rent paid. plastic stays.

The smallest mermaid held my dupatta for twenty minutes during the magic trick and I performed around her fist like she'd paid extra for the privilege. Eyes went wet for a reason I am not going to name here.

Ranked the room: 7. Dads on phones. The aunt who filmed everything except the magic. The mom was decent. Hated the mom. Liked the mom. Same breath. She pressed a fat envelope into my hand like I'd earned it by being charming. I am charming on purpose. That is the whole job. It shouldn't count as work but it does.

~~She was someone's whole world and I was the prop in it.~~

The door alarm. Bought it three weeks ago after the lock made the sound. Has been at the bottom of every party bag since. I move it to the next bag. I do not open the plastic. If I open the plastic I have to admit I need it. If I need it I am the kind of girl who needs it.

Karan tag is gone. I did that today. Felt nothing. Felt everything. Felt nothing again. He didn't notice. I noticed for both of us, which is the whole problem with Karan. With all of them. With me.

College friend posted the engagement. Third this quarter. My thumb is a liar. It slowed down. I read the caption. I closed the app. I opened it again.

Mum called. I let it ring. Rang back in four minutes. Couldn't explain the mermaid girl. Said I was busy, had an event. She asked if I'd eaten. I said yes. I didn't. Two samosas from catering leftovers in the auto.

July closes. Rent paid. The plastic stays on the alarm. Tomorrow I'll move it to the next bag.