Hayy

Fret not for Mama's here little baby munchkins
And she's brought a cute lil chapter for you

So yep

Here you go!

~Kritika~

I sat in the cool, air conditioned office, typing rapidly on the keyboard the details of the patient as the doctor spoke. I paused to push my glasses up the bridge of my nose before resuming my work.

The psychologist I was working with, Dr. Julian preferred to make notes of the patients as they went. And when the patient was a little cold, extra care was taken. Child psychology is considered to be the most delicate branch of psychology, she believed that the cases should be handled equally delicately.

Yes, she. Dr. Julian Rosa Aliberti, contrary to the popular misconception, was in fact a woman. On hearing her name, people usually thought that she was, well, a he. And I had been one of those many people.

So you could've very well imagined my surprise when I entered Dr. Julian's office around a month ago from now, I expected to see an old man.

I'm pretty much I unhinged my jaw in surprise when I was greeted by a woman. Old, nonetheless, but a woman.

Dr. Julian, or Dr. Juli as she preferred being called was a cheerful, grey haired woman who specialized in child psychology.

She was a 100% Italian, accent and all. From her appearance, you would think that she was this quintessential Italian nonna who would make you some of her famous lasagna for lunch.

But here she was, a psychologist with a PhD. in applied psychology from Oxford university and lifetime of work experience.

Guess looks can be deceiving at times.

She read the details of the patients from her little notepad she had scribbled on. Whenever the patient was a child, she was extra careful with everything and didn't even let a minor detail slide.

I had instantly warmed up to Dr. Juli on my first day. Maybe it was her kind crinkle-eyed smile or the booming laughter that frequently escaped her lips. She had a grandma like vibe to her, and I guess that's why kids in the hospital loved her too.

I could say she had a soft spot for me too. She once exclaimed that I reminded of her youngest daughter, who lived in Florence. That I looked just like her. Or at least, like what she looked like in her youth.

And I guess, our bond just strengthened from that day.

I didn't realize I was done typing until I heard the printer springing to life beside me. I sat back and squinted at the computer screen.

Name: Allison J. Thomas

Age: 9

Diagnosis: Separation anxiety disorder, chronic depression, asthma and recurring panic attacks.

Status: Ongoing treatment

The cool blast of the air conditioner blew around me. I felt a chill run down my spine and soon enough I felt goosebumps rise on my arms. I wasn't sure whether it was because of the temperature though.

"This is so sad, Dr. Juli." I sighed "she's just 9. At that age, the only problems I had was not being able to tie my shoelaces. She's too little. She doesn't deserve this."

She looked at me and smiled "and that's exactly why I do what I do. To help these bambini."

After being with her for weeks now, I'd finally been able to keep up with her Italian terminologies. Bambini, for instance, meant children.

"And that is exactly why you are my favourite old lady." I laughed

"Who you calling old lady?" she laughed "Juli is no old lady. Ah, you just want that lasagna I brought for lunch, don't you? Am I right, caro?" it was times like these that reminded me of her, well, Italian-ness.

"You know me so well." I said, pretending to wipe a tear. At that moment, I felt a blast of warm air behind me as her door flew open revealing the doctor who had her cabin right beside Dr Julian's.

"Dr. Victoria?" I squinted at the sudden light that flooded the dimly lit room.

She gave me a small smile and looked at Dr. Julian "There is an urgent meeting in the conference room."

"Meeting? What for?" Dr Julian asked.

"Amendments in the hospital protocol or something. Why they have to make so many amendments and that too so often, is beyond me. I had to cancel a patients appointment for this." she mumbled crossly Wonder when they are going to make amendments in the hospital cafeteria menu. Now that's one meeting I'd love to attend."

Dr. Julian's booming laughter filled the cabin "I agree. Let's go, Vicky." she said, using the nickname she had for her.

"Yeah. There's one problem though." she trailed and looked down. That is when I noticed someone standing behind her legs.

