Sanya was halfway through her paratha at the park bench when her phone vibrated—another family group text.
> "All come home by noon, astrologer Panditji is coming for Sanya's horoscope. Very important. No excuses. – Mummyji"
Rekha peered over her shoulder. "Are they going to exorcise your independence?"
Sanya grinned, "Give them time. Let's see if Panditji can spot 'badass' in my stars."
She finished her paratha, tossed on her cheap sunglasses, and strolled home with her friends for backup.
**At Mishra House**
The living room was transformed: marigold petals sprinkled around, incense thick in the air, Mummyji whispering with Panditji, a serious-faced man with giant glasses and a mountain of dusty charts.
Panditji began incantations, flicking through charts with theatrical flair.
"Hmm. Jupiter is… troubled. Ketu is aggressive. This girl must wear a yellow sapphire and never eat sour things on Thursdays."
Sanya piped up, "If I promise not to elope on Thursdays, will that help too?"
The younger cousins covered their snickers. The aunts frowned.
Panditji peered over his chart. "You're… unusual, beti. Very… unexpected lines in your fate."
Sanya gave him a dazzling, unbothered smile. "You have no idea, Panditji."
Behind her back, the system pinged:
**[Daily Sign-In Reward: Autograph book (used, some random old signatures inside); Skill: Beginner Balloon Animal Crafting; Bottle of Campa Cola.]**
She shook her head, smothering a giggle. *Balloon animals, my destiny. Panditji missed that one.*
Suddenly, outside, a neighborhood uproar! Someone's scooter was stolen—second time this month. The family all rushed to the gate, but Sanya held back, flipping through her new autograph book as if she belonged in another universe entirely.
Rekha messaged:
> "Chaos follows you like a loyal puppy."
She replied:
> "And I've got Campa Cola and balloon animals to tame it."
Inside and out, the machinery of melodrama kept churning, but Sanya just glided through, sparkling and untouchable, stacking tiny victories, one absurd reward at a time.
**End of Chapter 7**