Hello pyaare log 👋

Here's the new chapter.

Happy reading 🎀

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Meri Zindagi Sawaari, Mujhko

Gale Lagaake, Baitha Diya Falak

Pe, Mujhe Khaak Se Utha Ke,

Yaara Teri Yaari Ko, Maine Toh

Khuda Maana, Yaad Karegi

Duniya, Tera Mera Afsana,

Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahan,

Kahan Aisa Yaarana

.

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Author's pov

Aradhya stirred in her sleep, a soft hiss escaping her lips as pain shot through her right hand. Her brows knitted in discomfort as she slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurred and heavy. Her gaze wandered after a moment.

Rudra was asleep on a chair near the wall, his body folded forward, head hanging low as if exhaustion had finally won over

him.

On the couch, Eshita was sleeping, her back slightly bent, Ishaan’s head resting peacefully on her lap. Beside her sat Vivaan, his head leaning on her shoulder, all three of them caught in the fragile stillness of sleep.

Aradhya’s eyes moved again. And again.

Her heart began to race as she searched the room desperately for one person. For her brother. The one who still hadn’t forgiven her.

But

He wasn’t there.

A sharp ache clenched her chest, painful and suffocating. And yet, somewhere beneath that pain, an unknown relief quietly settled in. It scared her more than the hurt.

She turned to the other side of the bed, her lips trembled. Tears slipped out silently, soaking into the pillow. She pressed her right palm over her mouth, choking her sobs, trying not to make a sound. Her shoulders shook as she cried quietly, the weight of guilt and longing crushing her from inside.

Outside Aradhya’s room, Arnav sat on the floor, his knees pulled close to his chest, his hands tangled between them. His fingers fidgeted endlessly, betraying the storm inside him. Sleep was nowhere near his eyes.

His gaze kept drifting back to the closed door again and again. Every second felt longer than the last. He just wanted to hear that she was fine. That her fever had finally gone down. That she was safe.

But all he was met with was silence.

Suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder. He flinched and looked up.

Ashvik stood there.

Arnav let out a tired sigh and looked away again, his eyes fixed on nothing in front of him.

Ashvik sat beside him without a word. No questions. No lectures. Just presence. A comfortable silence wrapped around them.

Ashvik leaned back against the wall and pulled out the book he had brought along, opening it quietly.

“Tu wapas kyu aaya?” arnav asked, his gaze still fixed on a lone pillar

“Me toh chutki ko chodne gaya tha!” Ashvik said “tujhe akele kaise chod deta? Basanti hai tu meri!” He joked, a mischievous glint in his eyes

A small chuckle escaped Arnav, tired, but real. Silence embraced them again.

“Thankyou you” aranv said after few heartbeats, finally looking at ashvik

His eyes held too much at once….sincerity, vulnerability, and a deep, festering guilt.

“There's no need for that!, she’s not just your sister… ” ashvik said shrugging his ‘thankyou’

“I mean it, ashvik. If you haven't come on time then….” arnav whispered the last words

Before he could finish, Ashvik pulled him into a tight hug.

“I couldn't protect her, Ashvik. I failed as a brother” he said with his trembling voice

Ashvik patted his back firmly, grounding him. “No, it's nothing like that. You both were kids back then. Jo hua usme kisi ki galti nahi thi!” Ashvik said parting from hug

“Mene yahi baat aradhya ko bhi kitni baar kahi hai, it was just an accident” Ashvik said running his fingers through his hair

Arnav didn’t say anything. His throat tightened, and the corners of his eyes glistened as the mention of his mother settled heavily in his heart.

“Aunty kabhi nahi chahti thi ki unki wajah se tum dono udaas raho, vo kabhi nahi chahti thi ki in aankhon se aansu aaye jinme vo humesha khusi dekhna chahti thi” ashvik said

Arnav swallowed hard, unable to respond. Ashvik sighed softly, sensing the weight, and changed the topic.

“Meera aunty and uncle kab aa rahe hai?” he asked standing from his seat, forwarding his hand to Arnav

“Kal” Arnav said glancing at Ashvik's hand

“Kya hai!” He said noticing Ashvik isn't withdrawing his hand

“Chal, sona nhi hai kya” he said

Arnav shook his head immediately, rejecting his offer.

“Oh hello, tujhe ullu banne ka shauk hai pr mujhe nahi!” Ashvik said making him stand exaggeratedly

“ashvik, she’s not well. I need to be here!” arnav said but a sleepy yawn betrayed him, making Ashvik chuckle.

“ha jaise ki tere uske room ke aage jagrata karne se vo theek ho jaayegi!” ashvik said, putting his hand on his hips dramatically

“chal na saale!”

He dragged Arnav away toward the room. Arnav let out a tired sigh, resistance fading, and finally allowed himself to be pulled along because for once, he didn’t want to be alone with his guilt.

___________________________________________________________________________

Eshita woke up as soft morning light fell on her face. She straightened up slowly, cracking her neck and fingers, a lazy sigh escaping her lips. As she moved, she felt a familiar weight on her shoulder. She looked down.

Vivaan was sleeping there, his head resting comfortably on her shoulder, a small pout adorning his lips as if he was mid-complaint even in his dreams.

Her eyes shifted to Ishaan.

