FLAMES: Of Revenge And Love

19. THE PAST

Author's POV

As they both settled on the bed, aradhya started, " My parents never liked me, but what did a child know about liking someone, grandma used to say that they just don't know how to show it. She raised me till I was four. "
" Then? "
" She died. " Her voice was calm as if it wasn't a big deal but the turmoil in her was too obvious to abhimanyu, he hugged her close to him, " Everything love. From the start. "

**********

"Aru come here. " Subhadra Sinha called her three year old granddaughter, who came running towards her. Aradhya's feet were steady, and she was before her grandma soon enough. Aradhya was a fair and chubby child, the fat on her face made her glow even more. Her amber eyes shone whenever she looked at her dadi. Long eyelashes, pink lips, she was adorable to say the least.

" Did you eat? " Subhadra asked her to which aru shook her head.
" Why? "
" Eat with dadi. " Aradhya was eloquent enough to tell her feelings but not enough to form long sentences.

" Aw, my baby, come let's eat something. What will my aru like, custard? " Subhadra picked her up and took her to the kitchen. She filled her plate and poured custard for aradhya in a bowl before they ate.

.

" I don't want her here. " Vartika could be heard outside even with the door closed, " She's our daughter." Ashutosh said to her but he wasn't convincing enough. "

" I don't want her. She was forced on me, all because you wanted that. "
Vartika shouted and some shuffling was heard before their voices got muted.

Aradhya was standing in front of her parents room with a doll in her hand. It was the only present her mother had given her, and she always kept it with her. Her head lowered at her parents voice and tears started running down her face, she wanted to go to her dadi but didn't want to bother her. So she went to her room, and cried before sleeping eventually.

.

" Happy birthday didi. " Aradhya said to ahaana who was dressed in a pink barbie doll dress for her tenth birthday.
" I'm not your didi. You're not my sister, don't you get it. " She shouted at her, and aradhya bit her lip from stopping the sobs.
" Ahaana, this is not the way to talk to your sister. She just wished you. " Subhadra said to ahaana and she just scoffed, " All you can do is scold me, but here's what, I don't care. She's not my sister, nor will she ever be. "

" Did I make didi angry? " Aradhya asked her grandma. And subhadra knelt to reach her before picking her up.
" No my angel, you can never make someone angry. "

" Am I bad? "

" No, who told you that? " She couldn't think of anyone who'll say this to a child.
" Archit bhaiya, he said I am bad, that is why no one likes me. " Aradhya had gone to play with her brother when he said that to her before asking her to leave his room.

" He's lying, you're the most wonderful baby and you'll be the most wonderful person in the future too. And I like you right? " Aradhya's face lit up in a smile as she nodded, " Yes. "
" Then? "
" I'm not bad. "
" Yes. You're not. "

.

" Don't cry my angel. " Subhadra whispered with much effort to placate the four year old sitting on her hospital bed.
" Dadi sick. " Aradhya whimpered back.