Chapter 19 PTM
DIVYA
Morning in our house usually begins with two sounds.
The kettle clicking on. And Neel talking.
Today is no different. I’m standing near the small dining table with three cups lined up in front of me when Neel comes rushing out of his room, school bag swinging wildly off one shoulder like it’s part of a dramatic entrance.
“Didi!” he announces before he has even fully entered the room.
“Yes?” I answer cautiously.
He drops his bag beside the chair with a loud thud. “I have very important news.”
I glance toward the stove where Aditya is stirring something in the pan. “Should we be worried?”
Neel shakes his head. “No. But we should be mentally prepared.”
Aditya raises an eyebrow without turning around. “That sounds threatening.”
“It’s not threatening,” Neel insists. “It’s educational.”
I pull out a chair and sit down. “What exactly is educational?”
Neel beams proudly. “Today is my parent-teacher meeting.”
The words hang in the air. Aditya turns off the stove and looks over his shoulder. “Ah.”
I press my lips together. "And you're telling this to me now?" I narrow my eyes at him.
Neel smiles sheepishly, “You’re not reacting properly.”
“What reaction were you expecting?” Aditya asks.
“Something more supportive.”
Aditya walks over and places the plate of breakfast on the table. “I am extremely supportive.”
Neel narrows his eyes. “You don’t look supportive.”
I hide a smile behind my cup, I don't think I can ever be mad at Neel. It's his superpower. Neel points his finger at both of us dramatically. “The teacher will say many lies about me today.”
“Lies?” I repeat.
“Yes.”
“About what?”
“About talking in class.”
Aditya sits down beside me. “Do you talk in class?”
Neel pauses. “That is not the point.”
I take a slow sip of tea. “Do you talk in class?”
“Only when necessary.”
“What counts as necessary?”
“When my friends are bored.”
Aditya chuckles quietly. “That’s very considerate of you.”
Neel nods solemnly. “I believe in teamwork.”
I shake my head and stand up to collect the plates. “Well, we’ll find out exactly how considerate you’ve been at the meeting.”
Neel freezes.
“Wait.”
I glance back at him. “What?”
“You’re coming?”
"Yes Neel, of course I am," He looks like he's in danger. “Just you?” His eyes travel to Aditya slowly and hope fills his eyes. Oh damn.
The question makes me pause. Aditya looks up from the table. “I could come too.”
I shake my head immediately. “You don’t have to.”
He watches me carefully. “I want to.”
“It’s really not necessary.”
“It’s his parent-teacher meeting.”
“I know.”
“Then why wouldn’t I come?”
“Because you have work.”
“That’s not the real reason.”
I look away. He stands up slowly. “Divya.”
“I just meant—”
“You keep making me feel like an outsider.” The words land quietly but firmly between us.
Neel is too busy eating to notice the shift in the room. But my chest tightens instantly. "That’s not what I meant,” I say quickly.
Aditya doesn’t look angry. But there’s something in his expression that makes guilt settle heavily in my stomach. “Then what did you mean?”
I hesitate.
Because explaining this suddenly feels harder than I expected. We step a little away from the table while Neel continues eating loudly behind us.
“I just feel bad,” I admit softly.
“For what?”
“For you.” His eyebrows draw together.
“For me?”
“You suddenly have a child to take care of.” The moment the words leave my mouth I know they sound worse than I intended. Aditya stares at me like I’ve said something completely absurd.
“Divya.”
“I mean—he’s my brother,” I continue quickly. “I love him. I’m used to this. But for you it’s different.”
Aditya runs a hand through his hair slowly.
Then he sighs. “He’s the brother of the woman I love.
” My breath catches slightly. He continues calmly.
“I genuinely like that kid.” He smiles softly, “What's there to not like? He’s funny. He’s kind.
” He chuckles, “And most importantly he loves his sister enough to threaten anyone who might hurt her.”
