Page 43 of Since You Came Along

‘Must’ve been tough,’ Kusha said, watching her.

‘It was,’ Siya admitted, her gaze fixed on the horizon. ‘She is nine years younger than me and I had no clue how to raise a kid. All I knew was I didn’t want her to feel Mumma’s absence as much as I did.’

Siya continued, ‘I wanted her to grow up strong, outspoken, independent. I suppose that also brought out her strong opinions on everything.’

Kusha smiled at that. ‘It couldn’t have been easy to juggle both roles,’ she said.

Siya exhaled, her hands resting on her lap. ‘It wasn’t, but Meera helped a lot. They both just know how to push my buttons. I swear, sometimes I think the two of them team up just to test my patience.’

Kusha laughed, imagining the dynamic. ‘I can relate. Luv and I still fight over the stupidest things. Last week, it was over whose turn it was to do the dishes.’

Siya grinned. ‘Siblings. We love them, but they drive us mad.’

Then, she turned serious and said, ‘Kusha, I don’t know what happened between you and Meera, but… give her a real chance, okay? You’ll like her.’

Kusha turned to face Siya, her brows knitting together. She asked, ‘Who said I don’t like Meera?’

‘Oh, please.’ Siya gave her a quick sideways glance. ‘It’s pretty obvious.’

Kusha stiffened. Was it? Or had Meera told her about their last conversation?

‘Did she say something to you?’ Kusha asked, trying to sound casual.

‘Who, Meera?’ Siya chuckled, the sound light and almost dismissive, as though the very idea was absurd. ‘That girl wouldn’t say a word, no matter what. She’s too good at keeping things to herself.’

‘And I’m guessing she’s kept your secrets too?’ The question slipped out of Kusha’s mouth before she could stop herself.

For a moment, Siya said nothing. Her fingers drummed on the table as she said, ‘Yes, she has. And I’ll always be grateful to her for that.’

The sincerity in her tone caught Kusha off guard. She nudged, ‘If she said nothing, why do you think we have a problem?’

Siya shrugged. ‘After dinner that night, Meera went to her room, and you followed her. When you came out, both of you looked upset. It wasn’t hard to figure out.’

Kusha bit the inside of her cheek, heat creeping up her neck. So it had been that obvious.

The silence that followed felt too heavy, so Kusha said the first thing that came to her mind. ‘Thanks for inviting me over tonight.’

Siya replied, ‘We did it because we want you to be a part of our group.’

A flicker of joy warmed her heart. A small smile broke across her face as Kusha replied, ‘I’d like that too.’

Siya grinned, leaning back in her seat. ‘Good. But it depends on one thing.’

Kusha raised an eyebrow. ‘What’s that?’

‘Did you bring me the shampoo and conditioner?’

Kusha blinked, then burst out laughing.

Just then, Meera stepped out onto the balcony, the soft glow of the evening casting a golden hue on her face. ‘Hey, Kusha,’ she greeted her.

‘Hey,’ Kusha replied, giving a small nod.

Siya picked up the shower supplies with a cheerful hum, giving a quick glance between the two before heading off to her bathroom.

Kusha gestured to the empty chair next to her. ‘Here,’ she offered.

Meera settled into the chair, smoothing her dress as she did. ‘I’m glad you came over. We’re ordering pizza,’ she said, handing over a menu with a friendly smile. ‘Take a look and let me know which one you’d like.’

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