BE MY FRIEND, HOLD ME
WRAP ME UP, UNFOLD ME

Priya’s lips trembled in a nervous smile as Aadhira’s assurance she had caused them no trouble. His sister looked less than convinced, but it pleased her to find Aadhira still so welcoming, and the newfound confidence he seemed to have assumed was quite intriguing.

The smile dropped from her lips quickly, however, as Aarushi turned her sharp tongue to Priya again. She looked up at the other mare, eyes wide and tongue-tied as she listened. It seemed to her that Aarushi’s anger was aimed more at her brother than Priya herself, but it was still frightening to behold and made Priya feel little better.

She couldn’t find any words to respond, but it didn’t matter, as Aadhira leapt to her defence before the silence spread. It warmed her heart to hear him call her a friend, and the mention of him coming to live here set a spark alight in her stomach. The idea was distracting enough to comfort Priya as the pair squabbled for a few moments, before Aarushi stomped off angrily.

“It’s alright,” Priya replied, her voice breathy as she seemed to find her tongue now that they were alone. She smiled again. “I’m just so happy to see you again, Aadhira. I missed you.”

She watched him for a moment, but soon the present was not enough to distract her mind and the smile on her lips faltered. Should she tell him about what had happened? She had thought about it quite a few times now, what she would say if she ever saw him again. She had yet to find the answer.

“I wondered if I would ever see you again after… I… I fell pregnant.”

priya
marwari . blue roan . 13.2hh