I groaned, clutching my stomach. My period arrived yesterday, and the cramps have become more severe. Mood swings are insane, and even the smallest thing annoys me.

Unknown: sweetheart, will you pick up my calls or, at the very least, respond to my text?

Who the hell is this now? In frustration, I feel like pulling my hair out. These cramps are starting to bother me. I was about to throw the phone away when Athwa called for me.

Rudra got me a new one after breaking mine, and he also got a new number and has everyone's numbers saved, which I appreciate. But Rohit's phone number is missing.

Then this must be Rohit.

"No, baby, you have to multiply it," I explained, and he nodded and tried again. I am helping him with his homework as the school has started. He tugged at my dupatta, asking me to check. He got it right this time.

"Angel, ab nahi hoga mujhse, bas kro." He joined his little hands in front of me, pouting and looking at me with puppy eyes.
(I can't do this anymore.)

He learned that from his sister.

"Oka--" and he ran away before I could finish. I chuckled, shaking my head, and then my phone began to ring.

"Hel--" I was cut off for the second time in less than two minutes.

"Fuck your hello! Chandini, how dare you not tell me about Aditya's text and those videos?" Barkha yelled from the other side. And right now, I really want to pop her face. "Barkha? Calm down, and who told you?"

"First, it's time for good news! Your handsome and scary-as-shit-looking hubby broke Aditya's jaw and gave him a black eye." She crackled evilly as if she were possessed.

Before, she was shouting like a maniac, and now, laughing like a witch, she does it when she finds something pleasing; in this case, Aditya getting beaten was amusing to her.

"Wait a minute- what? Rudra? How did you know?" I asked, rubbing my stomach.

"Oh, I did not think of that, oopsie! Rudra came to ask about the texts. Then he told me about the videos, and I was furious. I wanted to beat the crap out of that man. So we drove over to his house. He was talking shit, then your hubby did the job." As Barkha finished, I saw Rudra entering the room, looking exhausted, but a smile appeared on his face when he saw me.

"Chandini, you should tell him. He needs to know." I hummed and then hung up the phone.

I will tell him soon.

"Did you meet Aditya?" When I asked, he pursed his lips into a thin line and nodded.

"Did Barkha tell you?" he asked, and I nodded.

"All I wanted to know was why he was texting. I should have asked you, but I was not sure if you would tell me. So I went to Barkha, expecting her to know about them because she is your best friend. But she did not know anything. She went ballistic that you did not tell her. So we went to his place. Things did not go as planned," he said, avoiding my gaze as if he did not already intend to beat him. "Darling, I am sorry to say, but I have never seen a bigger snitch than your friend in my life. She took my fucking card and said, she will keep this between us." He pinched his temple.

It is funny because he looks betrayed by her, but I would have found out anyway. Knowing Barkha, she is probably going crazy with his card. I doubt it would make a dent in his bank account.

"But you said you would talk to him, so what happened to the talking part?" I asked, squeezing my eyes shut in pain and sitting on the bed. He knelt and took my hands in his.

"I was talking, and then he had to go talk shit. So, he had it coming." He shrugged casually and gently caressed my palm.

"You didn't have to go into his house and beat him!" I laughed and watched him smile.

"It was not my intention; I was being polite. And he was not having it," he scoffed, making me laugh once more.

He is anything but polite.

"Should I know what he said?" When I asked, he shook his head and said, "No."

I do not like it when she pulls her hand away from me. But the look on her face is a mixture of annoyance and pain.

"Are you in pain? What happened?" I went to her side but was pushed away again.

"What does it look like? I am having period cramps, moron!" She screams while clutching her stomach. I looked at her awkwardly.

How was I supposed to know?

"I... Uhh, do you need anything?" I said, scratching my head.

"I want coffee, pizza, or I do not know," she said while lying down.

I recall Muktha telling me something about caffeine around this time. So, I looked it up and found that I was correct.

"Darling, according to Google, caffeine is bad; when consumed at this time of the month, it can worsen cramps and—" I was interrupted by a damn pillow that was thrown on my face.

"Coffee, pizza, and I don't know, it is." I shook my head and turned on my heel. I had never been hit by a pillow or a chocolate bar, but I had never been slapped—until she came along.

New experiences.

•*•~•*•

I got her whatever she wanted, as well as a heating pad, with the assistance of my sister. Muktha, Athwa, and Chandini sat around watching movies and eating junk food.

She is now sleeping peacefully and snuggling with Athwa after kicking me out yet again.

It has been hours since she has been sleeping, and I am thinking about taking her out to cheer her up. But the question is, how do I wake her up? I went with the safe option, Athwa.

I sat on the other side of the bed, near Athwa. I am not sure if I should wake him up and ask for his help; she would not be mad at him.

I am still hesitant, but I know I can do it because he is my brother. I gently tap his cheeks, and he slowly opens his eyes. But he widened his eyes, and I shushed him by placing my finger on my lips.

