Fated To Love You

Chapter 71

"Sorry, Aai... last time maaf kar de. Bahut thaka hua hoon aaj," Sumedh said softly, his voice trembling under the weight of his guilt. He looked at her with pleading eyes, but they quickly darted away, unable to meet the fiery gaze of his mother. His fingers fidgeted nervously, a clear sign of his unease.

"Jab tere students aise bolte hain, to tu sunta hai unki? Haan? Tu to thaka hua hai, par ye to pet se hai!" Her voice rose sharply, filled with a mix of anger and pain. Her trembling hand gestured toward Himani's arm, where the faint bruises from the punishment were still visible. Her eyes welled up slightly, though she fought to keep her composure.

Sumedh's shoulders slumped further, his head hanging low as her words struck him like a whip. "Galti ho gayi, samajh gaya. Aage se dhyaan rakhunga," he muttered, his voice heavy with remorse. His brows furrowed as he bit the inside of his cheek, trying to hold back his emotions.

"Bas bolne se kaam nahi chalega, Sumedh!" His mother's voice quivered, a mix of frustration and worry. She took a step closer, her piercing gaze fixed on him. Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her foot tapping the floor in barely contained anger. "Itna bhi nahi soojhta tujhe? Chal jaa danda leke aa!" she commanded, her tone unyielding.

Sumedh's head snapped up, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Aai... danda? Sach mein?" His voice cracked slightly, a nervous chuckle escaping as he tried to gauge if she was serious. His lips twitched into a hesitant smile, but it quickly vanished when he saw the unrelenting look on her face.

"Haan, sach mein! Zyada bolne ki zarurat nahi hai. Jaa leke aa!" Her raised eyebrows and firm tone left no room for negotiation. Her gaze softened briefly—just a flicker of the worry she felt—but it was masked again by her stern expression.

Himani's eyes widened in panic, and she instinctively stepped forward. "Aai, rehne dijiye na... galti meri thi. Main hi dhyan nahi de pai—"

"Beta, tu chup reh!" Aai cut her off, her voice firm yet motherly, her gaze softening as she looked at Himani. She placed a reassuring hand on Himani's shoulder before turning back to Sumedh, her expression once again stern. "Aur tu, kya lagta hai? Galti karega aur bas sorry bolke nikal lega? Main tujhe nahi chhodungi aaj! Chal jaa ab... lekar aa jaldi!" Her voice had an edge of finality that left no room for argument.

Sumedh sighed deeply, dragging his feet toward his room like a child caught red-handed. His hand ruffled his already messy hair in frustration, sighing loudly as if the effort itself was too much. A minute later, he returned, empty-handed, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Aai, danda nahi mila," he said, trying to sound convincing but avoiding her eyes.

His mother's lips twitched into a knowing smirk, though her stern expression remained. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Acha? Nahi mili? Koi baat nahi. Phir bhi tu bachega nahi."

Sumedh blinked in alarm, stepping back a little, his hands instinctively going up in defense. "Ab kya, Aai?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of nervousness and disbelief.

Without a word, his mother took a step forward, her presence commanding as she grabbed his ear lightly but firmly. Sumedh winced, letting out a quiet "Aai, dukh rha hai!" as she dragged him toward the kitchen entrance.

"Chal, yahan khada ho ja!" she commanded, letting go of his ear as she crossed her arms. "Haath upar karke." Her sharp tone contrasted with the subtle flicker of amusement in her eyes.

"Aai! Jaane de na," Sumedh protested, trying to muster indignation, but a sheepish smile betrayed his attempt. "Teacher hoon ab main... aur shadi bhi ho chuki hai. Abhi bhi bachon jaisi punishment dogi kya?"