He was sleeping in the weirdest position possible, his head in her lap, legs tangled inside the blanket that Rudra had carefully draped over them sometime in the night. His lips moved as he mumbled something under his breath, words only he could decode.

A soft smile curved Eshita’s lips.

She leaned forward and sneakily placed a peck on Vivaan’s forehead, then on Ishaan’s… quick and gentle.

Vivaan groaned in his sleep.

“didi, I don’t like it!” he mumbled, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand before drifting back into his slumber.

Eshita chuckled quietly. She carefully shifted Ishaan’s head onto a pillow and stood up, stretching once before heading toward Aradhya’s bed.

Aradhya was sleeping

peacefully now, her breathing slow and even. Relief washed over Eshita’s chest. She bent down and placed a soft peck on her forehead, lingering for a second longer than usual, before leaving the room.

She changed into a white kurti and blue jeans , already deciding to skip college today. As she headed toward the kitchen, she dialed Atharv’s number.

Once. Twice. Three times.

No answer.

“i think he already went to college,” she muttered with a sigh, slipping her phone into her pocket.

She tied her hair into a messy bun and stepped into the kitchen…only to pause.

Atharv was already there….in her kitchen.

He stood near the stove, flipping a paratha with effortless ease, like he’d done this a thousand times. He wore a black shirt and grey sweatpants, his hair messily falling onto his forehead. His entire focus was on the pan, so much that he didn’t even notice her presence.

Eshita leaned against the kitchen wall quietly, watching him.

A soft smile touched her lips as she admired him, fighting the very real urge to hug him from behind like some dramatic heroine.

She shook her head at her own thoughts with a stupid smile and walked toward him.

“good morning” she greeted him, her voice cheerful.

“morning” Atharv replied with a small smile before asking,

“how’s aradhya?” Concern dripped clearly from his tone.

“She's fine now!” Eshita said, easing the tightness in his shoulders.

“Why didn’t you picked up?” she asked, sitting on the kitchen island.

He pointed toward his phone. “silent mode” he replied simply.

Eshita picked up his phone and it unlocked instantly with her fingerprint.

She looked at him with an amused expression, which quickly turned mischievous.

“why didn’t remove my fingerprint ” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

“why would I?, I have nothing to hide” he said, shrugging casually.

“accha ji,” she smiled slyly, waving his phone, “what if I change your ringtone to a funny one, or change your wallpaper…….. ya phir tumhare saare paise shopping me uda du!”

He chuckled, turning off the stove before leaning against the shelf.

“do it, if that makes you happy!”

She stared at him in disbelief.

“I’m not joking!” she said, showing him an opened shopping app.

“Neither I” he replied, folding his arms.

Her mouth fell open in shock.

Slowly, a teasing smirk curved her lips.

“kahi ishq toh nhi ho gya aapko, mr rathore” she said, stepping closer, already expecting a shy smile, a blush, or the usual ‘majak band karo, eshita’

Instead, he leaned even closer.

One arm slid around her waist, pulling her in just enough to make her breath hitch.

“kya pta, sach me ho gya ho, ms rajput!” he whispered near her ear.

The sudden change caught her off guard. She looked into his eyes, instantly knowing he was teasing but there was something else too.

Something unfamiliar.

Something she couldn’t fully understand.

They were lost in that moment

“ye baad me kr lena bhaiya didi! Bhook lag rahi hai hume”

Ishaan’s whining voice startled them.

Atharv immediately stepped back, a faint pink hue spreading across his neck.

Eshita shot Ishaan a glare.

“ha lagegi hi, kumbhkaran ka nati!” she snapped, serving him a plate.

“now continue!” Ishaan said with a teasing grin.

Atharv glared at him this time.

Ishaan walked away with his plate, excitement bubbling as he planned to tell everyone what he’d just seen.

Atharv’s eyes widened.

He rushed after Ishaan and clamped a hand over his mouth.

“agr tune kisi ko btaya toh me bhi sabko bta dunga ki tu parents meeting me mujhe apna papa bna kr le gya tha!” he whispered, his tone deadly.

Sweat beaded on Ishaan’s forehead.

He smiled nervously “aap kis baare me baat kar rahe hai bhaiya, mene toh kuch dekha hi nahi.”

Atharv nodded in satisfaction and walked away.

he ran a hand over his face “kya ho gya tha tujhe, atharv!” he muttered, facepalming himself

Only to meet Eshita’s teasing gaze.

___________________________________________________________________________

Sharavani peeked inside Aradhya’s room cautiously. Aradhya was lying against the headboard, mindlessly scrolling through her phone, her eyes dull, her mind clearly somewhere else.

Sharavani stepped inside with a practiced wide smile, the kind she always wore when she wanted to hide concern.

“oye chal, bhaiya breakfast ke liye bula rahe hai,” she said, plopping down beside her and peeking into her phone curiously.

“mujhe nahi khana!” Aradhya replied shortly, her thumb still scrolling.

“arre, aise kaise nhi khana. Chal chup chaap!” Sharavani said, grabbing her arm and dragging her playfully.

“chod na, mujhe sach me bhook nahi hai!” Aradhya whined as Sharavani pulled her.

“chalti hai ki ashvik bhaiya ko bulau” Sharavani teased. Aradhya looked at her, confused.

“phir vo tujhe apni gaud me utha kr le jaayenge neeche” Sharavani giggled, hiding her face shyly.