I peered across the table and saw a tiny girl, not more than 6 years old clutching at Dr. Victoria's lab coat "Come on out Lilli and say hello to Dr. Juli and Ms Kritika."

The child shook her head and I bit back a smile. Dr. Victoria sighed and shook her head at her "This here, is my daughter. I didn't have the time to arrange a babysitter so I had to bring her here to the hospital for today." she explained, gently pulling her coat from the child's grip "I don't know who will look at after her now that I have to go for that meeting. I can't leave her on her own."

"I will."

It took me a few seconds to realise that I was the one who said those words.

"You sure?" Dr. Victoria asked worriedly.

I nodded "Positive."

"She has been acting rather strange. She was so full of life, as a toddler." she muttered, more to herself "she has never been this withdrawn and shy. It's been happening for the past few years. I don't know what's wrong. Guess kids do grow up fast. Oh well.." then she looked at me "..would you be able to handle her?"

"I've got this Dr. victoria, trust me." I reassured her "besides, I guess it would have been difficult had she been a mischievous little tot." I jokef.

"Thank you so much." she said, giving me a grateful sigh "darling, you stay here and mummy will be right back, okay?. Finish your homework by the time I get back."

The child looked like she was going to protest but then nodded reluctantly.

With that, Dr. Victoria beckoned Dr. Julian and they both left, the door squeaking shut behind them.

I peered down at the girl and saw her staring at her shoes. She had a heavy looking school bag on her shoulders.

"Hi." I said causing her to look up

She observed me silently for a while before whispering something. Before I could ask her to repeat what she said she walked over to one of the couches in the cabin and sat down on it.

I observed her quietly as placed her bag beside her and zipped it open.

I tiptoed up to her and sat down adjacent to her.

"Hi." I repeated "my name is Kritika, what's yours?"

She looked at me and then diverted her eyes back to the bag "I don't like my name. Everybody teases me about it. It's lame."

This was the longest I had heard her talk so her answer took me by surprise.

"I don't think that's possible." I said feigning a shocked look "a pretty little girl like you would surely have a pretty name."

She gave me a shy smile and I fought my urge to pull her cheeks "My name's Lillica."

"You have a very beautiful name, Lillica." I exclaimed

"No." she exclaimed stubbornly "Everyone teases me about it, even my cousins." she said sadly, once again taking me by surprise.

There was so much more to this little kid then she was letting people see.

"Well.." I trailed "that's because they're jealous that their mommy and daddy didn't give them a beautiful name like yours." I said "And would you look at that, Our names rhyme! That makes us sisters!" I exclaimed and she flashed me a wide, gap toothed smile

"You're funny, Ms. Kritika." she giggled causing me to smile.

"Wow, that is a very pretty ribbon you got in your hair, Lillica." I said, admiring the huge red bow in her hair.

"Thank you." she said shyly "my mommy made it for me. And you can call me Lilli."

"Okay, Lilli." I laughed "and you can call me Kritika. So.. your mommy told me that you had homework to do."

Her smiled faded and she fished a few rather large looking books from her bag pack. I stared at her, amazed.

"Your school teacher gave you so much homework, Lilli?" I asked, very surprised.

What kind of pre school gave so much homework to a child?

"This is not what Ms. Angela gave me." she said and I assumed Ms. Angela was her school teacher "It is my other homework. My tut- uh tu-" she looked like she was struggling to say the word but I knew exactly what she meant.

"Tuition?" I said softly and she nodded.

"Yes, my.. tu-- tutan." she said, licking her lips

I blinked "Can I have a look at your books?" I asked gently and she handed them to me one by one.

Math.. English.. Art.. EVS..?

So much pressure. All this, for a pre-schooler?

I looked at Lilli as she sat on the couch sucking her finger and fiddled with one of the buttons on her coat.

"Mommy wants me to be nice and get good..mawks." she said, drooling all over her finger "I want mommy to be happy, not sad."