I can’t help smiling faintly. “That is unfortunately true.”
“So no.” Aditya finishes. “He’s not a burden. He’s part of the deal.”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“I know what you meant.”
He softens slightly. “I enjoy being around him. And I like showing up for things that matter to both of you. I want to be there for him if you don't mind.”
"Obviously I don't mind, Aditya." I whisper. The knot in my chest loosens slowly. “I’m sorry,” I say quietly.
He watches me for a moment. Then his expression relaxes. “I can never stay upset with you.”
“You looked upset.”
“That’s because you said something ridiculous.”
I laugh softly. “That sounds fair.”
Behind us Neel suddenly shouts.
“I finished breakfast!”
Aditya looks over his shoulder. “That was very fast. You really need to chew your bites, buddy.”
Neel wipes his mouth proudly. “I needed energy for the meeting.”
I narrow my eyes. “That doesn’t sound reassuring.”
“It’s fine,” he says confidently. “I will handle it.”
Aditya glances at me. “I think we should definitely attend.”
An hour later we’re standing outside Neel’s school. The building is buzzing with parents and children moving in every direction.
Neel walks between us with his hands tucked in his pockets like he’s leading a diplomatic delegation. “You must remain calm inside,” he says.
Aditya nods seriously. “I will try.”
“You too, didi.”
“I’m always calm.”
Neel snorts. “That is joke of the year.” I roll my eyes as Aditya snickers beside me.
Inside the classroom, Neel’s teacher greets us politely. She gestures toward the small chairs in front of her desk.
“Please sit.”
Neel immediately positions himself between us like a shield. “I would like to say something before the discussion begins,” he announces.
The teacher blinks. “Go ahead.”
“I am a good student.”
Aditya coughs into his hand to hide a laugh. The teacher folds her hands calmly. “Neel is very bright.”
Neel beams. “But,” she continues. Neel’s smile fades slightly. “He talks in class. A lot.”
I glance sideways at him. Neel stares very hard at the floor. “He also distracts other students.”
Aditya leans forward thoughtfully. “By doing what?”
The teacher sighs.
“Storytelling.”
I furrow my eyebrows. “Storytelling?”
“Yes, about superheroes,” she explains. “And occasionally about his sister.”
I look at Neel again. He shrugs helplessly. “My classmates ask.”
The teacher continues. “He also tries to negotiate homework deadlines.”
Aditya nods slowly. “That sounds familiar.”
I try very hard not to laugh. Neel suddenly turns toward us with wide innocent eyes. “I just want learning to be fun.”
Aditya presses his lips together. “That’s admirable.”
The teacher sighs again. “He’s a wonderful child. Just… very energetic.”
Neel slides off the chair and wraps his arms around both of us suddenly. “I love my family,” he declares loudly.
The teacher smiles despite herself. Aditya ruffles Neel’s hair. “I think we can manage the talking issue.”
“Yes,” I add. “Maybe slightly less storytelling during math.”
Neel nods thoughtfully. “That seems reasonable.”
Ten minutes later we step outside the classroom after the teacher talks about his performance and suggests focusing on English. Neel exhales dramatically. “That went well.”
I cross my arms. “You negotiated your way out of a lecture.”
“It was strategic.”
Aditya laughs. “You’re very persuasive.”
Neel grins. “I learned from the best.”
“Which one of us?” I ask.
“Both.” He hugs Aditya's leg and my heart burst in so many emotions, seeing two most important men in my life bonding like that makes my heart so happy. We step out into the sunlight together.
Parents and children are still scattered around the courtyard.
Neel grabs both our hands suddenly. “I think we deserve cake.”
Aditya looks at me. “That sounds like a reward.”
“It absolutely is,” Neel insists.
I sigh. “We’re creating a monster.” Aditya smiles.
“Maybe.” Neel swings our hands between him happily as we walk toward the gate. And somehow we’re all laughing before we even reach the street.