Avika Raichand

The Raichand house was quiet.

Not the peaceful kind of quiet.

It was the kind of silence where every sound seemed to have a meaning.

The ticking of the antique clock in the hallway.

The footsteps of the house staff.

The faint clinking of cutlery from the dining room.

Everything was perfectly controlled.

Just like everything else in the Raichand family.

Avika Raichand stood in front of the mirror in her room, fixing the small earring in her left ear.

She looked at her reflection for a few seconds.

Straight posture.

Perfect hair.

Calm expression.

Nothing on her face revealed what was going on inside her head.

Her room was large, elegant, and almost too perfect.

Everything had its place.

The books were arranged neatly on the shelf.

The clothes were organized by colour.

The curtains were perfectly drawn.

Even the flowers on the table had been arranged by someone else.

Avika picked up her phone from the dressing table.

There were several notifications.

She ignored all of them.

Instead, she looked at the time.

7:18 AM.

She had exactly twelve minutes before breakfast.

She knew because her mother had told her yesterday.

Seven-thirty.

Not seven twenty-five.

Not seven forty.

Seven-thirty.

In this house, even breakfast had a schedule.

A soft knock came at the door.

"Avika."

Her mother's voice.

Avika turned towards the door.

"Come in, Mom."

Naina Raichand entered.

She was dressed elegantly, as always.

Her eyes immediately moved over Avika from head to toe.

"You're wearing this?"

Avika glanced at herself.

"Yes."

Naina remained silent for a moment.

"Your father doesn't like casual clothes at breakfast."

Avika looked down at her outfit.

It wasn't particularly casual.

But she knew what her mother meant.

In this house, it was rarely about the clothes.

It was about obedience.

"I'll change."

Naina nodded.

"Do that."

She turned to leave.

"Mom."

Naina stopped.

"Hmm?"

"Is Dad already downstairs?"

"Yes."

Avika's expression changed slightly.

"Okay."

Naina left without saying anything else.

The door closed.

Avika stared at it for a few seconds.

Then she looked back at the mirror.

The confident expression returned.

She opened her wardrobe and changed her shirt.

Not because she wanted to.

Because it was easier.

She had learned that lesson years ago.

Sometimes arguing wasn't worth the energy.

By the time Avika entered the dining room, everyone was already there.

Armaan Raichand sat at the head of the table.

He was reading something on his tablet.

He didn't look up when Avika entered.

Naina sat beside him, quietly drinking her tea.

Kabir was sitting across the table, scrolling through his phone.

Avika took her usual seat.

"Good morning."

Naina looked at her.

"Good morning."

Armaan didn't respond.

Avika picked up the glass of water beside her plate.

For a few seconds, there was silence.

Then Armaan finally looked at her.

"College?"

"Hmm?"

"Your schedule."

Avika put the glass down.

"Normal."

"What time are your classes ending?"

"Around four."

"Directly home after that."

Avika looked at him.

"I have some work at college."

"What work?"

"Group assignment."

Armaan's expression hardened slightly.

"What group assignment?"

Avika sighed internally.

"A presentation."

"With whom?"

She hesitated.

"People from my class."

"That wasn't my question."

Avika looked at him.

"I'll be with my classmates."

Armaan put his tablet down.

"Avika."

Just her name.

Nothing more.

But she understood the warning.

She lowered her gaze for a moment.

"It's nothing important, Dad."

"I asked you a simple question."

Avika took a breath.

"I'll come home after college."

Armaan leaned back.

"You've been getting too comfortable with this new freedom."

Avika's eyes lifted.

"Freedom?"

Kabir looked up from his phone.

Naina immediately said,

"Avika, don't start."

Avika gave a small, humourless smile.

"I didn't start anything."

Armaan's voice remained calm.

And somehow, that made it worse.

"You're a Raichand."

"I know."

"Then act like one."

Avika's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the table.

She wanted to say something.

A dozen things.

But she knew how these conversations ended.

So she simply nodded.

"Okay."

