𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕕 ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕖 𝕆𝕗 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖

36

AYUSHI'S P.O.V

Dad immediately inquired, "Who caused these injuries?" Not even acknowledging how close Rihaan and I were sitting.

"I'm not sure," Rihaan murmured. Unexpectedly, dad gently held his cheeks and asked in a very caring tone, "Please tell me." I moved away from Rihaan and looked at his face. He wasn't looking at us.

"Sir..." Rihaan interjected.

What's happening? Who hurt him like this? And why is dad questioning him?

"The police came to our house. I don't believe him. I don't believe the video from the roadside. Tell me, was it Aryan?"

I looked at dad with wide eyes. Has he lost his mind? Aryan couldn't have caused such harm to a grown man... Rihaan is literally limping for God's sake. And why would Aryan do it? He's a sweet kid. He's not like this. Apart from his anger, he has nothing bad.

"Tell me," dad insisted.

"It's okay, sir. He doesn't understand what's wrong and what's right. Kids at this age are impulsive. It's okay, and I'm not hurt that much."

Wait, Aryan actually hit him like this? It's impossible.

"Rihaan, how could he do this to you?" I asked as he scratched his neck, looking away.

"He did it with ten other boys. They first threw a blanket over him, then beat him with a bat, right?" Dad said with an emotionless expression.

"I was going to tell you everything after a few days because what he did wasn't right. And it could get him into serious trouble," Rihaan said calmly. Dad started examining his injury. First, his hand went to his head.

"Lie down," dad said, still not showing any kind of expression on his face, and I'm actually scared of this side of him.

"Sir, I'm fine."

"No one is asking you. Who treated you? Where is the doctor? Call him," dad said, looking at me, but Rihaan held my hand tightly.

"Just my head and legs..."

"I saw them kicking your stomach," dad said and lifted up his shirt. There were so many marks on his belly. I reached out to touch him, but dad held my hand and turned to me.

"He's alright," dad said in a soft tone. I nodded my head, "Stay with him and make sure you both eat your meal," Dad said before leaving us alone. I turned to Rihaan and surveyed our surroundings once again.

"Aryan did this to you?"

"Ayushi, he's just a kid. He probably got angry seeing you get scolded because of me," Rihaan replied.

"Rihaan," I said firmly, taking his hand. "This can't be justified. You're seriously injured. You have stitches on your head, they kicked your stomach, and injured your legs. This is serious. How could Aryan do something like that? He's only sixteen, how can he beat someone like this?"

Now I'm worried about Aryan too. His anger is on another level. He could hurt others like this. It's not funny anymore. I used to make fun of him because he couldn't control his anger, but it's concerning.

"What did your dad do when he got into a street fight? Remember you told me about it," Rihaan asked. If I think about it clearly, I don't remember him getting into trouble because of it. Mom dad just talked to him, that's it.

"Nothing. He's a baby, Rihaan."

"He's not a baby. You all may treat him like he is, but in reality, he isn't. If it was someone else whom he had beaten like this, he would have been in a very difficult situation," Rihaan said in a serious tone.

I nodded, understanding what he actually meant.

"I'm sorry he did this to you," I said, pecking his knuckles.

He smiled and lay down again.

"Being protective is one thing, but being angry and beating the life out of someone is another thing," Rihaan said softly. I nodded, blinking away my tears. Aryan, what did you do?

"You're worried about him?" He asked softly, caressing my cheeks. I nodded without lifting my eyes to meet his.

"They are his parents only, Ayushi. Do you think they will take action against what is truly unacceptable? I am aware that some parents practice strict parenting, even my own mom and dad do. It's fortunate that only your dad is strict. Have you seen my mom and dad? Stop worrying about him. I also desire to experience what it's like to have our own child," Rihaan remarked, causing my cheeks to blush pink. Did Aryan hit his head too hard? He is behaving strangely.

"Are your cheeks red now, Ayushi?" he inquired as I shook my head. He lifted my chin.

"You look like a tomato. I believe you will be just like your mom," he stated, causing me to raise my eyebrows in confusion.

"Isn't your mother like your best friend? You will be the same way with our children," he said with a chuckle.

"I will be. My mom has saved me from getting into trouble with dad so many times. She would even glare at dad if he lightly slapped me. I will be like her," I proudly declared. He chuckled and pulled me closer to him.

"I'm feeling sleepy. I want to see your face when I wake up."