Sanya barely had time to relish her college victory when she returned home that evening and sensed trouble even before opening the main gate. The usual cacophony of aunties' shrill conversations pierced the evening hush, punctuated by Tayiji's emergency voice and Chiku Bhaiya's barely concealed gloating laughter.
As she stepped into the living room, she immediately noticed Mummyji and Dadi huddled together, whispering conspiratorially with lowered voices. The aura was heavy, like the calm before an emotional storm.
"Beta, sit down—we must have a family meeting," Dadi announced solemnly, her eyes sharp and unwavering, as if she were preparing them for an ancient ritual.
Chiku Bhaiya, lounging nearby, smirked smugly. "You might have fooled Dean Sharma, but the family? We see through all your antics. Scooter rides, cricket games, making friends—you're straying too far."
Sanya's eyes flicked to the golden-lit tray of samosas in the center of the room. She folded her arms, wearing a half-smile as sharp as a dagger. "So, am I to understand that my punishment involves fasting or another astrologer visit?" she quipped, her voice light but layered with sarcasm.
Mummyji leaned forward, lowering her tone into a reproachful whisper. "We only want what's best for you. If you continue this path, there will be consequences. People will talk, and not kindly."
Sanya leaned back, her voice laced with calm defiance. "People talking is inevitable, Mummyji. But wouldn't you rather hear them say, 'That Sanya, she did something remarkable' instead of just 'Poor girl, trapped in family drama'?"
Before any rebuttal could be raised, the faint glow of her system notification lit up discreetly from her wrist gadget.
**[Daily Sign-In: Reward — 1 x stainless steel tiffin box; Skill: Basic Yoga Flow (Can learn at home or nearby park); 15 rupees (coins).]**
Sanya's grin was almost impish as she checked the tiffin box in her bag, a symbol of simple independence in a world rushing to collar her ambitions. "Thanks for the family meeting. Now if you'll excuse me, I promised Rekha I'd coach her in standing tall during yoga. Drama's interesting, but balance is essential."
As she breezed upstairs, Dadi muttered under her breath, "Yoga in public parks? This is shameless." Sanya's reply floated down the stairwell, cheerful and unapologetic. "That's me, Dadi. A trendsetter—maybe a TV heroine before long!"
Later, under a sky flushed with evening hues, Sanya met Rekha, Anjali, and Sameer at their usual park bench. Having downloaded a page on "Beginner Yoga" at a slow cybercafe hours earlier, she attempted a few uneven sun salutations. Her friends laughed, some joining in playfully, especially as she wobbled through poses that challenged her balance.
"We should start our own little club," Anjali joked.
"Yoga, cricket, and managing family drama," Rekha chimed in, grinning.
Sameer raised the shiny new stainless steel tiffin box, "As long as the lunches are as good as these rewards, count me in."
Sanya laughed and flicked a coin between her fingers, her mind alive with possibilities. For a brief moment, the chaos of melodrama faded, replaced by the calm certainty that even in this crazy, transmigrated world, she could carve out her own path.
> "Whatever script this universe throws at me," she thought, "I'm determined to write my own lines — and maybe enjoy a good yoga stretch while I'm at it."
**End of expanded Chapter 11**