Rhea's POV:
After five long years of studying abroad, I finally returned to India. A lot had changed, but somehow, the chaos I remembered still lingered in the air - and honestly, it made me smile. Some things don't change, and neither does my love for this country.
As I stepped out of the airport, I hailed a cab and headed straight home.
But when I arrived, something felt... off.
No noise. No chaos. Just stillness.
It didn't feel like home.
My smile faded a little as I dragged my suitcase to the door.
"Well, I wanted to surprise everyone, but looks like I'm the one getting surprised," I mumbled, half-laughing to myself.
I bent down and lifted the doormat - and there it was. The key.
"They still keep it here," I whispered, giggling softly.
As soon as I opened the door... BOOM!
A loud pop made me freeze in my tracks. My eyes widened.
Inside, the house was beautifully decorated. A golden banner stretched across the living room wall:
"Welcome Home, Rhea!"
"Welcome back, Rhea didi!" All my cousins came and hugged me.
I stepped in, overwhelmed, heart full.
But... how did they know I was coming?
"Wondering how we knew? And who told us? " my mom's voice cut through my thoughts, warm and amused - like always. Honestly, she's like a mind reader. I nodded with a grin.
"Me!" came another voice from behind me. "How could I miss the chance to surprise my bestie after five years?"
"Daisy?!" I spun around and threw my arms around her. My best friend. My partner in crime. My constant.
Everything felt perfect again - laughter, hugs, warmth.
It felt like I'd never left.
But as I stood in the middle of my old home, something inside me stirred - something I couldn't quite name.
A strange chill ran down my spine.
I felt like a siren before the war.