My throat constricted at that and my heart fell to my stomach.

"..She hasn't been acting like herself lately. I don't know what's wrong.."

I guess I finally knew what Dr. Victoria was talking about. I knew what was wrong with her.

"What happened?" I heard a tiny voice ask me.

I forced on a smile "Nothing. But guess what? I have something for you." I exclaimed in a cheery voice and reached for my bag.

"Are those M&Ms?" she yelled, scrambling up on the couch

"Yes, they are." I giggled, kneeling down to her level "So here's what we can do. I'll help you do your homework while you eat them. Okay?"

"All of them?" she asked me, her eyes twinkling "for me?"

I smiled "Every little bit of it."

She squealed and before I knew it, I felt two tiny arms wrap themselves around my neck.

"I'll share with you." she said into my shoulder "I like you."

And that is how that day,Lillica and I bonded over M&M's, maths homework and a lot of laughter.

*****

As she was concentrating on her last problem, my phone rang loudly cutting through the silence. Before I could grab it, Lillica beat me to it.

"Lillica.." I playfully warned.

"I know how to use a phone, I'm a big girl." she giggled "I'll show you."

She pressed a few buttons before bringing the phone to her ear "Hello?" she paused and scrunched up her face "Who are you?"

"Who is it Lillica?" I asked

"It is a boy." she exclaimed "he says his name is lame." she said, tilting her head in confusion "I thought that only my name was that."

I gestured for her to give me the phone and she complied "uhh.. Hello?"

"Who was that? A kid?"

Oh, of course. It was him.

"Lilli." I said simply.

"How many times do I have to tell you to not call me that " he said, sounding agitated "my name is not Lily."

"No I didn't mean.." I trailed "..never mind" I said, fighting back a giggle.

.. It is a boy... He says his name is lame.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from bursting out laughing. ..Lame..

"What's up?"

"What's up? What's up with you? Who was that kid?" he asked.

"I'm at the hospital." I said simply, as Lilli chewed on the end of her pencil thoughtfully.

"Oh, your internship." he muttered and I could almost see him rubbing the back of head.

"Something you got to tell me?" I teased

"How do you know..? And I just had a sudden rush of deja vu. Has this happened before?"

I didn't reply to that "Come on. Spill."

"So.." he croaked and then cleared his throat "I don't know how to say this. It's.. well, you see, it's December right now and.."

"Then it's gonna be January, then February." I cut in "So what?"

"Then Narch." Lilli yelled, apparently overhearing my remark.

"March, Lilli. But, yes. Back to my question, so what? What do you mean by its December?"

There was a pause "If you would let me speak. And stop calling me that." he repeated indignantly and then sighed "so I was saying.."

At that moment the door creaked open to reveal a very tired looking Dr. Victoria.

"Mommy." Lilli squealed and ran up to her, visibly surprising her "Kritika and I had so much fun. And I even did my tutan homework." she exclaimed

"Hi Doc." I said to her and brought my phone back to my ear "I'll call you in a while okay? Bye."

"Wait bu-"

"Bye." I said, disconnecting the call

"Look mommy." I heard Lilli say "I even ate a lot of M&Ms and.. I don't think I was supposed to tell you that. oops."

Dr Victoria looked at her amazed and gave her a small smile "Why don't you go pack your bag while I talk to Kritika?"

"Fine." she sighed as if it were a huge chore she'd been told to do.

Dr. Victoria turned towards me, looking beyond amazed "I.." she trailed "How..? How did you do that? I haven't seen her so cheerful.. in a while now."

"Doctor." I trailed "I wanted to talk to you.. Remember how you told me you thought something was bothering Lillica?"

She nodded "I definitely do think that. She hasn't been doing well, academic wise either. Her tution teacher told m--"

"Dr. Victoria." I cut her off "I'm sorry to interrupt, but that is exactly what's bothering her."