“kuch bhi!” Aradhya scoffed, folding her arms.

“arre sach me, bhaiya itne strong hai mujhe toh pta hi nhi tha! Vo tujhe kal apni gaud me utha kar laaye thae, full on hero style” Sharavani said, sitting beside her again. Aradhya's cheeks turned the lighter shade of pink hearing this.

“or pta hai, tere bhaiya kal puri raat teri patti badal rahe thae. Vo toh rudra bhaiya ne unhe kamre se jabardasti bhej diya!” she whispered.

Aradhya scoffed again, but this time her laugh lacked humor.

“arnav bhaiya?” she asked sceptically. Sharavani nodded almost immediately.

“kisi or ko jaakr pagal bna, arnav bhaiya kabhi aisa nahi karenge!” Aradhya laughed but it was hollow, laced with misery. The corners of her eyes glistened despite her smile, confusing Sharavani.

“but I’m telling the truth!” Sharavani said, scratching her head in frustration.

Aradhya looked at her, her chest tightening, before blurting out

“no he would not, not now, not ever!”

“But why do you think so?” Sharavani asked gently.

“because, HE HATE ME!” Aradhya yelled.

The tears she had been holding back since morning finally broke free, spilling uncontrollably.

“HE HATE ME BECAUSE I TOOK AWAY OUR MOTHER WHEN HE NEEDED HER THE MOST!” she screamed, her voice cracking.

“BECAUSE OF ME SHE DIED AND HE HATES ME FOR THAT!”

She broke down completely, hiding her face in her palms.

Sharavani hugged her immediately, wrapping her arms around her tightly and stroking her back softly.

“He cares for you. That day in the playground too, he was worried about you” Sharavani whispered.

“it’s not because he cares about me but because….. I’m his responsibility,” Aradhya sobbed into her shoulder.

“because mumma always wanted him to care for me. It was her last words and it became his….. curse.” A hiccup escaped her as she cried harder.

Sharavani caressed her hair gently, trying to calm her down.

“aadhu yaar, ro mat. Nahi toh phir fever ho jaayega!” she said, handing her a glass of water.

Aradhya took it with trembling hands.

Sharavani wiped her tears softly.

“I know mujhe kuch jyada pta nahi hai but what I saw yesterday was definitely not just because of responsibility. It was a genuine care, a pure love, a genuine concern.” She paused, carefully watching Aradhya’s reaction.

Aradhya stared at the glass in her hands, jaw clenched, struggling to control herself.

“I think you should talk to him, kya pta ye sab bss ek misunderstanding ho ya phir purane jakhm jo abhi tak bhare nhi hai” Sharavani said, patting her shoulder.

Just then, Vivaan knocked on the door dramatically, snapping their attention.

“maharani sahiba, uth gayi?” he asked, bowing exaggeratedly.

Despite everything, they both laughed.

“aa gya nautanki!” Sharavani muttered, exchanging a look with Aradhya, who shook her head helplessly.

“tujhe yaha isse bulane bheja tha yaha pr dera daalne ko nahi!” Vivaan said, smacking Sharavani’s head lightly.

“or tu, jldi chal. Atharv bhaiya ne sab tera favourite bnaya hai!” he added, smacking Aradhya’s back playfully.

She whined as she stood up from the bed “fine, khana hi kha leti hu iss se plhle ki tum dono mera dimaag kha jaao!” she said, walking toward the door.

Behind her, Vivaan and Sharavani exchanged a victorious high-five.

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Everyone had taken their places at the dining table except Ashvik and Arnav. The table was slowly filling with warmth, fresh food, quiet chatter, the comfort of togetherness returning after a long night.

Sharavani was about to sit when Atharv’s voice stopped her.

“Vani go, call ashvik and arnav for breakfast!” he said, placing the bowls properly on the table.

She nodded immediately and almost skipped away, happy to be given the task.

Vivaan followed her closely, like an inseparable parasite.

“yaar, me phli baar unke room me jaa rahi hu!, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai” she said shyly, hiding her face in her palm dramatically.

Vivaan looked at her, utterly done with her lover phase. “very very congratulations, shree. pr teri jagah tere saiyaan tere bhaiya ke saath suhaagraat mna rahe hai” he whispered like he was revealing the most scandalous news of the year.

Sharavani’s eyes went wide.

She smacked his arm hard. “chiiiii, kaisi baatein kar rha hai!”

Her face burned red as she increased her pace, leaving a laughing Vivaan behind.

She opened Arnav’s room door and immediately groaned.

Her foot landed in a bowl filled with red liquid paint kept near the entrance. Annoyed, she tried to move it aside, but her hands got painted red too. She placed the bowl on the table nearby and turned

Only to notice her footprints spread all over the floor.

She sighed softly, accepting her fate, and moved ahead.

Ashvik and Arnav were sleeping peacefully.

Ashvik’s leg was sprawled over Arnav’s, his hands resting on his torso possessively, while Arnav lay properly on his back. His hair covered his forehead completely, his face relaxed, worryless. His breathing was slow and steady, chest rising and falling gently with every breath as if the world had finally let him rest.

Sharavani bent slightly, unconsciously slowing herself just to look at him properly.

The tension she had seen in him earlier had melted away. In sleep, he looked calm, almost sacred like a soul that had suffered too much and finally found silence.

A soft smile bloomed on her lips.

