Tumhari Pratiksha - Lost and Found

45. Uttar Pradesh

Pratiksha's POV-

Sitting at the dining table, I stirred my coffee.

We were sitting in the dining room, having our breakfast. Papa reading newspaper, Maa and Ishita talked a little, then she turned to me.

She glanced at Maa before turning to me. I raised my eyebrows.

"Didi, can I go on the college trip next week?"

My hand froze mid-air. Memories from years ago surged into my mind. College trip. It had been anything but ordinary for me. I shook my head slightly.

"No," I said calmly. "Focus on your studies instead."

Her face fell instantly. "But Didi-"

"No 'buts,' Ishita," I said, looking up at her. "You need to focus. College trips won't get you anywhere."

"They will! Memories matter too!" she argued.

I sighed, "Ishita, I said no. You have exams coming up, and you need to focus. A college trip isn't a priority right now."

Her face twisted in disbelief. "But it's only for two weeks! I've already covered the syllabus twice."

"That's not the point," I replied, my voice firm. "You're in your final year. Your focus should be on securing top marks, not gallivanting off on some unnecessary trip."

"Unnecessary? Didi, this is my last year! When else am I supposed to make memories with my friends?"

I took a sip of my coffee, willing myself to stay calm. "Ishita, memories don't matter if you don't have the results to back them up. Be realistic."

"Be realistic?" she repeated, "You sound just like a typical marks-sick gaurdian. I thought you'd understand!"

"I do understand," I countered, "But understanding doesn't mean letting you make bad choices. You're too smart to waste time on distractions like this." I was dumb.

"Distractions? God, Didi, not everything is about studies!" Ishita's voice rose, her hands gestured wildly now.

I leaned forward slightly, "You think this is me being unreasonable? Fine. But when your grades slip or you miss out on opportunities, don't come crying to me."

Her chair scraped back loudly as she stood up, "You're impossible, Didi! You think you know everything!"

"I'm trying to look out for you," I said sharply, but she was already halfway to the stairs.

"Well, maybe stop trying so hard!" she shot back before storming upstairs.

I sighed deeply, rubbing my temples. Maa and Papa exchanged a glance before Maa spoke softly. "Beta, you were so harsh. We did let you go. Remember?"

I didn't reply immediately, my eyes fixed on the untouched plate in front of me. Had I been too harsh?

I sighed, leaning back in my chair.

"Beta, she's still young. Let her enjoy these moments. They won't come back."

"She's right," Papa chimed in, "You should let her have her time too."

My eyes flickered between the two of them. They weren't wrong. Taking a deep breath, I nodded slowly.

"All right," I said. "But I need to have a talk with her first."

My father's face softened into a smile. "That's my girl."

"I'll go tell her," I said, standing up and adjusting the coat.