𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕕 ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕖 𝕆𝕗 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖

19

AYUSHI'S P.O.V

"Here, Ayushi, drink this," Mom said, handing me a glass of water. But I knew it wasn't just water. It was a warm mixture of lemon and salt, and I absolutely hated it. It made me feel nauseous.

"Mumma, I don't want it," I pleaded, giving her my best puppy eyes.

She shook her head and insisted, pushing the glass towards me.

"Your dad wants me to ask you when was the last time you used the washroom and when did your tummy ache start," Mom said softly as she made me take a sip.

I turned my face away, unable to bear the horrible taste.

"Tell your husband not to bother me. I don't want to answer these kinds of questions," I said, irritated. Mom smacked my head, making me pout. I looked at her and pressed my face against her tummy.

"I'm upset with your husband. And you know I messed up my viva. Why can't I stop getting nervous? And where is Aryan?" I blurted out all at once.

She rubbed my back gently and spoke in a soothing voice, "Your dad did what he thought was best. It's okay, we're parents... and we're supposed to scold you when you do something wrong. We can't encourage you to do bad things, right? So stop being angry with him. And about your viva... I think you just have to give it your best."

"You're so sweet, Mumma," I said

"Your dad is sweet too, beta ji. Now drink this water quickly. Why didn't you tell us about your tummy ache?" she asked, pressing the glass to my lips again.

I took a few sips, and as expected, I rushed to the bathroom and vomited everything. I could never drink that stuff. It was absolutely horrible. If it wasn't warm, maybe I wouldn't have had such a problem, but the warmth made it even worse.

"Oh god," Mom exclaimed, holding my hair back.

"That's why I wasn't drinking it," I mumbled. Mom rubbed my back, but it didn't feel like her touch.

I turned around only to find Aryan. His head had a big bump. Don't tell me he got into another fight with his friends.

"Aryan, did you fight?" I asked, and Mom looked at him with wide eyes.

"Aryan, I won't save you if you're fighting. You'll have to face the consequences on your own if you choose to act that way. Don't come crying to me later, have the courage to deal with the aftermath if you have the courage to fight," scolded mom. Aryan quickly shook his head.

"I didn't fight. I have homework. Take care of didi," he replied before leaving the bathroom quickly.

"Tell me the truth. Is he getting into fights? I know how quickly he can lose his temper and get into trouble," mom asked, clearly worried. For a moment, I considered telling her everything, but I decided against it to keep Aryan out of trouble.

"He's fine, mom," I whispered before leaving the bathroom.

"I feel so strange,"

"Your dad is coming to check you. He was taking a bath. He'll be here soon," mom informed me.

"Mom, Rihaan already checked me," I replied.

"Ayushi, I'm not going to argue with Ayaan," she said, causing me to roll my eyes. I had already been checked, and I didn't want another examination.

We continued talking for a while until dad entered the room.

"Our son has a mark near his neck, and his shirt button is missing. If he's getting into fights outside, let him know that no one will be angrier than me," dad muttered as he approached me. I didn't budge, even when mom tried to push me to get up.

"Rihaan already checked me," I repeated.

"And I'm not going to check you. Did she drink the water that you gave her?" dad asked, turning to mom.

"She vomited it," mom replied.

"Ayushi, answer my question. When was the last time..."

"NOOOOOOO!" I shouted, causing dad to sit beside me, unfazed by my outburst.

"Aashi, did she tell you?" dad asked, looking at mom. She shook her head and began to stroke my hair.

"Why don't you want to tell your dad, baby?" mom asked as I snuggled closer to her, shaking my head. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, where I began to rub it.

"Ayushi," dad said lovingly, taking my hand and pulling me away from mom's embrace and closer to his side.

"When did our little baby start hiding things from us, Aashi?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm angry with you, leave me," I replied, not budging an inch but shifting my head onto his lap and lying down on the bed.

"I'm going to check on Aryan. You two can come downstairs once you're done," Mom said before leaving us. Dad continued to caress my hair.

"You did well today. But you seemed nervous, which is why the examiner tried to make you even more nervous. You gave the right answers, but you lacked confidence," he reassured me.

I remained silent, choosing not to engage in conversation. I just wanted to listen.

"I think Aryan is getting into fights. And if you know about it, don't hide it. He might end up hurting himself if he keeps fighting. Fighting isn't the only solution,"

"I wouldn't say you did wrong by telling Rihaan about your stomach ache. But as a parent, I want to know. Now, answer my question," he said, and I pouted, looking up at him. He stopped caressing my hair and smiled.

"Since I got drunk. No more discussions about it. If you all don't stop, I'll go to Chacha Chachi's house," I declared, sitting up.

"You don't need an excuse to visit them. You're free to go anytime," he replied, pulling me out of bed.

"We're all going for a walk. Don't worry, we'll take Aryan too. You won't be alone. And remember, it's important to do your daily exercise and yoga if you want to regulate your period," he said.

"Dad, you said you wouldn't get into the role of doctor. No father would say this to his daughter. I'm not sitting with you, MUMMAA," I protested, covering my ears with my hands to avoid Dad's lecture.

I hugged Mom from the side and glared at Dad, who followed me.

"Dad is asking me bullshit questions," I complained, and she lightly tapped my butt.

"Don't use that kind of language, beta ji," she scolded.

Later that night, after dinner, we went to the park, Mom and Dad were walking and talking in the garden. Aryan and I were playing on the swing having fun. I don't want to walk. I will only walk with Rihaan.