Some of you are complaining that chapters are short.

I am trying to post regularly, not with long gaps. So, please bear with small chapters and small intervals 😉

Happy Reading... ✨️

After a week...

Arth and Saransh had bonded well during the past month. The same was true for Adhyay and Geeta. Arth's mother's words had proven true-Arth and Geeta had become each other's support system.

Saransh and Adhyay still maintained a respectful distance. Adhyay enjoyed spending time with Geeta, but the moment Saransh was around, she would become quiet and reserved. Saransh had calmed down too. Maybe he was a little spoiled now, but he was finally enjoying his teenage life.

Saransh called Arth Dad, and Adhyay called Geeta Mumma.

In the evening,

Arth and Geeta returned from the office.

As usual, they found Adhyay studying in her room while Saransh was busy playing games.

Geeta (crossing her arms, raising an eyebrow): Kaun bolega tera 10th hai, Saransh?
(Who will say you are appearing for the 10th boards?)

Saransh (without looking away from the screen): Huh! Koi bole ya na bole, mujhe pata hai na. Hai toh hai.
(I don't know about others but I know it is. So, it is!!

Arth (chuckling softly): Arey... kyun chilla rahi ho? Baccha hi toh hai.
(Why are you scolding him? He is a kid?)

Geeta (snatching the controller): Baccha? Abhi ke abhi ye games band kar. Khana kha aur padhne baith.
(Kid? Right now, shut your games, have dinner and start your studies)

Saransh (rolling his eyes dramatically): Mommm...

Before he could protest further, Geeta switched off the game.

Geeta: One more word and I will confiscate your phone.

Saransh immediately got up and followed her to the dining table.

Meanwhile, Arth walked towards Adhyay's room.

Arth (gently knocking): Baby, dinner time. Come...

Adhyay (still writing): 5 minutes, last answer.

Without another word, Arth picked her up.

Adhyay (shocked): Papaaa!

Arth (grinning): Later on!!

Adhyay (trying not to smile): Papa, this is my last answer.

Arth: And my last warning.

He carried her to the dining table and took away her notebook.

Everyone settled down.

Geeta: Exams kab se hain? (From when will exams begin?)

Saransh & Adhyay (in unison): Pata nahi/ Kal se. (I don't know/ from tomorrow)

Geeta and Arth froze.

Saransh (pointing at Adhyay): Her exams will begin tomorrow, not mine.

Geeta (sarcastically): Haan beta ji. Your school have free to schedule your exams as per your mood. (Yes, Son)

Then she looked at Adhyay.

Geeta (softly): Adhyay beta, for which class exams are beginning from tomorrow?

Adhyay (looking down, speaking softly): 6th to 10th.

Saransh (immediately): Kuch bhi. Mere nahi hain. (Nonsense! I don't have exams)

Geeta ignored him.

Geeta: Do you have a timetable?

Adhyay (nodding): Yes! I received a printout from school.

She quickly ran to her room and returned with the sheet.

After reading it, Geeta's eyes widened.

Arth (shocked): From tomorrow, you have exams?

Adhyay (guiltily): You and mumma were busy. I didn't want to disturb you. I completed my course. Only the revision was left.

Geeta slowly turned towards Saransh.

That look alone made him sit straighter.

Geeta: Saransh, you too have exam tomorrow.

Saransh (laughing nervously): No Mom! Maybe there is a mistake.

Geeta (pointing at him): Aisi thappad khayega na ki apni saari mistakes yaad aa jayengi.
(I'll slap you so hard you'll suddenly remember all your mistakes.)

Saransh (muttering): Huh...

Geeta: You are appearing for boards and you aren't even a bit serious. How can you not take this seriously?

Saransh (throwing his hands up dramatically): Mom, kya padhu yaar? (What to study?)

Everyone stared at him.

Saransh: English mein kisi ki biwi bhaag gayi hai. Jab dekho rote hue poems likhta rehta hai. Padhne mein jaan hum bachon ki jaati hai.
(In English, someone's wife ran away. Now, he is crying. So, he is writing poems and we have to bear it.)

Arth lowered his head, trying not to laugh.

Saransh: Maths mein X ka tension. Arey bhai, vo chali gayi toh usko bhool kar aage badh! Nahi... usko chahiye apni X hi. Apni life toh uske chakkar mein kharab ki hi, hum bachon ki bhi kar raha hai usko dhoondhne ke chakkar mein.
(Maths, we have stress of X. Why can't he understand? She left. Now, he should let her go and live peacefully. But no! He is spoiling his and ours too in her search)

Adhyay bit her lip to stop laughing.

