Sitting inside my washroom, I was glancing at the mirror in front of me. I don't know why, but I feel like crying. What was my fault to get the punishment? Why does everyone misunderstand me? Am I that bad? I glanced at my reflection for a while. Taking a deep breath, I consoled myself by not letting a single tear fall from my face. My attention went to the door as someone knocked.

"Chiku, are you there? Come quickly. Mumma is calling you for dinner."

"I am coming," I replied.

 Ten minutes later, I went outside. The three of us sat around our small dining table and enjoyed our meal. None of us said anything as my mother doesn't like talking while eating. After having our food, I kept the utensils in the kitchen and Vani di washed them. 

Right now, I was sitting inside my bedroom making some notes after submitting my online work. I work as a freelancer on an online platform to earn for myself. I don't want to pressure di over everything. My whole focus was on notes by now. It was his first day, and yet he gave this much work. Ugh, I finished my assignment with difficulty and now I have to make these notes. But I would make them, otherwise, it will give him one more reason to taunt me.

I sighed, trying to shake off the frustration. The memory of the morning incident replayed in my mind. I couldn't believe how unfair it was. I was just standing up for what was right. Vikram and his friends had been bullying the juniors, and I couldn't just watch and do nothing. And yet, I was the one who got punished.

"Focus, Saranya," I muttered to myself, trying to redirect my thoughts to the task at hand. I needed to stay on top of my studies, no matter how hard it got. 

Hours passed as I worked diligently on my notes, the silence of the night enveloping me. The occasional chirping of crickets outside my window was the only sound breaking the stillness. I was determined to prove myself, not just to Mr. Singhania, but to everyone who doubted me. I might be misunderstood, but I knew my worth.

As the clock struck midnight, I finally put my pen down and stretched my aching muscles. My notes were complete, and I felt a small sense of accomplishment. Maybe things weren't perfect, but I was doing my best. And that had to count for something.

I went to the kitchen to drink water. Passing through my mother's room, I thought to take a look inside as the light was still on. Mumma never sleeps without switching off the lights. As I went inside, she was not in her room. The sound of water dripping was coming from the washroom. I sighed, thinking she was in the washroom. As I was about to retreat, the washroom door opened.

I looked at my mother, who appeared pale. Panic surged through me, and I hurried towards her. "Mumma, are you okay?" I asked, holding her arms. She looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"I am fine, beta."

"Then why do you look so pale?" I said, checking her temperature by placing my hand on her forehead, but it was normal.

"It's nothing, bacha. I am just tired."

"By the way, why are you awake till now?" She asked.

"Oh, I was doing my college work."

Mumma nodded and said, "You should go and sleep now. It's getting late. You have to go to college tomorrow." I nodded, but there was a nagging feeling in my heart. Something was wrong, something was definitely wrong.

"Mumma, can I sleep with you tonight?" I asked, and she agreed. I climbed into bed and placed my head on her stomach, hugging her tightly.

"Mumma, do I talk too much?" I asked.

"Nahi bacha, kisi ne kuch kaha kya?" Her hand caressed my hair as she asked. I just shook my head and snuggled more into her. I didn't even realize when I fell asleep in my mother's embrace.

(No baby, did someone say something to you?)

The next morning, I woke up to the soft rays of the sun filtering through the curtains. I stretched and looked at my mother, who was still sleeping peacefully. I carefully got up, trying not to wake her, and tiptoed out of the room.

After freshening up, I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Vani di was already there, making tea.

"Good morning, di," I greeted her.

“Good morning, Chiku.” She greeted me back with a warm smile.

"Well, yesterday I didn't get a chance to talk to you due to my work pressure. How was your day?" Vanya asked as I took out a packet of bread from the refrigerator.

"Not good, not bad," I replied, recounting each incident to her. I knew I couldn't hide things from Vanya; we shared everything, and our secrets stayed between us.

“And that new professor, Mr. Veer Singhania, he looks so strict. What’s more exciting is that he is only 30 and he was an ex professor at Cambridge University.”

“And that Vikram, I hate him so so much.” 

"You know, I faced a lot of similar things when I was in college," Vani di said thoughtfully.

"Did someone bully you?" I asked, curious.

She chuckled. "No one ever dared to bully me."

"Why not?" I pressed, intrigued by her confident demeanor.

"Because I would have taken care of them," She replied with a mischievous glint in her eye. "No one dared to mess with me."

"No one said anything to you?" I asked, even more curious now.

"See, Chiku, there's strength in being assertive," Di explained. "You don't have to be a bully, but you don't need to take bullying either. Sometimes, acting innocent is the best way to catch the bullies off guard."

"I don't understand," I shrugged my shoulders.

My hands worked on making sandwiches for us.

 "That's why I told you to read those books. When you read about strong, assertive female characters, you'll start to see things differently."

"Not again, di. Please don't start with them. I was traumatized for a whole month after reading that book. You talked about a strong character, but handed me a book filled with strange romance. What kind of romance was that?" I grumbled, feeling exasperated.

Vanya di chuckled at my response. "Don't laugh like that," I warned her, trying to keep a straight face.

"There's nothing to be traumatized about. These things happen in real life, baby," she teased.

"No, they don't. I don't agree," I retorted, crossing my arms defiantly.

"They happen, Chiku. We call them kinks, and everyone has different ones."

"I don't believe it, such things don't exist."

"Okay fine, you'll find out after getting married. Your husband will teach you, okay?" She teased, sighing when I shook my head in disbelief.

"So, what do you think romance is? It's not just physical intimacy. There's much more to it."

"Stop, please, just stop!" I yelled loudly, shocked by how casually she talked about such things.

