"Do you want proof of my love, babybird?" he whispered.
"Do you want to know what I see when I can't sleep?"
The screen turned black.A video started playing.
I gasped.I wanted to scream. But no sound came.
It was us.
That night.Our first time.
Tear...
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Mishti sat curled up on the fancy couch like some broken doll, hugging the worn-out elephant plushie Abid had given her last week. Tears soaked its soft fur.
She sniffled. "I hate it here," she mumbled under her breath. "I'm going insane..."
Tiny footsteps came pattering into the room. Abid stood in front of her, frowning with his hands on his hips like a serious little grown-up.
"Micchu," he said sternly, "you crying again?"
She quickly wiped her face. "No,my eyes are sweating."
"Don't lie," he said, climbing up beside her. "You were doing the hiccup-cry thing."
She gave a weak laugh. "Was I?"
He nodded, then ran off.
Before she could process, he returned with his entire toy basket, dragging it across the floor with effort.
"Here," he said breathlessly, "take all of them. Even my Hulk. You can have it. Just don't cry, Micchu."
Her chest twisted so tight it hurt. "Abid... why would you-"
"'Cause you're my Micchu! And mama says boys don't let their girls cry. So I'm not letting you cry."
She blinked rapidly. Her throat burned with guilt. She had used this boy. Spoke nonsense about him just to escape his uncle. She didn't deserve his soft heart.
"Abid," she whispered, reaching for him. "Come here."
He didn't even hesitate, crashing into her arms.
She pulled him into her lap, hugging him like he was her last breath. Then she smothered him with kisses-on his cheeks, forehead, neck, even his tiny fists.
"Micchuuu!" he squealed, laughing. "Too many kisses! I can't breathe!"
"Too bad," she mumbled, kissing him again and again. "You're too cute. You're in trouble now."
He giggled, squirming. "Micchu loves meee."
She kissed his nose. "Micchu loves you way too much, angel."
He beamed, snuggling in like a baby cub.
"Aww, my cuties," Aaliyah said, stepping into the room and instantly joining the cuddle pile. "Beta, you gave all your toys to Micchu?"
"She was sad!" he announced proudly. "So I gave her everything, even Hulk."
"My sweet boy," Mishti smiled softly, eyes misty again.
"Anyway," bhabijaan looked at her, "guess what? There's a special event coming up at the charity-our women's wing. For pregnant women. All pampering and gifts. You should totally come."
"Really?" she lit up. "I'd love that! I used to do this kind of work... orphanage visits, prenatal clinics-Bhabhi, I want to go."