Armaan picked up his tablet again.

"Good."

The conversation was over.

At least for him.

For Avika, it wasn't.

It rarely ever was.

Breakfast continued in silence.

Kabir occasionally glanced at Avika.

He knew her well enough to notice when she was angry.

After a few minutes, he leaned slightly towards her.

"Don't."

Avika looked at him.

"Kya?"

"Don't make that face."

"What face?"

"The one that says you're planning to kill someone."

Avika almost smiled.

"Maybe I am."

Kabir quietly laughed.

Naina looked towards them.

"What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing," Kabir replied immediately.

Avika took a sip of water.

For all the restrictions in this house, Kabir was probably the only person who could still make her laugh.

He was her cousin.

Not exactly a brother.

Not exactly a friend.

Something in between.

And unlike everyone else, he didn't constantly remind her of the Raichand name.

He simply treated her like Avika.

Not Armaan Raichand's daughter.

Not the heir to a reputation.

Just Avika.

That was rare.

And because it was rare, she valued it.

After breakfast, Avika walked back upstairs.

She picked up her bag and checked herself in the mirror once again.

Everything looked perfect.

She hated how easily she could turn into the version everyone expected.

Calm.

Elegant.

Confident.

Untouchable.

She had been learning this version of herself for years.

People at college thought she was intimidating.

Some thought she was arrogant.

Some admired her.

Some avoided her.

None of them really knew her.

And Avika preferred it that way.

She didn't like people getting too close.

Because the closer someone got, the more they could see.

And there were things she didn't want anyone to see.

She picked up her phone.

A message from Kabir appeared.

Kabir: Don't let Dad ruin your morning.

Avika smiled faintly.

Avika: Too late.

Another message came almost immediately.

Kabir: Ignore him.

Avika: Easy for you to say.

Kabir: True.

She laughed softly.

Then another message appeared.

Kabir: College mein enjoy kar. At least wahan thoda normal rehna.

Avika stared at the message.

Normal.

She wasn't sure she remembered what normal felt like.

The drive to college was quiet.

Avika sat in the back seat, looking outside the window.

The city was waking up.

People rushing to work.

Students walking in groups.

Small shops opening.

Cars filling the roads.

Life seemed so simple from the other side of the window.

No one knew who she was.

No one cared about her surname.

No one was telling those people how to dress, where to go, whom to meet, or when to come home.

For a moment, she wondered what it would feel like to live without constantly being watched.

Then she pushed the thought away.

Dreaming about impossible things was pointless.

The car finally stopped near the college entrance.

Avika picked up her bag.

Before getting out, she received a call.

Dad.

She stared at the screen.

Then answered.

"Hello?"

"College pahunch gayi?"

"Haan."

"Directly class."

"I know."

"And remember what we discussed."

Avika closed her eyes briefly.

"Haan, Dad."

The call ended.

She put her phone away.

For a few seconds, she remained inside the car.

Then she opened the door.

The moment her feet touched the ground, her expression changed.

The softness disappeared.

Her shoulders straightened.

Her face became unreadable.

She walked through the college gates.

Avika Raichand had arrived.

College was different from home.

Not necessarily easier.

Just different.

Here, she had space.

She could walk wherever she wanted.

Talk to whoever she wanted.

Sit alone if she wanted.

Nobody could tell her what to do every second.

But people watched her here too.

They always did.

Avika was used to it.

She walked across the campus without paying attention to the whispers around her.

"That's Avika Raichand."

"Yeah, senior."

"Her family owns-"

"Shh, she'll hear you."

Avika heard them.

She simply didn't care.

She entered the building and walked towards her classroom.

A few classmates greeted her.

"Morning, Avika."

"Morning."

"Coming to the cafeteria later?"

"Maybe."

She kept walking.

A girl called after her.

"You're always busy."

Avika turned around.

"Am I?"

"Yeah."

Avika smiled slightly.

"Maybe."

Then she walked away.

It was easier to keep conversations short.

People couldn't ask questions if she didn't give them enough time.

