Heartbeats And Halos

Chapter 8

• P a l a k •

"Mumma!" I screamed as I entered the house. By this time saying I was exhausted would be an understatement because I was feeling almost dead, like there was no life in me. Literally, there was no energy in me. At that moment all I wanted was to go to my room cuddle with my pillow and sleep.

"What?" Mumma asked coming towards me.

"I got the clothes for them," I said before crashing on the couch in the living room. Atharv went to pick up a friend of his from the airport.

"Good," Mumma said but then looked at me with concerned eyes. "Beta are you feeling well?" She asked caressing my forehead.

"I'm fine," I assured her with a faint smile on my face but she didn't buy it.

"You don't look so fine." She replied with furrowed eyebrows. "I told you not to keep the fast, even if you did why did you keep it without water? Why do you burn yourself out so much?"

"I'm just a bit weak that's all. I'll be fine after resting for some time." I told her. I didn't want her to worry about me. She has kept the fast without water but she didn't look weak at all. My mum was really strong.

"You have such low stamina and have you seen your hemoglobin? It's nine, Palak! You shouldn't have kept this fast." She scolded me and I pouted. Honestly, I felt like I would pass out right at that moment.

"Salini!" Someone called Mumma before she could scold me anymore.

"Palak beta please drink the water and eat something. Your health is the top most priority." She ignored the calling for the time being and told me helplessly. Maybe because she knew I wouldn't listen.

"I have always kept this fast. I cannot not do it this year." I replied politely but stubbornly.

"Salini please hurry up!" Somebody called out again.

"Palak please beta." She practically begged and I couldn't turn her down anymore. I did not like seeing vulnerability in her eyes. I did not like to be the reason for her weakness. She had a lot on her mind and I didn't want to worry her anymore.

"Okay, I'll drink some water. Don't worry you go." I assured her and she left reluctantly. I laid down on the couch for a good thirty minutes and then got up. I felt a little bit felt dizzy so decided to fetch myself a glass of water but I wouldn't break my fast.

I went inside the kitchen and got a glass full of water I was about to drink it when someone tugged my saree and I looked down to see...Abhinav.

"Abhinav," I said, my voice came out merely as a whisper.

"Aunty!" He chirped happily. He seemed to be in a good mood now than the last time we met.

"What are you doing here? Lost again?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Water! Water!" He squealed looking at the glass of water in my hand.

"Are you thirsty? You want water?" I asked and he nodded eagerly. I kneeled in front of him.

"There you go," I said as I helped him drink. He drank no more than two sips and smiled, which indicated he was done. Kids were always like that.