She gave me a confused look and I sighed "Dr. Victoria, Lillica is just a child. A six year old. And what normal six year old takes tuitions? The tuitions, the excessive studying, is exactly what has been bothering her."

"Well, that's ridiculous." she scoffed "It's not like I forbid her from playing. Tuitions are the only time she studies. If I cancel those, when is she going to take out time for studies? Besides, I am not at home half of the time."

"That's it, Dr Victoria. Time." I stressed "do you think you're giving her enough of your time? How many hours do you spend with her in your day?"

Dr Victoria fell silent at that and I took it as my cue to continue.

"The best gift you can give her, is your time. You know what she said to me? She had finished her homework in the hope that you'll get happy. She did it, in the hope that it'll make you happy. She's doing her bit, Dr. I'm sorry, but I think she does deserve something back in return."

She silently stared at Lillica as she finished her books one by one in her bag, and began to collect all her color pencils.

"You should look at the drawings she made in her art register. For a six year old, she surely has got some skill."

She looked towards me sharply "Drawing?" she asked "I didn't even know she did that..." she trailed, looking genuinely surprised "she never showed.."

I shook my head "that's not how it works, Doc. You were the one who enrolled her for the class, so it's you should be looking after that. When is the last time you sat down with her and just.. talked? And I'm not talking about academic, homework talk. Just.. casual talk. Talk about all kinds of random stuff. Just.. opened up to her and let her feel comfortable to do the same?"

She had her eyes trained down to her shoes, immediately reminding me of Lilli. I gently touched her shoulder and she looked at me.

"Don't do this to her, Doc." I said softly "wonder how much more pain her little heart can take. She has gone through bullying in school, do you know that?" she gave me a look of disbelief and I nodded in confirmation "she told me that herself."

"And as far as her... academics are concerned, please don't pressurize her." I said "every child is different and unique in their own way. Just because one child gets good grades and is born intelligent, doesn't mean that every child is the same."

"But if she doesn't do well..." she trailed and I sighed. She wasn't really getting what I was trying to say.

"Dr. Victoria." I said "think of every child as a.. as a different sized balloon. A large balloon naturally has a large capacity and hence can sustain more air. Now, I don't mean to say the small ballons represent 'stupidity'. There is a certain capacity each child can handle. " I explained "so what happens when you try to fill a lot of air in a smaller balloon? Forcing it to match the size of the larger one? Force it all you want. But you and I both know what happens in the end." I said softly "it ends up bursting."

It was then as if realisation suddenly dawned upon her. She looked at me with a guilty expression and I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"No Doc. No." I said, shaking my head "It's okay. Everybody makes mistakes. It isn't too late to make up for them, is it?"

At that moment I felt a little tug on my sweater and I looked down.

Lillica beckoned me to come closer to her. I looked at Dr. Victoria but then crouched down to her level anyway.

I felt a kiss on my cheek as tiny arms wrapped themselves around me for a second time today.

"Thank you." she said in her soft little voice "thank you for helping me do my tutan homework. I had a lot of fun today."

I was surprised but soon enough, a wide smile broke out on my face "Me too. You are like a little sister to me."

"And you are my older sister." she giggled "Mommy, can I get myself an older sister just like Kritika? I'm tired of being by myself at home. I want someone to play with me." she said, pouting crossly.

Dr. Victoria shared a look with me before we both burst out laughing. She scooped up her daughter in her arms and nuzzled her neck "We will see about that, baby. Now say bye to Ms. Kritika." she said, giving me a smile that clearly spelled two, simple words.

Thank you.

I gave her one right back and winked at her.

"Bye, Kritika." Lilli said, giving me her gap toothed grin "I will come to visit you often."

"Bye, darling." I cooed, pulling her cheeks "you be good for your mummy, okay? I'll be glad to spend time with you again."

"Bye." she sang as they made their way out the office "mommy, I did all my homwork. Are you happy?"

"Of course, love." I heard Dr. Victoria say "and mummy is sorry for not spending time with you. I am the worst mummy in the world."

