Queen of the Beast (CEO's Possession)

13| Damsel in Distress

Aadvika's POV

"My mother needs treatment, and I need money for it," I finally confessed in a quiet voice.

"What?" he exclaimed, clearly taken aback "But she seems fine the day I visit at your home"

"Yeah! She always smiles because of which no one could see her pain. She can't bear to see us in tension," I told him.

"But what exactly has happened to her?"

I gulped, finding it hard to even state her disease.

"She is at the second stage of lung cancer."

A long silence followed my words. My vision was slightly blurry because of the small tears in my eyes, but I could clearly see the surprise on his face.

"In the evening, I got a call from Garvit. He told me that he saw Mother in pain while working in the kitchen," I drew a deep breath and licked my lips. "I need money for her surgery before her condition gets worse."

He took his time, trying to understand the situation before he could respond.

"What about your father?" His concern was genuine.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the mention of our father.

"He visits us twice a year, and sometimes once," I smiled sadly, "which is only enough to sustain basic necessities. It is all because of my mother that I can study, and now, along with my mother's treatment, I also want my brother to have a higher education."

"If you don't mind can I ask you a personal question?"

I nodded. I have already told him a lot so there isn't any harm if I tell him a bit more.

"Where is your father? Are your parents divorced?" he asked cautiously.

"No, they haven't," I shook my head. "But it would have been better if they had divorced. Many years ago, he left the house, and since then, he's been sending us money monthly just to fulfill his formalities. I once saw him with another woman and a boy. That was the worst day of my life, and it explained why our father rarely visited us. But my mother never believed what I told her. She is still loyal to him and waits for his return. I have had my father since that day, but I started loathing him even more when he straightforwardly said no to helping with my mother's treatment, stating that he doesn't care if she lives or dies. Garvit hates him as much as I do, and that's why he has stopped visiting us, and I have stopped taking his help."

I poured out everything in one go. It was the first time I shared my deeply personal problems with someone. It felt like he wouldn't judge me. The words had been trapped inside me for so long, and I just needed to let them out.

I couldn't discuss this with my mother because of her health, and I didn't want to burden Garvit, so these thoughts haunted me at night.

"Earlier, my mother's main aim was to educate me with the money she used to receive every month, and she didn't think her health insurance was that important. I managed to get her health insurance from my scholarship funds two years ago, but the insurance company denied covering her expenses, stating that her illness predated the insurance coverage."

Shravan drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Umm... I don't know how to put this, but if you want, I can help you," he proposed.

"No!" I shook my head vigorously. "Thank you so much for your consideration, but genuinely, I don't need any help. They are all my problems, and I want to fight them on my own," I forced a smile.

"So you are a damsel in distress, but you don't want a prince to help," he remarked. "I appreciate that you want to handle the problems in your life alone. But somewhere, you need someone to support you, not financially, but at least emotionally."

I stayed silent, contemplating his words.

"If you need my help anytime, don't hesitate in calling me"

I nodded.

The rest of the journey went silent. I thanked him before stepping out of the car. He waited for me to step inside the house before leaving.

As I entered I found Garvit sitting on the dining table and he smiled looking at me. I placed the bed on the chair before asking about Mother.

"She is sleeping," he told me.

"What about her medicines?"

"She took them. It was really hard for me to give her medicines and put her to sleep without you" his eyes were shining under the dim light.

"You earned a chocolate" I ruffled his hair.

"I don't need chocolate. I just can't see our mother in pain anymore," he said, his voice quivering. I could see he was fighting not to let his tears spill down his cheeks. My own tears were burning my eyes, but I couldn't cry in front of him. I needed to stay strong for both of us.

I couldn't help but pull his head to my stomach and caress the back of his head. He hugged me back, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"When we are together, nothing will happen to our mother" I pulled his head back and looked down into his eyes "You had your dinner?"

"No!" He shook his head slightly "I was waiting for you"

"I never thought that my brother who always searches for ways to irritate me will wait for dinner" I giggled.

"Don't get your hopes high. I still hate you"

"Aww, the feeling is mutual, my dear brother"

We laughed and his stomach grumbled.

"Let's have dinner"

He nodded.

Washing my hands, I sat to have dinner first. He has already waited a lot for me and I can't let him wait anymore by changing the clothes first.

After having dinner, Garvit retired to his room. I went to Mumma's room to check on her once more before going back to my room. Thankfully, she was sleeping soundly.

Bone tired, I lay on my bed after changing my clothes, and it didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

After about two hours, which felt like just a minute, my eyes shot open. I realized I was dreaming about Shravan. I was crying hysterically on his shoulder while he was consoling me like no one else ever did.

I shook my head, trying to stop myself from thinking that way. I reminded myself that I would never cry in front of him or anyone else. I believed I could fight my battles alone.

As I twisted in my place, about to close my eyes again, I heard a loud, painful scream from my mother. It made my eyes shoot open, and at the same time, the clouds thundered as if indicating that something bad was going to happen...

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