075 Rebel

All of us got something from Dad. He also bought matching frocks for Anuchi and Piya.

Mom stared at the frocks.

"Isn't it too big for her?" Mom asked. I was also having the same doubts. Whenever Dad bought clothes for the girls, they would be oversized. But Anuchi had no complaints and wore them almost daily. But this time, the frock Dad bought for Anuchi was of the proper size. The issue was that the second frock, which was for Piya was also of the same size. That was a bit too big for her.

"It's not. Just watch." He answered with a smile.

Since Piya was younger, she had the right to pick first. She stared at the frocks for a bit and then looked at Dad.

"Go ahead. Pick yours." Dad urged her.

"Big?" She asked pointing to one frock.

"No. They are both the same." Dad answered.

Piya was confused for a few minutes. She tried to compare both the frocks. In the end, she reluctantly picked one.

"Was she always picking the bigger clothes?" Mom asked. I too had the same question. Piya had the habit of stealing our clothes. After it was caught, Mom taught her to ask permission before taking. Ever since then, she would come asking us for our clothes almost every day. We just thought that she simply liked our clothes.

"Not always. But usually." Appa answered.

We finally got the answer to a question that troubled us for a long time. She just wanted to wear bigger clothes.

Mom opened her packet. It was a churidar that was matching to the frocks. She also got a watch that looked expensive.

Anuchi's packet included toy swords and a new set of bows and arrows. It was for me also. The kids got a large number of tiny animal figurines.

"Who are you? What did you do to my husband?" Mom asked with a serious face. I nodded.

There was no way our dumb father would be so good at buying gifts for us.

"Hahaha... You think I cannot buy good items for you all?" Dad asked.

"Yes." We all nodded in unison.

"..."

"Who helped you?" Mom asked.

"That... an old friend." Dad tried to answer without answering.

I knew where it was going. I excitedly watched the new drama.

"Who?" Mom could easily read Dad's expression.

"That... Anu." Dad finally answered.

"Hahaha..." I laughed out. Then I covered my mouth.

"Me?" Anuchi asked in confusion.

"She was there to discuss about a movie. I met her accidentally in the textile shop. Then she volunteered to help me. I tried my best to deny her. But she wouldn't leave." Dad explained ignoring Anuchi's question.

Mom didn't say anything.

"But I was the one who decided to get the same size frock for the girls." He added. He didn't want anyone else to get the credit for it.

Mom didn't look happy at all.

"Who is Anu?" Anuchi asked.  She was

"She's Jeemma's friend," Dad explained.

I knew who it was. She was the head of a production house. She and Jeemma were almost the same age. When they were teenagers, she helped Jeemma financially. When they were young, once she got into a fight with Jeemma and she declared that she was going to marry dad in the future. Although it was a teenage girl's joke, Mom disliked her for this. I was excited about the impending drama.

"Go to your room and play. " I wanted to stay back and watch the drama. But Dad kicked us out before that. With no other choice, we went to our room.

We went to the room and started playing amongst ourselves.

Within minutes, we were fighting.

I didn't like Anuchi bossing us around. So I decided to start a rebellion again.

My rebellion failed within seconds as the kids joined Anuchi's side. Pichu grabbed my arm while Piya grabbed my other hand and pulled my cheeks. Anuchi tickled me.

"Iyaammaaa...." I screamed for Mom.

She came.

No. She just peeked. She assessed what was happening. My three opponents paused for a few seconds waiting for Mom's response.

Then she just left.

I felt betrayed.

After a few minutes, Anuchi was tired and stopped bullying me.

I lay on the bed gasping for air.

Then we made a fort with pillows. The little animal figurines and many other toys and dolls we owned become a part of our fort. We fought against imaginary enemies and invaders. We exported vegetables and got fake money in exchange.

Finally, Anuchi accidentally stepped on the elephant and broke its tooth.

The next fight started.

This time, I joined the kids to fight Anuchi.

"Hahaha... You three rats think you can take me on?" Anuchi never shied away from a fight.

Soon we were all wrestling.

Piya grabbed her legs. Pichu grabbed her left hand. I was sure that she wouldn't use force on the kids because she was worried about hurting them.

I tried my best to hold her other hand. She was a lot stronger than us. So I had to use my full force.

"Let me go," Anuchi ordered.

"No. Sing the looser song." I ordered. 'The looser song' is a song we made up for someone to admit defeat. Having to sing that song was embarrassing.

"No. Let me go." Anuchi screamed. She was getting angrier.

"Not without singing." I held her hand even more tightly.

"Ammaaa..." She called for help.

"Who is bullying my little girl?" Mom appeared like a summoned genie.

"He is twisting my hand," Anuchi complained.

"Let go of her." Mom ordered me.

I didn't want to let go. After all, getting to win a fight is a rare occurrence for me.

"Are you going to let her go or do you want to get spanked?" Mom threatened me.

I still didn't want to let go. But unfortunately, the little ones immediately withdrew from the fight. Then Anuchi freed herself from me. She twisted her wrist to feel whether it was right.

"My hand hurts," Anuchi said with teary eyes.

I was feeling a bit guilty. After all, I used all my force to hold her down. Anuchi was a lot stronger. So it was easier for her to subdue me without hurting me. I wasn't strong enough to do that. So I didn't hold back and I knew that I had hurt her a bit.

"Achu! How many times have I told you not to hurt Anuchi?" Mom glared at me while checking Anuchi's wrist.

"Why aren't you checking my hand?" I answered with another question. I was angry that Mom was worried about Anuchi. But she didn't help me when I was losing.

"You didn't come to help me when I called for you. But when Anuchi called, you came running. You are partiality."

"I am partiality?" Mom mocked me for my grammar mistake.

"Yes. You are. You can ask the little ones."I decided to get more people on my side.

Except, they weren't behind me anymore. They were hiding behind Anuchi!

These little traitors! It didn't take them even a minute to switch sides. I felt betrayed.

"You came running when Anuchi called for you. You only like her." I repeated.

"Who is bullying my baby?" Dad came to the room.

Finally! There was finally someone on my side.

"Iyamma is showing partiality." I complained to Dad.

Dad looked at Mom.

Mom glared at him.

"Who is bullying my baby?" he asked again while protectively standing in front of mom and facing me.

Seriously?

All that it took was one glare from Mom and he too switched sides. This family is full of traitors and cowards.

"I... I don't like you." I finally declared. To be honest, I too was scared of Mom. But I had reached a point where I could no longer back down.

Mom just glared at me.

"I am leaving."

"Where?"

"To... Jeemma's house."

"Then don't ever come back." Mom was angry too.

I didn't answer. I grabbed my school bag and started throwing my toys inside it.

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