Now, it is our school vacation, I had completed eighth and Vicky, first standard, he is currently seven meanwhile I'm fourteen years old. He had gotten taller, and soo cute. And most of the time, he remains tight-lipped, immersing himself in video games.

His parent's death really has changed him. He barely talks to me. But listens when I speak to him, he even laughs at my senseless jokes. And that's it. It is how the past couple of months had gone by. Me doing stupid things and earning his attention, making him smile, urging him to eat at proper times, sometimes, I even feed him as he might fall behind in his video games If he blinks his eyes off that computer screen.

Nowadays, I've been continuously cursing myself for purchasing a PC for him. That damned computer gets more interest of him than I do.

"Vicky, shall we go to the temple?" I peek into his room and bestow a hopeful smile, though his focus is still on his game.

Old Vicky would never be this reserved nor be this ignorant. But I discern that this is just going to be a temporary phase. He will return to his normal character soon. I truly miss that playful, funny, and non-stop orator Vicky.

I will help him to get back to his cheery self. Although I have a lot of failed attempts in stock still, I ain't losing my confidence whatsoever!

If I'm determined to do something, I will certainly make it happen. That's me, Thikshitha.

"Why so suddenly?" He questions, not looking at me. "Simply..." I say and approach him. His gaze doesn't leave that screen yet. "I'm not coming" he concludes and I pout, standing beside his chair.

"Vicky my sweetie...my cutie....my darling... won't you approve of your Thikki's wish" I hug his head and try to manipulate his decision, which I'm expecting to work out well.

"Huh...Thikki! I can't breathe. God." He unwraps my hand from his head and sighs. "I'm in. You go and get ready" I grin and place a kiss on his cheeks before dashing out of his room.

I rummage through my closet and find a beautiful peacock design printed top. I match it with black leggings and tie my hair in a ponytail.

My face is appearing alright, so I don't do any extra things to it and rush to the center of the living room, only to be met with Vicky who has his head slanted against the couch as he perched there, evidently lost and detached from the reality.

It makes me sad.

"Vicky..." I grab his hand and he quietly stands on his foot. His height is just up to my waist now. I ruffle his silky black hair lovingly.

"Let's inform amma and appa and tag our maid aunt to the temple okay?" He nods his head and we both went upstairs to ask for my parent's permission.

They consented to our request and then our maid aunt guided us to the temple, nearby, just within walking distance.

As it is a Friday evening, there were plenty of people scattered around the temple. I held Vicky's hand, afraid of missing him in such a bustling environment.

I and Vicky along with our maid aunt worship every god in the temple and eventually settle on the free space meant for the devotees.

Maid aunt is a great follower of god and so she maintains social distancing and prays to god, sitting separately from all other humans.

I sigh and look down at my fingers that are entwined with Vicky's. His gaze is also fixed on it. But his face is dull. "Thikki.." He perks up at me, sadly.

"You will also leave me one day" I frown at his words. "Why would I?? Remember, I had also promised you that I would never leave you" he shakes his head.

"No Thikki. You will grow up into a big girl one day and your parents will get you married. Then you will go, leaving me alone...I have seen this in serials that maid aunt watches in her free time through the phone." I stay num for a minute, my mind instantly figuring out the explanation for Vicky's hostile behavior.

So, this is why!!

"Vicky, were you sad all this time because of that?" I ask surprised and he nods. Adorable. "Ahh, marriage and all will wait, Vicky. Why are you worrying about that now? Look at me Vicky, I'm just fourteen. A school girl" I smile.

"Still...Thikki" I narrow my eyes at him. "Even after my assuring, If you are not satisfied. Then I have no other option, other than to quit speaking to you," that hits him.

His eyes enlarge in shock. "Noo. I won't talk like this again. Sorry, Thikki." I band my hand around his shoulder with a content expression.

"It's okay, I want to see my old Vicky. Will he be available anytime soon?" I wriggle my eyebrows playfully and he giggles.

"On his way..." He says and smiles at me. The one that never fails to sway my heart.

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Starting period of our ninth class was so fun. But then I attain puberty. Thank my mom who taught me about it, otherwise, I would have been freaking out, detecting the blood in my urine.

It showed up when I was in school and I didn't utter a word about it to any of my friends. The day was going alright.

At the end of our school time, I and Vicky start to walk towards my home and that's when the effect of periods punches me hard on my stomach.

I couldn't control it. It hurt a lot. I saddle on the ground with my hands on my lower stomach, scaring Vicky in the process. We are right outside our house's huge gate. Also, Vicky had gotten back to his naughty self a long time ago, precisely, after our chattering session on the temple.

"Thikki what happened? Did you drink alcohol or something bad?" I shake my head at Vicky. "It must be that only!" He states firmly, and I was so on the edge to lose it. Firstly, I need to teach him about periods.

Vicky then leans close to my ear and whispers."Do you want to poop? So urgent? Is it that?" I hiss and glare at Vicky's smirking face. "Ah figured out, anyways, I will help you to reach home Thikki.." he grins and yells our maid's aunt's name louder.

Instants later, she arrives and helps me inside the house and I reveal to her my periods.

Ah...

She bestows me with some fruit juices and informs my mom about it. My stomach is still aching. "Go to your room and let go of it Thikki. Don't keep it in. It's meant to be disposed." Vicky addresses as he comes out of his room, refreshed.

He is innocently annoying me. I am too tired to deal with him though.

I silently got up and wander to my room with difficulty. Upon seeing my bed, I fall over it but squirm due to this discomfort in my stomach.

Mom had told me that cramps hurt bad but I never imagined it will be like this...too much for my body.

A week went by and as I have grown up, my mother strictly lectured both me and Vicky to not sleep together. Though Vicky has an individual room for himself, we always nap together at night, well, until I got this blood down there.

As Vicky is still too young, he argued with my mom as to why he can't sleep beside me. I thought to explain to him about periods but then he is a kid I reckon, he wouldn't understand it even If I do describe it perfectly.

My mom was the one who finally shut down Vicky's debates about this topic. "She is a big girl Vicky. So, you have to let her sleep alone from now on." Vicky huffed and stormed off to his room, angrily.

And as days goes by, he was okay with dozing off alone. It was honestly a gigantic task for me to slump without Vicky. But, I have to get used to it...

.......................

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