" Paru. I ensure you that retribution for bullying will be swift and painful. I have a very faithful and implacable memory for retribution or reward," Prabir snarled.

" What will you do?" She blurted out thoughtlessly.

" You just give me the names of all the kids who make fun of you. I'll deal with the rest," he smirked.

"Bhaiya you don't have to... I don't want you to serve me a cold dish of vengeance.
Justice is ...what I want. I want to be treated properly, in a justified manner, like a normal person,"Parul sulked.

"As unfair as life can be, one of the greatest gifts you possess, is to decide where you need to use your most precious resources - time and energy;  if someone is intentionally being rude even after knowing the impact of their behavior, just let go off what you cannot control.
Okay! Now go and get changed, we'll be having our lunch outside, as I did not feel like making something for lunch today as I  take care of this mess," he said briefly  before already starting to clean up the kitchen floor.

Being the one who created the mess in the first place,Parul wanted to help but knew for certain that Prabir won't allow her to go near the broken glass pieces. So she got up silently and strolled upstairs to her room.

She was taken to one of her most favourite restaurant's.

Calling up the waiter, Prabir placed an order, as Parul interrupted
" Bhaiya don't order this.I am already so...."

"Cute and loveable,"  he supplied helpfully and then placed the order according to his will.

After the waiter left, he informed languidly " Paru it's your favourite dish...and today the treat is from me. Well, post lunch I am also ordering your favourite ice-cream."

"No!..no..no...no...I am not having any ice-cream,"she said dreadfully.

" Paru....How long are you going to be like this? There was no way that you would ever refuse, to have an ice cream when you were a little one,"he said with genuine remorse.

They had their meal with great satisfaction as both were severely hungry and the waiting period after placing the order had only increased their appetite.

Two ice-creams were served and Prabir watched her have one with great satisfaction. A little bit of cajoling was needed but it was worth it.

Not being thick skinned, Parul's self- confidence was completely shattered due to the harsh comments pinned by her friends and classmates on a regular basis.

How would he restore back her usual self-confidence, was a question that he needed to figure out.

A teenager would not understand that people always say a lot of crap and that one should not devote their time and energy in scrutinizing and analyzing others' opinions regarding them.

Post lunch he took her to a shopping mall nearby, wanting to purchase some dresses for her or something she wanted. Possessing an easy-going childish attitude, even a colorful balloon or the sight of the sunset was enough to make Parul feel happy.

But now her mind was always jammed with thoughts related to obesity, weight gain, calories, negative remarks. She no longer was the happy, care free girl that she used to be.

In the mall looking at a beautiful cream coloured kurta, her gaze rested upon a young lady, whose eyes were fixed on Prabir. The mall was almost empty as it was late in the afternoon, however, three young girls were selecting clothes for each other, gossiping about a fest in their college along with a couple who were picking clothes for their little one.

Whispering softly she enquired,

" Bhaiya you know her? Is she from your college?"

Turning around to follow her gaze, Prabir saw a stunning young lady, in a sky blue salwar suit, staring at him intently. He couldn't recognize her.

" No, I don't know her,"he replied back, shifting his gaze from her.

" Bhaiya ...you have a girlfriend?"She probed further.

Staring at her again with astonishment, holding a crimson coloured beautiful kurta in his hands, he replied uneasily "No".

" Bhaiya ...but...but you are so handsome! " She chirped in cheerfully.

Gazing at her curiously in a very serious tone he enquired,
" You have a boyfriend Paru?" He was amazed by the fact that the lady in the blue suit was looking back straight at him, not shying away.

Laughing out aloud almost in hysterics, Parul saw the girls turn around to notice her.

" Me? Boyfriend? Bhaiya are you drunk?"She asked almost thunderstruck.

"Why ? what's wrong?" he shrugged.

" Bhaiya I look like 51 and not 15," she blurted out angrily.

Hurt with this kind of a frosty remark and with a cold look on his face he said ruefully," Come with me". He snatched the kurta she was holding to admire and held her arm with his right hand, dragging her to the section in the mall where some tiara's were showcased.

Selecting a tiara after careful observation, he placed it on her head. Placing his hands on her shoulders from behind, he pushed her gently to move in the direction of a mirror.

Making her stand right in front of the mirror but facing him, he said gleefully," If you ask that mirror.....

Mirror mirror on the wall,

Who is the most cherished and loved person of all?
It will reply - PARUL"

Turning around to look into the mirror, she mournfully said, " Bhaiya your love for me has made you blind....and therefore, you never find me obese or ugly."

" When I look at you, I still see the tiny tot running towards me beaming with delight and joy, trying to hold my finger with her tiny little hands.

To me your smile is the most precious cure for all my ailments," he confessed with an unreadable expression on his face.

A slight smile curled up on Parul's lips, as she looked at the mirror, with a softened sweet chocolate gaze, while a smile of pleasure broadened on Prabir's face, slowly warming his eyes. 

Both were taken aback for a moment, when they heard someone call out Prabir's name.

A/N : I am sorry for typos and errors but do you like the second chapter??

I hope you all are doing well, please keep reading and do provide your views and suggestions.

Thank you all,
Aditi.