As the days passed by, Arvika and Sakshi diligently worked on their project at Sakshi's place, pouring their efforts into every detail with dedication and enthusiasm. Finally, after days of hard work and collaboration, Arvika and Sakshi completed their project, a testament to their perseverance and teamwork. However, amidst the joy of their success, Arvika couldn't shake off a lingering feeling of remorse for her earlier actions towards Dev.

Despite the passage of time, the memory of laughing at Dev still weighed heavily on Arvika's mind, a constant reminder of her lapse in judgment. While she was happy with their project's success which got a 2nd prize, a small part of her couldn't help but feel sorry for her past behaviour towards Dev. But she also dreaded meeting him, fearing he'd certainly cut her braid for those poor cows.

On the other hand, Dev found himself consumed by thoughts of Arvika, her presence lingering in his mind like a persistent melody. Unable to shake off the distraction, he struggled to focus on his studies, his thoughts constantly drifting back to her. It wasn't until his mathematics faculty at the coaching centre brought him back to reality with a soul-shattering scolding that Dev snapped out of his reverie, reminded of the academic responsibilities he couldn't afford to neglect.

'I cannot be a love-sick puppy when I have got a big goal. I need to crack the IIT-JEE exams. I will not think about her. No'. Dev resolved to distance himself from the Lala land of his budding love story with Arvika. Recognizing the need for discipline and self-improvement, he resolved to channel his energy into his studies, hoping that keeping himself busy would help him move past his infatuation.

Also, frustrated with the chubbiness that had crept up on him due to long hours of studying and neglecting his physical health, Dev made another resolve to make a change to shed the excess weight.

'I will be fit and lean again,' he promised himself and started solving the DPP, sipping green tea in between.

****

As a few months passed, the Kapoor family found themselves preparing to visit Arvika's house, an occasion arranged due to the business connection between Arvika's father and Sakshi's father. Unbeknownst to Sakshi and Arvika, this visit held significance for Arvika's father, who sought to strengthen his connections in Mumbai. While Dev sulkily tagged along, unenthusiastic about the outing, Sakshi was excited about the cuisine she would get to taste.

As they approached the familiar house, Dev's face lit up with a sudden spark of recognition. It was the same house he had dropped Arvika off at just a few months prior. Memories of that day flooded back, a warm nostalgia enveloping him as he recalled the fleeting moments they had shared. Dev couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of seeing Arvika again, his heart racing with anticipation at the possibility of rekindling their connection. Sakshi mirrored his feelings and exchanged a knowing look, both grinning like a monkey.

Sakshi couldn't contain her excitement any longer. With a wide grin plastered across her face, she blurted out, "Guess whose place we're dining at tonight? It's Arvika's!"

Her parents exchanged amused glances, their eyebrows shooting up in surprise after her father ignited off the car. "Arvika's? Our Arvika?" her mother echoed, chuckling softly at Sakshi's infectious enthusiasm. As the car rolled to a stop in front of Arvika's house, Sakshi's family emerged one by one. With a collective click, they locked the car doors behind them.

Sakshi nodded vigorously, her excitement deliberate. "Yes! Can you believe it? Your business partner is her Dad!" As her family stood on the doorframe, after ringing the bell, Sakshi leaned towards her brother who had a foolish grin on his visage.

Sakshi couldn't resist poking fun at Dev's newfound fitness, unable to contain her mischievous grin. "Look at you, Mr. Fit and Lean! Arvika won't even recognize you. Remember when you were the same Monty Bully who threatened to cut her braid?" she teased, her laughter bubbling up at the memory.

Dev chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Come on, Sakshi, that was ages ago," he protested, though the playful twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement at her teasing.

Sakshi shook her head, still grinning. "Oh, I remember it like it was yesterday! But seriously, Arvika won't believe her eyes when she sees you now." She nudged him playfully, enjoying the banter between them.

