I reached back home at three in the afternoon. I came to my parents' room and a broad smile spread across my face, seeing Mom and dad. Dad is pressing Mom's leg and her legs are kept on his lap. She is sleeping. I adore them. Dad loves mom so much. I'm just speechless like always seeing dad's love for mom.

I sauntered from there silently without disturbing them. After keeping my bag in my room, I strolled into the kitchen. I filled my glass of water from the water purifier and gulped down the water from the glass before coming back to my room and directly going to the bathroom to get fresh.

***

I walked out of the bathroom. I'm feeling relaxed now.

I heard the knock on the door and smiled, knowing who is on the door.

"I know, it's you, Dad," I shouted, sitting on the sofa comfortably with a smile on my face.

Dad stepped into the room after opening the door, having a smile on his face. "When did you come back?" He asked, strolling toward me before settling down beside me.

"When you were busy pressing mom's legs," I answered him, beaming.

He too smiled, caressing my hair. "I love you, dad." I rested my head over his chest, smiling contentedly. I got the best father in this world.

He hugged me and kissed my hair. "I love you a lot, my doll."

We broke the hug. "How was your day?" As he asked, I again started wondering about professor Zain. His handsome face has been revolving in my mind since the time I saw him. I'm attracted to him and I can't tell dad about him.

In fact, I can't tell this anybody.

"It was good." I sighed and he just smiled at me.

"So, I'm leaving. You just take care of yourself and your mom." He said, putting a hand on my face.

"I'll take care of mom, dad. Don't worry." I reassured him, blinking my eyes.

He lowered his head and gently kissed my forehead before standing up. He walked out of the room after last time glancing at me.

I came to my parents' room and found mom still sleeping. I leaned down and kissed her forehead after covering her with the quilt properly. I settled down there on the sofa. I started using my phone to kill time.

Inaya: I'm sorry for my behaviour. I was just upset.

I sent the message to Vikas. I shouldn't have shouted at him. Sometimes your mind makes you do the things which you never want to do.

Vikas: It's okay, I understand.

I replied to him with the smiley emoji.

Anu: What's up, my Inaya?

Anu messaged me on WhatsApp and I opened it.

Inaya: Just using my phone. You tell?

Anu: Are you thinking about our hot professor?

I frowned. Why she is, again and again, talking about him?

Inaya: Not again, Anu. Please...

Anu: haha.. you know that I love to tease you.

She's just teasing me. I have to calm down myself. I sighed.

Inaya: You know, I'm really thinking to date him.

I'm smirking while typing the message. Now I'll make you fool, Anu my darling. I sent the message excitedly.

Anu: Who?

She replied to me instantly and I smiled broadly. The fun has just begun, just wait and watch, Anu.

Anu: Vikas?

Vikas, I'll never date him in my dream even. He is not my type.

Inaya: Oh stupid girl, I'm talking about our hottie professor.

Anu: What? Really?

I chuckled because she is coming into my trap.

Inaya: Yup. I really like him a lot. Will you help me?

I'm loving it.

Anu: You idiot. Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Oh my god, she's believing me. I'm laughing loudly, covering my mouth with my palm.

I calmed down myself instantly, seeing my mom who is sleeping.

Inaya: I'm telling you now. Will you help me?

I giggled.

Anu: Of course, I will but I'm shocked. More than that I'm happy for you my girl because you're finally going to date a man.

Anu baby, you have become a fool. I'm so happy. I'm laughing like a drain.

Inaya: I'm feeling nervous. He's our professor.

Anu: So what? He is not so old. Luckily he's young.

Now, I'm laughing uncontrollably, throwing my head back.

Inaya: Anu, I'll die. Please help me.

Now, I'm trying to tell her indirectly through this message that I'm just making fun of her.

Anu: Wait, Are you serious?

Inaya: Yes!

Anu: You've been making me a fool since starting. I'm going to kill you, Inaya. Just meet me tomorrow.

I fell about, reading her reply.

Inaya: Oh, my poor baby is angry now.

Anu: Just don't talk to me.

After that, she went offline and I'm still laughing crazily. I enjoyed it a lot but now she is angry.

No worries, I'll pacify her so easily.

***

Mom woke up after an hour. I ate lunch and fed her. Then I took her for a walk in the garden of our home. I gave her medicine and she slept again.

Now, I'm calling Anu but she's not answering my call. I think she is showing her anger to me. I want to see for how long she will be angry. I'm calling her constantly, lying in the blanket beside mom.

She finally answered my call. "Are you not understanding that I don't want to talk to you." She yelled at me over the phone, breaking my eardrums.

"Oh god, stop overreacting. You're just angry because I made you fool." I said the truth.

"Shut up and bye." She yelled and cut the call.

I again started calling her constantly.

"I'm sorry, my Anu. I was just having fun. I love you. Please stop ignoring me." As she finally answered the call, I apologised.

"Now, my heart is melting." I chuckled at her words. She's so adorable.

I confessed, "I love you, my Anu."

I really love her.

"I love you too. I became a fool, I'm so stupid." She cried like a small kid.

I smiled. " You're cute, Anu."

"Haye.. really ?" She asked, getting happy.

"No, I was just kidding." I joked again. I know she must be frowning right now.

"I'll kill you." She roared and I giggled.

"You're really cute, my baby."

We talked for an hour and then I hang up the call. I went to my room. Dad is on the way and I have to get ready for the coaching centre. I teach the 10th to 12th class in the evening and Dad teaches the 6th to 9th class in the afternoon. We have 20 to 30 students batch of each class.

The doorbell rang and I rushed outside to open the door. Dad hugged me and kissed my forehead. We sauntered inside. He directly went to see his wife and I walked into the kitchen to bring water for him.

As I walked into the room, I saw dad tenderly caressing mom's cheek, gazing at her lovingly. He's sitting beside my mom.

Aww.., I love them so much.

Why mom, why are you not getting fine? Can't you see dad's love? I pouted at them dejectedly.

I again started thinking about those things which make me upset. I really just can't stop myself from thinking about all this, seeing mom's condition. I don't know when she will get fine.

I took a deep breath to calm down myself. I strolled toward them. "Dad, water." I put my hand over dad's shoulder.

"Thank you, my doll." He turned and took the water, smiling at me. I gave him a faint smile.

His eyes are moist. He tries to hide his pain behind his smile but he doesn't know that eyes can't hide the pain. They are the window to the soul. I can clearly see the pain in his moist eyes.

"Dad, she will be fine," I reassured him, clasping his face and blinking my eyes.

He gave me a slight nod. "She has to be fine." He uttered, looking at her.

____________