Fallen - The Tale Of Exploration And Love

A Family Dinner

After returning home from a long day at school, the Rathore children learned about a family dinner with one of their family friends. When they heard the news, they all grumbled in annoyance. 

"Wasn't the homework from school enough to fill our day that this dinner is also crammed into our already crammed schedule?" Vaishnavi expressed her dissatisfaction with the situation.

"I agree." Added Rohan and Anushka to voice their complaints.

"It's important for the business you'll meet new people. Furthermore, Aayush and Khushi are joining their family." Their mother made an effort to explain. Fortunately, they realised there was little use in fighting over a point they would inevitably lose.

"Fine. But there's a catch." Anushka spoke out, lifting her forefinger to indicate one.

"Okay. What exactly is it?" Diksha, their mother, crossed her arms, instructing them to say just what was necessary.

"Only one thing. Let us take a day off from school, just one day." Anushka clasped her hands together, asking her mother to approve her wish.

"I deny." The twins said in unison, shaking their heads sideways slowly.

"So, what are you both looking for? I grant Anushka's request, but just for one day." Diksha told the twins, who touched their thumb and a small portion of their forefinger, requesting some time for discussion.

"Just cut the dinner short. In any case." Vaishnavi remarked, her eyes imploring. Rohan nodded from behind.

"That's all there is to it?" Diksha was curious.

"Yes, that's it," Rohan spoke this time.

"All right, I'll try," Diksha stated nonchalantly and motioned towards the staircase, instructing everyone to go and change, which they eagerly did.

After freshening up, they all went to their mother's room with two dresses each in their hands, asking her to decide what to wear. Picking the best dresses they could, they eagerly went towards their parent's room while pushing each other a little. 

"Mumma, see, they are pushing me."
"Mummy, she is lying."
"Ma, they both are baffling."

Their continuous quarrel caught the attention of Mrs Amy, the oldest worker in their mansion. The middle-aged woman walked towards the children, who were doing a stupid fight to get first to their mother. With a static face, the woman reached near them.

"Enough of this nonsense. Now stop fighting, and decide for yourself what would look good on you, and get ready on time." The lady spoke with a loud voice which caused them to flinch and look at her anger-filled face, the fact that they were obliged to follow concerning her age. 

They silently started to walk away from there when Vaishnavi turned back and asked, "Can I at least go and ask Ma something?" 

The lady shook her head lightly, knowing that the little girl would keep on asking the same question this way or another until she got what she wanted. Nodding towards the direction of the room where Vaishnavi was headed, she agreed. 

The girl enthusiastically went towards her destination and flung open the door while managing the dresses, not wanting them to get wrinkled. Peeking her head inside the room before entering, she scanned the space to find the person she was looking for. 

But, unfortunately, the person was on her phone talking to someone. Stalking towards the bed, she placed the dresses there and went to the balcony, which was visible from there because of the glass wall. 

"Ma, decide for me what to wear," Vaishnavi said in a high-octave tone, which made Diksha turn around and walk towards her cutting the call.

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Aayush sat on the bed, staring at the phone in his hands, struggling with the thought of whether he should call the person or not. His leg shook vigorously, a habit he developed when he was nervous. 

He was so captive by the thought that he didn't notice when a person entered the room. The person in a light blue dress taped his shoulder, which caused him to flinch, and the phone slipped through his hands.

"You scared me, didi. Can't you knock on the door while entering?" Aayush was sweating, and his body was shivering badly. He looked at his elder sister, scared as if he had seen a ghost.

"God! Aayush, you are burning. Look how pale you have turned. I will go and call mumma here." Khushi turned around to leave the room, but a sweat-filled and hot hand grabbed her wrist. She looked worriedly towards her only brother.

"Don't, please. Give me the prescribed meds." Aayush was on the verge of being unconscious anytime. Slowly making him lie down, Khushi started to hunt for the medicine box, which was usually in the chest of drawers near the bed. But surprisingly. it wasn't there at that time.

Panic-stricken, Khushi called on her mother. By the time the doctor and their mother came, Aayush had already slept. The doctor checked on him, and a slight frown was visible between his brows.

"What happened to my son, doctor?" Mrs Metha asked in a worried tone, tears slipping through her eyes slowly. 

"Something is unusual. Though his body is slowly turning hotter, the medical device is not showing anything. I have tried all the thermometers; all of them can't be broken at the same time." The doctor informed, frown still visible on his face.

"What do you mean by unusual? Can there be something serious?" Mrs Metha asked as she caressed the burning hot forehead of her son lovingly.

 "Call you dad." Mrs Metha instructed Khushi, which she followed. The doctor went to the hospital to fetch some important medical history records of Aayush.

Due to the sudden change in the health of Aayush, the Metha family had to cancel their plans for dinner with the other party.

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"All right, take care of him. And don't be concerned; he'll be alright." Diksha hung up the phone as she looked at the twins, who were discussing what they would do if they were bored at the dinner party.

The topic was discussed rather loudly, making the focus of others shift to them. The twins were relieved that their best friend was also coming there. Diksha resolved not to inform them about his condition, or else they would have to cancel their plans too. 

The night was going to be a long one for many of them.