Dev rolled his eyes playfully but couldn't hide the hint of a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. It seemed that even he couldn't deny the anticipation building within him for the evening ahead. His mind wandered briefly to his fitness journey. Being in a different building than Arvika's within the school premises had inadvertently made it easier for him to avoid any chance encounters with her. The separation had allowed him to focus on his academic and fitness regimen without the distraction of her presence, facilitating his transformation from feeling like a bloated sausage to becoming a fit, lean boy with chiselled features.

However, despite the distance and the months that had passed, the prospect of seeing Arvika again filled him with excitement. He couldn't deny the anticipation building within him as he imagined her surprised reaction to his changed appearance. After all, it had been quite some time since they last met, and he was eager to showcase the results of his hard work and dedication. A sense of anticipation tingled in his chest as he looked forward to the reunion, eager to see her reaction to the new, improved version of himself.

As the Kapoors exchanged pleasantries with Arvika's family upon their arrival, Sakshi wasted no time in befriending Arvika's younger siblings, engaging them in playful banter and games. Cold drinks and appetizers were laid beautifully on the glass table. While the elder men started talking about politics and economics, the ladies started discussing the daily struggles of a housemaker.

Meanwhile, Dev found himself seated somewhat awkwardly in a corner, his anticipation of Arvika's arrival evident in his restless demeanour. He glanced around occasionally, his gaze inevitably drawn to the stairs, waiting for her to make her entrance.

But Arvika was busy taking out expensive dishes from the high shelves, unknown to the dread of facing Dev.

Feeling the need for a momentary escape from the chaos of the gathering, Dev excused himself with a polite smile, stating he needed to use the restroom. As he made his way through the house after taking instructions from Arvika's mother, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, hoping for another chance encounter with Arvika.

His wish was granted sooner than expected. Just as he rounded the corner towards the kitchen, he spotted Arvika struggling with a stubborn jar, her brows furrowed in concentration. Sensing an opportunity to lend a helping hand, Dev quickened his pace and approached her with a friendly smile.

Arvika, who was perched precariously on a stool in the kitchen, was in the midst of extracting some pickles from a tall plastic container when Dev suddenly approached her, causing her to lose her balance. "Hello, Arvika!" Dev exclaimed cheerfully, oblivious to the impending disaster. Startled by his unexpected greeting, she wobbled on the edge of the stool, her hands flailing in an attempt to steady herself.

Before either of them could react, the pickle container slipped from Arvika's grasp, plummeting towards Dev with alarming speed. With a loud crash, it smashed upon impact, drenching him in pickle and its oily residue, transforming him into an unintentional, albeit oily, piece of human pickle.

Arvika's heart sank as she watched the scene unfold before her. The stranger before her was now coated in a sticky mess, his features barely recognizable beneath the layers of pickle and oil.

'Shit' a cry left her mouth.

The commotion drew the attention of everyone in the house, and soon they all gathered in the kitchen, their eyes widening in astonishment at the sight before them. As Sakshi and her family entered the kitchen, Arvika's eyes were animated with recognition.

"Oh my God! Dev, what did you do? How are you drenched in pickle sauce?" His mother exclaimed, checking for any sign of injury on her son. Thankfully, the container was made up of Plastic, otherwise, if it were glass, the repercussions could have been catastrophic. Meanwhile, Arvika's mother ran towards the store room to bring new towels that could wipe off the oil from her guest's body.

And that's when a wave of realization washed over Arvika, and she didn't know whether to giggle or feel sorry for him. The stranger was none other than Dev.

Second encounter and she was ready to laugh looking at his odd state.

'More than a bully, you look like a clown to me! Always ready to show your circus skills,' Arvika snickered at her thoughts.

"Nothing Ma, I was just trying to help Arvika when she lost her balance and this fell on me. I am alright," Dev replied nonchalantly, his face turning sour due to the vinegar inside the pickles whose taste he was getting on his lips.

With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Sakshi couldn't resist making a playful jab at Dev's oily appearance. "If 'Tera Achaar Bana dungi' had a face," she teased, her words punctuated by laughter from the rest of the group, including Arvika.

('I will make you a pickle')

Dev chuckled good-naturedly, acknowledging the jest with a shake of his head. "Yes definitely," he quipped, his humour shining through despite his oily predicament.