She kept staring, not blinking even once.

Suddenly, Arnav’s eyes opened slowly and met hers.

The sudden eye contact startled her.

She tried to straighten up quickly, but in her panic, she lost balance.

She fell forward.

Straight onto him.

Arnav froze for a second,

completely caught off guard.

Sharavani tried to stand but failed miserably, flustered and shaking.

Sensing her struggle, Arnav lifted himself and held her hand firmly, helping her stand.

Her eyes widened in horror at what she had done.

Arnav followed her gaze and saw red handprints stained his white t-shirt.

“i…..I’m sorry. I didn’t do it intentionally, sacchi.” she whispered nervously, avoiding his eyes.

“vo gate pr colour rkha tha or vo galti se mere paer pr lag gya tha or jab mene usse side htane ke liye uthaya toh mere haath me bhi lag gya!” She spoke in one breath.

Arnav looked down at the floor, now covered in her footprints.

“me abhi saaf kar deti hu!” she said hastily, turning back.

But she stopped by a gentle tug at her wrist.

She looked back.

Arnav was holding her wrist softly “rhne do” he said, smiling faintly.

“kyu?, aapka room ganda ho gya hai!” she whispered, lowering her gaze.

“Laxmi ke charno se kabhi bhi ghar ganda nhi hota hai” Arnav said, blinking softly as if stating a simple truth.

She looked at him, confused yet curious. “pr iss ghar ki laxmi toh aradhya aur eshita didi hai na, me thodi…..”

“laxmi sirf kisi ghar ki nahi hoti, laxmi bss laxmi hoti hai. Or har nari laxmi ka roop hai” he said calmly, his voice slightly husky from sleep.

“Iss hisab se tum bhi toh iss ghar ki laxmi hui” he smiled gently and stood up, moving to wake Ashvik who was sleeping like he hadn’t rested in centuries.

Sharavani stood frozen.

Her heart fluttered with an emotion she couldn’t name.

Respect, warmth, safety everything mixed together.

In that moment, Arnav rose in her heart not as a man, but as something purer. She made a silent decision….she would never let this boy break again.

Never.

She would protect his peace like it was her own prayer.

Vivaan entered the room, munching on a banana. His eyes immediately caught the red footprints.

He took out his phone and clicked a picture, grinning mischievously “waah shree, mujhe lga tere per chudail ki tarah ulte honge. Par tu toh insaan nikli.”

Sharavani glared at him. Ashvik smacked Vivaan’s head from behind.

“tune meri behen ko chudail kaise bola!” he said, placing his hands on his hips.

Sharavani looked at him, touched.

“bhai…..” She moved to hug him but froze hearing him further.

“ye toh pipal ki pishachini hai!” Ashvik added teasingly.

Vivaan burst out laughing. Ashvik laughed too, shaking his head.

Sharavani fumed, grabbed pillows, and smacked both of them relentlessly.

“bhaiya breakfast ke liye bula rahe hai, aa jaana!” she said irritably, glaring at them before walking out.

She paused briefly, turned back, gave arnav a small smile and left.

He smiled back and headed to the bathroom.

Ashvik had already freshened up in another room and went downstairs with Vivaan.

After showering, Arnav stepped out and was about to leave when his eyes fell on Sharavani’s dried footprints.

He bent down slowly.

Touched them.

And placed his palm on his forehead….accepting the blessing from an unseen divine.

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Everyone took their seats and began eating. The dining table slowly filled with laughter soft at first, then louder, freer. Plates clinked, jokes flew around, and for the first time since morning, the heaviness around Aradhya’s chest loosened a little.

She tried to tear her paratha with her fingers, but the movement sent a sharp pain through her wounded hand.

A small hiss escaped her lips.

Without a word, she switched plans and pulled her bowl of daliya closer, deciding to eat with her left hand.

She didn’t notice it but Arnav did.

Quietly, he tore his paratha into pieces, slid his plate toward her, and pulled her plate toward himself instead, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Her lips twitched into a small, helpless smile at the gesture.

Rudra, sitting beside her, noticed her untouched plate. He sighed softly, tore a piece, dipped it into the chutney, and lifted it toward her lips.

She looked at him for a second then opened her mouth.

As she took the bite, her eyes

glistened.

Vivaan suddenly stood up, walking toward her with his usual mischievous glint but this time, there was a softness beneath it that couldn’t be missed.

He tore another piece, dipped it properly in chutney, and fed her from his own hand.

“alelele, bacche rote nahi,” he said, patting her head like a child.

She laughed despite herself and hit his arm lightly.

Ishaan jumped up next, almost bouncing in excitement.

“me bhi me bhi!”

He stumbled on the mat but somehow managed to reach her, pride written all over his face.

He fed her too, grinning like he’d achieved something great.

Eshita came next, feeding her slowly, carefully then kissed her forehead softly.

That was it.

The wall Aradhya had built inside herself cracked.

So many hands.

So much care.

So much love…quiet, loud, clumsy, imperfect, but real.

Her eyes filled as she tried to hold herself together.

“mujhe dahi ke saath khana hai!” she whined, wiping the corner of her eyes quickly.

And then she saw it.

Another bite, this time dipped in dahi, waiting patiently in front of her.

From Arnav.

That broke her constraint.

Her tears fell directly onto his hand as she leaned forward and took the bite. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t pull back.

