Before I Knew Love, I Heard Her Anklet Chapter 4

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Aadhya's Pov

Bangalore morning has a rhythm of their own. A little chaotic. A little sacred. Always loud. Pressure cooker whistles. Temple bells in the distance

Savitha Pranav Rao (fl mom)

Aadhya, 7:30 aagide! Nee late agathya , please! (It is 7:30! You will be late, please) *shouting from kitchen*

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

*groaned and rolled over on the mattress*

The ceiling fan humming like it was half asleep too.. Our 2bhk rented apartment in Basavanagudi was modest- peeling paint, too many shoes near the door and one bathroom shared by four people.

But it was home.

It was ours -borrowed, lived in , loud.

As the eldest daughter, I'd learned early that some things aren't said- just expected.

Like waking up first. Like calming Appa when he's stressed. Like helping Arjun when his homework even when mine's pending. Like being the one who doesn't complain.

By 7:45, I was up, dressed in a soft blue kurti with jeans, hair twisted into a low knot. My sketch rolls leaned tiredly against the wall. My college bag sagged from the weight of three incomplete models and a half eaten dairy milk with my laptop.

Pranav Rao (fl dad)

*sat on the table in his ironed shirt, reading yesterday's paper like it still held some mystery* Bus ideya? (Is bus there?) *asked without looking up*

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

Haan Appa (yes dad) *said, stuffing my feet into sandals*.

BMTC ( local govt bus) - my usual ride to college. One hour if I was lucky. One and half if Bangalore traffic decided to ruin me.

Savitha Pranav Rao (fl mom)

*handed her chai (tea) and hair already smelled like agarbatti ( essense)* Take this *said* You didn't eat anything

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

*took a quick sip* What about Arjun?

Savitha Pranav Rao (fl mom)

In the bathroom*muttered* Thinking he's a prince.

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

*smirked*

Arjun, my younger brother, was 16, witty, moody and addicted to wifi . He gave exactly zero effort in school and still managed to charm every teacher . Typical youngest child.

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

*stepped out of the door, the familiar tchink of my anklet*

Ajji (grandma) had given it to me- thin silver , slightly loose and louder than necessary.

I wore it on days which feels like- when my energy felt borrowed and the world too big.

I rushed down the stairs, careful not to trip on the neighbor's flower pots .

The main road outside smelled like traffic fumes and frying vadas.

I was out by 8. College started at 9. Just enough time if I caught the bus

On the ride

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

*pulled out phone and saw the message*

Vihaan De Luca (ml brother/ fl bff)

Vi : 💭I invented a new cereal ratio. 70% flakes, 30% milk, 100% regret

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

*laughed silently*

We'd met online over a stupid meme comment section. And somehow- slowly, naturally - he became my safe space.

He never made me feel less. Never tried to fix me. Just listened. Late night calls, random voice notes, arguments over how coffee should be made- all of it became part of our friendship's weird little rhythm.

Last night , while we were on call, I'd crossed my leg and the anklet had jingled loudly.

Vihaan De Luca (ml brother/ fl bff)

That anklet if yours is louder than your voice *teases*

Aadhya Pranav Rao (fl)

That anklet never lies *replied*

what i didn't know.. Was that far away, someone else heard it too . Someone I'd never seen. Never spoke too. Someone whose entire world paused for the smallest sound I carry.

Author

Character intro

Name: Pranav Rao

Age:50 Occupation: Owner of Rao's tiffen corner- 2 branches in Bangalore Native: Udupi Traits: hardworking, practical, reserved, deeply protective. Built his life from scratch after moving to Bangalore. Still wakes up before sunrise personally overseas chutney prep, and worries wheather the sambar tastes the same everyday. When it comes to Aadhya, his firstborn, his quiet pride. Loves his wife and son too..

Name: Savitha Pranav Rao

Age:45 Occupation: Homemaker Native: Udupi Traits: Warm, grounded, quick-witted, intuitive She manages kitchen, helps with backend canteen accounts. Her humour is dry, her faith is strong and her understanding.

Name: Arjun Pranav Rao

Age: 16 Class:11th (puc) Traits: witty, tech-saavy, emotionally intelligent, semi rebellious Smart but selectively hardworking, he's constantly glued to his phone or football matches. Amma's unofficial sidekick in kitchen when he's in the mood and Appa's silent observer at the canteen on Sundays

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