Realizing the necessity of a quick cleanup, he excused himself to take a much-needed bath, leaving the rest of the group to settle around the dinner table. Arvika's mother gave him the spare clothes of her husband which were quite ill-fitting for him, nonetheless, Dev wore them.

As dinner progressed, Sakshi's parents engaged in a persuasive discussion with Arvika's parents about allowing Arvika to join the school trip to Ooty.

Sakshi, catching wind of the conversation, added her own plea, her eyes pleading with Arvika to come along. "Please, Arvika! It won't be the same without you. We'll have so much fun exploring Ooty together," she implored, her enthusiasm contagious. Arvika's parents eventually agreed, escalating Sakshi's overexcitement.

Meanwhile, Dev found himself sneaking glances at Arvika, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watched her interact with Sakshi and his family.

Unknown to Dev, Sakshi and Arvika exchanged playful whispers, their voices filled with mischief as they made light-hearted jokes about him. "Did you see the look on his face when he got drenched in pickle?" Sakshi teased, prompting a giggle from Arvika as she glanced over at Dev.

As the night drew to a close, the laughter and chatter continued, with Sakshi leading the charge in teasing Dev about his oily appearance. With playful banter, she affectionately dubbed him with names like "Champu" and "Tel ki dukaan," much to the amusement of everyone gathered.

But unknown to everyone, in the corner of Arvika's mind, amidst the playful banter and laughter, she found herself inexplicably drawn to Dev's new transformation. With each glance in his direction, a flutter of excitement danced in her chest, leaving her bewildered yet intrigued by the unfamiliar sensations coursing through her veins.

A subtle glow of attraction that she couldn't quite explain but couldn't ignore either.

****

Destiny - the Farm Resort

The meticulously crafted calligraphy elegantly spelt out the name of the resort, welcoming St. Xavier's School's students to their destination for the school trip with graceful strokes and artistic flair.

Under the veil of nightfall, the students from St. Xavier's School, spanning from 8th to 12th grade, arrived at the resort aboard a fleet of Volvo buses. Accompanied by their teachers, the tired travellers disembarked from the buses, their excitement mingled with traces of exhaustion from the long journey. As they settled into their shared rooms, the ambience was soon enveloped by the harmonious symphony of snores echoing through the corridors, a proof of the day's adventures and the anticipation of what lay ahead in the coming days of their school trip.

Arvika was sharing a room with Sakshi and two other girls from her classroom, their snores filling the air as they settled into their respective beds. However, amidst the animated sounds of crickets and the rustle of blankets, Arvika couldn't shake off the persistent, knife-like pain gnawing at her abdomen. With each passing moment, the discomfort intensified, rendering sleep an elusive luxury as she tossed and turned in her bed, her thoughts consumed by the unwelcome intrusion of pain.

Arvika rose from the bed and started walking, thinking that the pain might go but it got intensified only. Her tears didn't stop, she didn't know what was happening with her and her body. And then she felt something, something wet which dripped from her genitals. She was shocked when she felt that, fearing what suddenly flew down from there, from that part she was always asked to hide.

She immediately rushed inside the washroom and opened her track pants and then her panty, and what she saw petrified her, making her traumatized by the destructible repercussions of the thing she saw.

She was terror-stricken when she saw the red clot of blood on the lining of her panty.

Her vagina was bleeding,

And she didn't know why.

"Why is it bleeding God? Why? Was it hit somewhere? I don't know about it, why is it bleeding, God," Arvika's overwhelming emotions burst as tears streamed down her cheeks. Clutching her knees to her chest, she cried miserably, the pain in her abdomen intensifying with each passing moment. Unbeknownst to her, her body had been graced by the arrival of her period, its crimson hue staining her innocence with its unwelcome presence. Lost in a whirlwind of confusion and discomfort, Arvika struggled to comprehend the sudden onslaught of bleeding from her vagina, her mind clouded with fear and uncertainty.

