Yamini, gritting her teeth in anger as she watched him leave, muttered, "This boy is getting too bold. And it's all because of this woman. I won't spare her! If I don't make her life hell, then my name isn't Yamini Chaudhary!"
In the kitchen, wiping her tears, Sarika gently explained to Tanishq, "Tanu, my son, you shouldn't talk to Dadi like that. She's older than you!"
Tanishq looked at her with slight anger and said, "But, Mumma, she was saying such bad things about you! I don't like anyone talking badly about my Mumma. Just wait till Papa comes home—I'll tell him everything Dadi said to you today!"
Hearing this, Sarika panicked and tried to calm him. "No, Tanu, please don't tell Papa anything. Look, your Papa is already so busy at the office. He has so many problems to deal with. If you tell him about Dadi, he'll just get more stressed. That's why you shouldn't say anything, okay?"
Tanishq pouted and said, "Okay, Mumma, I won't tell him because you said so. But if Dadi keeps saying such things, I won't stay quiet."
Sarika sighed deeply. It was hard to convince him. Nodding her head, she took a plate of breakfast and asked, "Alright, Tanu, have you eaten your breakfast?"
Tanishq smiled and replied, "Yes, Papa fed me. He said that I have to take care of you, so I should eat my breakfast properly."
Sarika smiled at his words, then held his hand and walked out of the kitchen with him.
Seeing that Yamini was not in the living room, she took Tanishq straight to their room.
Once inside, Sarika ate her breakfast while Tanishq talked to her. After she finished eating, Tanishq handed her medicine and tried to take her plate to the kitchen.
Sarika stopped him, saying, "Leave it, Tanu. I'll take it myself. You sit here. I'll be right back."
Before he could argue, she quickly took the plate and left the room, knowing that if she stayed even a moment longer, Tanishq wouldn't let her go.
Downstairs, Sarika placed the plate in the sink and sighed as she saw a pile of dirty dishes. She quickly started washing them.
Once done, she muttered to herself, "No one is going to cook lunch, so I need to find a way to keep Tanu busy and start cooking, or else what will everyone eat in the afternoon?"
Saying this, she walked out of the kitchen and returned to her room.
As soon as she entered, Tanishq got off the bed and ran to her. "Mumma, where did you go? I've been waiting for you."
Sarika picked him up, placed him on the bed, and sat down in front of him. Smiling, she lied, "I was just talking to your Chachi (aunt). She was asking about my health."
Tanishq believed her and didn't ask further.
Sarika then said, "Tanu, now go get your books. Just because you didn't go to school today doesn't mean you won't study. Come on, get your books and notebooks quickly."
Making an innocent face, Tanishq pleaded, "Please, Mumma, not today. Please!"
Sarika narrowed her eyes and said, "No way! Go and get your books now."
Pouting, Tanishq went to get his school bag.
A few minutes later, he returned with his bag, and Sarika made him sit on the bed and started teaching him English.
After some time, she said, "Now, you memorize the table of five while I go talk to Dadi. I need to discuss something with her. And listen, don't move from here until you've memorized it. Understood?"
Tanishq pouted but nodded. Sarika smiled, ruffled his hair, and left the room.
Instead of going to Yamini's room, she hurried to the kitchen to start cooking lunch.
Much later, as Tanishq finished memorizing the table and completed his math homework, Sarika's phone rang. He quickly picked it up and saw Adrijay's name. Excited, he answered, "Hello, Papa!"
Hearing his son's voice, Adrijay smiled and asked, "Hello! Tanu, what are you doing? And where's your Mumma? Did she take her medicine?"
Tanishq replied, "Yes, Papa, I gave Mumma her breakfast and medicine. And I was just studying. Mumma went downstairs to talk to Grandma."
Hearing this, Adrijay said, "Alright, then go give the phone to Mama and tell her Papa wants to talk to her."
Tanishq quickly said, "Okay!" and ran out of the room, calling for his mother. He headed toward Yamini's room but stopped when Sarika came out of the kitchen just in time.
She walked over to him and asked, "What happened? Why are you calling me? Did you memorize the table?"
Tanishq quickly nodded and said, "Yes, Mumma! I also finished my homework. I was calling you because Papa is on the phone. He wants to talk to you."
Sarika took the phone from him and put it to her ear. "Hello? Yes, tell me, what is it?"
Hearing her voice, Adrijay smiled but soon spoke in a cold, serious tone. "Why? Can't I call you just like that?"
Sarika panicked and quickly said, "No, it's nothing like that! Of course, you can call anytime! I have no problem with it. Please, tell me."
Hearing her flustered response, Adrijay chuckled and said, "Sarika, why do you get so nervous? I was just joking." (Then, turning serious again, he asked), "How are you feeling now? Did you take your medicine? And are you resting? You're not doing any work, right?"
Hearing his concerned questions, Sarika stammered, "Y-Yes… I was just resting… I didn't do any work… You can ask Tanu if you want."
Sensing something odd, Adrijay asked suspiciously, "Are you telling the truth, Sarika? Did you really not do any work? Just resting, right?"
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Sarika replied, "Yes, I didn't do anything. You can ask Tanu." Then, quickly changing the subject, she asked, "By the way, did you order lunch for yourself?"
Leaning back in his chair, Adrijay said, "Not yet. I'll order something later. There's still time for lunch. Anyway, take care of yourself and rest. Don't start doing chores. I'll bring you juice and some fruits in the evening. Alright, I'll hang up now. Bye!"
Sarika quickly responded, "Okay, bye!" and ended the call. Placing a hand on her chest, she sighed in relief. "Thank God, I got away with it!"
Saying this, she went to join Tanishq, who was now lying on the sofa in the living room, watching Shinchan on TV.
In the Afternoon
Adhik returned from school, and Sarika started serving lunch for him. But Adhik stopped her and served food for himself, Tanishq, and Sarika instead. Placing the plates on the dining table, he asked, "Mumma, how are you feeling now?"
Sarika smiled warmly. "I'm feeling completely fine now! And with so much love and care from my adorable children, how could I not recover quickly?"
Hearing this, Adhik gave a small smile, while Tanishq pouted and said, "But Mumma, I took care of you the most! Bhaiya was at school."
Sarika gently pinched his cheeks and said, "Yes, yes, my precious Tanu took the best care of me! My sweetest boy!" Saying this, she kissed his forehead.
Tanishq beamed with happiness and picked up a piece of roti with some vegetables, bringing it to her lips. "Today, I'll feed you, Mumma!"
Smiling, Sarika took a bite from his hand. Seeing this, Adhik also started feeding her.
From a distance, Yamini and Vishakha fumed with jealousy.
Vishakha leaned in and whispered to Yamini, "See, Mummy ji (Mother-in-law)? How Bhabhi is turning your own sons against you. Has Bhaiya ever asked you to cook before? Hasn't Bhabhi been sick before? But Bhaiya never paid attention like this. Now, look at how much he's changing. First, he took her to Mohit Bhaiya's house, and today, he told you to cook so that Bhabhi could rest. If you don't take control now, things will slip out of your hands. Mark my words, before long, Bhaiya will completely turn against you."
Saying this, Vishakha walked away to get her lunch, leaving Yamini deep in thought.
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Sorry for the short update but please bear with it for now as I am really busy with my studies. Still I am trying to give daily updates. If you really liked this chapter, please give feedback along with your ratings.