now."
My breath caught in my throat.
This was it.
Aunt Rhea gently guided me down the hallway, our footsteps echoing off the sterile floor. My palms were sweaty. Every step closer to Room 312 made my chest tighter.
I reached for the door handle and paused. For a second, I hesitated—afraid of what I'd see… or feel.
Then I pushed the door open.
There she was.
Aria Rao Reyes. My mother. Reclining against the pillows like she was in a hotel room, not a hospital bed. A slight bruise marked her arm, her forehead was rolled by the bandage and a gauze strip wrapped around her calf. Aside from that, she looked untouched—flawless, even.
"Mumma," I whispered.
It's almost a month when I saw her. She hardly been at home. She never ever attended by school orientation or parents teacher meeting. Thanks to my butler, he played a crucial role of taking care of me in her absence.
She looked up. "Ara… hello," she said, her voice flat. Polite. Like she was greeting someone she barely knew.
I stepped inside, tears stinging my eyes. "Hello mumma. How are you?"
"I'm alright." Her tone held no warmth. No relief to see me. No anything.
She turned to Aunt Rhea, instantly more animated. "You wouldn't believe the media frenzy. Someone recognized me even when I was on the stretcher!"
They both chuckled. I stood there, invisible.
I sank into the stool near her feet while Aunt sat at her side. The beeping monitor was louder than the words I couldn't say.
Why don't you ask me how I got here?
Why don't you ask if I'm okay?
Why don't you even care I came?
But I said nothing. Just stared at the white bedsheets, heart breaking piece by piece.
Then she said it—so casually.
"Rhea, I have a favor to ask."
Aunt turned to her. "What is it?"
"I signed a five-year contract with a major agency in New York named velvet models and elite!. It's a dream opportunity."
My eyes widened. Heart dropped and brain cells went to holidays.
"Wow, that's…" Aunt said in shock
"A big news, Congratulations." said with small smile.
But Mumma wasn't done.
"I need you to take care of Ara. Can you take her to India with you? Raise her like your own—with Leo and Liza."
I froze.Time froze.
I didn't even get a say. She didn't ask me—she decided. Like I was luggage she needed someone to hold.
Aunt Rhea looked at me, startled. "I mean—If Ara's okay with it…"
"She doesn't have any problem," Mumma said without even glancing my way. "She just needs time to adjust in a new environment."
That's..just..want to go to the mars! Leaving earth, every memory.
Aunt jaw dropped a little like she wanted to say something but can't.
That was it.
I stood up, slowly, and walked out.
Didn't even look back. Felt like a character written out of the story.
The feel leo staring at me, my unusual behaviour. He want to stop me but I ignored, he also ignored.
I locked myself in the nearest washroom and cried salty tears—hot, heavy, unstoppable.
The kind of crying that hurts. The kind you don't want anyone to see.
"C-control, Ara... Control..." I whispered into the mirror, gripping the cold porcelain sink. I splashed water on my face again and again until my skin stung and the sobs quieted.
Always me! The eyes of plants are always on me. Doing unusual and bad to me.
When I finally walked out, my heart felt hollow.
Back home, the silence in the car was unbearable.
Mumma didn't say a word. Not one.
She started packing the second we arrived. Her flight: 11 AM. Mine to India: 5 PM.
Same day.
Different moods.
Different continents.
I curled into my bed like it could protect me from reality. But It didn't. In school I don't have good any friend and in family, I'm a looser. I never met my father even never seen him in any picture. My mother, I'm going to loose her tomorrow.
My favourite plushie is wet from my salty and hot sobbing.
That night, the maid knocked on my door. "Ma'am, dinner is ready."
I dragged myself to the dining room, stomach churning.
Mumma was already at the table, radiant and distant. It had been months since we sat for dinner together.
I took the seat beside Aunt. Leo sat across from her, beside Mumma. She didn't even look at me.
I think, I want some memories...
I slipped my phone behind a bowl of mango sago and quietly snapped some photos of her.
Click.
Click.
I'm here leaving my plate in front of me, staring the phone continuously smiling. I know, I will found a numerous photos of her on the internet but still... Every photo is stunning, of course she is a model.
She noticed my smiling.
Her eyes—sharp and cold—met mine. "I thought you were upset about me leaving."
"I just…"
"Just eat," she said, cutting me off.
And that was that. I think her cold siren eyes come in my dreams and haunt me.
The next morning came like a nightmare you can't wake from.
The most most most difficult day....
Mumma's departure...