"Don't say that." Lilli exclaimed "you're the best mommy in the world. I love you more than.. more than M&Ms" she exclaimed enthusiastically "but.."

"But..?"

"I'll love you more if you buy me ice cream."

I laughed out loud at that and shook my head. As their footsteps faded away I walked over to the couch tidying the crumpled edges and re-arranging the cushions. If there was one thing Dr. Juli was particular about, it was cleanliness.

"What was that about, bambola?"

A little squeak left my mouth as I spun around "Dr. Juli, you startled me."

She often called me a 'bambola'. She said it meant doll. Guess she did have a nick name for everyone.

"I'm sorry." she laughed "I just had a chat with Vicky and she told me about what you said to her."

I winced, me and my huge mouth. I think I just got myself fired from my first job.

Great, my sub conscience muttered.

"I'm sorry Dr. Juli, I shouldn't--"

"No, no don't apologize. Vicky told everything." Dr Julian said "and she is, in fact, very happy with you."

"She is?"

"Certo!" she exclaimed, nodding "she told me, more like threatened me, to extend your internship period."

"She did?" I asked, still not quite believing her.

"Yes." she laughed and then looked at me with an almost proud smile "you, my dear, are going to make one hell of a psychologist one day. I can tell. I am so proud of you."

I smiled embarrassedly at her, not knowing what to say.

She nodded and smiled at me "Well, your work for today is done. It's almost 3 o clock."

"So I can go home?"

At that moment, my stomach decided to demostrate a Beluga whale's mating call.

"Oops." I muttered looking at my stomach "Well, guess we should eat something first."

"How about some lasagna?" she said, producing a lunch box from her bag.

And let's say, I all but jumped at it.

*****

With a stomach full of lasagna and a content smile on my face, I stood at the side of the road, trying to flag down a taxi. Stacey's car's tyres were punctured so I had to take a taxi, having no option left.

It was 4 o clock and the evening was setting in. Dark clouds were looming in a distance and it didn't take a genius to figure out that it was going to rain tonight.

I fished my phone out of my pocket, checking it for any unread messages as I tried to stop a taxi.

At that moment I remembered about Liam's call. What was that about? I dialled his number just as a taxi stopped by me.

As I gave him directions and got in, the call was placed. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Hi." I said, clearing my throat "so.. What is it that you wanted to tell me."

"Hello to you too." he said dryly, and I heard a faint whirring sound of machinery in the background

"So you're at the gym" I said matter of factly, clearing my throat again. It felt as dry as parched paper.

"How..? You need to stop doing that, woman. You freak me out."

"Doing what?" I croaked.

Okay something's really wrong with my voice.

"Never mind." he muttered "so.. there's something I got to tell you. You're the first, and perhaps the only person I'm telling this."

"Okay, what?" I said, opening my bag and retreiving my water bottle and unscrewing it.

"I don't know if this is a good idea. I don't know how to say this.. "

"Say it quick or I'm going to hang up." I threatened, letting the cool liquid flow down my throat. God, why am I so thirsty?

"I.."

"I'm going to hang up in 3 seconds." I said, taking another large swig.

"I'm going to tell Anna how I feel."

Water flew out of my mouth in a vertical line, spraying onto the back of the poor unsuspecting taxi driver's head.

XXXXXXXXX

Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuun :3

Sooooooooo yep

I just realized the chapter was.. Not so little. Uhh... Oops?
Soo

Lillica is such a darling isn't she? And what about Dr. Juli?
I'm sorry if you're confused with how this chapter went. I wanted to give you an idea of what Kritika's life was like, beside when she was at home. And yeah, my inner psychologist took over me.

It's not a useless, disconnected chapter trust me.
You'll know, later.

Do you think Liam is doing the right thing? Hmm..

Next update coming up very soon!

Until then (and for forever after that)

Stay beautiful ❤

Kay ❤