He just wiped her tears gently with his thumb. “sshhh….don’t cry,” he cooed softly, wrapping his arms around her.

She collapsed into him. Buried her face in his chest. Her body shook as she hiccupped just like she used to when she was five years old, coming home wounded, searching blindly for her brother.

“b….bh..bhaiya” she sobbed into his shoulder.

Arnav’s hand moved

instinctively to her head.

“It’s okay, everything is fine now” he whispered, stroking her back slowly.

Her hiccups faded but she didn’t let go.

Ashvik watched from across the table, then casually tossed a candy toward her.

It hit her shoulder.

She looked up, lashes wet, glaring at him.

“me bhi khila du?…..crybaby!” he teased, making exaggerated faces.

She grabbed a spoon and threw it at him.

He caught it mid-air with practiced ease.

“no thanks, me bandaro ke haath se nhi khaati!” she scoffed, taking another bite.

The table erupted in laughter.

Everyone shook their heads at their childish banter and returned to their breakfast lighter, warmer, stitched together by moments that didn’t need fixing.

___________________________________________________________________________

Aradhya and Vivaan sat obediently in Rudra’s room, side by side, shoulders stiff. Both of them had their heads lowered, eyes fixed on the floor, silently praying for mercy.

Rudra stood in front of them, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and unreadable.

“aradhya, doctor told me you’re not going to your sessions!” Rudra asked, raising his eyebrows.

Aradhya’s fingers twisted nervously in her lap.

“and vivaan I got to know that you were helping her hide this from us…” His tone hardened.

Vivaan gulped visibly.

“b….b..bhaiya” he stammered, his voice barely audible. He tried to look up, but one glance at Rudra’s furious face made him immediately drop his head again.

“bhaiya, I asked him to not tell anyone” Aradhya whispered, her fingers fidgeting faster.

“why?” Rudra crossed his arms tighter, his voice stern and commanding.

Aradhya inhaled deeply before answering.

“i don’t like going there.” She finally looked up.

Fear shimmered in her eyes, fear that didn’t belong to her usual fearless, stubborn self.

The anger in his eyes softened instantly.

He knelt in front of her and took her hands gently into his.

“baccha, sometimes we have to do things which we don’t like” he said softly, caressing her knuckles.

“i know, it’s difficult for you but always remember we are with you, now and always. Tumhe sab kuch akele sahne ki jarurat nahi hai.” His words settled deep into her chest.

She nodded slowly.

“sorry bhaiya, ab me kabhi bhi miss nahi karungi sessions” she said sincerely.

Rudra nodded, leaned forward, and placed a kiss on her forehead “go, rest now.”

Aradhya stood up and walked toward the door.

Vivaan followed her immediately, relief written all over his face until…

“vivaan, tum ruko. Mujhe tumse kuch important BAAT karni hai.”

Rudra’s voice stopped him mid-step.

A shiver ran down Vivaan’s spine.

“agr me aaj jinda na laut paau toh smjh jana mera uppar ka ticket kat gya hai” he cried dramatically, turning to Aradhya.

“fikar not, tum humari yaadon humesha jinda rahogae” Aradhya said sympathetically, patting his shoulder before walking out.

Rudra gestured for Vivaan to sit and pulled a chair in front of him.

“kam se kam bakre ko halal krne se phle thodi khatirdaari toh kar dete” Vivaan mumbled to himself.

Rudra raised an eyebrow “kuch kaha tune?”

“nice eyebrows, kaha se liye?” Vivaan blurted out then immediately regretted it.

“chor bajar se, wholeshale me mil rahe thae!” Rudra replied dryly.

Vivaan smiled nervously, fingers fidgeting nonstop.

“vivaan, be serious! yaha mene tumhe time paas krne le liye nhi roka hai.” rudra said with his stern tone

Vivaan straightened under the authority in Rudra’s voice.

“why didn’t tell anyone that aradhya is skipping her sessions?” Rudra asked.

“v….vo b…bh…” Vivaan started.

“vivaan rajput, rajput kabhi haklate nahi hai! BE CLEAR!” Rudra said crossing his arms

Vivaan swallowed hard. “bhaiya, she said ki usko sessions me jaane se vo din yaad aa jaata hai jab badi maa ka accident hua tha, isliye vo nahi jaana chahti waha!”

Rudra exhaled slowly, his tone softening but still firm “vivaan, that’s why she’s getting the therapy taki uske dimaag me jo trauma hai vo nikal jaaye, she can’t run from the pain forever if she wants to get better!”

“you know what happened last time when she had the panic attack?” Rudra asked.

Vivaan shook his head.

“she tried to take her life. If Arnav hadn't saved her then…..”

Rudra’s voice trembled at the end.

Vivaan shot up from his chair.

“WHAT’RE YOU SAYING BHAIYA??” He covered his mouth, eyes wide.

“humari aradhya strong hai, vo aisa kaise kr sakti bhai?” he whispered, tears threatening to spill.

“aradhya is strong , no doubt. But the little girl inside her is not!” Rudra handed him a glass of water.

“That's why she needs to let go of her past now. So if she ever skips her therapy sessions, inform me!” Vivaan nodded immediately.

He sat back down, still shaken, when Rudra cleared his throat.

“and about your punishment……..”

Vivaan shook his head instantly.

