Chapter 240 - Learning about the truth (3) (1/2)

| ESHAN|

”Do we really have no choice?” Arjun lamented, looking at the glasses filled with green bitter gourd juice.

I glared at him. He sighed before leaned back in the dining chair, looking resentfully at me.

Mom sat across me- silently. Her finger roamed listlessly around the rim of the glass. Her attention was obviously somewhere else, and her eyes were still red. Looked like she had been crying for a while. When dad had called us inside, I knew nothing good would come out of it.

I was so right. Dad planned it out well.

Dad's way of punishing us was way too different- cruller, yet effective. He knew how much we love his cooking, yet he had only cooked for two people- Innaya, and himself. He had specially prepared six glasses of bitter gourd juice- two for each one of us, warning that it was our punishment for wronging Innaya.

I could not even voice my dissatisfaction, for his one glare was enough to cut down my protest.

”I did not do anything wrong. Why am I subjected to this punishment? Ah! This delicious smell! My mouth is salivating!” Arjun ruffled his hair. His gaze went to the pots on the dining table. Dad had kept the food on the dining table, but the worst part was we could not even touch it. Touching it would only increase the number of glasses of bitter gourd juice. Perhaps, dad would come up with other alternatives.

We had to hold onto grievances and bear with it. When dad did not even spare mom from his punishment, what were me and Arjun? Dad miffed with how mom handled the matter, gave us a cold shoulder. However, there was no use of crying over spilled milk.

”Will she forgive me?” Mom asked abruptly. She looked lost and worried.

Unknown to the two people sitting on the table, my fingers curled in a fist. Mom's words and actions played in slow motion in my mind. I could not bring myself to forgive her. If not for the phone call I had received in the morning from her, telling me to trust her and briefly explaining the matter, I would have blown up.

Today would have been the day when my mom lost me as her son.

”She will… It will take time, but she will. Innaya won't hold this matter with you after you clarify everything,” I answered honestly.

If even after having a rough idea about her plan, I could not control the anger rising in my chest. So, what would be Innaya's condition? We kept her in the dark. It would be surprising if she forgave mom. Then again, that was my Innaya. Eventually, she would forgive mom.

After that, I ignored both of them. My ears trained on the conversation going outside. Dad had something planned. The question was, for whom it was. There was no way of knowing it until he tells us. However, his acceptance of Innaya as his daughter gave me a little relief to calm myself down.

Innaya's quivering voice, her simple questions regarding mom's behavior… they made my eyes tear up. Mom's eyes also welled up when Innaya mentioned being humiliated.

Arjun stood up and walked to her side. ”Don't cry, auntie. She is hurt and confused. Once she knows about the whole matter, she will understand.” Hugging mom from the sides, he comforted her.

I could not bring myself to console mom after witnessing Innaya's breakdown. Perhaps my love for Innaya was blinding my emotions.

Just as I picked up the glass of that vile green liquid, a piercing scream of my name rang out from the living room. ”ESHAN!”

I stood up almost instantly and ran out. Innaya needed me.

***

| INNAYA |

Placing the plate on the coffee table, I turned to get down from the sofa. I had to stop Eshan from having the biryani.

Last time if he had been a little careless. My ignorance could have landed him in the hospital. Given the circ.u.mstances of the whole day, who could guarantee that Eshan would be careful?

”Careful. What's wrong?” Eshan's father reached by my side, not letting me get up.

”You're hurt-”

I paid no heed to his words with my eyes fixed on the face of the man running in my direction. ”Innaya! What is it? Are you-”