Varishtha gazed out at the sky, her mind wandering to fantastical worlds beyond their mundane routine. She sat on the terrace of their apartment building, surrounded by her two best friends, Monalika and Khushi. The trio often spent their afternoons lost in conversation, exploring the realms of the supernatural and the unknown.

"I wish we had superpowers," Khushi said wistfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Imagine being able to fly or turn invisible!"

Monalika chuckled. "We'd probably use our powers for mischief, not good."

Varishtha smiled, her curly black hair rustling in the gentle breeze. "We'd be the ultimate superhero trio."

As they chatted, the sun began to dip, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. Monalika stood up, brushing off her jeans. "Hey, let's go to the river behind our building. It's been a while since we've hung out there."

Khushi and Varishtha exchanged a look, then nodded in unison. "Sounds like a plan," Varishtha said, standing up.

The three friends made their way to the river, laughing and joking as they walked. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant chirping of birds. As they reached the riverbank, they settled in, watching the water flow lazily by.

Their conversation turned to black magic and white magic, with Monalika regaling them with stories of her grandmother's supposed encounters with the supernatural. Varishtha listened, entranced, her eyes wide with wonder.

As the afternoon wore on, Varishtha began to feel a creeping sense of unease. She couldn't quite explain it, but her stomach felt heavy, her senses dulled. "Guys, I don't feel so great," she said, standing up.

Monalika and Khushi exchanged a concerned glance. "Maybe we should head back," Monalika suggested.

As they turned to leave, they stumbled upon a small, injured puppy lying by the river. Varishtha's heart skipped a beat as she rushed to the puppy's side. "Oh no, look at him! He's been beaten up."

Without hesitation, the trio sprang into action. Varishtha removed her jacket and gently wrapped it around the puppy, while Monalika and Khushi helped lift him up. They carefully made their way back to the main road, deciding to take the puppy to the nearest vet, who lived on the other side of town.

As they walked, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. They finally reached the vet's clinic, relieved to see that the puppy would be okay with some rest and medication.

However, their relief was short-lived, as they realized they were running late. The vet's clinic was far from their homes, and they knew they'd get scolded by their parents for returning so late.

As they parted ways, Monalika trudged home, bracing herself for her parents' lecture. Varishtha and Khushi exchanged a nervous glance before heading to their respective homes, wondering what kind of reception awaited them...................

(hello everyone this is my first novel show some love 💕)

As the three friends returned home, late from their adventure, they were met with varying degrees of anger and disappointment from their parents.

Monalika bore the brunt of her father's wrath. His abusive behavior, fueled by alcohol, made her home life a living nightmare. Only Monalika and her mother knew the truth about his behavior, while the rest of the world saw him as a good person. In her household, Monalika's opinions were rarely sought, and she was often silenced. Her family believed she was spoiled, and her voice was systematically suppressed. The emotional anguish had taken a toll on Monalika's mental health, leaving her with anxiety issues. Her mother, once a vibrant and independent woman, had become a shadow of her former self, trapped in a loveless marriage and unable to protect her daughter from her father's abuse.

Monalika's room, once a sanctuary, now felt like a prison cell. She longed to escape the toxic environment that suffocated her, but she felt trapped. Her father's abuse had made her feel worthless, like she was walking on eggshells, never knowing when the next explosion would come.

Khushi, too, faced her parents' ire. She tried to explain the situation, telling them about the puppy and how they had helped it. However, her parents didn't believe her. They scolded her, saying she should focus on her studies instead of roaming around and lying. Khushi's honesty hadn't spared her from punishment. She loved her family, but they seemed to ignore her, making her feel like the least favorite child. She was burdened with household chores, working tirelessly without recognition or appreciation. No matter how hard she worked, it was never enough for her family. Her parents, though well-intentioned, were products of their own upbringing, where children were seen as servants rather than individuals with their own needs and desires.

Khushi's life was a never-ending cycle of chores and studying. She felt like a robot, going through the motions without any sense of purpose or passion. Her parents' constant criticism had made her doubt her own abilities, leaving her feeling lost and uncertain about her future.