The muffled sounds of cries echoing from the washroom jolted Sakshi from her sleep, her heart racing with concern. Without hesitation, she sprang from her bed, her feet carrying her swiftly towards the source of the cries. Pushing open the door, she found Arvika, her best friend, huddled against the wall, tears streaming down her face.

"Sakshi," Arvika choked out, her voice trembling with emotion as she looked up at her friend.

Without a word, Sakshi rushed to Arvika's side, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "What's wrong, Arvika? Why are you crying?" she asked, her own worry evident in her voice.

Arvika struggled to find the words amidst her sobs, her emotions overwhelming her. With trembling lips, she sobbed, "I am bleeding from down there. I don't know what's happening to me. I remember I didn't collide with anything. Why am I bleeding, Sakshi?".

Sakshi's heart ached at the sight of her friend's anguish, her own eyes brimming with tears as she held Arvika close, offering silent comfort and reassurance in the face of her plight.

"Please calm down, Arvika, it's nothing, nothing is wrong with you, it's natural, ssshh, please don't cry," Sakshi tried to soothe her but Arvika kept sobbing, going hysterical.

Sakshi took a deep breath, gently guiding Arvika's trembling hands into her own. "Arvika, what you're experiencing is completely normal," she began softly, her voice soothing yet firm. "You're having your first period."

Arvika's eyes widened in disbelief, a mix of confusion and realization washing over her features. "But... why does it hurt so much?" she whispered, her voice tinged with pain.

Sakshi nodded understandingly, her own experiences flooding back as she sought to reassure her friend. "It's common to experience cramps and discomfort during your period," she explained gently. "Your body is going through changes, and it's perfectly natural to feel this way."

In the dim light of the washroom, Sakshi hesitated, her mind racing with uncertainty. The thought of approaching their teacher, Mrs. Sharma, at such a late hour, seemed daunting, and she couldn't shake the feeling of hesitation. As she glanced towards Arvika, still curled up in discomfort, Sakshi weighed her options. Perhaps she could ask her brother to bring pads and painkillers from some shop; he might be of help in this situation. With a sense of determination, she made a mental note to reach out to him as soon as possible, hoping he could offer some assistance in alleviating Arvika's discomfort.

Patting Arvika's cheeks softly, Sakshi stood up and made her way towards her brother's room, anxiety clouding her mind.

****

A woman is a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister and whatnot, but how they become a woman has a whole lot of difficult, struggling story behind it.

Starting from their teens only, girls start to mature, their genitals start to blossom, and their undeveloped mounds start protruding, giving a girl the hints, that yes, she's maturing, maturing enough to have the capacity to bear a baby inside her womb, day-by-day making her transform from a girl to a woman.

But with menstruation comes lots of taboos and myths, sabotaging all the freedom of a girl who was once a kid, while forcing lots of compulsions and strict societal orders on her, literally killing the innocent child inside her.

People call it impure, dirty, and hideous, but do they know that because of menstruation only they were born? The science behind this is complicated and tough, but in a layman's language, a girl becomes a woman only because of all these changes that happen to her and her body when their menstruations start, but can we fight with the cruel society and its age-old rules?

Like thousands of mothers, even Arvika's mother had hidden the fact about periods from her, fearing she was too young to know about all this but the more important reason was, she didn't care, she didn't give a damn whether her teenage daughter knows about it or not, because she was Mr Srivastav's wife and his children's mother, Arvika was just a burden on her slouched shoulder!

Arvika's heart raced with a mixture of terror and unfamiliar emotions as she found herself surrounded by the crimson flow of her period inside the washroom. The sight of the blood pooling around her filled her with a nauseating sense of unease, sending shivers down her spine. Each drop seemed to echo her confusion and fear, a tangible reminder of the changes her body was undergoing. She felt overwhelmed by the flood of emotions crashing over her, unsure of how to navigate the unfamiliar territory of menstruation.

Unfortunately, she was unaware of the most famous chapter of her own standard eighth Science book. Yes, the same chapter which consisted of the preliminary knowledge about the changes in a teenage girl and boys when they hit puberty.

