Raindrops splashing on her face through the window as the wind blows, Anuradha blinked her eyes twice due to the sudden sprinkling of rain. She looked at the beauty of rain; it's still beautiful as she loved before but yet it's the smell of death that made her hate it now. When each drop had touched her, she got the reminder of the darkest night she had faced. It still remained as a fresh wound.

Six long years had passed like six days. And everything had changed as per the great law of nature; something good and something bad also. Likewise, Anuradha too changed, she wasn't the woman once she used to be such as the feisty troublemaker and immature one. Now turned to be a calm and disciplined mature woman.

Anuradha reluctantly averted her gaze from the rain as someone tugged her Saree, “What Krishna? Is there any problem?”

Krishna nodded his head, “Yes, teacher. Vedant hit me.”

Anuradha was working as a school teacher. Being a B-tech student she had tried everything to get a better job, to her dismay she didn't get one as she couldn't even complete her course. After a lot of trying and prayers someone showed mercy on her, with their favor she got this job here.

Anuradha looked behind him at a little boy who was standing as if nothing had happened. “You come here!”

The little boy made his way over to them. And looked at Krishna threateningly. If they were not before their teacher, he would hit him again.

“Did you hit him?” Anuradha asked. The little boy lowered his head down, not wanting to answer. She raised his chin, “Tell me, Ved. Did you hit him?” Her voice was soft like a feather. She didn't wish to scare the little boy.

He nodded his head, “But he stole my car, Maa.” He explained his reason.

Yes, Vedant was her five-year-old son. He was her everything, he came to her life as a new hope when she had lost everything and her life turned into meaningless. Eventually he became the reason for her life. He was the apple of her eye. She would do anything for his son's better life. She wanted to be the best mother to her son. Now her life revolves around him only.

Anuradha caught the two little boy's hands and asked, “Now tell me, Krishna. What happened?”

The little Krishna looked once again before explaining what had actually happened between the two boys. “I got a car from the floor,” he pointed towards Vedant. “Then he hit me here,” he showed his face.

Anuradha already fed up with her son's complaints. It's not new to her but every time she felt ashamed before others for not being a good mother to bring up her son in a good way. It's not like she wasn't even tried. She could do everything to correct her son's nature such as convincing him in the best way and scolding him in a loving way and the worst and pain to her warning him raising her hand as ready to beat. But all her efforts go in vain as he continues with his mischievousness. One day he would have owned at least five complaints with his naughtiness. He was a little boy so it's quite natural he was pulling tantrums and indecent in his own way, but it's too much for a five-year-old boy. Though he was an imp she couldn't punish him hard, she was a mother after all.

“Is it true, Ved?” Anuradha asked her son.

“He stole my car!” Was the only reply he had. He wasn't a child who accepted their fault in the first place.

“Vedant!” Her voice laced with roughness. “Say sorry to him.”

“Maa...” Ved whined, he didn't want to say sorry. Instead, he wanted to hit him again for being scolded by his mother.

“Ved...” Anuradha warned him again.

Ved meekly said, “Sorry.”

Anuradha smiled, “Krishna, go back and take your seat.”

After Krishna had left Anuradha turned over to her son, “Did I tell you not to bring your toys in school, did I?”

“I want to play, Maa.” He pouted.

Her motherly side began to dominate, she really wanted to kiss her son and cuddle with him. She refrained herself from the thoughts as she became conscious about the place. Here she couldn't show the partiality towards her son. She wanted to treat every child as hers.

“You can play, dear. But not here, when we get home you could play as much as you want.” She told him.

His face lit up with the idea of playing at home. He always wanted to play.

“Now promise me don't fight with anyone and be a good boy.” She pointed her little finger towards him.

“Pinky promise.” He showed his full teeth.