“bhaiya, me samjh gya ab me aisa nahi karunga.”

Rudra shook his head.

“toh tumhari punishment ye hai ki………. you’ll clean the garden for two weeks and won’t do painting for a month.”

Vivaan stared at him in shock.

“Nahi bhaiya, not the painting please” he pleaded.

“I got your report card, you’re not focussing on your studies so until you get better results. You’ll not touch colours. If I find out you did then you'll be banned from painting permanently”

Vivaan looked devastated.

“Am I clear?” Rudra asked, checking his watch.

Vivaan nodded silently.

“you may go now.”

Vivaan walked out, muttering, “aapko ceo ka nahi jallad ka tag milna chahiye!”

Outside, Aradhya and Ishaan were pacing nervously.

They collided into each other.

“dikh nahi kaha jaa raha hai!” Aradhya smacked Ishaan’s arm.

“aap bhin toh dekh sakti thi!” Ishaan smacked her back.

They stopped when they saw Vivaan. Both ran to him.

“bhaiya, aap theek ho na?” Ishaan asked, checking his hands dramatically.

“kya punishment mili iss baar?” Aradhya asked curiously.

“painting band kra di bhaiya ne!!!” Vivaan slid down onto the floor, hands on his head.

“bhaiii, aap sher ki guffa se jinda aa gaye vo kya kam hai” Ishaan said, patting his back.

“or waise bhi mere bina koi kaand karoge toh yahi hoga na.”

Aradhya smacked him.

“arre kya ek punishment milne pr itna muh bna rahe ho, mujhe toh roj milti hai pr mujhe dekho me toh kabhi aise nahi roya!” he said patting his shoulder proudly

“ha kyuki tu hai hi besharam!” aradhya mocked him but ishaan ignored her taunt

“chalo chalo, aaj hum movie night karenge!” he announced , gripping vivaan and aradhya’s arm and moving to the living room

“nahi serial dekhte hai, sasural simar ka!” vivaan said making both of them look at him in disbelief

“nahi, hera pheri dekhenge” aradhya said moving forward

“nahi…” ishaan started but vivaan and aradhya run in corridor, putting hand on their ears “tu rehne hi de” they shouted in unison

But Ishaan also ran behind them, shouting his suggestion “raja ki aayegi baraat dekhenge!!” his voice echoed in quite corridor along with their laugh

___________________________________________________________________________

In school

Sharavani was sitting in the music room, waiting for her turn. Her eyes drifted to the door again and again waiting for the glimpse of Arnav who still hadn't come there. She hadn't seen Arnav since morning, the music period also ended without his glimpse.

She was going to her class “kaha reh gaye aaj, subha se unke darshan nahi hue” she mumbled kicking an empty bottle on her way, it landed a step ahead. She again kicked it and soon it became her favourite time pass

She was kicking it when it flew high and arnav catch it who was coming from opposite side

“nice shot” he said throwing the bottle in dustbin

Sharavani smiled awkwardly “aap aaj music period me nahi aaye?” she asked to ease her embarrassment

“Meri basketball practice thi! Next month match hai na” he said with a small smile, she nodded making an ‘O’ face

“toh ab aap music period me nahi aayenge?” she asked glancing at him from the corner of her eyes

He looked at her for a second before nodding his head slowly "Why did you ask that?” he asked her, raising his eyebrows

She smiled nervously “vo mujhe sitar abhi acche se smjh nahi aaya na, aap hote toh help kar dete!” she said avoiding his eyes, he nodded

“don’t worry, baki members hai vo help kar denge” he said glancing at her

“pr aankhon ko sukoon toh aapko dekh kar milta hai!” she mumbled with a small pout

He frown “kuch kaha tumne?” he asked looking at her,

“n..nahi, mtlb haa, mtlb bhaiya kaha hai?” she said stammering in nervousness

“vo computer lab me hai” he said informing her, she nodded her head before heading towards her class

“ruko” he stopped her, she turned to look at him

“ashvik ne kaha hai ki usse late ho jaayega so you’ll go home with me today” he said making her nod and they both went in their own ways

Sharavani entered her class and some students were whispering among themselves, she peeked her ear towards them curiously and arnav’s name caught her interest

she walked to them and asked curiously “tum log aradhya ke bhaiya ke baare me kya baat kar rahe ho?”

“hum decide kar rahe thae ki arnav bhaiya ko kya gift dena hai?” one girl said excitedly making her confuse

“pr tum log unko gift kyu doge?” she asked scratching her head

“kyuki next month bhaiya ka birthday hai or vo humare music club ke leader bhi toh hai” the girl said making her eyes wide

“UNKA BIRTHDAY AA RHA HAI????, MUJHE BTAYA KYU NAHI!!” she yelled shockingly making all of them confuse

“hum tujhe especially kyu btayenge??” another girl asked raising her eyebrows suspiciously

Sharavani smiled nervously “m…mtlb me bhi toh music me hu, mujhe bhi toh unhe gift dena hai, hehe” she said, her shoulders tense, everyone nodded continuing their discussion

“uss aradhya ki bacchi ne bhi nhi btaya, aane do usse school phir btati hu usse” she mumbled, cursing her friends but a smiled anyway, already deciding what gift to give arnav

School ended soon and she waited on the gate, grinning.

“aaj toh hum phli baar akele saath ghar jaayenge” she squelled in happiness, waiting impatiently.

