The alarm buzzed relentlessly, piercing through the silence of my dream. In my dream, Andrew Garfield was leaning in—yes, the Andrew Garfield—his lips just inches from mine. My fingers twitched as I imagined grabbing his face and pulling him closer. And then—BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! Reality rudely yanked me back.

“Five more minutes,” I groaned, smacking the alarm with just enough force to shut it up. Curling back under the warm blanket, I muttered, “Sorry, Andrew. We’ll pick up where we left off.”

But, of course, peace was short-lived. The door swung open with a dramatic flair, and in stormed my mother, armed with her usual morning energy that could power a small country.

“Rushika!” she exclaimed, yanking the blanket off me like it was some sort of hostage situation. “You’re going to be late again! Do you think your future in-laws will tolerate this laziness?”

“In-laws?” I mumbled, blinking at her. “What in-laws?”

“Positive thinking, beta! Positive thinking!” she said with a grin so wide it could outshine the morning sun. “I’m manifesting good allies for you. This is the year you’ll get married!”

“Manifest them quieter, Maa. Some of us are still sleeping,” I replied, stuffing a pillow over my face.

“No sleeping!” she declared, swatting my arm. “Now get up and go to work! If you can’t manage your mornings, how will you manage a household?”

“Why are you so energetic in the morning, Maa? It’s not normal.”

“Because I drink chai, not excuses!” she quipped, yanking me off the bed.

Groaning, I shuffled into the bathroom, muttering under my breath about how even dreamland wasn’t safe from my mother’s matchmaking agenda. As I brushed my teeth, I thought about how delusional my family was to think matchmaking still worked. This isn’t the 1800s; everyone’s dating someone—or lying about it on Instagram.

Once I was dressed and somewhat presentable, I headed to the dining area. My younger brother, Aarav, was perched at the table, detailing his school schedule to our father, who was buried in his newspaper.

“...And then we have a free period, so I’ll sit near the window,” Aarav was saying dramatically.

“Who plans their day around a window?” I asked, ruffling his hair as I passed by.

“Don’t touch my hair!” Aarav shrieked, batting my hand away. “The school girls love it!”

“School girls? What are you aiming for? Future stand-up comedian?” I teased, grinning.

“Don’t mock my charm,” Aarav shot back, glaring at me.

“Rushika, aren’t you late?” my father asked without looking up from his newspaper. He always had a knack for timely interruptions.

Before I could reply, a loud HONK-HONK came from outside. That would be Somi, my best friend and perpetual scooty chauffeur.

“Gotta go!” I announced, shoving the last piece of toast into my mouth. “Bye, Papa! Bye, Maa and Bye you window boy!” I darted toward the door.

“Don’t call me that!” Aarav yelled after me, but I was already out the door.

Somi was waiting downstairs, sitting on her battered scooty and looking as impatient as ever.

“Do you enjoy making me wait, Rushika?” she scolded the moment she saw me.

“Sorry, sorry!” I said, hopping onto the back. “Blame my mom. She’s on another ‘manifest the perfect in-laws’ trip.”

“Ugh, auntie and her matchmaking missions,” Somi groaned, revving the engine. “One day, I’m going to sign you up for a dating app just to mess with her plans.”

“Do it, and I’ll set you up with Aarav,” I shot back.

She gasped. “That’s a low blow, even for you.”

We both laughed as we sped off toward the office, the morning chaos behind us—at least for now. Little did I know, my day was about to get a lot more chaotic.