Akira Mehra

I removed my shoes, and so did Ivaan. I looked around for dadi.

“Firstly, we should meet dadi,” Ivaan said.

We went inside the room. Ivaan carefully opened the door and found dadi sitting on the bed, staring at a photo frame.

“Dadi…” Ivaan spoke softly.

Dadi turned her head towards us and set the photo frame aside. I could see her eyes smiling as she saw us.

She embraced us as we went to her. I giggled, sinking more into her comfortable arms.

“Dadi, hum dono ab roz saath mein padhenge,” Ivaan told her, his eyes on me.

(We will study together from today, grandma.)

“Bahut achhi baat hai. Main tum dono ke liye khana bana deti hoon—”

“Nahi dadi, abhi bhookh nahi hai. Main baad mein bana lunga. Aapko bhi kuch chahiye ho toh mujhe awaaz laga dena,” he said.

I nodded, adding, “Aur agar maine abhi kuch khaya, toh main so jaungi aur padh nahi paungi. Isliye abhi kuch nahi khaungi.”

(If I eat now, I’ll sleep and won’t be able to study.)

“Acha, theek hai. Ab dono padh lo,” dadi smiled.

We both walked into the living room and sat down on the floor.

“Firstly, we’ll study Chemistry,” he said.

I searched for the Chemistry book in my bag, but I couldn’t find it. Instead, I pulled out different diaries, sticky notes, a novel, and markers.

“Um… I think I forgot it in school,” I laughed nervously.

He shook his head and passed me his book.

“We’ll share this.”

“Ohkieeieiee,” I smiled.

As my eyes travelled over the book, I asked, “Acha, so tell me whatever you know about the chapter Chemical Equations.”

“Padha toh hai nahi, pehle hi sawal?” I scratched my head. “Akira, we’ve already completed two chapters of Chemistry in school.”

“Kese? Kab?” I frowned. I don’t remember as much as I know—I come every day—but when did this happen?

(How? When?)

“Last whole week, we studied this chapter,” he said calmly.

“Main kahan thi?” I asked.

(Where was I?)

“Are you sure you don’t even know about this chapter?”

“I’m 101% sure.”

“Okay, come here. Let me teach you everything,” he said, scooting closer to me. He started teaching me the basics and then helped me form equations.

After studying for more than an hour, I started regretting it because Ivaan is really strict as a tutor.

He even teaches me how to make notes. But one thing I can seriously say is that whatever he teaches is crystal clear, and I can promise I won’t forget anything after making notes.

“Your notes are better. Mujhe khud ka likha padhne mein maza nahi aayega,” I said. “No worries. I’ll make another copy for you,” he said, closing the Chemistry book and taking out the French book.

“Umm… can you bring a warm glass of water?” I asked.

He nodded and walked into the kitchen.

“Ab main kya karun?” I muttered to myself.

“So jaati hoon.”

(What should I do now? I should sleep.)

I laid my head down on the table, closing my eyes, acting as if I were sleeping.

After a minute, I heard his footsteps and the faint clink of a glass being placed on the table. I felt his hand on my forehead. Slowly, he removed my specs. After that, I didn’t feel anything except his presence beside me. I didn’t even realise when I dozed off.

Ivaan Singh

When I came back with a glass of water, I saw her head resting on the table. She’s just so obsessed with sleeping anywhere and everywhere.

I shouldn’t have been that strict on the first day. I didn’t disturb her, though I felt like she was just acting to save herself from the French subject.

I checked her temperature and then removed her specs. I gazed at her for a little too long before averting my eyes to my notebook.

I started making French notes for her. She learned the first chapter of Chemistry easily. I don’t know why she doesn’t pay attention during class.

After half an hour, I saw dadi come and sit on the sofa next to Akira.

“Kuch khaya isne?” dadi asked.

“Nahi.”

“Akira, uth jao. Kuch kha lo, phir aaram kar lena,” dadi said, gently shaking her shoulder. She whined, raised her head, and instead of resting it on the table, she laid it on my lap. I placed my hand on the edge of the table so it wouldn’t hurt her head.

“Thand lag rahi hai, dadi,” she murmured in her sleep.

Dadi almost ran to bring a blanket for her. I checked her temperature again—it felt normal.

Dadi covered her with the blanket. Akira sank closer and grabbed my right arm.

“Bimar hai?” dadi asked.

“Nahi dadi, theek hai,” I replied, pulling the book a little closer. “Acha, toh isse aaram karne do. Thodi der mein jaga dena khana khane ke liye. Uske baad ghar chhod aana. Agar yeh chahe, toh yahin ruk sakti hai.”

I nodded.

Dadi went into the kitchen to prepare a meal. I sighed, looked at Akira, and then turned back to my book. I mentally prepared how I should make easier notes for her because I couldn’t move—she was holding my arm in her sleep.

After fifteen minutes, I felt Akira move her head. I looked at her. She was going to be embarrassed and act dramatically about this situation.

Her eyes fluttered open because of the light. I placed my left hand slightly above her eyes. Her gaze instantly met mine.

“You are also in my dreams now? Why… Why does this feel so real?” she mumbled.

I lightly hit her forehead.

“This is real. Wake up, bhondu.”

She jerked up as she realised, slapping her hands over her mouth. I straightened my arm, closed the book, and started collecting everything.

“Maine kya kiya tha tumhare saath?” Her sentence broke the silence.

I am so done with her.

I put my books in my bag and hers in her bag. Standing up, I adjusted my hair and went into the kitchen.

“She woke up, dadi,” I informed her, taking the rolling pin from her hands.

“Main leke aata hoon sab,” I added before she could argue.

🐇🌷

“I’m sorry,” Akira said as we walked to her house. It was already night, so dadi wanted to make sure she reached home safely.

“If I slept on your lap, you should’ve pushed me away or woken me up. Why did you embarrass me?”

“Ab maine kya kiya?” I sighed.

“Sorry,” she said again, lowering her head.

“Meri maa, mujhe bura nahi laga. Yeh kehna band karo,” I said, tired of her apologies.

“Toh tumhe acha laga?”

Yes.

“Go to your home,” I said.

“Arey, batao na—”

“Akira… go to your home.”

She rolled her eyes and stomped her foot.

“Okay.”

She walked away. I watched her from a distance. Near the main gate, she stopped and looked at something.

I followed her gaze.

A car?

She stood there for a moment and then went inside. I waited a few minutes, and once I was sure she was home, I walked back.

When I returned, dadi was already asleep. I poured water into a bottle and placed it beside my bed.

Just then, my phone rang.

An unknown number flashed on the screen. I answered the call and heard a voice I hadn’t heard in three years.

“Hello, Ivaan,” a male voice said.

I knew who it was. How could I forget? I share blood with him.

“Ivaan, how are you? How’s mom? What about your high school life?”

Then another voice interrupted—a female one.

I cut the call.

Blocked the number.

They didn’t think before leaving me when I was only thirteen. They suspected me of a crime I never committed.

They shouldn’t come back. I don’t need them now. Not ever again. For them I am just murder suspect.

They didn't trust me.

They didn't trust me.

They didn't trust me.

They didn't trust me.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

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