During the lecture, Avika sat near the window.

She wasn't the kind of student who needed to be reminded to pay attention.

She listened.

Took notes.

Answered when asked.

And stayed quiet when she didn't feel like talking.

Her phone vibrated once.

She looked at the screen.

A message from her father.

Dad: Don't forget the meeting this evening.

Avika's expression immediately changed.

She typed:

Avika: I remember.

She put the phone face down.

The professor continued speaking.

But Avika's concentration was gone.

The meeting.

Another dinner.

Another conversation about family.

Another reminder about expectations.

Another list of things she was supposed to become.

Sometimes she wondered if anyone in her family had ever asked what she actually wanted.

Not what was good for the family.

Not what looked good.

Not what was expected.

What she wanted.

She couldn't remember.

Maybe because nobody had ever asked.

After class, Avika went outside.

The sunlight was brighter now.

She stood near the corridor, watching students move around.

A group of girls passed by.

One of them waved.

"Avika!"

She turned.

"Hmm?"

"Coming to the cafeteria?"

"Not right now."

"Okay."

They left.

Avika stayed where she was.

She looked at the crowd.

Everyone seemed to have somewhere to go.

Someone to meet.

Someone to call.

Someone waiting for them.

Her phone vibrated again.

She looked down.

Another message from her mother.

Mom: Be home by seven.

Avika stared at it.

She typed a reply.

Avika: I'll try.

Three dots appeared immediately.

Then disappeared.

Another message arrived.

Mom: Not try. Be home.

Avika's jaw tightened.

She locked her phone.

"Of course."

She whispered the words to herself.

"Not try."

Always instructions.

Never questions.

By evening, the college slowly started emptying.

Avika walked towards the parking area.

She stopped for a moment and looked back at the campus.

For most people, college was simply a place to study.

For her, it was the only place where she could breathe without feeling like every breath needed permission.

That was why she stayed longer than necessary sometimes.

Not because she loved college.

Because she loved the feeling of being away from home.

She took a slow breath.

Then her phone rang.

Dad.

Again.

She answered.

"Yes?"

"Where are you?"

"Leaving."

"You're late."

Avika looked at the time.

It was barely six.

"I'm coming."

"Good."

The call ended.

She stared at the phone.

Then slipped it into her bag.

When Avika finally reached home, the house was already quiet.

She entered through the main door.

A staff member greeted her.

"Good evening, ma'am."

"Good evening."

She walked upstairs.

Her room was exactly as she had left it.

Perfect.

Untouched.

Almost lifeless.

She placed her bag on the chair and stood near the window.

The city lights were beginning to appear outside.

She loosened her hair.

For the first time that entire day, she allowed herself to breathe.

No perfect posture.

No controlled expression.

No pretending.

Just silence.

She sat on the edge of her bed.

Her phone vibrated.

Kabir.

Kabir: Alive?

Avika smiled.

Avika: Barely.

Kabir: Dinner?

Avika: Unfortunately.

Kabir: Good luck 😂

She shook her head.

Then another message came.

Kabir: And Avi?

She stopped.

Nobody in the house called her that.

Only Kabir.

Avika: Hmm?

Kabir: Don't let them make you forget who you are.

Avika stared at the screen for a long moment.

Her smile slowly disappeared.

She didn't know how to explain it.

Sometimes she wasn't sure who she was anymore.

The daughter everyone expected.

The girl everyone feared.

The student everyone admired.

The person everyone thought was fearless.

Which one was actually her?

She put the phone down.

A knock came at the door.

"Avika."

Her father's voice.

She straightened immediately.

"Yes?"

"Come downstairs."

"For dinner?"

"Yes."

She stood up.

Before leaving, she looked at herself in the mirror.

The same girl stared back.

Confident.

Composed.

Untouchable.

She adjusted her hair.

Then she whispered softly,

"Let's go."

The expression on her face changed again.

And just like every other evening in the Raichand house-

Avika walked downstairs carrying a version of herself that everyone else could accept.