"Payal, you'll look after Muskaan. I don't want any further arguments!" He pressed his forehead to stop the throbbing pain.

"I'm not Arguing Akash, I'm just stating the fact. i very well, look after Muskaan. it's you who don't see it"

"I don't see it, huh? What about her teachers who keep complaining?" He was annoyed

"They complain about her late coming. it's you who pick and drop her on time. so, you must know better"

"It's not about that. I got a call from school in between my Meet with an important client. Seems Muskaan again fought with one of her classmates, this time that girl's parents complained to principal"

"But how can they blame Musky? It could've been the other girl's fault" she calmed a bit after knowing the actual reason for her husband's frustration

"We are dealing the same way from many years now. Let's just face the reality!"

"What do you mean Akash?"

"She is just a 7 year old, studying in 3rd grade and we have already changed her from two schools! Do you think it's common?"

"That's because, We wanted to give her the best. Previous Schools were not better" she was finding every possible reason to ignore the topic

"I think, There's some problem with her" he was lost in his own thoughts

"What? Why are you exaggerating?"

"You don't know, what I saw today"

"Means?"

"After that call, when I went to school, Miss.Sneha first led me towards principal's room. Musky was standing out there. At that very instant, You should have seen the wicked glint in her eyes. The glint of anger or something way beyond that, with which she stared at her teacher. I was stupefied Payal. trust me, we have never seen this side of hers!" trembled Akash remembering the sight

"Akash, is that even a reason to worry? Her gaze?"

"It's not all payal. After talking to principal, when I asked Musky to bring her belongings so that we can leave, she took more than enough time. So I went to her class and what I heard there, left me dumbfounded" he removed his specs keeping it on a nearby table continuing "She was shouting at the same girl whose parents complained. Her tone was changed as if she's not the same Musky speaking, whom we know!"

"What did she say?" Payal held his arm

"Musky had raised her finger and she was.. she was threatening to ..... Kill that girl" Payal gasped hearing Akash's words

"do you still think, it's not a matter to worry?" He continued looking down. The image still fresh in his mind. The way Musky acted was so different. He had never seen her like that before.

"I don't know Akash" Payal murmured turning back to hide her guilty face

"I want you to Concentrate on Musky, find out why she's behaving this way" Akash went out after Payal nodded

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"Kaka, where's Musky?" asked Payal to a servant when she didn't find Muskaan​ in her room

"She's in Arnav baba's room"

"What?" She shrieked

"I asked her what she wants from there, but she didn't replied"

"It's ok Kaka, you go. I'll see her" she silently thanked God that Arnav is out for a business trip and rushed upstairs but stilled in her place after pushing open the door.

She saw Musky standing above a brittle table and rummaging in closet.

"Musky" She ran towards Muskaan and held her, who was on the verge of tumbling down

"What are you doing here?" She asked with fake anger

Muskaan widened her eyes in shock and gulped as if she's caught in a horrendous act.

"Wo Chachi, I was.. hmm... I was searching for photo" she blinked her eyes

"Photo? Here? Musky, they are all in your room" Payal picked her in arms and made her sit in recliner

"Not those, Chachi" her change of tone was noticed by Payal who slowly started patting her back to calm her.

"Accha? Then which one you want?" Payal tried to sound jovial to bring back Musky to normal mood

"My photo. The one with Mom and Dad" grinned Musky.

If Payal was bewildered to witness this rapid change in Musky's behavior, then the statement had hit her like a thunderbolt.

"Musky, there's no such photo" she gulped

"It's there Chachi, in closet. It's just that I'm not able to take it"

"Musky, it's time for your homework right? Let's go" Payal tried to change the topic

"That only I'm doing, Chachi. we've to paste our family picture in scrap book" she explained irritatingly

"We have a perfect picture Musky, remember your last birthday, where you sat in middle and we all stood around you. Paste that one. Come now" convinced Payal

"No. Mom and Dad are not in that picture" she whined

"Musky. Listen to me, beta you don't have a picture​ with your mom and dad"

"I just have to search, Chachi. You know, Sneha Mam asked us to do this activity before two days. But I'm still searching for the picture. Everyone submitted it today, including Tia. Chachi, she told, her parents live in abroad but still they came to take a nice picture with her. And she told that I don't have parents, she's so bad Chachi. I hate her. I fought with her today. And still Mam supported her. She also told that I don't need to submit this Activity. Why chachi? If everyone can submit, then why can't I? I will show them my family picture" she uttered last sentence with rage

Now Payal understood, why Musky fought with the other girl and stared accusingly at her teacher. Her heart pained for this little soul but she can't give her hope. She has to be realistic. There's​ no picture of Musky with her parents. It can't even be possible. Because just after Muskaan's birth her mother d..

"Chachi..! Where are you lost? Are you thinking where must be the photo?" She asked with hope

Payal sighed, thinking how can she ever explain Musky?

"Musky.. I'm saying again, there's no..."

"It's in upper drawer of closet, I'm just not able to reach it" Musky interrupted with a determination glance

"What? Musky, try to understand!"

"Please Chachi, check there once, for me!" She was adamant

"Ok. If that's what you want! Come, let me show you there's nothing" Payal picked Muskaan in arms and balacing her in table, she opened the upper drawer in closet.

Shock would be a small word, what Payal felt at the time. There was indeed a picture kept safely. How can Musky Know about this? She isn't allowed to enter this room and if she had sneaked in before, just like today. It's obvious she can't reach the upper drawer means she has never seen what's inside! Then how was she sure?

On the other side, Musky was so happy, at last she got the picture for which she's searching from two days. She stepped down with excitement, sitting in recliner, she fingered the picture.

"Chachi, see how dad and mom are holding me!" She giggled "but mom told, this is the last pic we clicked together" she told with pout while Payal was staring at her with unbelievable expression

"Who..? Who told?" She stammered

"Mom!" Payal took back steps and stood in a corner watching Musky with wide eyes while Musky continued saying "Mom only told me that she has kept this pic in Upper drawer of closet. Come here Chachi, see this pic" Tears formed in Payal's eyes while she walked ahead towards Musky and then sat beside her. She saw the picture in Musky's hand and more tears made it's way.

"But Musky you are not in.."

"See Chachi, I'm here inside Mom's stomach. Both she and dad are holding me securely! I will show this picture to everyone in class. Then I'll get full marks for Activity" She smiled warmly

"So this was the picture Muskaan was talking about. Agreed, she have to use this for Activity but how did she know about this photo and where it's kept from these years? Why is she saying Mom told her. How is this even possible?" Payal was horrified by this thought

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So. How was the Update guys? Do let me know through your votes and comments!

Love, ❤
Uzma