As if promises were meant to be broken, both of them knew that this promise would be broken soon.

~~~

Anuradha and her son were just about to leave the school headmistress called her, “Anuradha!”

Anuradha turned over to her, “Yes madam.”

Headmistress looked down to Vedant, “Here you are, little devil.”

Anuradha pursed her lips, “Why did you call me, madam?” She hates this woman for always calling her son bad names.

“See, Anuradha. Do you know what your son had done yesterday?” Anuradha looked down to her son who was hiding behind her Saree.

“Yesterday he had gone with second standard boys to play cricket, but they didn't take him, so he threw a cricket ball to a boy.” Headmistress explained.

Anuradha's eyes widened, she didn't think her son would have done anything like this, “Ved...” She called her son who lowered his head down. “I am sorry, madam. I am not aware of anything.” She apologized for her son.

“I am sure you are not, but it's not an excuse.”

“I know,” Anuradha agreed.

“I believe you know that how you got a job here because I was pitying on you, you're a widow and have a baby to take care of and a mother too.”

“Yeah, I know everything. And I am always owed to you.” Anuradha said, honestly.

“Then you should do this at least,” the headmistress demanded.

“What?”

“There's only one solution for this, either you must control your son or...” the headmistress paused, “...or you have to resign from your job.”

“Madam?”

“Look, Anuradha. I am not running this school for charity. I have to take care of other students' safety too.”

Anuradha gulped down the lump that formed in her throat, it would be the last thing she could do now. Her salary was the only source for their living. If it cut down from their life, she would beg in the streets. Life was testing her in its possible ways, but she wasn't ready to fail. She had gone through a lot in these years, yet she didn't fall. Here also she knew how to face it.

~~~

Anuradha pushed her son inside the home and hurriedly walked over to his toy collection and grabbed it one by one and threw it onto the floor.

“What are you doing, Anu?” Avantika asked her mother.

“I am going to burn this all.” Anuradha took out all her anger by throwing his toys.

Vedant brought his little legs towards his mother, “Maa...no. My toys.”

“Anu, stop this!” Avantika held her hands. And made her sit on a couch.

“Tell me, what happened?”

“You know, Maa. What he had done yesterday.” Anuradha began to explain, “He had thrown a cricket ball to a boy. Headmistress complained about him.”

Avantika asked her grandson, “Really?”

“Nani, he pushed me to the ground.” Vedant cleared his side.

“See, Maa. He always has an excuse for his actions.” Anuradha said.

“Leave it, Anu. He is a little boy. He doesn't know what's wrong and right.” Avantika consoled her daughter.

“Little boy? He isn't,” Anuradha shooting glares to Vedant. “He is a little monster.”

“ANU! Mind your language.” Avantika warned her. “Don't ever use that again.”

“I am sorry, Maa.”

Vedant's stomach growled in hunger,

“Maa, I am hungry.” He touched his stomach.

“Maa, something put into his stomach. I want some peace.” Anuradha made her way to her room.

Just as she was going to get inside her room, she looked back at a picture of Ishaan.

She aimed her legs towards the picture, a smile unconsciously formed on her lips.

“I know you're watching everything,” she began to open her mind. She often had conversations with him whenever her mind got disturb. “I wish you're with me now, then I don't have to face anything. I am sure you will take care of everything.” She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. “I can see that you are smiling at me now. Smile as much as you want but you know that I am not the one who will accept their failure easily.” A drop of tear kissed her cheek, “I am done, Ishaan. I am done with everything. I don't---” her voice started to crack, “I don't know how... how to handle my son. He already earns a lot of hate from everyone. What I could do. He is my son. My life, I am living only for him. You know that better than anyone.” She wiped her tears and tried to put a smile on her face. “Ishaan, I want my son to be like you. You are the best person I have ever seen in my life. Your calmness and your intelligence and maturity and everything. I really wish he turned out to be like you. And one more thing, Ishaan. I want your blessings for him. I know you do.”

But she wasn't aware of one thing, or maybe forgot a universal law. Blood is blood, it always shows its real inbred quality whether she wished to change it or not.