Yes, chapter number ten, page number 122 is considered one of the hottest chapters for each of the excited, adrenaline-gushed boys as well as most curious girls.

As Dev witnessed Arvika's distressing state, the sight of her suffering pierced through his heart like a dagger, leaving him reeling with a profound sense of loss. It was as if he had lost a piece of his soul.

Dampness gathered in his eyes as he watched Arvika's pain unfold before him, each tear a silent testament to the depth of his emotions. In that moment, he felt an inexplicable connection to her agony, as if her pain reverberated within the depths of his own being.

Amid Arvika's agony, Dev came to a stark realization: what he felt for her was far beyond mere infatuation. It was a profound and profound connection, one that transcended the boundaries of superficial attraction. He understood that his feelings for Arvika were rooted in something far deeper and more intense-a love that was genuine, sincere, and undeniably real.

Philosophers say that the man who sheds tears for you is the one who holds a deep love for you. Perhaps, Dev embodied this sentiment for Arvika, a stark departure from his tough exterior. Formerly known as the tough boy who never shed a tear, he now found himself weeping, his remorseful eyes betraying the anguish of witnessing Arvika's suffering. In this moment, his tears spoke volumes, echoing the profound love he held for her, a love that transcended his former persona and revealed the depth of his compassion.

"Arvika," he whispered and ran towards her like a maniac, shocking and penalizing her even more than before. Her bloodshot eyes matched his and her heart was already pounding loudly, in anticipation of what would happen next!

Without hesitation, disregarding the taboos and myths surrounding menstruation ingrained in him during his eighth and tenth grades, he embraced her tightly, leaving Arvika utterly stunned.

Dev didn't care about the beige shorts that he had worn, which was now soaked in her red blood. His knees too had now become red, her blood all over him, the same first menstrual blood which had tainted her body for the first time, but now that blood had tainted him as well, unknowingly fusing them both in the tainted crimson red!

Even her cries stopped at his sudden hug, because an abrupt feeling arose in her, the feeling of anxiety and fear whenever he was near.

"Bhai.." she began, her voice wavering with emotion, on the brink of using the forbidden word "Bhaiya" to address him once more when he abruptly broke the hug. It was at that precise moment that Sakshi arrived, bearing witness to the unfolding scene before her eyes.

"Get up," he promptly stood up, his authoritative demeanour resurfacing effortlessly. Arvika gazed at him through tear-filled eyes, baffled by his sudden transformation; mere moments ago, he had been as vulnerable as a child, and now he exuded an aura of stern resilience. She found herself unable to unravel the enigmatic depths of the man named Dev.

"Change your clothes immediately," he commanded in a firm tone, pulling her to her feet with an abruptness that caught her off guard. His unpredictable behaviour only added to her confusion, leaving her staring at him with a puzzled expression.

"What's the matter? I told you to change your attire. Sakshi, assist her," Dev's seriousness spurred both of them into action, prompting Sakshi to swiftly exit the bathroom, wary of her brother's stern demeanour. She hurried to the room where Arvika's bag lay, containing fresh clothing. Meanwhile, Arvika remained rooted to the spot, observing Dev's departure with a mix of fascination and bewilderment, struck by the effortless confidence with which he carried himself.

"Is he a king of this place?" she had asked to herself, forgetting her menstrual abdomen pain.

Unbeknownst to her, his mere presence seemed to alleviate her pain, offering a subtle yet undeniable sense of relief, though she was far from acknowledging it.

While Dev had departed from their room, venturing into unknown territory, Sakshi remained occupied in the washroom, diligently scrubbing away at the stains of Arvika's blood that marred the marble floor. Arvika, standing by the doorway, clutched her clothes tightly to her chest, silently observing the kindness and commitment of her best friend, who was going above and beyond to assist her.

"Arvika, why don't you take a shower? I'll arrange some pads for you," Sakshi offered with a sad smile, her heart heavy with concern for her friend. Arvika simply nodded meekly, yearning for someone to provide her with the comfort she desperately needed.

