Family Trouble
“No, no, no….” Laasya thought as she heard about her mother’s plans. It was Christmas morning and everyone was having breakfast. Laasya’s mother had just announced her plans, to invite her sister and her family over for dinner tomorrow. Sounded fun right? The only problem, her sister, Kavitha Iyer, was the most mean, rude and nosy person in history. Just because she married some rich guy and settled in USA, she acted as if she was better than her sister. But ever since Laasya found out she was a witch and her mother told Kavitha, she had been even more rude. Her daughter, Varsha was no better, showing off all the things she was given for existing. The only person who hated them even more than Laasya was her father, who hated their constant showing off. “I’m afraid I cannot stay for their arrival, I have to go to the hospital in the evening for an appointment.” Her father said as soon as her mother shared the news. “Can’t you reschedule the appointment?” Her mother asked. “I’m afraid not.” Her father replied. Laasya knew better, her father was trying to escape and she did not blame him, in fact she wanted to join. But she knew her mother would stop her as even though she disliked Kavitha, her rich husband and Varsha, she had always tried to be nice to them. “Alright then.” Her mother replied, “But come back by 11pm.”
Eventually, 26th December arrived. That evening, Laasya’s father was out of the house as soon as the clock struck 5. Meanwhile Laasya and her mother were cleaning the house, as the last time Kavitha had visited, she spent 10 minutes complaining about their flat and how it looked like a pigsty even though the house was spotless. After spending at least an hour cleaning, cooking and arranging, Laasya’s mother wore her best dress and went to the airport to pick them up.
Meanwhile Laasya went to her room and cleaned it up, in case Varsha wanted to come up. She made her cat Pearl sleep in her parents bedroom because if her aunt, uncle or cousin saw her, they would yap on and on about how she wasn’t a purebred cat like theirs. Laasya desperately wanted to play a prank on them, such as putting a whoopee cushion on their chairs or putting sugar in the curry her mother had made. But Laasya knew that her mother would be very upset if she pranked them and anyways, Laasya did not own a whoopee cushion. She finished cleaning and began to get ready. She wore a kurta with jeans and combed her hair before going to open the door.
As soon as Laasya opened the door, she wished she hadn’t. Her aunt, Kavitha was wearing an expensive outfit and was carrying a Gucci bag while her husband was wearing a shirt and pants which were neatly ironed with not a single wrinkle in sight. Varsha, 13 years old was standing next to them, scrolling on her phone. “Vanakkam hello” Laasya’s mother said as respectfully as possible. They entered the house and Kavitha, after inspecting the house, began her ranting. “Looks better than last time but why are the flowers on the left side? And that photo frame if off center!” Kavitha said loudly enough for everyone to hear. Her husband nodded in agreement while her mother listened carefully. Laasya wanted to go to her cat but she had to be in the living room. Varsha of course, kept looking at her phone. “By the way, where is your husband? Let me guess, he knew that the flat was going to look terrible so he left for his job. I told you to marry a rich man Meena, look where I am now!” Her aunt continued. “Come on, time to eat!”, her mother interrupted, trying not to look hurt.
The food Laasya’s mother made was delicious, but of course, Laasya’s aunt had to complain. “This curry has too much salt! This naan is too stiff! This paysaam has too much sugar!” Laasya’s aunt began, her husband picking at the food while Varsha did not even touch it, instead making a new reel called ‘Worst Food I’ve Ever Eaten’. Then her aunt began again. “You know, I think witches and wizards are monsters, weird species. This Hogwarts school sounds ridiculous, like what fool opens a school for weird people? Your daughter is one of these weird people, please do something Meena!” And at that, Laasya’s mother finally snapped. “You do not say a word against my daughter!! Get out of my house right now! I don’t care where you go, just get out!!” She yelled while getting up from her chair and rolling their suitcases towards the door. At this, the three of them, took all their stuff, wore their coats and rushed outside the house. “Yeesssss!!!!” Laasya cheered as soon as they left, loud enough for their neighbors to hear.
So when Laasya’s father came back, he was surprised to see the house empty, only Laasya and her mother there sleeping and lots of food. The next day, her father asked them where they had gone, as they were supposed to stay for at least for a day. And at this her mother replied. “My sister spoke against my daughter. As a result she and her family are no longer welcome here.”
Eventually, 26th December arrived. That evening, Laasya’s father was out of the house as soon as the clock struck 5. Meanwhile Laasya and her mother were cleaning the house, as the last time Kavitha had visited, she spent 10 minutes complaining about their flat and how it looked like a pigsty even though the house was spotless. After spending at least an hour cleaning, cooking and arranging, Laasya’s mother wore her best dress and went to the airport to pick them up.
Meanwhile Laasya went to her room and cleaned it up, in case Varsha wanted to come up. She made her cat Pearl sleep in her parents bedroom because if her aunt, uncle or cousin saw her, they would yap on and on about how she wasn’t a purebred cat like theirs. Laasya desperately wanted to play a prank on them, such as putting a whoopee cushion on their chairs or putting sugar in the curry her mother had made. But Laasya knew that her mother would be very upset if she pranked them and anyways, Laasya did not own a whoopee cushion. She finished cleaning and began to get ready. She wore a kurta with jeans and combed her hair before going to open the door.
As soon as Laasya opened the door, she wished she hadn’t. Her aunt, Kavitha was wearing an expensive outfit and was carrying a Gucci bag while her husband was wearing a shirt and pants which were neatly ironed with not a single wrinkle in sight. Varsha, 13 years old was standing next to them, scrolling on her phone. “Vanakkam hello” Laasya’s mother said as respectfully as possible. They entered the house and Kavitha, after inspecting the house, began her ranting. “Looks better than last time but why are the flowers on the left side? And that photo frame if off center!” Kavitha said loudly enough for everyone to hear. Her husband nodded in agreement while her mother listened carefully. Laasya wanted to go to her cat but she had to be in the living room. Varsha of course, kept looking at her phone. “By the way, where is your husband? Let me guess, he knew that the flat was going to look terrible so he left for his job. I told you to marry a rich man Meena, look where I am now!” Her aunt continued. “Come on, time to eat!”, her mother interrupted, trying not to look hurt.
The food Laasya’s mother made was delicious, but of course, Laasya’s aunt had to complain. “This curry has too much salt! This naan is too stiff! This paysaam has too much sugar!” Laasya’s aunt began, her husband picking at the food while Varsha did not even touch it, instead making a new reel called ‘Worst Food I’ve Ever Eaten’. Then her aunt began again. “You know, I think witches and wizards are monsters, weird species. This Hogwarts school sounds ridiculous, like what fool opens a school for weird people? Your daughter is one of these weird people, please do something Meena!” And at that, Laasya’s mother finally snapped. “You do not say a word against my daughter!! Get out of my house right now! I don’t care where you go, just get out!!” She yelled while getting up from her chair and rolling their suitcases towards the door. At this, the three of them, took all their stuff, wore their coats and rushed outside the house. “Yeesssss!!!!” Laasya cheered as soon as they left, loud enough for their neighbors to hear.
So when Laasya’s father came back, he was surprised to see the house empty, only Laasya and her mother there sleeping and lots of food. The next day, her father asked them where they had gone, as they were supposed to stay for at least for a day. And at this her mother replied. “My sister spoke against my daughter. As a result she and her family are no longer welcome here.”
Reducio
The stuff Laasya’s aunt said about wizards, is purely for Roleplay purposes, not to insult anyone.