Varishtha, however, was a smooth talker. She could effortlessly charm her way out of trouble, buttering people up with her silver tongue. This skill had helped her talk her way out of trouble earlier, as she spun a convincing yarn about running errands for Khushi's mother. Growing up, she had often found herself in situations where she needed to talk her way out of trouble. Her health issues and body image concerns had made her a target for bullies, and she had learned to use her charm and wit to protect herself. Over time, this skill had become second nature to her.

But despite her confident exterior, Varishtha was struggling. Her parents, traditional and conservative, wanted her to become a doctor, just like her father. But Varishtha's passion lay in art. She dreamed of attending the prestigious Fine Arts University, but her parents refused to even consider it. They saw art as a hobby, not a viable career path. Varishtha felt trapped, caught between her own desires and her parents' expectations.

As the night wore on, each girl retreated to her own routine. Monalika scribbled down some notes for school, then went straight to sleep, emotionally exhausted. Khushi, on the other hand, had a long night ahead of her. She studied for her exams, completed her household chores, and finally collapsed into bed, drained. Varishtha, meanwhile, pored over her art portfolio, preparing for her application to the Fine Arts University. Her mind was focused on her dreams, and she was determined to make them a reality.

Despite the troubles they faced in their individual lives, the three friends found solace in each other's company. As long as they were together, they felt happy and invincible. They had formed a bond that went beyond friendship - a bond that helped them navigate the challenges of their lives.

( as it's my first novel I would love to have your feedbacks 😁)

Varishtha woke up to the sound of her mother's scolding. "Get up, Varishtha! You're going to be late for school!" she yelled. Varishtha rubbed the sleep from her eyes and quickly got out of bed. She hastily brushed her teeth, washed her face, and got dressed. She grabbed her backpack and rushed out the door, not even having time for breakfast. She checked her watch and saw that it was already 7:30.

Meanwhile, Monalika was still fast asleep, despite her mother's attempts to wake her. "Monalika, get up! You're going to be late for college!" her mother scolded. Monalika groggily opened her eyes, whined, and rolled over, going back to sleep. She was a first-year college student and was notorious for being late to her classes.

Khushi, on the other hand, had been up since 5:00 am. Her parents had woken her up to study, and she had reluctantly complied. She was sleepy, but she feared her parents' wrath, so she pretended to study while dozing off. After 6:00 am, she started doing her household chores and then left for tuition at 7:00 am. She returned home at 10:00 am and then left for school at 12:00 pm.

Despite being in different schools and colleges, their friendship remained strong. They didn't meet at school or college, as their bond was formed in the neighborhood they grew up in. They would often meet at the park, or at each other's homes, sharing stories and laughter.

Their lives had intersected in unexpected ways, weaving a tapestry of friendship that was both strong and fragile. Varishtha and Khushi had been friends since Varishtha was in the 6th standard, bonding over their shared love of adventure and mischief. Monalika, on the other hand, had known Varishtha since childhood, but they had lost touch when Monalika's family moved away. Fate had brought them together again when Monalika turned 16, and her family moved back to the same neighborhood. The reunion was awkward at first, but as they spent more time together, their old bond was rekindled, and a new friendship was forged, one that included Khushi and was stronger than ever. As they grew closer, they found solace in each other's company, sharing their struggles and supporting each other through thick and thin.

After they came back from school and college, they went to the terrace as usual, where they would sit and talk about their day. The terrace had become their sanctuary, a place where they could be themselves without fear of judgment.

As they sat together on the terrace, watching the sunset, they felt a sense of comfort and belonging. They decided to head to the vet to check on the puppy's condition, as it had been injured.

As they walked to the vet, they chatted excitedly about their day, eager to see if the puppy was doing okay.

As they approached the vet's office, they saw the puppy wagging its tail, despite its injured leg. The vet smiled and greeted them, "Ah, you're the girls who brought in the puppy yesterday. It's doing much better today, thanks to your care." The girls exchanged relieved glances, happy to see the puppy on the mend...