With a sigh, Sakshi ventured outside their room in search of her brother, who had left in a fit of rage, leaving her feeling apprehensive. As she stepped out into the corridor, her eyes widened in shock at the scene unfolding before her.

Her brother was engaged in a fierce altercation with the resort owner, unleashing a barrage of punches and wrestling moves with the skill of a future WWE champion. Sakshi could only watch in stunned silence as her brother fought with a ferocity that sent shivers down her spine, leaving her speechless in the face of such violence.

****

In a whirlwind of events, Dev had departed from their room, his destination and motives known only to him.

"Hey," he had politely greeted the owner whom he had met on the way to the reception, thinking that he might be the manager by seeing the number of waiters and workers that surrounded this person, while the owner was busy in checking him out, his appearance was like that only. Crimson red blood was smudged all over his beige shorts, including his knees along with the area near his crotch, making him look like he had periods, not Arvika.

The owner, aka Saket Reddy, couldn't control his laugh and started chuckling loudly, looking at the sixteen-year-old boy, who was bleeding his pants out, according to him. Dev could just glare at him, not wanting to indulge in a fight as he knew that he needed a pad, and that too right now, like RIGHT NOW! His Arvika needed that! He didn't want to waste his time on this nonsense person who happened to be the owner of this grand resort.

A stinking smell was coming from him, maybe he was a little drunk as well, Dev had concluded.

"Do you have pads?" without beating around the bush, Dev had just asked him the thing for which he had come here, looking at the owner with his serious eyes, daring him to defy him.

"I didn't know that St. Xavier's has transgenders as well," the owner spoke out to his few workers who too started laughing out loud at their boss' ridiculous remark. Saket had got to know about this from his manager only, who had told him that their whole resort was booked under St. Xavier's because of their school trip.

Dev struggled to contain his anger, recognizing that the topmost priority was securing a pad for Arvika, who needed it urgently. He silently counted from ten to one, attempting to quell the rage simmering beneath the surface, provoked by the demeaning remarks of the man standing before him.

"Do you have any pads in your hotel?" he inquired sharply, fixing a piercing gaze on the owner, whose laughter only served to further infuriate him.

Meanwhile, the real manager stood by as a passive observer, silently cursing his boss for his penchant for senseless confrontations. He inwardly berated the owner, the spoiled son of a wealthy father, whose arrogance and entitlement knew no bounds. Yet, he remained silent, lacking the courage to confront his obnoxious superior, who had returned from his luxurious vacation in Malaysia only to cause trouble.

"Why? Is our baby going to wear that?" the owner asked mockingly. He viewed Dev as nothing more than a mere child, incapable of challenging his authority. After all, he was the undisputed ruler of this prestigious resort, a kingdom unto himself, endowed with an arrogance and rudeness that seemed to run in his blood. As the son of a renowned politician, he inherited a legacy of arrogance and entitlement, traits commonly found among the nefarious players of politics in this era.

Dev fought the urge to retaliate, resisting the temptation to deliver a well-deserved punch to the owner's nose. However, the situation demanded restraint, and he suppressed his fury, only for Arvika's sake. Clenching his fists with white-knuckled intensity, he silently vowed to refrain from violence, his focus unwaveringly fixed on one person alone: Arvika.

"No, I need this for my friend," he persisted, hoping against hope that the arrogant man before him would show some semblance of understanding. Little did he know, the man had devious intentions of his own, ones that would ultimately backfire on him.

"Friend or girlfriend? Whom you have fucked right now, whose hymen blood is still on your little knees, little boy?" Saket's cruel words became the final straw, igniting a raging inferno within Dev that he had struggled to contain for far too long.

Not anymore when he had insulted his love!

Not anymore when all boundaries of decency had been trampled upon!

In that key moment, Dev's love for Arvika surged to the forefront of his consciousness. Her vulnerability served as a stark reminder of his profound care for her. Her tears evoked a deep-seated desire within him-a desire to love her fiercely, to shield her from the harsh realities of the world.

With a ferocious blow, Dev's fist connected with Saket's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground in a violent spectacle. Fuelled by fury, Dev's rage knew no bounds. Saket had pushed him beyond his limits, shattering his tolerance with each derisive act.

