“Priyank!”
Priya stirred in her sleep, hearing someone call her name. She struggled to open her eyes, feeling dizzy and sleepy.
“Are you inside, Priya?”
Once again, someone called out to her. With difficulty, she opened her eyes and turned her head, finding the bed empty. She scanned the room, trying to grasp what was happening.
Because she felt sleepy, her mind was still fuzzy from before.
As soon as she recalled memories of what happened and how she fell asleep, she sat up like lightning, the blanket slipping from her chest.
She felt the cold air on her skin as the blanket fell.
And she looked at herself, completely naked. She immediately grabbed the blanket to cover herself.
“Priya?!”
She glanced at the locked door, where someone was calling her name from outside again.
Her mouth felt dry as she licked her lips, wincing at the burning sensation on her lower lip.
“I’m inside,” she replied, ignoring the pain, blinking a few times to push back the fuzzy feeling inside.
“I’m your Daisy Aunty, Priya. Are you okay? Is Priyank inside?” Daisy asked from outside, her voice filled with concern.
Priya concentrated, trying to determine if Priyank was inside. Then she heard the sound of water running from the bathroom, her face turning red with embarrassment.
As she recalled what happened yesterday, her embarrassment intensified, exacerbated by her nakedness.
“Priya, I asked you something,” Daisy reminded her again.
“He’s inside the bathroom, I think, aunty,” Priya replied, snapping out of her trance.
“Oh, sweetheart, open the door. I want to meet you, and it’s better if you come for breakfast. I was asleep yesterday when he brought you home, and I didn’t attend to you,” Daisy suggested softly.
Priya looked at herself again, still naked, unsure of what to do. She wanted to leave before Priyank returned and did something, but her nakedness wasn’t enough to stop her from opening the door.
“Just give me a minute, Aunty,” she replied, standing up from the bed and wrapping the blanket around her, dragging it along with her.
Reaching into the cupboard, she searched for clothes she could wear.
She found a black shirt, immediately took it, and dropped the blanket. Putting it on, she tied her hair into a bun.
Walking towards the door, she opened it as soon as she was ready.
“Sweetheart, good morning,” Daisy immediately hugged her as she opened the door.
Priya smiled, feeling the warmth of the hug spreading through her whole body.
“Good morning, Daisy aunty,” Priya replied, returning the hug.
“You’re surely fine, right?” Daisy asked with concern, breaking the hug.
Priya struggled to find an answer, unable to put her feelings into words.
She felt a twinge of pain in her lips and a lingering tingling sensation in her pussy.
Recalling peeing in the bathtub filled her with embarrassment.
Unaware of the true nature of her experience, she still equated it with urinating.
“I’m okay, Aunty,” she replied, her voice hesitant.
“Oh!”
Daisy sensed her discomfort, familiar with Priya’s tendency to share everything. Seeing Priya looking scared didn’t surprise her.
Daisy gently placed a hand on Priya’s shoulder, offering reassurance. “It’s alright, dear. Take your time. I am here for you.”
Priya managed a weak smile, grateful for Daisy’s understanding. “Thank you, Aunty. I just… I don’t know what happened.”
Daisy squeezed her shoulder comfortingly. “It’s fine. But for now, let’s focus on getting you some breakfast and making sure you’re feeling better.”
Priya nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
Feeling overwhelmed by the kindness Daisy showed her, Priya’s eyes welled up with tears as memories of Mary’s rejection flooded her mind.
The contrast between Mary’s coldness and Daisy’s warmth weighed heavily on her heart. Priyank’s actions only added to her confusion.
“What’s wrong, Priya? Why do you look so upset?” Daisy asked, her expression tense with concern.
As Daisy gently inquired, tears streamed down Priya’s cheeks. The motherly care Daisy showed only intensified her emotions.
“Why are you crying, sweetheart?” Daisy asked, her face filled with worry.
Not understanding what had suddenly caused Priya’s outburst of tears, Daisy realised Priya wasn’t as okay as she claimed to be earlier. The source of Priya’s distress was now her primary concern.
“My mother, Mary, doesn’t want me anymore,” Priya choked out between sobs.
Daisy’s heart ached as she heard Priya’s words. She pulled Priya into a comforting hug, holding her close as she let out her emotions.
“Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry,” Daisy whispered, her voice filled with compassion.
Priya clung to Daisy, finding solace in her embrace. “But why? Why doesn’t she want me anymore?”
Daisy gently brushed Priya’s hair, trying to soothe her. “Sometimes people make choices that hurt others, but it’s not because they don’t care.”
Daisy couldn’t understand why Priya would say such things about Mary, whom she knew cared deeply for Priya. She had seen it in Mary’s eyes when they couldn’t locate Priya, the desperation and concern evident.
Despite not being Priya’s biological mother, Daisy was confident in saying that Mary loved Priya just as much as any mother could love their child.
“Can you tell me what happened?” Daisy asked, cupping Priya’s cheeks in her hands.
Priya’s tears continued to flow as she explained, “She sent me away with Priyank, saying I’m 18 now and can’t stay in the orphanage anymore. But I’ve been 18 for six months already, Aunty. I don’t understand why she did it.”
Priya’s tears streamed down her face, her heart heavy with confusion and hurt. Daisy’s comforting presence allowed her emotions to pour out like a waterfall.
‘I knew it, it’s all because of my own son,’ Daisy sighed, her thoughts consumed by worry.
Priyank. It always seemed to come back to him. It was as if he had made it his mission in life to cause Priya pain and wreak havoc.
He acted impulsively, without considering the consequences of his actions. Despite claiming to love Priya, Daisy couldn’t fathom how his actions could ever be construed as love.
Whatever misguided feelings he has for her now would eventually turn into something genuine, and he would come to regret his past behaviour. But by then, it might be too late.
“Priya, please don’t cry. I’m here with you. Let’s go downstairs. Your tears are breaking my heart, my dear.”