Prabha suddenly woke up in the middle of night. She clutched her stomach with both hands and curled up beneath the blanket.
She muttered, " So it's already time. How did I forgot ? "
A cramp twisted through her abdomen, wrenching her from sleep. In an instant, she was fully awake, staring at the ceiling.
After a while, she slowly got out of bed and boiled a warm water mixed with black salt. She sipped it carefully and went to bed after few moments.
Thankfully, the warm drink gradually soothed her period pain, and she soon drifted back to sleep.
As usual, the sun rose and day began smoothly. Aarav went to college and waited for Prabha as every other day.
He couldn't help feeling confused by her absence. She hadn't mentioned anything about being absent, nor had she left him a message.
He wanted to ask but he didn't have the courage to do. So, he silently hoped her to appear out of nowhere.
Somewhere along the way, talking to her and watching her enter the class had become a part of his daily routine.
Without her, the day felt incomplete and for reasons he couldn't quite understand why it made him feel a little sad.
Suddenly, a phone rang.
Prabha grabbed her phone intending to silence it but the persistent buzzing sound didn't stop yet.
She irritatingly glanced at the screen and was surprised to see her mother's name flashing there.
Knowing she couldn't ignore the call, she let out a quiet sigh and answered it.
As she received the call, her mother began scolding her.
" Oh my god.
What is this ?
You are still sleeping !!
It's already 11 o'clock there!!
And don't tell me you missed college today?"
" I am not feeling well today , so I didn't go today."
" What a lame excuse. You won't die just because of period pain. Don't be this dramatic. Learn to be patient and endure it. "
" Uhh..... I know . I will go from tomorrow. "
" And did you find the job yet ??? " She added another expectation with that one simple question.
" Job ?? Not yet. I am still getting familiar with the environment and learning the language too. Let's wait until next year. " Her voice was still heavy with sleep.
" Next year!!
Oh my god !
Do you think we have enough money to support you until next year ?
I'm already going back and forth between the hospital and home. All our money is being spent on my treatment. And your brother also needs so many things."
" Treatment??
For what ?
Why didn't you tell me earlier? " She answered suddenly, looking worried.
"There's a uterine prolapse. It needs careful treatment."
" How did it happen ?
And how much will it cost ?"
" I don't know exactly but i heard it's expensive."
Her voice cracked as she spoke further.
" I think it's because I had some complications during your delivery but I never got them treated properly.
Neither did I got chance to do treatment after my second delivery.
So it just turned out this way. "
" Honestly,
I wasn't ready for a child at that time.
Everything in my life changed after you were born. I had no time to think about myself anymore."
" But to my surprise,I was over the moon when I held in my arms. You were so small, so cute and lovely. Your father would always hold you whenever he got the chance. He loved you so much.
The child that I raised with so much effort and sacrifices couldn't fulfill my expectations. It hurts when I remember all those painful days I spent taking care of you.
I don't know what happened but you have become so ungrateful and selfish towards me and your father. "
Prabha remained silent, not having any words to defend herself . She felt guilty for something she had never done.
Yet at the same time, she felt a strange jealousy towards her younger self - the version of her who had received all the love and attention she had always longed for.
Those memories now felt like wishful thinking, as if they belonged to someone else's life. The feelings that once existed between them had completely changed.
"Btw, I heard you can still switch to accountancy. You will get a job faster than way."
Her mother suddenly changed the topic.
"What do you mean ??" Prabha asked looking startled.
" Look at your life right now. What are you achieving?"
" It's not like you will earn enough money studying this course. So ,once again, think carefully. You still have time. "
She said trying to change her mind.
" No I wouldn't choose another subject that I don't want to pursue. I am happy with this one." Prabha responded immediately.
" What about our happiness ?? Aren't we your family? " Her mother asked in a pitiful voice.
" It's not as if I am asking you to do something wrong. Yet I can't understand why you're being so stubborn. " She tried manipulating her.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you and failing to meet your expectations," Prabha whispered, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes.
Unable to bear the weight of her mother's words any longer, she ended the call.
Those words pierced her heart like a blade, leaving behind a pain she couldn't escape.
The echoes of those words stalked her throughout the day and lingered long into the night.
The cold drizzle and the breeze made the night feel even colder than it already was.
She tossed and turned in bed for hours, unable to sleep. After countless attempts to force herself to rest, exhaustion finally overtook her, and she drifted off sometime after 4 a.m.
The sun rose as usual on next day .
It was already eleven o'clock in the morning when Prabha was awakened by the ringing of her phone.She glanced over the screen only to see Aarav's name in it.
She quickly sat up and cleared her throat. Although the heaviness from previous night lingered in her mind, she still received the call.
" Hello . It's Aarav . Sorry to interrupt but should we cancel our meeting today? "
Prabha suddenly realised she had forgotten to inform him.
" Oh ! I am really sorry for not telling. I haven't been feeling well since yesterday so I won't be coming to college for next couple of days. After that we can continue our research. "
" Of course .Please take good care of yourself. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask." The subtle worry flashed in his voice.
" Okay . Thankyou. " The call ended.
Prabha freshned herself up and went to kitchen.
On the other hand, Aarav decided to visit park. He sat on a bench and watched the kids playing nearby.
After a while, a little boy ran towards aarav and held out two chocolates.
Surprised, Aarav smiled and asked him, " why are you giving me these chocolates? "
" It's because you gave me a drink last time." the boy replied with a bright smile.
Aarav recognized him immediately.
"Oh, it's you. But shouldn't you keep them for yourself?"
"I have lots at home. And where is that sister today? Can you give one chocolate to her too?"
The question made Aarav chuckle.
"She's sick, so she couldn't come today. Don't worry, I'll give one to her when I see her. And thank you for these."
He gently hugged the boy and took a selfie with the boy and sent it to Prabha.
"Okay! Bye bye!"
The boy waved before running back to join his friends.
As Aarav looked at the chocolates in his hand, he found himself remembering the conversations he had shared with Prabha.
Somehow, those simple talks had brought him a sense of peace he hadn't felt in a long time.
Few minutes later, Prabha replied.
" Why did you send me a selfie ? "
Aarav smiled at her message.
"The boy you gave your drink came back today and gave these chocolates. I thought you would love to know. "
" Oh wow. Can you thank him for me ? " Prabha asked.
" Don't worry. I already thanked him on your behalf. As for the chocolates I will give them to you on our next meeting.
Then I won't disturb you further. " He messaged back.
" Then Thank you as well. And don't worry, you're not disturbing me at all. "She replied.
Neither of them knew exactly when it had happened, but somewhere between shared conversations and small acts of kindness, they had become important parts of each other's lives.