"Why are you yelling so much this early in the morning?" Mumma's voice interrupted us, and we both fell silent.

"Good morning, mumma," I said cheerfully.

Vani di greeted after me.

"Good morning” Mumma greeted us back.

You woke up early today," she said with a smile.

"I wanted to make breakfast for us," I said, placing a plate of sandwiches on the table.

We sat down for breakfast, enjoying the peaceful morning together. As we ate, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my family. 

After breakfast, I got ready for college. With a quick goodbye, I headed out, riding my scooty towards the college. The streets of Hyderabad were already bustling with activity. The fresh morning air felt invigorating as I navigated through the traffic.

Upon arriving at the college, I met up with my friends in the campus courtyard. The first lecture was about to start, and we headed to the classroom together.

Today, I was determined to focus and not let anything distract me.

The first two lectures went smoothly. As always, there was a 15-minute break between lectures.

We girls were chit-chatting about lipstick shades, while both boys looked dumbfounded at us.

"Have you tried the new matte collection from MAC?" Sia asked, showing off her newly bought lipstick.

"Yes! The shades are amazing. I'm thinking of getting the Ruby Woo next," Kritika replied, excitedly.

I was about to join the conversation when my phone screen lit up, catching my attention. Usually, my phone is on silent during lectures but this message caught my attention.

I pulled out my phone and checked the message. It was from Vani Di: "Call me when you are free." She rarely messaged me during my lectures, so it must be something important. Excusing myself, I stepped away and called her. She picked up after three rings.

"Hello, Chiku," her voice came out hoarse, like she had been crying, making panic rush through my nerves.

"What's up, Di? Are you okay?" I asked, panicking.

"I am okay. It's just... it's..." she trailed off.

"What happened, Di?" I pressed.

"Mumma is not fine," she finally said, her voice breaking.

My heart dropped. "What do you mean? What happened to Mumma?" I demanded, my voice shaking.

"She fainted this morning when I was about to go out for work.  I took her to the doctor. They're running some tests. I'm really scared, Chiku," Vani Di admitted, her voice full of fear and worry.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," I said.

"Which hospital?"

"City Hospital," she replied.

"I'll be there in 20 minutes," I said before hanging up.

I rushed back to my friends, trying to keep my composure. "Guys, I have to go. My mom's in the hospital," I said, my voice trembling.

"Oh no, is she okay?" Sia asked, concern evident in her eyes.

"I don't know yet. I have to get there," I replied, grabbing my bag.

"Do you need a ride?" Varun offered.

"No, I have my scooty. Thanks, though," I said, already moving towards the exit.

As I stepped outside, I collided into a hard muscular chest.

Looking up, I found Professor Singhania standing there. I just muttered a sorry and was about to step ahead when he asked, "Where are you going?"

"I have something urgent," I replied, trying to move past him.

"More urgent than your studies?" he questioned, his voice stern.

"Yes," I said firmly, not having the time to explain further. 

Mumma is more urgent than anything else in this world.

I didn't wait for his response. I hurried down the hallway, my mind solely focused on getting to the hospital and being there for my mother.

As I sped towards the hospital, my mind was racing with worry. I couldn't lose Mumma. She was everything to me. I prayed silently, hoping for good news.

When I reached the hospital, I rushed to the reception. "I'm looking for Prarthana Oberoi. She was brought in this morning," I said breathlessly.

The receptionist checked her records. "Room 305. Third floor," she informed me.

I hurried to the elevator and reached the third floor in no time. Vani Di was waiting outside the room, her face pale and her eyes red from crying.

"Di!" I called out, rushing to her.

She hugged me tightly. "Chiku, I’m so scared," she whispered.

"It's going to be okay, Di. Mumma is strong," I said, trying to reassure her and myself.

Just then, the doctor came out of the room. "Are you her family?" he asked.

"Yes, we are her daughters," I replied.

"Your mother has a condition that needs immediate attention. We are doing everything we can, but we need to prepare for possible surgery," he explained.

I felt the world spinning around me. Surgery? I nodded numbly, trying to process the information.

"Can we see her?" Vani Di asked, her voice trembling.

"Yes, but only for a few minutes. She needs rest," the doctor said.

I checked her reports which showed that my mother has a tumour. My world shattered into pieces.

We walked into the room, and there she was, our Mumma, looking frail and tired but still giving us a weak smile.

"Mumma," I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes.

"What happened to me?" she asked with a weak voice.

"Nothing, Mumma, you are fine," Vani di whispered, holding her hand.

"If it's something serious, then don't waste your money on me. I am going to die one day soon. Save it for your future."

"No," I said, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face. "No, Mumma, don't say that. We need you. We love you. We'll do whatever it takes to make you better."

Vani di squeezed Mumma's hand gently, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We’re not giving up on you, Mumma. You're our everything."

The room was filled with a heavy silence, the weight of our fears and the love we had for her pressing down on us. We wouldn't let her go. Not now, not ever.

We stayed with her for a few minutes before the nurse told us we had to leave. As we stepped out of the room, I felt a heavy weight on my chest. We had to be strong for her, no matter what.

The doctor came to us and asked us to sign the papers. "What's the amount for the surgery?" Di asked.

"10 lakhs," the doctor replied.

Both of us glanced at each other, a mixture of worry and determination in our eyes. "I have around 7 lakhs in my savings. Do you have any?" Di asked.

I nodded. "I have that much too. We'll manage it, Di."

We quickly pooled our savings together, our hands trembling slightly as we signed the necessary papers.

Despite the fear gnawing at our hearts, we knew we had to stay strong for Mumma. She was our everything, and we would do whatever it took to save her.