Chapter 1

It was a gloomy day with sun playing hide seek behind large dark clouds. It may rain anytime soon so let me take an umbrella with me thought Maya. She is trained to be prepared for the worst at all times. Maya is an eighth grader and quite a geek for her age, given the background of her parents, who are scientists in world renowned research center. With a very quiet and shy demeanor, Maya didn’t attract many friends for herself at school, except for her best friend Nora.

  Maya is a pro when it comes to handling tough situations in life. Being an elder sister for the most mischievous twins, she is very intuitive and precautionary. If she weren’t, they would have burned the house down to ashes in fraction of second. She is their unofficial babysitter since their time of birth. Ajith and Ajay are going to turn 2 tomorrow . Maya was both anxious and curious to know what a “terrible two” could do to these boys who are already naughtiness incarnated in human form.

As she got settled in the rear seat of her mom’s car, ready to be dropped for school. She heard a bang and a scream to see wailing Ajay trying to smash Ajith on the floor. She is used to this strangling fight for her brothers so she didn’t even try to get down the car and calm them. She heard her mom’s stern voice bellowing from the garage “AVINASH!!!! How many times have I told you to not send them out before I start the car” Mrs. Sadhana Swaminathan was a middle-aged woman with dark black hair and grey streaks peeking here and there. Her jaws were clenched at all times this gave her a rather authoritarian bossy look. She pulled the boys apart and placed them in different seats and fastened their belts. Her dad came hurrying down with two boxes in hand and saying “Sorry Sadha, I was packing stuffs to lab didn’t notice them sneaking out.” Mr. Avinash Swaminathan was a cheery looking man with a big belly.

Once they all got settled in car in their respective seats, Sadhana started to drive. This is the routine for Swaminathan family. Every week day irrespective of the chaos created by the twins they start at 8:15 am from their house to the first stop at kids daycare center to drop the twins. Then to Maya’s school and lastly to their labs at 9 am.

When Maya reached her homeroom, “Hi there girlie!! How was your weekend?”. Nora’s hearty voice and delightful smile greeted her warmly. Maya mumbled “meh” and slumped on her desk. “What’s with your glum mood Maya? You ok? “

“Ya, its just that I am in sync with the weather. Dull and gloom”

“Ok there is a news to you. Did you look up the notice board when you came? Sure you didn’t because it’s a mood altering news for u babe” Nora’s eyes had a glint of happiness in them.

“What?”

“There is this contest for budding fiction writer, the one that you have been expecting for months. They are going to recognize winner by featuring them in their webpage and magazine. Maya! this is your great opportunity to prove yourself and could also be a good self confidence boost. I am so excited for u babe” she was almost excitedly squeaky and jumping up and down in joy as though Maya had already been declared a winner.