"No one can stop me now," Dev seethed, his anger boiling over.

"How dare you!" Saket screamed in a fit of rage, clutching his bleeding nose where Dev's punch had landed. The force of the blow had sent him sprawling to the ground, his legs trembling beneath him from the impact.

In a fit of fury, Dev continued his assault, his blows raining down upon the owner with relentless force. Despite attempts by the workers to intervene, they were powerless to stop Dev's onslaught. He fought like a wounded lion, his rage fueled by the injustice inflicted upon Arvika.

As the chaos unfolded, Sakshi pleaded with Dev to stop, her voice filled with desperation and fear. Her brother's violence was a shocking sight, unprecedented in its ferocity. However, it was her reminder of the urgency of their mission that finally broke through to Dev.

"I'm leaving you now, you despicable bastard," Dev spat, delivering one final blow to Saket's nose before turning towards his sister, her worried gaze fixed upon him.

"Sir, we're running low on pads at the moment, but there's a medical shop nearby that may still be open. We can get them for you," the manager offered, eyeing the formidable sixteen-year-old before him, who appeared far more capable than their ineffectual boss twice his age.

"No need for that, I'll handle it myself," Dev dismissed the offer with a wave of his hand, striding purposefully towards the exit. He commanded Sakshi to retreat to their room, her initial hesitation dispelled by the fire in Dev's eyes, a warning to any who dared challenge him in his current state.

With Sakshi safely on her way to their room, Dev made his way to the nearby shop. Having visited the area on their previous trip, he was well-acquainted with its layout and surroundings, his familiarity guiding him effortlessly to the medical shop.

Meanwhile, consumed by the dread of the blood pooling beneath her, Arvika rested on the edge of the commode, a towel draped over her trembling form. Silent tears trickled down her cheeks as she awaited her friend's return, yearning that a pad would provide to stop the relentless flow from her body.

"Arvika, are you in there?" Sakshi's voice pierced the stillness of their room, laden with concern for her friend whose anguish mirrored her own.

"Yes," Arvika responded, her voice fragile, her grip on her stomach tight with lingering pain.

"Don't worry, Bhaiya will bring you a pad," Sakshi reassured her, though the words only deepened Arvika's discomfort. The memory of their earlier encounter, where Dev had inadvertently immersed himself in her blood, now compounded by the impending delivery of a pad, left Arvika feeling acutely embarrassed.

Could their situation be any more mortifying? Arvika wondered, exhaling a heavy sigh that echoed her turmoil.

In the wee hours of the morning, amidst the stillness of the sleeping city, Dev found himself standing before a nearby hospital, its glow casting a soft halo over the quiet streets. His gaze drifted to a nearby chemist shop, where he knew he could procure the essentials for Arvika.

"Give me two packets of pads," he requested the shopkeeper, his voice commanding, startling the fifty-year-old man. At this late hour, the sight of a young boy seeking pads was unexpected, leaving the shopkeeper visibly surprised.

"For whom?" the shopkeeper queried, testing Dev's patience. Gritting his teeth, Dev suppressed his frustration.

"For me. Can't you see my pants? Just get them," Dev insisted, his tone growing more forceful as he gestured towards his stained trousers. The shopkeeper, now visibly shaken by Dev's sudden outburst, hurriedly complied with his request.

"I'll get them for you, just wait a moment," the man stammered, rushing to retrieve the items from the shelves. Without missing a beat, Dev continued, his determination unwavering.

"Bring some painkillers, a hot water bag, and some cotton as well," Dev ordered him, his voice resolute. The shopkeeper swiftly complied, packing the items into a paper bag and handing it over to Dev, who stood before him like a stalwart sentinel.

"Thanks," Dev muttered, casting a final glare at the shopkeeper before making his way out of the shop, his thoughts consumed with the task ahead.

"I have the pads; now, how do I explain to her how to use them?" Dev pondered to himself as he finally reached the room where his sister and Arvika awaited his return.