Odds & Us ✔️

Chapter 36: Apprehensions

#1,107

Does anyone ever remember the day when they used their 1st expletive or a curse or a cuss word? Well, I don't exactly have a good memory either but there's one day I can point out. 

" Bloody Hell!" I heard it first from Papa's mouth. I must've been hardly 8. 

" What does that mean?" A curious kid I was. He was startled. I've no recollection of what led to that reaction. 

" Sweetie, Hi. Oh, it's nothing. " He shrugged. 

" Is it? Bloody Hell?" I could see his eyes straining. 

" No, no. You can't use it."

" Why?"

" Only adults can. It's just something you say when you're frustrated or plainly agitated. But, you sweet girl can't use it. Not until you're old enough and don't even mention this to your Mumma." 

" C'mon, say yes." He pleaded.

" Okay! I'm just building my vocabulary." I replied.

"That definitely does not need to be on that list. " I hopped away. 

It must've been two or three days later when all the five of us were having our lunch in our garden as it was quite a beautiful day and as always I was being vexed by my brothers.

" Bloody Hell, Ayan." And it flew out of my mouth. Mumma and Papa both looked my way and then at each other. I was cornered. But, I knew someone who was sweating more than I was. 

" Aavya, honey. Where did you hear this?"

" Papa..." It was so simple. 

" Oh, God! I refrained you, did I not?" He protested as Mumma narrowed her eyes. 

" Yes, but my vocabulary needed a word to express the feeling when I get frustrated or agitated." Papa faced palm himself as Mumma kept her glare on by she was smiling. Definitely on my cuteness. 

" Honey, don't use it, please. I'll find you something else. Okay?" I nodded.

" And Ansh, I do think I'll have to find something else for you too. You're breaking too many rules." I heard her say and it was indeed followed by a chuckle. 

" That sweetie, your Papa's face right now shows Apprehension. That is when you're in an absolute state of dread or fear. You can add that to your list." 

Even now I get all nostalgic when I hear someone say that. I've come a long with my vocab list consisting of cusses but what I do remember more vibrantly was my parents' chemistry. No word to replace that I'm afraid. 

~ Aavya, on the day she'd heard someone shout 'Bloody Hell'.

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" Did you know?" That is all Ansh could ask.   

" What?" Ahana asked, disbelieved.

He spun to face her, his look stern and serious. 

" Did you know?" He repeated.

" Ansh, I heard you the first time..."

" Then answer me!" He was loud.

" Don't yell at me. And No, of course, I didn't know. How could I know?" It was upsetting to see Ansh not trusting her but then she had made her fair share of mistakes.

" I had to ask. " He whispered softly.

" I'm sorry." He added.

" What are you gonna do? " Ahana didn't have a course of action for the first time and it was worrying to see her exhausted.