Saransh: Science mein toh pucho hi mat. Saap, cockroach, eagle aur pata nahi kis-kis ke species ke baare mein padhate hain. Jaise unki future generations main dene wala hoon.
(Don't ask about Science. I have to study about every species like snake, cockroach, eagle and so on... like I will give their next generation)

Arth and Adhyay exchanged amused glances.

Saransh: History toh dimag mein hi nahi jaati. Isne idhar ladai ki, usne udhar. Iska katal is time hua, uska us time. Sabko pata hai World War hui thi. Toh pure world ne ladai ki. Ek-ek ka kya puchte ho aise jaise hum unki kabre khodne jaayenge.
(History? I don't understand a bit. Why do we have to study specifically? We all know there was a World War. So, everyone died. Now, do we have to dig into their graves?)

Adhyay almost choked on water.

Saransh: Aur Geography! Sabse bakwaas. Yahan ki soil aisi, wahan ka water aisa. Mujhe kya? Kabhi ghoomne bhi jaunga toh soil mein thodi sounga. Hotel mein rahunga!
(Geography!! Worst one... Type of soil and water for each location. What should I do? Will I sleep in soil?)

He huffed dramatically.

Arth and Adhyay were desperately controlling their laughter.

Geeta, however, was not amused.

Geeta (dangerously calm): Saransh. Kal tera paper hai. Aur tujhe ye sab sujh raha hai?
(Saransh, you have an exam tomorrow. This is what you are thinking now?)

The smile instantly disappeared from his face.

For the first time in weeks, Geeta was genuinely angry.

Arth (carefully): Geeta... calm down. Uske paas abhi bhi 12 ghante se zyada hain. Padh lega.
(He still has more than 12 hours. He will study)

Saransh (quickly nodding): Haan Mom... bilkul. (I will)

Geeta: English ka syllabus school diary se mil jayega. But notes? Complete kiye hain?
(I will get the syllabus details from the diary. But notes? Have you prepared them?)

Silence.

Geeta: Main soch rahi thi bada ho raha hai, khud sambhal jayega.
(I thought, with age, you would be mature)

Saransh quietly lowered his head.

Geeta (voice trembling): Shayad galti meri hi hai... (This is my fault)

Everyone looked up.

Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.

Geeta: Main shuru se observe kar rahi thi tera behaviour. Remarks, complaints... sab. Par main tujhe daantne se darr gayi. Socha aur hurt ho jayega. Already, family and father ka stress tha. Even, I was stressed. I couldn't pay attention to your studies.

(I used to observe this from the start. Remarks, complaints. I thought you were already suffering from family and father's stress. I was scared to scold you.)

Her voice broke.

Geeta: Mujhe laga waqt ke saath theek ho jayega. Par main samajh hi nahi paayi ki main tujhe aur spoil kar rahi thi.
(I thought, with time, everything falls in its place. But I couldn't understand, I was spoiling you.)

Saransh's face immediately fell.

He got up and sat beside her.

Saransh (holding her arm): Mom, please don't cry. I promise, I will study.

Geeta (wiping her tears): How will you study? You don't even have 24 hours)

Arth (placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder): I will help him with these exams and will make a schedule after these exams.

Geeta took a deep breath and nodded.

Geeta: What about notes?)

Then she looked at Saransh.

Geeta: Ask your friend.

Saransh's eyes widened.

Saransh: Fuck! They have no idea about the exam.

The entire table stared at him.

Saransh: Wait... let me inform them.

And he ran away.

The room fell silent.

Geeta (smacking her forehead): Kya karun main is ladke ka?
(What should I do with this boy?)

A minute later Saransh returned.

Arth: How will you study?

Silence.

Adhyay nervously looked up.

Adhyay: I can ask Priya Di?

Saransh: Who is Priya Di?

Geeta (instantly): Chup. (Shut up)

Saransh immediately zipped his lips.

Geeta (softly): Beta, agar possible ho toh pooch lo. (Baby, if possible, please ask)

Adhyay nodded.

She went to her room, brought a number, and called from the landline.

After a short conversation, she returned.

Adhyay (with a small smile): She is ready to share the notes for 1 hour. We can get the Xerox for tomorrow's exam.

Geeta (relieved): That's fine.

Then she pointed at Saransh.

Geeta: I want notes for other subjects by tomorrow.

Saransh (obediently): Ji, Mom.

For the first time that evening, Geeta smiled faintly.

And Saransh knew there was no escaping studies anymore.

To Be Continued...