𝚂𝚒𝚊'𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎

The sound of pencils lightly grazing the paper filled the dimly lit room. Sia was perched on the edge of her bed, her small frame curled as she leaned over her sketchpad, utterly engrossed in bringing her imagination to life.Her messy bun, with strands of dark brown hair escaping to frame her face, was a testament to the hours she had spent sketching. Her almond-shaped eyes glimmered with determination, the tip of her nose scrunched in concentration as her pencil danced on the page.

Her room was a kaleidoscope of colors, a reflection of her vibrant personality. The walls were adorned with handmade posters, doodles, and fairy lights that gave the space a magical charm. A small wooden table sat near the window, cluttered with pencils, crayons, and stacks of sketchbooks, each one brimming with her creative bursts. The bed, unmade and scattered with cushions, hinted at her carefree nature. A corner shelf displayed a few trophies and medals, not hers but her brother Veer's, a constant reminder of the shadow she lived under.

......

Sia wasn’t like Veer. While her brother excelled in academics and sports, earning the admiration of their parents and teachers, Sia found joy in the little things—drawing, dancing, and daydreaming. She hated studying, despising the hours spent staring at textbooks. Her grades barely scraped by, much to the frustration of her parents. But Sia’s world was different. It was one of colors, melodies, and dreams that didn’t fit the rigid mold her family expected her to fit into.

She let out a contented sigh, her fingers smudged with charcoal as she put the finishing touches on her drawing. It was a sketch of a young girl standing in a meadow, arms wide open as if she were embracing the wind. It was Sia’s escape, her way of expressing all the emotions she couldn’t put into words.

A sudden, sharp voice broke her focus. “Sia! Come downstairs for dinner!” her mother’s voice echoed up the stairs, snapping her out of her creative trance. She jumped, startled, the pencil slipping from her fingers.

“Coming, Ma!” she called out, hurriedly placing her sketchpad on the bedside table. She glanced around her room, realizing the mess she had created. Books were piled haphazardly on her desk, clothes strewn over the back of her chair, and crumpled papers littered the floor. Her mother’s earlier scolding about keeping her room clean echoed in her mind, making her sigh in frustration.

She trudged downstairs to the dining table, where her family was already seated. Her father, a stern-looking man in his late forties, glanced up from his plate. “From tomorrow, your new school is opening,” he began, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Sia froze, her heart sinking. She had almost forgotten about the transfer. St. Xavier's High was prestigious, known for its rigorous academics and competitive atmosphere. Her parents had pulled her out of her previous school, convinced that St. Xavier’s high would ‘fix’ her lack of focus.

“This is your board year,” her father continued, his gaze sharp and unrelenting. “You need to concentrate on your studies, not on that baseless drawing of yours. This year is crucial for your future. Kuch seekho apne bhai, kaise sab padhai or sports ko balance karta hai- so perfectly.”

Sia’s eyes darted toward Veer, who sat across the table, quietly eating his food. He didn’t look up, but she could feel the weight of his silent presence. Veer, the golden boy. Veer, who could do no wrong. Her parents never missed a chance to compare her to him, reminding her of how far behind she was.

She clenched her fists under the table, her appetite disappearing. The words stung, but they weren’t new. She had heard them a hundred times before, yet each time they carved a little deeper into her heart.

Her mother, noticing her silence, added, “Tumhre achee future ke liye bol re hai, beta. You need to take life seriously. No more wasting time on things that won’t help your future.”

Sia nodded mechanically, her throat tight with unshed tears. She didn’t trust herself to speak, afraid her voice would betray her emotions. Finishing her dinner in silence, she excused herself and retreated to her room.

Back in her sanctuary, Sia collapsed onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The fairy lights cast a soft glow, making the room feel warm and safe, but tonight, it offered little comfort. From the corner of her eyes, tears began to fall, tracing silent trails down her cheeks.

She reached for her sketchpad, her fingers trembling as she flipped through the pages. Each drawing was a piece of her soul, a part of herself she couldn’t share with anyone else. They wouldn’t understand. To them, it was just a hobby, a distraction. But to Sia, it was everything.

She hugged the sketchpad to her chest, her small frame shaking with quiet sobs. Why wasn’t she enough? Why couldn’t they see her for who she was, instead of who they wanted her to be?

Her thoughts drifted to Veer. She loved her brother dearly. He was her protector, her confidant, the one who understood her in ways their parents never could. But even Veer couldn’t shield her from the weight of expectations that came with being his sister.

“I’ll try,” she whispered to herself, the words a fragile promise. “I’ll try to be what they want.”

But deep down, Sia knew that no matter how hard she tried, she would always be the girl with smudged fingers and messy hair, lost in a world of her own creation. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to change that.

As the night deepened, Sia turned off the lights, leaving the fairy lights twinkling in the darkness. She laid on her bed, her sketchpad still clutched to her chest, and let sleep take her, carrying her away to dreams where she could be free.

___________________________

𝓱𝓲𝓮𝓻 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓼𝓼!!! 💗💗

How's my babiesss????

Anywayysss here's the start of a love story, but also a story that you could all relate to (even if you don't relate to the love story part cux you got no love life)

But yessss, love life nhi hui toh kya hua? Youu all are deserving of lovee and unlimited happinnessss<3

Vote and let me know in comments what you think about the chapter and story soo far. 💋💋

Till then,

When we met. ✨