Chapter 30 - The Painful Past (2)

The young boy relaxed a little and shook his head.

"And I promise I will never raise my hand on you," Veer said solemnly. "And I will not let anyone else hurt you either."

Adi looked away. "You can't promise that. You left. You will leave again."

"I will ensure you are not hurt in my absence," Veer promised. "Papa and Ma..."

Adi recoiled.

The realisation hit Veer like a ton of bricks.

"Papa and Ma did this? They hurt you?" he asked dangerously. "Who else, Adi? You have been beaten today, and Papa and Ma are not in town. Who else?"

"Everyone," Adi said quietly. "Papa and Ma have given a carte blanche to the staff and to all my teachers and tutors to discipline me as they see fit, including corporal punishment, when I misbehave."

Veer pinched the bridge of his nose. "Is that why you did not write to me? Were you not allowed?"