𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Chapter 05

In the house, the tension was palpable as everyone returned home after the incident at school. Sanaya and Priya, noticing the injuries on the kids, hurriedly fetched the first aid kit. As the family gathered in the living room, emotions ran high.

Prem, struggling to control his anger, raised his hand to slap Abhi, but before he could strike, Adhya stepped in, and his hand landed on her cheek instead. The room fell into stunned silence as they processed what had just happened. Adhya bore the four-finger mark on her cheek, her face contorted with pain, but she refused to cry, determined to stay strong for her family.

Abhi was furious and shouted at Adhya "Angel, why the hell did you just step in!"

Prem, now more composed, tried to understand his daughter's actions. "Princess, tell me why you protected him, He deserved that slap!"

"Papa, it was not Maan's fault," Adhya replied, tears glistening in her eyes. Rohan, Sid, and Akkash, who had witnessed the entire incident, chimed in with support for their sister. "Exactly, Chachu! abhi was just looking out for her," Rohan explained

Prem took the first aid box from Priya and gently treated Adhya's wounded hand. He applied some cream to her cheek while speaking to her gently, "Princess, he should know that fighting is not the solution for everything. He should be able to handle the empire I built."

With a strong conviction, Adhya replied, "Papa, if anyone can handle your company, it's Maan."

Prem, his tone much gentler, asked, "How can you say that, Princess, after seeing everything today?"

Adhya responded firmly, "Papa, I'm not just saying it, I know it. And what happened today was not his fault. Please forget it, Papa."

Prem nodded, realizing the truth in her words. He said, "I'm sorry for the slap," and then left the room, heading back to his study.

Surya came over, patting Adhya's head gently, and asked, "Are you fine, Princess?"

Adhya replied with a reassuring smile, "Yes, Baba, I'm fine. Don't worry."

Sanaya, however, had a different approach. She questioned Adhya, "Couldn't you handle a small group of boys without making such a big fuss?" Sanaya's questioning and criticism hurt Adhya deeply, as she had never expected her mother to doubt her in this way.

Abhi and Rohan immediately came to her defense, shouting, "Maa!"

Sanaya was startled by their reaction but remained quiet. Abhi lifted Adhya, intending to take her to her room, but she insisted, "Abhi, Put me down now,"

He hesitated but eventually put her down, allowing her to take the first aid kit. She tended to everyone's wounds, including Rohan, Sid, and Abhi, without uttering a single word. She was holding back her tears as she went to her room and closed the door, finally she busted into tears recalling everything that happened today.

As Adhya recalled everything that had happened, she was most deeply hurt by her mother's words. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed quietly in her room. Soon, she heard a gentle knock on her door, and she knew who it was. She couldn't bring herself to open the door, so Abhi sat down on the other side and spoke softly through it.

"I know, Angel, you're hurt," Abhi began, his voice filled with remorse. "And by not talking to me, you're hurting even more. I'm sorry for yesterday. I was just worried about you, and I didn't mean it that way. As for today's incident, I promise I'll never let anything like that happen to you again."

He continued, "But now, please, let me in. I know you won't forgive me, and I'm okay with that. I promise I won't talk; I'll just sit beside you to make sure you're fine. Please, Angel."