Layers of Us

Chapter 118: Pagal Par Apne

They reached home and stepped inside, the familiar warmth wrapping around them instantly.

Tripura didn't even try to maintain composure this time.

She walked straight to the sofa-
And sloshed herself onto it dramatically.

"Ufff my back..." she exhaled, completely done with the day.

Ram chuckled softly, settling into the single-seater opposite her, stretching his legs comfortably.

And like clockwork-
Siya and the fur babies pounced onto the sofa beside Tripura, claiming their space immediately.

Tripura turned her head slightly toward Siya.
"Kutty... you are going to school from tomorrow."

Siya's face fell.
Instantly.
"How boring..." she muttered, clearly offended.

Tripura shrugged lazily.
"Can't help it, kutty," she said.
"By the way... it was your Momo who solved the problem."
A pause.
"Not me."

Siya snapped her head toward Ram.
A full, deadly-glare.
"How could you, Momo?" she said, betrayed.
"I thought we were partners!"

Ram blinked.
Then looked at Tripura like-
What the actual hell?

Tripura raised both hands innocently.
"You handle," she said, already distracted, playing with the fur babies.

Ram sighed.
Then leaned forward slightly.

"Sunshine... come here," he said softly.

Siya, still sulking, got down and walked toward him, stopping right in front of him.
Arms crossed.
Cheeks puffed.
Full drama mode.

Ram couldn't help but smile.
He held her gently by the shoulders.

"Sunshine... listen," he said patiently.
"Going to school is important, na?"

Siya didn't respond.
Still pouting.

"I mean... you wouldn't want your friends to go ahead in life and you stay behind, right?"

Siya's tiny brain started processing.

Ram leaned closer.
"And if you don't study... you won't get to boss around people like your mumma."

THWACK.

A cushion hit him straight in the face.
Perfect aim.

Siya burst into giggles.

Ram pulled the cushion down.
Looked at Tripura.
And threw it right back at her.

"See?" he said, continuing like nothing happened.
"This is what I mean. Your mumma is educated... so she can do whatever she likes."

Tripura rolled her eyes.

Ram turned back to Siya.
"Don't you want that too?"

Siya nodded immediately.
A big yes.

"Exactly!" Ram said proudly. "That's why school is important."

Siya thought again.
"But why is school always in the morning?" she asked, genuinely annoyed.

Ram leaned back.
"Baby... that's because school people are jobless," he said seriously.
"They sleep early and wake up early."

Tripura turned her head toward him, to listen to the nonsense he was speaking.

Ram continued confidently-
"Isiliye it's so early in the morning. I understand, you know... waking up at 6 and going to school by 7:30..."
He shook his head dramatically.
"Very bad."