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“Let me help,” Tiya offered, kneeling next to him and helping him with the fresh cloth that Avi had brought out.
“Uncle Vihaan…” The boy opened his eyes for a few seconds. “You’re…here. Mom’s worried. I don’t like her being worried.”
“Hey, buddy!” Vihaan ruffled his hair. “It’s a mom’s job to worry and you’ll be better in no time. I’m here now.”
Satisfied, the boy drifted off again.
“What’s his name?” Tiya whispered.
“Neil.”
Seeing Vihaan’s pinched expression, Tiya said, “Don’t worry. Kids are resilient. He will be fine within some time.”
They worked in tandem for a few minutes before, suddenly, there was a muffled shout from the other room, followed by soft sobs.
Vihaan exchanged a worried glance with her before he sprang out of the bed and ran towards the sound while Tiya continued sponging Neil’s forehead.
Minutes later, Vihaan rushed inside the room.
“Avi’s hurt herself,” he whispered, his voice thick with worry.
“What happened?”
“She’d put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and the whole thing was frozen. She tried to cut the bag with a knife and it sliced through her hand. She’s bleeding profusely. I have to take her to the hospital. She may need stitches. Will you look after Neil, please?
“Of course, I will. Don’t worry.”
“I’ll be back soon.” He studied his nephew. “He’s looking already better, isn’t he?”
“Yes, I think so too. His face is less red than before,” Tiya replied. “Go. I’ve got this.”
Tiya continued working through the next hour and Vihaan kept texting her to check on Neil. An hour and half later, she checked the boy’s temperature, and it was only mild. Spying the ensuite bathroom, she washed her hands and emptied the bowl of ice water, leaving the sponges and cloth to dry on the basin.
When she returned inside the room, Neil was watching her.
“Uh…hi,” she said, unsure of how to handle this extremely unexpected situation she was in. “I’m Tiya.”
“Where are my mom and uncle?” Neil asked, his voice rough.
“Your mom’s injured her hand and your uncle had to take her to the hospital.” Before the boy could worry, she quickly added, “Your mom will be fine. How are you?”
“Sleepy.”
“Do you need anything?” she checked.
“Just some water, please.”
Tiya helped him sit up and offered him the bottle that was by his bedside. Once he’d taken a few sips, she settled him back on the bed.
“Are you Uncle Vihaan’s girlfriend?” Neil asked.
Oh God! Now what was she to reply to that?
“Uh…is that what he’s told you?” she finally answered.
“No, but I hear things in my family without the others realizing. They all have been talking about you.”
“Have they?”