But her dream shattered the moment she saw arnav and shreya coming together, shreya looked at her and waved her head

“hello vani” shreya greeted her with a smile,

Sharavani gave her a small smile in return, “aap bhi humare saath jaayengi?” she asked

Shreya nodded and they began walking together. Shreya noticed sharavani’s fallen face and lowered arnav to her level

“Tumhare beech me kuch chal rha hai kya?” she whispered pointing between sharavani and him, making a heart, arnav shook his head frantically

“pagal ho gayi ho kya!!” he swat her hand away making her laugh

“it seems I’m interfering something, ahm ahm” she teased him, his ears turned red despite himself

“aisa kuch bhi nahi hai, tu or yuvaan dono pagal ho gaye ho” arnav said increasing his speed

Shreya also increased her speed, catching up with him “ooho, toh yuvaan ko bhi same lagta hai. Phir toh pakka kuch gadbad hai” she giggled in herself, arnav gave her a playful glare

Meanwhile, sharavani was walking behind, throwing daggers at them through her glare

“mere saath toh ye aise haste hai jaise me tax lga dungi inpe or inke saath dekho kaise khikkhikhi kr rahe hai!” she whispered glaring at them

“kahi ye dono…” she looked at them, already imagining them in mandap while she’s eating golgappe behind the decorated stage, tears dripping from her eyes like someone have opened the bathroom tap and forget to close it,

She shook her head “NAHI!!!!” she shouted loudly keeping her hands on her ears, shaking her head making everyone look at her weirdly, even the birds on the tree flew hearing her scream

“kya hua?” arnav asked worridly, shreya looked at her too

She looked at them coming out of her imagination and smiled nervously “v..vo aapne btaya nahi aapka birthady aane wala hai” she said acting completely normal

“tum isilye itni tej chillayi?” arnav looked at her in disbelief

She nodded her head then shook immediately “nahi, waha ek chipkali thi!” she said pointing at a distant wall, arnav narrowed his eyes to look but there was nothing

“ab chali gayi!” she said smiling sheepishly

“waise arnav, tumne vani ko nhi btaya apne birthday ke baare me? Not good!!” shreya said, her voice have that same teasing tone as she emphasis vani

Arnav gave her a secret glare, she shrugged his glare and turned to sharavani “me chlti hu, yaha se tum dono akele hi jaao” she said making sharavani nod as she danced happily inside

“mujhe kabab me haddi nahi ban na hai” she whispered it to arnav before running off in a different direction

Sharavani and arnav walked side by side, she glanced at him from the corner of her eyes

She saw a kind of sadness in his eyes, he was kicking small stones in way, absentmindedly

“aap udaas kyu hai?” she asked looking at him

He looked at her “kisne kaha me udaas hu?” he asked

“aapki aankhon ne” she whispered but he heard it, his heart skip a beat hearing this

“mtlb mujhe lga aap udaas ho” she covered thinking he didn’t heard her

“me jaati hu mera ghar aa gya!” she said and ran inside, arnav stood there, his hand automatically went to his heart which seems to beating abnormally

“ye sab shreya aur yuvaan ki wajah se ho rha hai!” he blamed them for his condition and went ahead to his house

___________________________________________________________________________

Amaira stood quietly in the mall, holding lipstick between her fingers like it was something delicate. She checked the shade under the bright lights,

“Do you have this shade in a slightly reddish hue?” she asked the salesgirl, who nodded and walked to another counter to fetch it. Amaira stood there, tapping her heels impatiently.

Salesgirl gave her the box and she turned to go when she collided with a hard chest,

“oyeee, dik……” she looked up, ready to burst when she saw agastya standing there holding a shopping bag

“sir, aap yaha kya kr rhe hai?” she looked at him confusingly, then the direction he’s heading to

A teasing smile danced on her face “hume nahi pta tha aapke ander ek anarkali chupi hai!!” she said teasingly, he frowned and looked at the direction she’s pointing to

“Miss rajvansh, I have a question?” he said crossing his arms

“puchiye puchiye!” she said wiggling her eyebrows,

“aap bachpan se hi aisi hai ya abhi abhi hui hai?” he asked making her confuse

“kaisi?” she asked, smile linger on her face

“pagal” he said entering the showroom, she looked at his back, her mouth hung open

She also followed him behind “aap humari beizzati kr rhe hai?” she asked, her nose flaring in anger

He leaned towards her “ji, koi shak hai aapko?” he grinned setting his hair

“aap na poore vo hai?” she said crossing her arms

“vo kya?” he raised his eyebrows at her in question

“danav!” she smirked leaning on the counter

“don’t forget miss rajvansh, aapko salary ye danav hi deta hai!” he smirked whispering in her ear

“issi baat ka toh dukh hai” she whispered

Agastya looked at her suspiciously “kuch kaha aapne?” he asked giving the bag to salesgirl

“nahi sir, humari kya majaal jo hum aapko kuch bole” she smiled chessily at him

His phone rang breaking their conversation

“Hello mumma, ji…. yes yes , cherry red hi laaunga aap mujhe picture bhej do” he said on call before hanging up

His phone binged with notification indicating he have received the picture from his mother

He checked and his forehead frown in confusion “ye toh saare hi red hai!” he mumbled checking the pictures and not getting the difference

His looked at amaira and handed her his phone “miss rajvansh, help me buy this lipstick” he said briefly

“sorry sir, par aap pr ye shade accha nahi lagega!” she said glancing at the picture and then at his lips, holding her laugh

His eyes widen in horror “meri maa ke liye hai ye!” he whispered yelled making her burst into laughter

He look at her with his done face, “sorry sir, idhar dijiye” she took his phone and started matching the shade, agastya was busy checking the shades when amaira’s eyes went on a bunch of men coming towards them, her eyes widen in realisation

“Sir, hum abhi washroom se aate hai!” she said and went from there, the men followed her.

