His Bride

Chapter 7

Arushi's Pov

My hands trembled as I gripped my  phone, rereading the missed call notification from Aadhya's school. I  had barely processed the words, "Please arrive as soon as possible," before I  was on my feet, gathering my things in a daze.

Questions raced through her mind as she hurried down the corridor. What could have happened? Aadhya was only in primary school. Has she gotten hurt? Was she sick? Or...was it something worse? The thought made her shiver. Aadhya was a lively child, full of boundless curiosity and mischief, but she'd never been in serious trouble before. What if...? She swallowed, forcing herself not to jump to conclusions, but the fear was already tightening her chest.

The drive to the school felt like an eternity. Every red light, every slow turn, stretched my  patience thin. I  clutched the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. Memories of Aadhya's bright smile, her laughter, the way she looked up to me with so much admiration, all flashed before me, making my heart ache with worry.

My  heart sank as I took in the scene before me —Aadhya, sitting with her head down, her fingers fidgeting in her lap, and the principal's solemn expression. I felt a pang of worry seeing my daughter look so small and vulnerable in the chair, flanked by her class teacher and the couple who appeared to be the other student's parents. The child, a boy with a few smudges on his cheek, looked equally uncomfortable, glancing between his parents and Aadhya.

I quickly knelt down beside her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Aadhi, what happened? Are you okay?" My voice was soft, filled with concern.

Aadhya, still staring at the floor, shook her head, signaling that things were definitely not okay. I  could feel my own anxiety rising, but I forced myself to stay calm, to be the steady presence my daughter needed.

"Ms. Mehara," the principal's voice cut through the tension, drawing my attention.

I rose and turned to face him, straightening my posture. "What happened, Sir?" I asked, doing my best to keep my tone steady and respectful, though inside I was brimming with questions.

The principal gave me a grave nod. "Aradhya got into a fight with a classmate," he explained, gesturing toward the boy and his parents. "This is the student's family."

I blinked, processing his words. "Fight?" I couldn't hide my surprise, my gaze flicking between Aadhya and the boy.

"Yes, Ms. Mehara," he confirmed. "There was an altercation during recess."

The word altercation sounded so heavy, so unlike anything I ever imagined involving Aadhya. I looked back at her, who was still staring at her lap, a hint of defiance and remorse mingling on her face. I  felt a mix of emotions—relief that Aadhya wasn't physically hurt, but also confusion and concern. Her little one, involved in a fight? It felt surreal.

I kneed in front of Aadhya. "Aadhi, is it true? Did you have a fight with your classmate?" I asked her in a serious voice.

"I did..." She told me in her small baby voice.

"Why?" I asked her.

"He... he made fun of me..." her voice broke, I waited for her to complete. "Told me that I didn't have a father." She started crying.

I engulfed her, close to me.

My  pulse raced as I  stood my ground, my  gaze locked on the boy's parents, refusing to let them intimidate me. I  had never imagined facing such a situation, defending Aadhya in front of strangers who felt entitled to demean my daughter based on nothing more than the fact that she was raised by a single mother. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel Aadhya trembling beside me.

With a calm but firm voice, I addressed the principal, "Mr. Sher, it's unacceptable for any child to be made to feel inferior because of their family circumstances. I expect the school to address this behavior."

The boy's mother scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, please. A child like hers shouldn't even be here."

Arushi's patience snapped. "I said, shut up." Her tone was cold, unwavering, and final. She refused to let anyone belittle Aadhya. "Your privilege doesn't grant you the right to insult my daughter."

"Don't test my fucking patience. And the institution rules don't say that single parent children aren't allowed. Am I right Mr. Sher?" I asked the principal.

"It's true. There isn't a rule like that. If your child has good grades and if you are rich, the child can be enrolled." Mr. Sher, confirms.

"I want you to take action against them." I told him.

"Action? Are you sure? Do you even know who my husband is?" The woman asked me.

"Do I look like I care about your husband?" I asked her in her face.

"You..." She was speechless.

A tense silence filled the room, broken only by the father's attempt at a bribe, as he offered a donation in exchange for an apology from Aadhya and Arushi.

"Mr. Sher, I will give you 10 Million for the new building block. Make this woman and her child apologize to my child and my wife." The child's father spoke for the first time.

Does he think 10 million can scare me? I thought to myself.

Arushi didn't hesitate. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a check, signing it with a flourish and handing it to Mr. Sher. "Write whatever amount you need. But my daughter deserves respect. And I expect nothing less."

The couple looked stunned, silenced by my unwavering stance. I  felt the pride in my chest swell as I glanced down at Aadhya, who looked up at me with wide, tearful eyes. My little girl might not understand everything now, but one day, she'd know just how fiercely she was loved and defended.

"I don't want to see them here again." With that I took Aadhya and left the Principal's office.

After reaching home, she was so silent.

"Aadhi..." I called her.

"Mama, don't I have a father?" She hugged me while she sobbed.

"You have a wonderful father, who is proud of you." I told her, wiping her tears gently.

"Then why doesn't he live with us? Why haven't I seen him?" She asked me, I knew once she grew up I had to answer her questions.

"He is too far... in the sky..." I told her.

"You are lying." She whimpered.

"Have I ever lied to you?" I asked her.

She shakes her head in a negative way.

"Let's go to temple tomorrow, okay?" I told her, as I knew how much of a believer she was. She nodded and hugged me. After she fell asleep I took her to her room.

I looked at her once again before closing the door. I settled down with my laptop. They will pay for hurting my child.