The Accidental Pet ✔️

Chapter 4

The next morning, when Meara gets up she is in a very good mood. After all, today is the day she gets to climb the huge banyan tree.

After wishing her parents, who are already up and about, a happy morning, she goes to the restroom to freshen up.

You see, since it's her first day of summer vacation, her parents had let her sleep in, just this once.

She brushes her teeth, taking care to get to every pesky corner, that can house germs, and gets rid of them. After all, it's never too early to start taking care of one's teeth.

Once she is satisfied, she checks her teeth in the mirror, and smiles to herself, "I am going to make friends with WuJi today." She tells her reflection and smiles brightly. Of course, at this point, she is still under the impression that it is the tree that is named WuJi.

I wonder how she will react, when she comes to know who and what, WuJi actually is.

She is about to step into the shower, but her stomach signals her to do her business first, and that is exactly what she does.

Once she is done, she mutters, "Two down, two to go."

Did you notice that she seems to be counting down to something? But what could it be? Could it perhaps be a list? And if it is a list, then what could the list be about?

You see, Meara had decided the day before, that during this vacation, she would be the best daughter that she can be. She had thus, made a list of things. This list consisted of things she knew, that would make her parents happy.

The list consisted of simple and sweet things.

I will get up early in the morning.

I will brush, do two two and take bath quickly.

I will eat all my meals on time, and not ask for too many sweets.

I will study every day and try to improve my grades. *sigh*

Of all the points on the list, the last one worried her the most. She had an inkling, that the reason for her parent's restrained smiles had something to do with the fact that once again she had performed poorly in her exams.

Meara knew that her parents were hiding something from her. She wanted to know what it was. And on several occasions, she had almost asked them too, but in the end, she had decided that it's better not to put them in an awkward situation by asking them to reveal something they clearly wanted to hide.

With all these things in mind, she had come up with the list. What's more, she had made a timetable for herself as well.

Since today her mother had not woken her up, she had gotten up late, thus, she had decided to fully follow the timetable starting tomorrow.

Once she is done bathing, she exits the bathroom and wears her blue shirt and grey jeggings.

She can't climb on WuJi while wearing her frock now, can she?

When she enters the dining room, she finds Mayura, her mother, already waiting for her with open arms.

"Sweetheart, you are already ready!" She exclaims, embracing the very excited Meara who throws herself at her mother like a little monkey.

Mayura picks her up and cuddles her before putting her down. She smiles at her daughter who is excitedly looking at the mouth-watering food served on the dining table.

"Doughnut, toast and butter and pancakes with maple syrup!" Meara observers, standing on her tiptoes.

"Aaaand sprouts salad." Mayura says, pointing at the bowl of salad at the centre of the table.

Meara's face falls for a second. She doesn't like the salad at all. It's her least favourite food of all time, but because she had decided to make her parents happy, she puts a smile on her face.

"Of course mom, how can I forget the most nutritious item of them all." She says, sitting at the table and picking up the bowl happily, "Health comes first." she adds, looking at her mom's surprised face.

Within minutes, the salad bowl is empty and Meara moves on to the pancakes and doughnuts, gulping them down hastily.

'What is happening?' Mayura wonders and keeps staring at her daughter. She just can't believe that it's the same girl who used to make faces at the salad till just the day before.

"Meara, what's come over you?" She enquires, pulling up a chair next to her.

Meara smiles but doesn't answer her mom's question, instead, she puts a question of her own, "Are you happy, Amma?"

Mayura nods proudly and is about to say something more but just then, Som enters, and Meara runs to her father, hugging him the same way, she had her mother.

"Appa, I am done with my breakfast, can I go to play with WuJi now?" The child asks, letting go of her father.

"WuJi?" Som asks, looking between Meara and his wife.

Mayura shakes her head, signalling that she too is unaware of what their daughter is talking about.

"Aigoo* Appa, WuJi is that banyan tree." She says, pointing at the baby dragon's home.

"Sweetheart, what kind of a name is WuJi?" Som asks, crouching down next to his daughter.

"Appa, that is what the tree is called. Come." Meara says, pulling Som by his wrist, and taking him towards the tree.

Once they are close enough, Meara let's go of her father's wrist. She goes closer to the tree and points to the nearest branch before lightly touching it with her fingertips, "See, it says right here, WuJi."

Som walks closer and fixes his spectacles before leaning in and taking a closer look at the alphabets that seem to be carved on the branch.

'It's gibberish.' Som realizes.

He turns to his daughter and ruffles her hair. "Have fun, and be careful, alright?" Som reminds, before walking back to their room.

He doesn't want to upset her by telling her that what she is reading, was not what was written on the branch at all, so he decides that it's best not to correct her just this once.

Thus, Meara continues to believe that everyone can read what she can. That everyone can read the alphabets that spell, 'WuJi'

{Note :- Word Count :- 1060

Native term used :-

Aigoo - Similar to saying 'Oh dear' }