She went towards the less crowded area, she leaned on the wall and looked at the men “tum log yaha kya kar rahe ho?” she asked, her tone turned stern

“mam, aapke papa ne aapko wapas laane ko kaha hai” one of the men (raghav) said bowing slightly

She sighed in irritation “ye pitashree ko bhi or koi kaam dhandha nahi hai kya??, jab dekho kisi na kisi ko hume dhundhne me lga dete hai!!” she scoffed and sat down on a chair, all the men still standing on their place in the discipline of a monk

“Hum abhi ghar wapas nahi aayenge” she said sipping water “or haa unhe keh dena agr ab koi hume dhundne aaya toh hum iss desh se hi bhaag jaayenge!” she stood up from chair and turned to go

“mam, sir ne hume aapko wapas laane ko kaha hai, phir chahe aap apni marji se aaye ya….” another bodyguard said making her laugh

“wrna kya?? hume jabardasti lekr jaaoge??” she turned to him

She moved closer to him “kosis krlo!” she whispered, correcting his tie with a underlying threat

A shiver ran down his spine, hearing her lowered tone

She smiled warmly at them but they know better than anyone what this smile means

"Mam, he's new. Isse jyada pta nhi hai. Hum sir ko aapka message de denge!" raghav said gulping slightly, she nodded curtly

She was talking to them when agastya came there with her purse, his eyes went on those men

“Sab theek hai na, miss rajavansh ?? any problem??” he asked glancing at the tall, muscular men

“ha ha sir, sab theek hai. ye bechare raasta bhatak gaye thae! Pr humne inhe thikane lga diya hai!” she said smiling sweetly at him

“kya?” he asked confusingly

“mtlb inhe inka thikana bta diya hai humne!” she corrected her not so mistakenly spoken sentence

He nodded and went from there with her, she spare one last glance at them who shifted uncomfortably under her gaze

___________________________________________________________________________

Arnav and his siblings decided to spend the evening at the Rathore house. As the sun dipped low, everyone gathered in the garden, enjoying the cool breeze. Arnav and Ashvik were still inside as Ashvik was changing.

A moment later, Ashvik burst out of his room and jumped down the stairs, landing dramatically like a movie hero. Arnav was coming down behind him when Ashvik suddenly stopped.

“Oye Basanti, Vani ke room se UNO cards le aa. Usne kaha tha, par main bhool gaya” he said, already running outside.

“Tujhe kabhi kuch yaad bhi rehta hai?” Arnav yelled from the stairs.

“Haan rehta hai na..teri behen ko pareshaan karna!” Ashvik shot back, winking before disappearing into the garden.

Arnav shook his head and walked toward Sharavani’s room. He searched for the cards and finally found them behind a box. As he pulled them out, the box slipped from his hands and fell, spilling several kitty-printed bandages onto the table.

He quickly gathered them and placed the box back, but then his eyes froze.

They were the same bandages he have in his finger.

“Why is everything pointing at you, Vani?” he murmured, but the room stayed silent.

Just then, Sharavani entered to get the cards. Her eyes widened as she saw the scattered bandages and Arnav standing there.

“Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?” she asked, panic slipping into her voice.

“Cards lene aaya tha” he replied, holding them up.

She let out a breath of relief. “Aapne… kuch dekha toh nahi na?” The moment the words left her mouth, she cursed herself.

“Kya yahan kuch aisa tha jo mujhe nahi dekhna chahiye tha?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“N-nahi, aisa kuch nahi hai” she said quickly though her eyes kept darting back to the table.

“Main theek se rakh deti hoon” she said, stepping forward to hide the bandages.

But destiny had other plans.

Her foot slipped on the carpet. She lost her balance.

Arnav grabbed her hand instinctively, but he slipped too and they fell.

Sharavani was beneath him, his hand behind her head which he placed to protect her head during the fall, their breaths mingling together. Their eyes met and for a moment everything faded around them

Sharavani was lost in his eyes and arnav couldn’t look away captured by hers, they were in their own euphoria but their moment didn’t last long as arnav phone rang breaking their spell

Arnav stood up and helped her in standing,

“sorry” he said cutting the call

“sorry toh mujhe bolna chahiye. Meri wajah se aap bhi gir gaye!” she said fidgeting her fingers

There was a moment of silence before arnav break it “ek baat puchu?” he said looking at her

She nodded her head “tumne kabhi kisi ko letter likha hai?” he asked, her breath caught in her throat.

After a final breath, she decided to tell him the truth

But before she could say anything, ashvik came there

“tum dono kya yaha akele khelne lag gaye??, chalo jaldi!!” he said taking arnav with him,

Arnav glanced at her before going with him, and Sharavani followed them behind, thanking the universe for saving her little secret.

________________________

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