"Can you wake her up?" I pointed towards her.

He shook his head, and I signed. "I will take you out to dinner with us, but you will have to wake her up." His eyes glowed, but he shook his head once more.

"Uh—please?" He now nodded his head and began shaking her shoulder. She groaned and was about to smack his hand when she realised it was her baby.

"I am hungry!" he exclaimed, and she nodded and stood up.

"What? What exactly are you looking at?" I shook my head with a light smile on my face.

She's mean, but only to me.

"I was thinking that we should go out to dinner, and Athwa could come along." She raised her brows at me but nodded nonetheless as he beamed at her.

"What should I wear then? Okay, jeans it is." She asked a question and then answered it herself.

•*•~•*•

"What is the deal with Aditya and Bharkha, darling? He was terrified of her as if he had seen a ghost or something."

"Oh, that is a funny story—at least for me. She saw him around my house after we broke up and assumed he was stalking me. Barkha is very protective of me, so she threatened to cut off his thing and nearly stabbed him down there. Now whenever he sees her, he runs."

I coughed aloud because I could imagine her doing something like that. That woman and her abilities are alarming.

"Do not worry; I have not told her about you. So you are safe for the time being." She gives an innocent smile.

"I have hurt you. So I have to be punished for it in some way." She appears surprised and nods slowly as if processing what I said.

"I think Maa is upset with me. She ignored me at breakfast both yesterday and today. I tried to talk, but it was no luck. Do you think I did something that could have upset her?" She is deep in thought as she stares at the ground.

"No, darling, you can never do anything wrong. I will talk to her and see what is up, okay?" She nods absentmindedly until Athwa catches her attention.

I feel as if I am third-wheeling between them.

"Do you need anything else, baby?" Darling asks him. He says something with his mouth full.

"Is not he adorable?" She asks me, and her mood completely changes and her eyes fill with fondness for him.

"He is mes--" My eyes met her piercing ones. "Yes, very cute!" Her eyes softened as she watched him.

These are some serious mood swings!

"Bhaiya, can we get chocolate pudding?" he asked, and I nodded and ordered for him.

"I will be right back," Darling said as she rose from her seat.

"Where are you going?"

"Restroom." She picked up her bag.

"I will go with you."

"Rudra, I can go and you cannot leave him alone," she said, patting Athwa's head.

"Of course, your baby," I grumbled as I sank into the chair. I kept my gaze in the direction she went as she walked away. Athwa had his pudding and was completely focused on devouring it.

"Bhaiya, can I tell you something?" I looked at him, and some of the pudding was on his face.

It is terrifying how much he looks like our mother.

I hummed and he continued. "You know why I was not listening to you?"

"Why?" I ask and he giggles. It is the first time he is relaxed and joyful in my presence, and I think I am enjoying it as well.

"Because Angel told me not to listen until you say 'please'"

I believe him because it is something she is capable of doing.

"Is that so?" I ask, and he nods, his big eyes filled with warmth rather than fear.

I have been so mean to him that I have made him cry on several occasions, and yet he still loves me.

He spills some on his clothes, and I get up to wipe it away. This kid is ten years old; how can he be so messy?

"Uh-oh, what do we have here?" My hand froze, and my heart dropped into my stomach upon hearing her voice.

"I never thought I would see you, again!" Her high-pitched voice cut a hole in my ears.

"What do you want?" I asked, not beating around the bush and facing her, standing straight. She smirked and looked at Athwa. I put myself in front of him.

"Is that Athwa? Yes, he is. He got your mother's features; now I think why you hated him so much."

"Just leave before I kick you out." I gritted through my clenched jaw, my nails digging into my palms.

"You cannot do that. It is a public place," she scoffs, her voice gratingly loud.

"I can because I own this public place."

I noticed Chandini approaching us from behind her. "Ms. Shetty, leave," I said as I took a step towards her. But she grabbed my jaw, kissed my cheek, and walked away, flipping her hair.

I grimaced and quickly wiped my cheek. I needed to wash my face as soon as possible.

"I was gone for about ten minutes, and here you are being kissed," Darling said firmly, staring in the direction she went, her hands forming tiny fists. "Who was she?"

"No one, you should be worried about," I said as I wiped Athwa's mouth and dropped some cash. I took his hand in mine, ready to leave.

"yeah? Right! When I just saw her kiss you," she hissed as she shoved her bag into my chest.

"Ouch!"

"Ohh, I am sorry; are you hurt?" she asked softly. A smile threatened to break free from my lips. She was just annoyed with me and is now worried about me.

"No."

She scoffed and swatted at my chest. Snatching Athwa's hand from mine and walking away, muttering "Moron!"

I chuckled and chased after them, her bag dangling from my arm.

"What? Focus on your work." I slowed down and grumbled at the employees who were staring at me. They just saw the whole scene.

What a day!

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ!