𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 ♡ - | CHAPTER 68 |

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I heard my name.

Barely a whisper. Soft, sultry and soaked in mischief.

“Vihaan…”

And just like that, everything else disappeared.

She stood by the balcony, drenched in moonlight. Wearing a saree-midnight blue, with silver threads that shimmered.

But my eyes, they betrayed me.

They didn’t care for the silk or the shine. They found her waist-bare, warm, real and my traitorous eyes refused to look away.

Just one curve. A soft sliver of skin.

God, how could something so simple feel so sinful?

The blouse hugged her body. The pleats moved with her, slow and teasing. Every breath she took made the fabric dance around her like it knew it was seducing me.

And she knew.

She didn’t turn. Didn’t say a word. Just lifted her hands to her hair, slowly undoing it, letting those strands fall like a waterfall brushing against the very skin I had dreamed of.

The same waist I had traced in my mind a thousand times, hidden under layers.

I stepped closer. My heart pounded. My breath was uneven. My fingers twitched.

And when I finally reached out.
That waist fit perfectly beneath my hand like it was made just for me.

She leaned back against the railing, her waist brushing mine, moonlight sliding over her skin. That one soft touch from her stole every thought from my head.

My hand spread wider, fingers teasing the edge of her pallu.

She giggled-soft and leaned into me.

Her voice was soft as she whispered, “What’s your intention?”

A low groan escaped my chest, the kind that comes out when you are holding back too much, when everything you have ever wanted is right in front of you and you are trying so damn hard to behave.

“I am really trying not to cross any lines,” I whispered softly against the warm curve of her neck, breathing her in like she was the first breath after a long underwater dive.

“But you…Ruh, you look like divine poetry, written not on paper, but in prayer, in silence. And now that I have begun reading you, I don’t think my soul will ever stop.”

My lips brushed her shoulder in a kiss that wasn’t rushed or hungry it was slow.

And then she tilted her head to the side, giving me more of that delicate skin.

Every time I inhaled the soft scent of her, something inside me slipped and each time my fingers traced the edge of her waist, I felt pieces of my self-control fall apart without a fight.

Then she reached for my shirt, curling her fingers around the fabric and pulling me closer like she owned me.

I gently pushed her back against the railing, careful but craving.

“Don’t you think you are being a little too much?” she asked, a teasing sparkle in her eyes, lips barely holding back a smirk.

“Too much?” I chuckled, my face still close to her skin. “I haven’t even started, Ruh.”

She laughed, like she knew exactly what she was doing. Her fingers slipped into my hair.

“So am I the reason behind all this mischief?” She asked, voice low.

“Always,” i smiled. “You walk in, and all my good behaviour just walks out.”

“Really?” She whispered, brushing closer.

I nodded.

“Then maybe,” she giggled, tugging me even nearer, “you should ask what my real intentions are.”

And just like that, she pulled me tight, her body pressing into me, while I utterly lost.

I hugged her tighter. But something felt weird.

She hugged me back.

But wait, that hand on my waist…it didn’t feel right.

It was strong. Rough. Definitely not my Ruh’s hand.

“Prisha…why are you so far? Come close to me…”

I heard a familiar voice , still half-asleep.

“Ruh, what are you saying?” I mumbled, confused, and started to pull her close to me but she felt like a rock.

But then-My brain is short-circuited. Full emergency alert in my brain.

Prisha?

That voice.

WAIT. PRISHA DI?!!!

My eyes snapped open.

And there he was.

Reality hit like a slap.

Right next to me, with the same horrified look on his face, was none other than Dr. Grumpy Robot.

We stared at each other like we had just woken up in a haunted house.

Our hands? Tangled.
Our arms? Wrapped around each other. Our faces? Horrified.

And then, both of us screamed and jumped back, falling off the bed with two loud THUDS.

“Ouch!!! What the hell are you doing, Vihaan?” he shouted, scrambling to his feet like the floor was lava.

“Excuse me? You were hugging me. Were you trying to take advantage of me?” I shot back, crawling away dramatically.

“Shut up, you dumbo!” he hissed, adjusting his T-shirt.

He sat at the edge of the bed, looking like his soul left his body.

“It was just a mistake, okay?” He muttered, looking half-asleep and fully embarrassed. “I am used to sleeping with my biwi..I didn’t even realise it was you beside me.”

He rolled his eyes dramatically, like he was the victim here.

I rolled my eyes so hard, I saw my past, present, and future.
My future with my Ruh.

“This guy is so biwi-obsessed,” I muttered.

‘Congrats, you are already suffering from ‘Ruh-obsessed’ disease. Soon you will be a patient of ‘biwi-obsessed’ too,’ my brain mocked me.

Biwi.

Hayee.

Wait let’s come out my dreams for now.

I sat up dramatically and showed him my injured hand, “Look what you did. You pushed me. I am an injured, fragile patient.”

He scoffed, “Yeah, fragile my foot.”

I gasped like a dramatic person, “Rude. I am telling Ruh you abused a patient.”

He ignored me and started fixing his hair. But I could still see the embarrassment stuck to his face.

“What were you dreaming about anyway?” he asked, arms crossed like a school principal.

I smirked.

Time to annoy him more.

“A beautiful dream, one where you didn’t exist,” I said with full drama, eyes closing like I could still see it playing in slow motion behind my eyelids.

He just rolled his eyes.

I sighed deeply letting my shoulders drop, my hands on my chest, “My Ruh and I were-“

“WHAT did you just say?” His voice thundered as he jerked upright.

Oops.
That slipped.

I blinked innocently, keeping my face blank while my fingers awkwardly fidgeted with the corner of my bandage, “Did I say something?”

“You said my sister’s name. In your dream. MY SISTER, Vihaan!” He leaned forward now, jaw clenched.

I turned my head dramatically to the side, jaw tightening, “No I didn’t.”

He leaned in further, narrowing his eyes, “Oh really? You were literally mumbling a name I couldn’t mistake in hearing . Should I start recording your creepy sleep talks next time?”

He pointed his finger at me in dramatic disbelief, “You snuggled into me. You whispered her name. I should file a complaint

I yanked a pillow and chucked it straight at his face, hitting his chest with a thump.

“You hugged me like I am your wife! I am the real victim here,” I said my voice got little high.

His face twisted in pure embarrassment.

“I am used to sleeping with my wife, okay?” he said, exasperated. “I thought it was her beside me…long hair, soft scent, warm… How was I supposed to know it was your coconut head lying next to me?”

I gasped, sitting up straight. “Coconut head!”

I touched my hair defensively.

He doesn’t even know his sister is head over heels for this very coconut head.

These two siblings have completely different genes?

Definitely their genetics skipped a generation. That’s why my Ruh is too sweet and he is kadwa karela.

Huhh!!

“Excuse me. You are the one who literally wrapped your arm around me and started tracing my elbow,” he said, voice rising in disbelief. His brows shot up, one hand thrown out accusingly.

I looked away, suddenly remembering and cringing. My voice dropped, a little bit sheepish, “I did that because your skin felt soft…”

Then I squinted at him, head tilting.

“By the way….what moisturizer do you use?” My brows furrowed, like this was now a scientific mystery I needed answers to.

He frowned and then scratched his head, full of pride, “Uh, I think it was Prisha’s. I forgot the name but it’s in a lavender bottle or something.”

I gave him a sage nod, rubbing my chin, “You know, I also use Ruh’s perfume. Same brand. Smells so classy, so elegant. I swear I could live in that scent and feel her presence.”

He sighed deeply, slumping a little, gaze softening for a split second, “Yeah, sometimes I use my wife’s body wash too. Just to feel like she’s around me. It’s been 8 months since I even felt her close or we have-“

He paused, mouth slightly open and eyes widened.

His soul practically leaving his body and his face went pale.

I raised both eyebrows, rolling my eyes,
“Yeah, you haven’t gotten close, and that’s why i am becoming a mamu second time, right?”

His coughed, then darted away in embarrassment and shifted on the bed.

I folded my arms tightly across my chest, avoiding eye contact and then scratched my neck, “Have some shame. I am your wife’s brother. You can’t just say something like this. It’s awkward.”

He groaned, head falling back against the wall, “ahh it’s really worse talking to a coconut head like you.”

I rolled my eyes so hard I had to blink twice to stop them from getting stuck mid-roll, “Same here, Mr. Grumpy Robot.”

We both exhaled loudly and leaned back at the same time, feet swinging forward in sync to kick the edge of the bed.

Big mistake.

“AHHH!”

“Owuch”

We both screamed, clutching our toes, rocking side to side in perfect mirrored pain.

“This stupid bed!” I hissed, teeth gritted.

“Whose idea was it to get a bed with these edges?” He groaned in pain slightly and turning his face.

And just like that, we both stood up, and without a word, walked to the door.

“Move,” I said.

“You move,” he replied.

Then we both tried to squeeze through the door like two kids fighting, who will go out first.

I elbowed him. He elbowed back.

And the next thing we knew-

Thud!

We both tripped and fell.

Me? Half on top of him. Legs tangled like spaghetti.

“Lag gayi,” I groaned, rubbing my elbow like I just ran a marathon.

And just like that the door opened.

“Aap dono kaunsa game khel rahe ho?” Atharv asked in the sleepiest, most judgmental tone possible.

I Froze.

There he was. In his tiny dinosaur PJs, with messy hair and a face full of confusion looking at us like we were criminals caught red-handed.

Behind him, Ruh walked in holding a toothbrush and muttering.

“Baby, I told you not to run you will get hurt and…” she paused mid-sentence.

And then she saw us..

She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.

There I was. On top of her brother. At 7 AM. In front of a child. A CHILD.

Someone please stop the time.

“What…what are you two doing?” she said, her voice low as she dramatically covered Atharv’s eyes.

“Nothing!” I yelped, trying to stand up, “We just…we fell!”

“Yeah!” Kunal added, pointing at me like I was the clumsy one. “Because someone doesn’t know how to walk properly.”

“Oh please,” I snapped, brushing off imaginary dirt from my shirt. “You were practically under me. Your body felt like it was made of steel-like some malfunctioning robot.”

“And you seem like a coconut head who doesn’t even have a single working brain cell!” Kunal jiju shot back, trying to defend himself..

Ruh rushed to me after sending Atharv back. Poor tornado is still confused.

“Vihaan, are you okay?” she asked, checking my hand.

Meanwhile, her brother just sat there. Still. Frozen. Probably buffering.

Plot twist he never expected: She ran to Me first.

Ruh turned to her brother, “Aap thik ho?”

He nodded slowly, like a malfunctioning robot.

Ruh stood tall, toothbrush still in hand, but now both her hands rested firmly on her waist.

Her gaze bounced between the two of us, me looking guilty, Kunal jiju looking, traumatised.

And then, with a slight tilt of her head and one brow raised, she dropped it, “Bhai, I know he is handsome, but you are married. Don’t get so touch-touchy with him. I don’t like it.”

HE. CHOKED.ON. MY. BEHALF.

“What? I wasn’t being touchy!” he shrieked.

“He was-what-ask him what he was doing,” he said, his tone was laced with pure horror and betrayal.

Oh man, he looked so done with life.

And I am damn enjoying this.

He tried to stand up but winced and sat back down.

“Uff…lagta hai kamar mein moch aa gayi,” i shook my head, voice laced with teasing.

Ruh leaned down, checking him like a doctor, “bhai, maybe you have got a sprain in your back.”

I folded my arms, smirking. Couldn’t let this golden moment slide, “See? I think you need a software update, Mr. Robot. You are glitching again.”

He glared at me.

I clicked my tongue dramatically, “Old model ho gaya hai, jiiijuu. Time to upgrade.”

Oh, how I love getting on his nerves.

Honestly, annoying both Oberoi siblings is my favorite hobby.
One is a migraine, and the other? My very own favourite dose of personal relief medicine.

He stood up and took a step closer to me, voice calm….too calm.

“Keep talking,” he said, tilting his head with a clinical smile, “and I swear I’ll surgically remove that irritating personality straight from your coronary arteries without anesthesia.”

I stepped towards Ruh and held her elbow.

Ruh sighed and took a deep breath before speaking, “can you both stop? I am literally fed of you both?”

We both looked at each other and then turned our heads to the other side.

This man’s gonna kill me one day.

“Okay, both of you-go freshen up. I’ll make breakfast,” Ruh said like a sweet but stressed teacher handling two toddlers fighting for whose paper aeroplane will fly higher.

She turned to me, “Vihaan, you can use my room.”

But Mr. Jealous-Possessive-Brother growled, “No need. Guest room is empty.”

“Or better,” I tried, raising my hand to get away from here, “I’ll just go home?”

Ruh snapped her head toward me, “Nope. You need to have dressing change. So, you are staying.”

And the way she looked?
I knew better than to argue. I just nodded like an obedient kid.

Kunal Jiju turned to me, his voice was a little firm, “What magic have you done on my sister?”

I smirked and pushed him gently toward the door, “Not me, jiju. She is the one doing all the magic on me.”

I closed the door and took a deep breath.

Peace. Finally.

I went to the washroom, took a quick shower and wore the clothes Ruh must’ve brought from my place.

Ahh she is so adorable.

Still tired, I sat down to check my laptop.

Samar had only sent a text. Weird. Something felt off. I needed to figure things out fast-the board meeting was tomorrow.

Just then, the door creaked open.

Ruh walked in, all dressed up in a top and pants-probably heading to the hospital.

She walked straight to me and check my wound.

Her fingers were so gentle, so careful… my heart melted.

I held her waist and pulled her close.

It had only been one night without her but I missed her like a man lost in the desert misses water.

I slipped my hand under her top, tracing her skin softly.

She just smiled a little and said, “Wait, it’s almost healed. Let me apply the ointment first.”

She pulled me to bed, took the ointment, and gently started applying it.

Meanwhile, I pulled her into my lap, resting my head on her shoulder, nuzzling into her neck.

Her scent. Her touch. Her presence.

This woman is a storm, and I am willing to lost in her chaos.

She stopped for a second-but not really.

She didn’t stop me. And that was all the permission I needed.

Taking the hint, I brought my other hand up and slipped it gently under her top. My fingers traced her soft, warm skin slowly, moving upwards with care. She shivered under my touch, and I swear, her skin felt like comfort itself-like home.

She smelled like heaven. A sweet, soft fragrance. I didn’t even know what it was-moisturizer or her scent-but I was addicted.

“Vihaan…” she whispered my name in that same soft voice, the kind that makes your knees weak and brain go fuzzy. I could feel her shivering slightly under my touch.

“I think I have become too used to sleeping with you in my arms,” I murmured while she applied the ointment gently on my injured hand. “Nuzzling into your neck and breathing in the scent of you… it’s the only way I get peaceful sleep now.”

I leaned closer and cupped her jaw, pressing slow kisses on her neck. Soft, lingering ones. She tried to say something, but I cut her off with a whisper near her skin.

“Just… let me have you for a moment,” I murmured, pressing a small bite on her neck.

She sighed, a soft, involuntary sound escaping her lips.

“Hmm but make sure you don’t leave a mark,” she whispered, her breath shaky.

I nodded and continued kissing her neck softly, as if I am still living in that dream.

“At morning I went to Dadu’s room,” she whispered through a small gasp as I kissed her collarbone, “and I found some files. We should really take a look-“

I didn’t let her finish. I pulled her closer, my hands still holding her waist as if I’d lose my breath if I let go.

Her hair was tied up in a bun with a claw clip. I gently removed it, letting her waist-length hair fall over her shoulders. She looked absolutely breathtaking in the morning light. That soft perfume… God, she was dangerous like this.

“Everyone is outside….what if someone comes in?” she whispered, but her voice broke into a gasp as I lightly pinched her waist.

“Your brother already ruined my night, i couldn’t sleep because the whole damn dangerous Robot was sleeping beside me, let me have you for now at least,” I murmured near her ear, to which she softly chuckled.

I kissed the curve of her neck again, trailing soft kisses upward. Her fingers slid into my hair, playing with it gently.

“Did you find anything about Samar?” she asked suddenly, and I nodded slightly, still lost in her presence.

“He just messaged ‘Tomorrow’,” I murmured. “He is definitely up to something.”

She nodded, her head slightly tilted back, her neck arched as if she was surrendering to the moment.

Her cheeks were turning crimson. Almost glowing.

I pulled back for a second, admiring her flushed face, and kissed her cheek gently.

She took a deep breath and composed herself.

“We should keep an eye on him,” she said, voice softer now. “And check the files Dadu kept.”

I nodded again.

She turned slightly, and I gathered her hair in my hands, carefully twisting it into a bun and securing it with the same claw clip.

She smiled at me-small but real-and stood up, “Come on. Let’s go have breakfast.”

I followed her out as Kunal jiju entered the room and sat beside Atharv, who was sitting quietly, clearly not his usual tornado self.

“Are you feeling okay, baccha?” Kunal asked gently, pressing Atharv’s stomach. “Is there any pain?”

Atharv shook his head, but his face said otherwise. His lips were pressed into a pout, his eyes big and watery.

“My throat is hurting, Papa,” he said softly, sitting on his father’s lap.

“It’s alright, baby. Have your breakfast, and then I’ll give you-” kunal jiju rubbed his back gently and tried to explain to him.

“No injection!” Atharv cried loudly, almost panicking as tears welled up in his eyes.

He turned to me, like I could save him from the evil injection monster.

Yes, I’ll save my tornado from evil injection monster but who will save me.

My heart sank. Seeing him cry like that-it really hurts.

I turned slightly towards him and gently wiped his tears while he sitting on his father’s lap.

“No injections, promise,” Kunal jiju said softly. “But you will have to eat your full breakfast and take the medicine, okay?”

Atharv nodded slowly, still sniffling.

But then, like the little drama king he is, he crawled off his dad’s lap and went to Prisha di.

I frowned, just slightly.
He always used to stick to Kunal jiju, but now he stood up and went to Prisha di.

Kunal jiju offered a small smile and sighed, “He is always stuck to me but the moment he falls sick, all he wants is his mumma.”

The words landed on my chest familiar. As i remember, a slight fever, and I would turn into Mumma’s permanent shadow. Her lap, her voice, her food somehow it always made the world better. Even Prisha di had been the same.

Maybe it is universal.

Some things never change.

“Come baby, sit. I’ll feed you,” Prisha said gently, running her fingers through Atharv’s hair as she lifted a spoonful of porridge to his lips.

The room carried that strange morning stillness. Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains, the air smelled faintly of spices.

Where is Ruh?

I didn’t ask. Didn’t glance at the clock. But my hands hovered over the plate longer than necessary, unmoving.

“So?” Kunal jiju’s voice cut through the quiet. “Will you eat now or are you waiting for someone to feed you?”

I didn’t look at him right away. Just blinked slowly, turned, and rolled my eyes with a sigh, “Yes. I am waiting for Ruh.”

His head snapped up, “What?”

A grin tugged at the corner of my lips, but I kept my tone laced with mischievous, “Aapke kaan baj rahe hain.”

That always got under his skin. And as expected, he groaned under his breath.

I reached for the bowl of poha just as the air shifted behind me.

And then she walked in.

Time didn’t stop. It just softened.

Ruh entered the room carrying a bowl, her steps light but certain. There was no extra effort in her smile.

“Here. I made this for you,” she said, holding the plate out to me. “It has less spice, exactly how you like it. That one is too spicy, you won’t be able to handle it.”

My hand paused midair.

“You made this?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

But something fluttered inside me.

It wasn’t new. She has always had this way of showing up, of doing the little things that matter.

I just hadn’t expected her to do it like this. Not in front of her brother.

She nodded. With her soft, familiar smile.

And that alone was enough to knock the air out of me for a second.

Suddenly, everything else faded. The clatter of spoons, the weight of eyes, even the occasional cough from Atharv-they all blurred behind that one small gesture.

Kunal jiju cleared his throat. Loud and deliberate.

I cleared mine right after and muttered, “Thanks, Ruh,” while reaching under the table, fingers brushing against hers until she held on.

She didn’t say anything, just smiled at herself and went back to eating, thumb gently running across my skin as she took a bite.

“Eat now. I have to leave soon,” she said, glancing at me.

“Will you be going to the office today?”
As she spoke, her hand moved to mine, caressing my thumb softly.

Her fingers hovered near the bandage, not pressing, just gently grazing it.

“No, not today,” I said, eyes following her as she leaned forward, serving something onto my plate. “I already finished the module last night. The graphic team is handling the rest. I’ll join the day after.”

She nodded once, barely reacting, and turned toward Atharv. She wiped the corners of his mouth with a tissue.

He can’t have breakfast while sitting he has to walk here and there.

But her other hand? Still wrapped around mine beneath the table.

And between fussing over Atharv and eating a few bites herself, her eyes kept flicking back toward me.

Checking if I was eating. If the spice was okay. If I was full. Without asking a single question.

Not in an obvious way. Just through small glances, the way her brow dipped when I paused with my spoon, or the way her hand pressed against mine when I stirred instead of ate.

The oats were warm, just the way I liked them. No raisins. She remembered I hated those.

The fruit salad had only the fruits i like-sweet watermelon, cold apple slices with a hint of lemon, no kiwi or orange.

And the juice? It was Pomegranate juice with light pink salt added in it. Exactly how I always have it.

Everyone is having mixed fruit juice but she knew that I don’t like the way it tastes.

I just sat there for a moment, holding the spoon in my hand, staring at the food. And when I looked up, I caught her glancing at me.

Her eyes moved quickly back to her plate, but I saw the way her eyebrows dipped slightly when I didn’t take a bite right away.

When I finally took a bite, her shoulders relaxed just a bit, like she was holding her breath without realizing it.

She had noticed things. Stored them. Not recently, but from before. Like small pieces of me she had quietly picked up and kept safe.

And somehow, that felt more intimate than any other thing.

Then came Kunal jiju’s voice, cutting through the calm like a knife, “Ruhii, put more in Vihaan’s plate. This is too little. You should eat more, saale sahab. My sister made this especially for you.”

That “especially” stretched like it weighed a ton.

I coughed into my napkin to hide the foolish grin tugging at my lips.

Was he jealous? Probably yes. Just… big-brother mode activated. The classic ‘my-sister-is-doing-too-much-for-some-guy’ discomfort.

Flashback hit me. I was also making wierd faces and getting jealous every time Prisha di made something for Kunal jiju back in the day.

“Bhai, actually he doesn’t like oats too much but in limited. This is perfect,” Ruh replied, voice calm but firm as she gently placed her spoon down.

Even Prisha di looked up, one brow raised at me, smirking behind her glass.

I feel my neck is burning with heat.

I leaned a little closer to Ruh, lowering my voice, “It feels like you know exactly what I like…even how much I can eat.”

She didn’t turn dramatically or pretend to be flustered. She kept her gaze on her plate, hands steady, and replied just as quietly, as a contented smile plastered on her face, “That’s because I and your Ruh. I know what you like. What you don’t. How much you can handle spice, how little sugar you prefer. And how much is your appetite.”

(Ruh-soul)

This was her knowing how I stir my food when I am thinking. How I slow down when I don’t want something to end. How I eat less when my mind’s full.

I felt like I was losing myself.

I wanted to stay normal, to just smile and eat like a regular human, but my brain had already hit the spiral button.

‘Even you don’t know this much about yourself and she does. Why is she so adorable? I swear, I want to marry her brain, her brain cells are so amazing. Totally totally my type,’ my brain whispered, practically swooning.

Excuse me?

‘Why would you marry her?’ I asked mentally, frowning.

‘Gadhe insaan, I am your brain. If you marry her, that means I’ll automatically get to be with her brain. Then we’ll both live happily ever after and produce genius-level kids. Brains so powerful, the world won’t be ready’, my brain replied, still in dreamy brain destination wedding.

Kids.

I choked on air.

My lips curled up in the stupidest smile, and without thinking, I buried my face in both hands, laughing quietly to myself like an idiot in love.

Until I realized-People were staring. Entire table. Everyone.

Ruh too, blinking at me with that soft “you okay?” kind of expression.

I coughed and picked up my spoon, pretending to focus on food like it was a math paper.

But my brain was still stuck.

Handsome intelligence meets pretty smart-hayee. Our kids would be the deadliest combo of charm and IQ.

I stabbed my plate lightly, trying not to laugh again.

Damn it.

I was doomed.

And just as I picked up the spoon again, one clear, almost ridiculous yet sweet thought passed through my mind.

If her brother wasn’t sitting right here. Ruh would’ve fed me with her hands.

And I would have let her.

Gladly.

That’s when Atharv gasped-loudly.
Like someone had just told him there were alphabets in mathematics. Pure betrayal. His fork froze mid-air, eyes wide like he had witnessed a plot twist.

“Bua made all this for Mamu?”

Prisha di tried to smile like it was no big deal,”Yes, baby.”

“But why?” He pouted, his lower lip sticking out as he stared from me to Ruh.

“She is my Bua! She always makes food for me! Mumma, are Mamu and Bua becoming best friends?” He whispered, his lips little wobbled.

Ruh blinked. He looked like he was on the verge of tears.

She quickly leaned over, brushing his cheek, “No, my little tornado. You are my first baby. And my best friend.”

Prisha added gently, “Yes, baccha. And your Bua always makes something for you and today she cooks for your mamu…you don’t want your mamu to be hungry right? “

But Atharv wasn’t buying it. He squinted at me like I had stolen his favourite toy car.

He leaned in slightly, brows furrowed.

His voice came out low and accusing, “No, Mumma. They are cheating on me. They always send me away and play alone in the room together.”

Silence.

I choked on my oats mid-bite. Ruh immediately pulled her hand away from mine under the table like it had caught fire, as she coughed.

And now kunal jiju was full-on glaring mode, his fork stabbed into the fruit like it was me lying on his plate.

Ouch that hurts.

“Maybe they were planning a surprise for you?” Prisha offered weakly. “Your birthday is coming in…uh..uh… five months?”

That didn’t help. Atharv’s glare doubled.

“What were they doing in the room, Atharv?” Kunal jiju asked slowly, arms crossed, face unreadable.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing!” Ruh and I said too quickly.

“I was actually teaching something to Ruh,” I added, clearing my throat and trying to smile like an innocent teacher caught in a heist.

“Yeah, he was teaching me…how to play video games. You know bhai, Atharv wanted me to play with him, but I didn’t know how so…yes, we both were just-“

“Learning,” I added quickly, nodding.
“And don’t worry, jiju-we both were sitting with proper distance between us.”

A lie. A total lie.

We didn’t even have the distance of passing air.

“Okay, but Bua will play with me, not you,” Atharv declared, his voice was serious like his father.

“Yes, yes,” I said quickly.

“Of course, my little tornado, she can play with you during the day…….and at night she will be mine,” I said to him, muttering last sentence under my breath.

Thankfully no one heard except my Ruh. She glared at me but i just winked at her.

Kunal jiju didn’t say a word. Just sat there, quiet, arms resting on the table, sipping his chai calmly, too calmly.

Still for once, silence didn’t explode. No storm followed. He didn’t said ‘Vihaan keep distance….don’t get too close to my sister.’

It’s kind of weird but Nice change.

After breakfast, I stood up and walked over to the table where my laptop was kept. Something had been bothering me since morning, so I decided to check the recent transactions again. As I opened the bank account dashboard, my eyes landed on something strange.

A large amount of money had been transferred.

“Something is definitely going on,” I muttered to myself, brows furrowing in suspicion.

Just then, I heard her voice behind me-soft but sure.

“Vihaan,” Ruh called gently, slipping her hand into mine.

“Come with me to Dadu’s room. I have already taken out the files,” she said, and without another word, I followed her.

Inside the room, she had already opened the cupboard and spread out several dusty files across the bed.

“Let’s take a look at them together,” she said, handing me a few thick folders.

We sat side by side, going through document after document. Her grandfather had kept all kinds of papers-some old patient records, old case files, and even a few newspaper cuttings.

After nearly an hour, we finally found something unusual.

A file mentioned the death of a patient who had been treated with faulty drugs made by a pharmaceutical company. The report stated the drugs were produced using low-quality, cheap materials-completely unethical. Because of these drugs and a set of malfunctioning machines, many patients has died.

“That’s why the trauma centre was shut down,” Ruh murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Because of the faulty equipment and those dangerous drugs.”

She looked shaken as she flipped the page.

“Dadu filed a case against samar’s father’s company,” she added, tapping the paper. “He must have tried to stop them.”

I nodded, “This is exactly why Samar returned. He’s trying to take revenge for that.”

Ruh nodded slowly, her eyes scanning the documents, “This file can serve as another evidence. We should compile this with the information we already have.”

Together, we gathered the necessary papers, sorted the relevant proof, and merged it with our current collection. Ruh looked at the files thoughtfully, lips pursed.

“Dadu definitely knew everything. That’s why he suddenly decided to came back to Delhi,” she murmured, almost to herself. “All this time, I thought we just moved back. But this was the reason. He wanted Dad to take charge of the hospital again.”

I stared at her as a question raised in my head, “umm then who was handling this hospital before?”

“I think bua ji. And if i remember correctly in that year she decided not to practice medicine any more,” she whispered as she was remembering it.

“She was the owner before your dad?” I asked, and Ruhii nodded slowly.

“Yeah… Dad used to handle the Mumbai hospital. Now chote chachu looks after it. That’s when we shifted here and Bua ji stopped practicing back.”

Her voice trailed off, like the puzzle pieces were clicking into place for both of us.

I pulled her into a hug, whispered, “you just stop over stressing your pretty brain…i know what I have to do now”

She fronwed, “what?”

“Just wait and watch,” I said, as a smirked plastered over my face.

She held onto me tightly for a moment, then slowly pulled back. I took the files and placed them neatly inside the cupboard.

She gave me a small nod, then stood up and went to reach a box placed on the upper shelf. I stepped in quickly to help her, stretching my hand up toward the cupboard.

She ended up trapped between me and the cupboard, our bodies inches apart.

She looked up at me, caught in the moment, and I leaned in, gently holding her jaw.

But before our lips could meet, a small cardboard box tumbled down. I raised my elbow to shield her so the box wouldn’t hit her.

“Are you okay?” she asked immediately, rubbing the side of my head where the box had grazed me.

“Where’s your attention, haan?” she scolded softly.

“It’s on you,” I whispered with a smile.

She blushed instantly, “Move now. Bhai could come in any second.”

She gently pushed me aside with a smile as I chuckled and bent to pick up the fallen box. Some old photos, trophies, and loose papers spilled out.

As I began picking them up, my eyes fell on a few childhood pictures of Ruh-pictures I had never seen before. She looked so adorable-short hair, chubby cheeks, dressed in frocks with matching clips.

Beside her, in one photo, stood a child I didn’t recognize-a kid.

A kid-who is a male species-with a sharp jaw and closely cropped hair.

They looked really close, smiling ear to ear.

I frowned, jealousy creeping in suddenly.

Why we both haven’t met in childhood then would have our childhood pictures together like this.

“Who’s this?” I asked, holding the photo up. “Why is he standing so close to you?”

She burst into laughter.

“Not he but she, you jealous little dinosaur,” Ruh said, flicking my forehead. “That’s Aashika. She just had short hair back then!”

“Oh,” I said sheepishly, chuckling. “I thought she was a boy. I got confused.”

I leaned in and pecked her lips, and she rolled her eyes with a grin.

We kept going through the photos. One caught my attention.

It was Kunal bhai from his school days-and man, i don’t want to agree but he was good looking, actually he is.

But still he is still an annoying grumpy robot.

I stared, half-impressed and half-annoyed.

“He actually looked…kind of good,” I mumbled. “I bet he had pulled so many girls in his time.”

She giggled, “Of course. My brother was really popular in school.”

We flipped through more photos, and then I found one that made me pause. A familiar face.

“I think I know this guy,” I said.

“That’s Dr. Rishabh,” Ruh explained. “Remember the doctor you met in the hospital… when I was admitted?”

She stopped speaking.

Silence fell between us.

She looked away, suddenly quiet.

“Sorry,” she said in a low voice. “I forgot… you don’t like talking about that time.”

I reached out and held her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Don’t think about that,” I said softly.

That was a tough time for all of us and especially for her.

Just the memory of her in that hospital bed-so pale, so lifeless-sent a chill down my spine. I hated that version of our reality. I never wanted to see her like that again.

I cleared my mind trying not to imagine those haunted memories again.

Another photo caught my eye. A girl stood beside Kunal bhai-she looked close to him.

“Who’s this?” I asked curiously. “Was she his girlfriend or something?”

I mean they both looked so close.

Ruh smiled a little but shook her head, “Nope. My bhai never had a girlfriend. But she is someone special. That is the only thing I know. He never told me nor I asked him.”

“Does my sister know about this?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Yeah. I am sure she knows everything,” She said and began putting the photos and papers back inside the box, closing it carefully.

I nodded.

Just then, we heard Kunal jiju call from outside.

“Ruhii! We are getting late!”

She stood up quickly, straightened her clothes, and looked back at me.

She glanced at my hand, murmured something under her breath, then picked up her bag.

“Take care of yourself, okay?” she said, brushing her fingers against mine.

Then, leaning forward, she kissed my cheek and giggled as my ears turned red from the sudden affection.

With one last smile, she turned and walked out.

After she left, I went to the guest room and picked up her laptop. I noticed Prisha Di working, surrounded by files.

Usually at this time, Kaki used to come to help and spend time with di because she usually lives alone during the day and it’s not safe for her to be alone, but the house felt quiet today.

“Kaki didn’t come today?” I asked.

“No,” she replied without looking up. “She was not feeling well.”

She flipped a few pages of the file in front of her. She was so focused, it was like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

“You really are a workaholic,” I rolled my eyes.

She glared at me and then back to her work.

The laptop was still open on the table when I suddenly heard a loud ringtone echoing through the room.

I jerked upright, heart skipping a beat.
Prisha Di looked up from her cup of tea, her brows pulling together.
“That…wasn’t your phone, was it?”

I cleared my throat, already sweating knowing she will scold me if she gets to know what I have done.

“Uh…maybe the neighbor’s?” I offered. “You know how thin these walls are. Could be their ringtone?”

Smooth, Vihaan. Real smooth.

But my luck….she didn’t buy it.

She marched toward me, arms folded across her chest, belly bump perfectly balanced like a royal sash of authority.

“Vihu,” she said sharply, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing!” I said too quickly, sitting up straight.

She gave me a blank stare. Then repeated-slower, with eyebrow raised, aka the final warning mode, “Vihu, Don’t lie to me.”

I was about to cook up another nonsense excuse, but before I could open my mouth, she stepped closer, pulled the chair beside me, and lowered herself onto it.

She stared at the screen.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Wait…” she said slowly, “Did you just… tap someone’s phone?”

She looked shocked-but calm. Scary calm.

One hand gently resting on her bump like, “I know I get tired easily these days but I still have time to deal with your nonsense.”

I smiled nervously, “I mean-yes? It wasn’t exactly on purpose. The opportunity was just….there. And I took it. And it’s kind of a fun adventure.”

She tilted her head slightly, “Samar?”

I nodded.

She paused. I waited for the lecture.

Instead, she grinned.

GRINNED. Like the clown she is.

“Good job!” she said, giving me an actual nod of approval. “You did it just like I taught you. I am so proud of you Vihuuuu.”

I blinked, “You are not mad?”

She waved her hand like she was swatting a fly, “Please. He deserves it. Also, you followed all the rules and definitely do it in a way so that you won’t get caught…sort of.”

She leaned in, cracking her knuckles like she is enjoying every second.

“Didn’t even need a password,” she muttered. “Wow. What a dumbhead genius. Saving contacts with just initials. Seriously? And zero effort to delete messages. Idiot.”

She tapped on a contact label ,”Let’s hear what these clowns are up to.”

The screen lit up. She put the phone on speaker.

A gruff voice picked up.

“Yeah?”

Then came Samar’s voice-angry, panicked.

“You piece of sh*t! Because of your mistake, he got access to my accounts! I TOLD you to manage it properly! Now everything’s messed up! If he gets one more step ahead, it will all fall apart! I swear, I’ll kill you!”

I blinked. Prisha Di blinked.
We slowly turned to look at each other.

The call continued.

“Make sure the 8 PM shipment goes properly. I’ll text the drop location. That will be the last one-until I get control back from these idiot board members.”

Click.

The call ended.

We stared at the screen. Then at each other. Then back at the screen.

I broke the silence. “Did we just-“

“Yes,” she said, already opening folders like a professional, actually she is.

I gestured dramatically, “now what are you trying to do. You should rest. Remember Kunal jiju said….”

Before i can say anything she cut me off.

“Shut up and move. I need full access,” she said, typing faster than my brain could keep up.

I watched, impressed and terrified.

“Just saying, last time I clicked that folder, the laptop caught a virus and went full Exorcist on me. Froze everything,” I said as I sit pulling another chair.

She rolled her eyes and smirked, “Please, this laptop is child’s play. You are scared of basic malware? Vihu, I taught you better.”

“Well, this laptop belongs to Ruh. So if you crash it, she will crash me,” i muttered tightly smiling.

She won’t kill me.

‘Actually she can,’ my brain said, adding more fuel in a fire

“Then pray and let me work,” she said, already cutting the Wi-Fi, disabling location, and entering some freaky looking command line stuff.

She clicked the same folder I had been struggling with. Boom. It opened.
Just like that. No drama. No virus warning. No error.

Just one word. How?

My eyes widened in disbelief. My hands went up in frustration, “What? How? I clicked the same thing! My laptop almost died trying!”

She tilted her head at me and replied sarcastically, “You clicked. I understood.”

I leaned forward, mouth slightly open,”Okay fine… I never said this out loud but you are actually a genius. Like me.”

She didn’t even pause. Just smacked the back of my head lightly, “Genius like me, you idiot. Your sister. Respect your elders.”

Then she added, “And keep the compliments coming. They boost my typing speed.”

Rolling her sleeves up with dramatic flair, she pointed at the screen, “See this folder? It had malware embedded. Normal people click it and boom-viruses are a full welcome party. But I tricked the system.”

I blinked, “Tricked it? How?”

She looked at me like I was asking what 2 + 2 equals.

“I didn’t open it directly. I used a shortcut path through file properties. I went around the trap and accessed the backend.”

My brain paused and I nodded in understanding.

She gave me a smug nod, “That’s an intelligent thing. Something your pea-sized brain is allergic to.”

I put my hand over my chest, “That was personal. My brain cried just now. You should apologize.”

She grinned, “Apology denied.”

Crossing my arms, I pretended to sulk, “I could have done it. Eventually.”

She didn’t even look up, “Vihu, if you tried, we’d be hosting a funeral right now. For your laptop. Possibly your face too, if Ruh saw it.”

I gasped, “Wow. That was disrespectful.”

She reached out and patted my cheek, mocking sympathy in her eyes, “Poor guy. Now stand in the corner quietly while the actual genius works.”

Then, without warning, she checked her reflection on the laptop screen and flipped her hair, “By the way, don’t you think I am looking extra beautiful today? Look-my reflection even agrees.”

I rolled my eyes but stayed rooted in place, “Wow. Narcissism runs deep in this bloodline.”

‘And you are also included in this blooline,’ my brain mocked me.

She just winked and turned back to the laptop, all smug and victorious.

Then she froze.

“Vihaan…” her voice went serious.

I leaned in. The screen showed fake medical trial reports. Photos. Lists of patients.

“They gave black market trial drugs… to real patients?” she asked, voice low, like she couldn’t believe her own words.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, “These weren’t approved. Not even tested properly. Just cooked up in labs, smuggled in, and sold like they were real meds.”

My chest tightened, “But how-why would anyone-?”

She sighed and scrolled more.

Her fingers paused over a surgical report, “They faked the whole thing. Made it look like a government trial. Used our hospital name. Patients thought it was real. And then they marked these patients for organ trafficking.”

“What the hell?”

“Yeah. They used patients with no family or critical conditions listed them for black market buyers,” she muttered.

I quickly sent a message to Ruh and Kunal Jiju.

“It’s worse than expected.”

Kunal Jiju replied exactly in 7 minutes later, “I knew it. Thank you for your help. Rest I’ll handle. You can rest.”

I opened another folder.
CCTV footage. Bank logs. Chat screenshots. Hidden cam photos from the drug lab.

She grabbed the laptop and typed something in it. In five minutes, she had pulled out the hospital’s internal logs, staff names, and extra video footage.

I watched, amazed.

Then she leaned back and asked, “Now how do we send this without ending up in jail?”

I clicked open my email draft.

Subject line:.Anonymous Tip-Illegal Medical Trial at S.R. Pharmaceuticals.

“All evidence attached. No names. All clean. The Health Department and police get this in 3… 2…and done.”

“The IP address will automatically become unreachable after they get the message…so they won’t get we send the message” she said.

She smirked, eyes fixed on the screen, “One thing left.”

“What?” I frowned.

She pulled up a new window.

“Ahnn…” I leaned closer as I saw.

I saw this coming.

“Can I do it?” I asked, already reaching for the mouse.

She nodded and enjoyed.

•••••

It was almost evening when I finally got the update: the police had raided the lab, shut it down, and sealed the entire area.

Mom and Dad arrived in the afternoon.

Dad asked me about the chip we had found earlier, and I had no choice but to tell him everything.

Funny thing? While everyone assumed I, being a game developer, figured it all out on my own-it wasn’t me. It was actually my sister who taught me how to deal with this kind of data tracking and file tracing.

Kunal jiju had already come home by then-Atharv wasn’t feeling well again, and his condition was a bit down today.

As I sat inside the car, scrolling through the latest updates, my eyes stopped at one headline-“Several boxes of illegal drugs found inside the sealed lab.”

How can someone be so inhumane?

I quickly checked the time-it was almost the end of Ruh’s hospital shift.

I should call her.

Just as I picked up the phone, a sudden commotion erupted outside. A police jeep zipped past in another direction. People gathered, murmured, and confused.

What’s going on now?

I scanned the area, trying to spot Samar-he was supposed to be inside. I saw him enter just fifteen minutes ago.

But now? Now he was nowhere.

My grip on the phone tightened, “No. No no no.”

I flung the door open, slid back into the driver’s seat, and slammed the door shut hard enough to make the mirror shake. My fingers scrambled on the screen as I hit Ruh’s contact again.

Ringing.

Pick up. Pick up, Ruh…please.

Still ringing. No answer.

My heart began thudding louder than before-this wasn’t normal.

Why isn’t she picking up?

I called again, fingers tapping nervously on the steering wheel.

Relax, Vihaan. Maybe she’s caught up in surgery. That could be it. It always takes her longer in complicated cases.

Still unsettled, I called Kunal jiju.

“What’s wrong, Vihaan?” he asked, sensing my urgency.

“When exactly did Ruh’s shift end?” I asked straightaway.

“What?” He answered.

My fingers tightened around the phone, the air in my lungs suddenly sharp.

“Just tell me!”I leaned forward over the steering wheel, the tension crawling up my spine.

“It ended about half an hour ago. She called me after wrapping up,” His voice was calm, but it hit me like a punch to the gut.

My heart dropped. My grip loosened slightly as panic started to rise.

“Samar is missing. And Ruh’s not picking up my call. I have a bad feeling-” I barely got the words out, my voice hoarse, eyes scanning the road.

Before he could respond, I jerked the steering wheel to the left, turning the car sharply.

Tyres screeched against the asphalt and hung up.

A cold fear began to creep in.

Please be safe.

Please.

Please.

A few minutes later, Kunal jiju called back, “I asked security, they confirmed Ruhii hasn’t left the hospital. She’s still inside.”

That brought me a moment of relief. That means she is in hospital and people are there samar can’t do anything.

Still, I floored the accelerator and reached the hospital in 25 minutes.

Kunal jiju was already there when I arrived. We exchanged a quick, tense glance and rushed inside together.

We approached a young doctor with the name badge-Alia.

“Where’s Dr. Ruhanika?” Kunal asked firmly.

Alia looked slightly startled, “Uh, she didn’t leave yet, sir. She’s on the floor-her friend got admitted, so she stayed back.”

Without wasting another second, we made our way to the mentioned room.

But the moment we entered it was empty. The bed is untouched. Not a single soul in sight.

I scanned the patient’s file. Name: Tanya.

But where is Ruh? Even Tanya is not here?

We split up to search the hospital. And I found Yash and Sid there.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Tanya and Ruhii, don’t know where the heck they both are not even picking up my call so we were going to check CCTV,” he said.

Kunal jiju rushed toward the CCTV room again to check the other exits. A minute later, he called, “She’s in the old hospital wing. Near the closed-off department.”

Why would she go there?

We rushed to the old building. The air was unnervingly quiet. The place had an eerie, unused feel-like it hadn’t seen daylight in months.

“Ruh!” I called out loudly, voice echoing down the corridor.

A faint laugh echoed back. Then more laughter, coming from a room nearby.

I tried to calm myself. I hope she is safe.

We followed the sound and reached the door. It was slightly ajar.

Kunal bhai pushed it open it was locked but he then asked the security for the key, as i couldn’t control myself and took the key, opened the door.

And what I saw- My jaw dropped.

“WHAT THE ACTUAL FREAK-“

There, sitting on the floor, were Ruh, Tanya, and Vani. Calm. Laughing. Sharing snacks and flipping through a book as if they were on a weekend picnic.

“Vihaan? Finally You are here. This stupid door got locked, ” Ruh blinked at me innocently, brushing hair from her face.

Before I could respond, Yash’s voice boomed behind me, “TANYA? What the hell are you doing here?”

He and Sid barged in and then he saw it too.

But it’s not enough.

On the floor, a few feet away-a man tied up to the chair, groaning in pain, blood soaking through his shirt. Cuts. Bruises. The heavy metal tong- i mean chimta –lay nearby, stained.

His face was barely recognizable.

My Ruh did this?

I looked at her, her face still has innocence. Urghh….Yes she can.

Kunal bhai froze, “Ruhii… did you do this?”

Did my Ruh did this??

Ruh gave a sheepish shrug and pointed to the girls, “Umm…just his face and hand. The rest? Ask them.”

Tanya, showed her injured arm, “I just kicked him once or twice, that’s it. Rest? Ask her” And then pointed her other hand finger to Vani.

Vani smiled sweetly, keeping her hands at the backside, “hnn bacha kucha kaam mene niptaya hai.”

The heck is going on here?

I couldn’t tell whether I was horrified or proud.

Actually, no. Definitely proud.

“Damn it… I should have come earlier. Poor me missed the show. I would have enjoyed every second,” I whispered, staring at the absolute chaos.

I am sure my Ruh looked FREAKING HOT while painting his face with that scalpel.

Kunal bhai smirked, arms crossed, clearly impressed, “I am genuinely proud of those slap marks and that scalpel work? Damn neat.”

Yash blinked, still processing the wreckage around him, “Seriously… you all turned that room into a live-action set. Next time, just send a trailer at least, so I can book my seat before anyone else.”

Sid, adjusting his glasses, deadpan as ever, added, “And popcorn. Don’t forget the popcorn. Front-row seat, zero interruptions. Preferably reclining.”

That chimta. It looked like it had been through war and wanted early retirement.

She smiled-maybe even hugged me, but before I could be sure, Kunal bhai pulled her into a tight hug.

“But you scared us all to death. Are you girls okay?” he asked, pulling back just to ask Tanya and Vani.

Ruh hugged him back while Tanya and Vani nodded behind her.

“I am fine, bhaiya. Just this stupid plaster and maybe my ankle sprained again,” Tanya groaned dramatically.

Yash walked over and picked her in his arms. Tanya gasped.

“You seriously enjoy playing Avenger, huh? You scared the hell out of me,” he muttered.

“Can you put me down first?” she whispered, noticing everyone’s eyes on them.

“Yeah, so you can break your other leg too?” he rolled his eyes, but still didn’t let her go.

Vani turned to Sid, “Won’t you say anything?”

“Why would I? You don’t get scared-you are the reason people get scared,” Sid replied casually.

Vani just huffed and nodded, accepting the truth, “point toh hai.”

“By the way, why didn’t you all call us?” Kunal jiju asked, looking between them.

Ruh stepped behind me, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around her tightly. Checking her from head to toe if she got injured or not.

“My phone broke,” she mumbled.

“I left mine in the hospital room,” Tanya added, rolling her eyes, still half-dangling in Yash’s arms.

“Uh… Tanya was recording the action movie so it’s battery goes down,” Vani grinned sheepishly.

We all facepalmed at the same time.

“Sir, we are here,” a voice came from the door-it was the police.

Even the constable looked confused seeing Samar tied to a chair with a chimta nearby.

He scratched his head, glancing between Samar’s bruised face and us, “Uh… should we put him in jail or the ICU? His face says hospital for now.”

Samar groaned in pain, unable to even open his mouth properly.

I gently moved Ruh behind me again. But just as I turned to check, that lunatic tried to stand up and again tried to hit her from the rod.

Before anyone else reacted, I turned and punched him straight in the nose. I swear I heard something crack.

“He needs treatment before we put him in jail and court procedure,” the constable said, blinking at Samar’s condition.

“Don’t worry,” Kunal jiju replied with a firm, “He will be under my personal supervision. I’ll take great care of him.”

We all knew what that great care meant.

“Are they going to arrest me too?” Ruh whispered, eyeing Samar and the cops.

I turned to her immediately, “Arrest you? Never. You didn’t even do anything. And my Ruh is too innocent.

“But they probably should arrest you.”

She blinked, “What? Why?”

I smirked, “For stealing my heart and hiding inside it without permission.”

She giggled, and I leaned in, almost kissing her-until Kunal jiju turned around, and we both straightened like school kids.

“Let’s go. Siddharth, shift this idiot to the room next to my cabin,” he said.

Sid nodded, and we all moved.

After all the chaos, we finally sat in Kunal jiju’s cabin.

He was treating Tanya’s wounds with practiced hands.

“Now,” I looked at Ruh, “Someone better explain what happened.”

Yash sat beside Tanya, not letting her step away even as she tried to wiggle out.

Sid was next to me, quiet-but I could feel his eyes on Vani.

Ruh glanced between Vani and Tanya. Then let out a deep breath.

And finally, she started telling the whole story.

FEW HOURS AGO-

The hospital hallway pulsed with calm noises.

Machines buzzed low, nurses whispered behind surgical masks, and metal trays clinked in the distance.

But the moment I got to know what Samar had been doing-Disgust even covered it.

My chest burned with a mixture of revulsion and fury. I despised him.

Every atom in me wanted to rip apart him and the people helping him too.

“I think we should go ahead with a CT scan,” Siddharth’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I blinked, coming back to the moment.

“Got it,” I said, forcing calm into my voice as I stepped forward to help.

Yash was in the corner, his hands visibly shaking. His face looked like all the color had drained out of it. His eyes were glassy- too scared-as he stared at Tanya on the bed.

Tanya had been in a small accident thankfully she didn’t get much injury. I was so scared.

Siddharth had stitched her up. Her elbow had taken the worst of it-torn skin, swollen around the edges, with dried blood crusting along her forearm.

Her legs weren’t much better and bruises were blooming under her skin.

Now, she lay there unconscious, pale against the hospital bed, with the scent of antiseptic clinging stubbornly to the air.

“She’ll be fine,” I said softly, moving beside Yash. “I have seen the wounds. They’re mostly superficial. Let’s wait for the scan, okay?”

Yash gave a small nod, barely breathing. Tanya didn’t stir.

After the CT scan and further treatment, we waited. The report came back clean, no internal injuries.

The tension in the air snapped like a wire under pressure.

I walked into the waiting room where Yash was pacing like a tiger in a cage.

“It’s clear. No internal bleeding. She is going to be fine,” I said gently.

He didn’t say a word, just turned on his heel and practically ran to her room. He shifted her to a private ward instantly.

When she finally stirred, her eyelashes fluttered weakly. I leaned closer, brushing the back of my knuckles against her arm.

“Tanya,” I whispered. “Are you okay?”

She blinked, lips dry, “Yeah… I think so..”

I gave her a glass of water as she drank.

“Are you feeling any kind of pain?” I asked, voice low.

She shook her head in No.

Her eyes searched the whole room maybe for one person.

Just then, the door slammed open, and Yash stormed in like a thundercloud.

“Aankh band karke gaadi chala rahi thi kya?” he snapped, his voice rising like boiling water.

“Yash,” Siddharth said without missing a beat, “she is injured. Lower your voice.”

Tanya, even in pain, raised her chin like a queen, “Tumse matlab? Thanks for the hospital drop-off. You may leave now.”

Her words landed like slaps. Yash recoiled, clearly hurt, but too stubborn to walk away.

I exchanged a look with Siddharth, who raised his eyebrows shrugging his shoulders.

Yash mumbled a apology and sat beside her, awkwardly running his hand through her bandaged arm.

Tanya turned her face away, her lips tightening.

Then she let out a soft hiss of pain.

“What happened?” Siddharth asked immediately.

“My leg, it’s hurting,” she said, voice barely above a whisper.

He moved closer, as he was about to touch her-when Yash snapped again.

“Stop” he yelled making sid shiver.

Siddharth froze, hand mid-air, confused.

Yash quickly added, awkwardly, “I mean.. Ruhii can check it instead.”

His tone was shaky, but the jealousy in his eyes was not subtle.

Tanya looked between the two, eyebrows furrowed.

“Ruhii. Please….And you-stop standing so close,” Yash insisted. Then glared at Siddharth and pulled him towards him making him stand away from Tanya.

I wanted to roll my eyes into the next dimension.

These best friends and their jealousy.

Poor Sid always gets stuck.

I crouched and examined her leg.

“It’s just a minor dislocation,” I said calmly, then twisted it gently. Tanya gasped, but the joint popped back into place.

“There. It will hurt less now.”

Yash, still in his drama parade, muttered under his breath, “Akal hoti toh yeh yaha na hoti. Do you even realise what i felt after seeing you all injured and scratches, blood oozing out and….”

Tanya glared at him, “Main tumse zyada akalmand hoon. Tum jaise nahi hoon jo 16 saal tak sab kuch dekh ke bhi andekha kia ho.”

Silence.

Siddharth nudged me again. Tell me to let them handle it.

Yash opened his mouth to retort but his phone rang. He stepped outside, frustrated.

I turned to Tanya and softly said, “Just rest now.” I brushed a strand of hair from her face.

An hour later, my phone buzzed. It was Vani.

“I am here. Where’s Tanya’s room?” she asked.

I had just ended my shift, my legs aching, and every bone in my body crying for sleep.

When I returned, she was already there, sitting by Tanya’s bed like an overdramatic guardian angel.

“You okay?” she asked Tanya.

Tanya nodded slowly.

“What are you doing here?” She asked Vani.

“I heard she was admitted and freaked out. Came to check,” she said, awkwardly fidgeting with her bracelet.

I squinted, “Did you meet someone outside?”

“No… just the security guard…” she replied, her voice trailing off. Her hesitation sent alarms through my brain.

Then she looked around dramatically and said, “Aur woh doosra jhingur kahan gaya? Meri dost ko akela chhod ke bhag gaya?”

“He went to get meds,” I muttered.

Tanya sat up with a groan, “Before either of you start scolding me-I am fine. Okay. It was a small accident”

“Clearly. Bandages really bring out your glow,” Vani rolled her eyes, flicking Tanya’s forehead lightly.

I shook my head at their banter and walked out, heading to sign out for the night and called bhai.

But as I passed the hallway-something felt off.

The outpatient department was locked after 9. So why were the lights still on?

My gut twisted.

I followed the glow that led me to a corridor. Mumma told me it’s locked. Why are the lights open?

I went inside the room and it had dim yellow light. Shelves stacked with blood vials, medicine bottles, and patient files that didn’t match any real record.

That’s when it happened.

Someone shoved me inside.

“I knew you would come, sweetheart.”

That voice.

My body froze.

I didn’t turn.

I couldn’t.

I reached into my coat pocket, fingers shaking, and hit any number. I didn’t care who it connected to.

“You ran from the police?” I asked quietly, voice razor-sharp. As Vihaan messaged me as he already sent the location to the police.

He didn’t reply. Just took slow, menacing steps toward me.

“Forget all that. Just tell me. Why can’t you just love me, Ruhanika?” he growled, grabbing my arm.

His grip was tight like iron. I could smell the strong stench of alcohol on his breath. It made me gag as he leaned in.

I shoved him hard.

And without thinking, I pulled the scalpel from my coat pocket.

I pressed it against his neck. Then stabbed.

He groaned in pain as a thin line of blood trickled down.

“I told you if you touch me again, I’ll slice off your last working brain cell,” I snapped, eyes blazing, full of hatred.

He fell but didn’t stop.

Instead, he lunged forward but I grabbed his hand-stabbing the scalpel deeper into his palm. He screamed, but I dragged the blade across his already-burnt skin. The scream that came out was enough to shake the walls.

He stumbled back, his eyes wild and crazed. But still he has the audacity.

“I loved you! I can’t stand seeing you with anyone else, holding your hand kissing you i just can’t… if you won’t be mine, then die,” he screamed, voice cracking.

What??? Is he cracked?

Before I could react, he grabbed my hair and yanked me to the floor. I crashed into a metal shelf, and glass shattered around me.

He made me stand, one hand grabbing my neck, choking me.

Tight. Crushing.

“Smile for me sweetheart,” he whispered. “It’s our last night together.”

I couldn’t breathe.

My lungs screamed.

I clawed at his face. Punched him.

Once. Twice.

I closed my eyes-ready for the worst.

A metal rod slammed across the back of his head hardly.

“How dare you to touch my best friend,” Vani said, stepping in like a warrior queen.

My warrior queen.

Tanya limped in behind her, picking up a tray like it was a cricket bat, “I swear, his voice is actual trauma. I feel like my ears committed suicide.”

Did I…did I call Tanya?

“You called me and I heard this sewer rat. So yeah…,” Tanya said.

Tanya stroll over, kicked Samar right in the gut, then casually sat down on a stool.

I took a deep breath the i made him stand.

I slapped him across the face, “I told you not to touch me. And you dared?”

“That felt so satisfying,” I muttered and punched him again, harder this time.

For touching me. For making me uncomfortable. For doing wrong with innocent people.

Vani yanked his hair. Then kicked him right in the crotch.

Ouch. That had to hurt.

She was wearing heels, and she didn’t stop there. She stepped down hard-on his already stabbed hand.

“You bitch!” Samar roared and pulled her leg, yanking her down. She hit the table hard.

“Vani!” both Tanya and I shouted together.

But who am I dealing with?

“You BROKE my nail!” Vani yelled, staring at her finger in disbelief. “I just did a manicure today, you gandi naali ke keede! That was damn expensive!”

Tanya and I looked at each other and shook our heads.

I threw the metal rod straight at him-it smacked his shoulder with a crack.

He screamed again, louder this time.

I noticed Tanya was recording the whole thing on Vani’s phone.

I sat up, dazed, “You two are crazy.”

“You are welcome,” Tanya said, winking.

“We are just built differently,” Vani added with a proud grin.

Samar tried to get up again, crawling.

He lunged at me again.

I ducked and kicked him in the chest, then gave him a full-blown punch.

The impact knocked the air out of him, and before he could recover, my fist connected with his face, snapping his head to the side.

Something came flying in from the corridor and clattered across the floor near me.

Vani tossed broom from outside the corridor.

Broom.

Seriously?

“Abhi yehi mila, but jhadu se bhi tez lagti hai,” she said, throwing a broom.

I caught it.

And slammed the broom into his ribs with all my strength. Hitting him brutally.

He was already oozing blood. His face was bruised from all the punches.

He collapsed onto the floor with a guttural groan, his body finally giving up. Before he could try anything again, we dragged him to a chair and tied him down using IV cords, looping them tightly around his arms and torso until he was completely restrained.

In the middle of it all, Tanya crouched beside him, tilted her head, and clicked a selfie and smiled.

He fainted.

“Wait…is he dead?” I asked, holding the scalpel tightly. “I wasn’t done yet. I was actually having fun dragging and stabbing the scalpel over his body…”

I took a shaky breath.

What was happening to me? I never liked violent things.

But this chimta… this filth… he deserved it. For everything. For what he did to innocent people. For what he did to me. Because of him Vihaan also burnt his hand.

“Don’t worry,” Tanya said casually.

“If he ends up in a forensic lab, I’ll be the one to cut him open. His body will self-destruct out of embarrassment. We will just declare it ‘body cell suicide’-because apparently he is full of filth even his body cells can’t survive.”

“We will chop his parts and throw them in the acid,” Vani said flipping her hair but her eyes widened.

“Oh gosh” Vani gasped.
“If I knew I would be going to jail after his murder, I wouldn’t have worn this outfit! I can’t go to jail in this! It will ruin the aesthetic. I would have worn my red dress, red lipstick, and combat boots!”

“I would have wore black outfit,” Tanya chimed in.

And they looked at me and i shrugged my shoulders, “umm White..for his funeral.”

We three looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Samar tried to mumble something. Then passed out. Again.

Chimta.

I got up and tried to open the door. Nothing.

Because it was Locked.

It was a lab door. Automatic and soundproof. No one would hear us.

“What now?” I groaned.

“Let’s have a girls’ night!” Vani chirped. “I have snacks and a book!”

Tanya shrugged, trying to record again but it looked like Vani’s phone was dead, “Better. Waise bhi, I got really tired.”

“In this situation?” I asked, staring at them.

“Ruhii, you don’t even have your phone. Yours is broken. Tanya didn’t bring hers. And mine is already dead. We are stuck, beside I am sure someone will come soon,” she rolled her eyes.

I nodded. What else could we do?

We sat on three chairs. Snack in one hand. Book another.

“You can recreate this scene on your wedding night, Ruhii,” Vani teased, smirking.

“SHUT UP!” I choked, blushing. “This is not the moment!”

And just like that-we forgot the psycho tied up in the corner.

Because, you know… priorities.

After enjoying for half an hour we heard noises and then the door got opened and i saw him.

My heart finally relaxed. All I want to do is just get scooped in his arms.

PRESENT TIME-

“This is what happened?” I told them and they all looked at us.

And clapped.

Vihaan pulled my chair towards him and whispered, “I am so proud of you.” He caressed my head.

“But for a moment i really got scared,” I said and he hugged me not caring for anyone and not even my brother.

“By the way there is one more surprise for Tomorrow’s board meeting” he said and i frowned.

“What?” I asked.

“Just wait” he whispered winking at me.

Somehow i do know what it can be.

NEXT DAY-

I sat outside the boardroom, nervously twisting the hem of my kurti. The meeting was still going on, but I couldn’t focus. My heart felt like it was doing somersaults.

Next to me, Vihaan was relaxed-too relaxed, like he was just chilling on a Sunday morning.

“You’re weirdly calm for someone who might witness full-blown family drama,” I muttered as he suddenly pulled me closer.

There was no one else around. The top floor was practically empty.

He stretched with a smug smile, tilting his head.

“Drama is more fun when there’s popcorn,” he said. “But I have got you. You taste better.”

I rolled my eyes at his cheesy words.

He leaned in, slowly, teasingly. My heart did a tiny backflip.

“Vihaan,” I warned, pulling away. “We are in a hospital.”

“Exactly,” he whispered, brushing his lips near mine. “And this is the top floor. No one is here.”

Before I could react, he leaned in and softly kissed the corner of my lips-right where that mole is that he always teases me about. Just then, the boardroom door slammed open.

He pulled back instantly, winking. Of course.

Bua ji stormed out like a hurricane in a silk saree, gold and red. Her bangles clanked angrily with every step.

“I don’t care what they say!” she screamed. “This hospital is mine! No one can snatch it away from me!”

“Looks like she loses her mind,” Vihaan muttered, shrugging her shoulders.

Seems to me too.

“Ma aam, please calm down,” one of the board members tried to reason with her. “The decision has already been made. Dr. Akshat will take over. You should go home.”

I stood up in shock, just as Papa walked out too, his face stern but calm, “Enough. Don’t create a scene. Why did you even do this? “

Bua ji turned to him, furious, “Why are you all doing this to me?! Just because I made one mistake, Chachu threw me out of my own hospital?”

Mumma also came and stood beside me, I asked her what happened to which she just smiled.

Vihaan crossed his arms, tilting his head at her like she was being ridiculous.

Actually she is.

“One mistake?” Dad’s voice was sharp, protective fire behind every word. “You supported Samar’s father in his illegal activities. You helped Samar too. A patient nearly lost their life because of your actions. Because your negligence dad threw you out of the hospital”

He took a step closer, his eyes blazing now, “But what hurts me the most-you tried to trade my daughter like she was an object. You wanted to hand her over to Samar just so you could gain full control of the hospital when he took over?”

Mumma shook his head in disgust, “She’s my daughter, not some object. Shame on you.”

Her face turned redder.

“The police are already on their way,” Dad added firmly. “You should be confessing your wrongdoings instead of shouting.”

He stepped toward me and gently touched my head, looking at the little bruises on my hand. I didn’t tell him about what happened last night-but clearly, he knew. Mumma and he were so worried last night. I had to make sure that I was fine.

Vihaan stayed silent beside me. Papa looked at him but didn’t say anything.

His silence said enough.

“You know I can buy this hospital in seconds!” Bua ji shouted suddenly, pulling out her phone and dialing someone.

Yeah. Why not? Stupid old hag woman.

We waited. She looked so smug…until the call connected. Her face dropped.

“What happened, Bua ji? Seconds kab ke beet gaye,” Vihaan said casually, smirking.

I tried to hold my laughter.

Her eyes snapped at him, “What did you do?”

Vihaan stood slowly, brushing invisible dust off his shirt, “Relax, Bua ji. Come with me. I have got something to show you.”

He held my hand without hesitation. Dad walked with us too.

We entered one of the newly renovated wards. Two kids-Anaya and Kabir-around 8 or 9 years old, suffering from cancer, sat on their beds. Their faces lit up the moment they saw us.

Kunal Bhai was already there, sitting beside them and talking gently. He stood up as we walked in and cleared his throat.

The two little bundles of joy ran straight to me, their tiny arms wrapping around my waist.

“How are you babies?” I asked both of them and soon I got surrounded by more kids.

“Looks like these kids love you a lot,” Vihaan whispered, as he picked a small kid he looked at him with hai doe eyes as he touched Vihaan’s hair giggling.

Bua ji looked confused.

Vihaan looked directly at her.

“Ahnn…Bua jiii,” Vihaan drawled, his tone lazy but sharp.“Woh aapke surprise ki baari hai ab.”

He turned toward the crowd gathered in the ward-kids, their parents, nurses, doctors-and then locked eyes with her.

Bua ji’s proud expression was already starting to falter.

“I would like to make an announcement,” He paused, letting that sentence hang in the air like a silent explosion.

“Mrs. Verma has donated all her wealth, including her hospital shares, to fund the treatment of cancer patients, children and those who can’t afford it.”

I turned to him, shocked. He just gave me that familiar wink. Typical Vihaan.

“You…what?” Bua ji whispered, completely shocked, eyes widened.

I stared at him, my heart swelling with something too big to name. But deep down, I was sure he definitely had the hands in it.

And now, watching these little kids beaming with hope…hope that maybe they will get better…hope that they’ll get a new start-something inside me cracked in the softest, most beautiful way.

He added, without hesitation,
“Also, she donated in honor of her daughter and her soon-to-be husband. Since they are getting married soon.”

All around us, people clapped. Some congratulated her daughter, others smiled kindly.

The older kids joined in the applause, while the younger ones clapped just because everyone else was. The energy in the room was light…hopeful…alive.

“Dont worry I told Aashi about this,” he murmured as if he knew I’ll ask this question.

And I-I felt like crying.

Vihaan leaned in slightly, so close no one could hear him except me.

“Don’t cry,” he whispered. “Your eyes are too pretty to waste on tears, Ruh.”

My heart flipped. Stupid, charming, annoying man.

“Thank you,” I whispered back, voice barely holding together.

He didn’t say anything-just brushed his thumb against the back of my hand in silence.

Nurses came in, holding boxes of sweets. The kids clapped in excitement.

Across the room, Bua ji stood stiff and awkward. Just…embarrassed as people were thanking her.

“Bhaiya, pass me that,” he said to the wardboy, grabbing a box of gulab jamun. He opened it and held one up.

“Ruh?” he said sweetly, holding it to my mouth.

I took a bite, still too stunned to process everything.

Then he fed himself the rest and grinned, “I also got a sugar-free version for the patients who can’t have sweets. And according to their choices. Don’t worry, I checked their dietary charts myself and cross checked with doctors too.”

“You did all this?” I asked softly.

He leaned closer, “For you and for those people.”

I smiled, watching him hand sweets to the kids and talk to the old patients.

“Thank you!” the kids cheered, hugging Bua ji by her legs.

Her eyes widened. She had no words.

“Bua ji, aap nhi khayengi mithai,” he said passing to her sweet box. But she glared at him.

Just then, the hospital security guard came in, “Sir, the police are here.”

Bua ji panicked, “No. You can’t do this! Why did you do? It was all my money.”

Vihaan smirked, “Well, mene socha already itne bure kaam kiye hain aapne, toh jail jaate jaate thoda accha kam kr lijiye…..”

“See those smiles? These are the faces of people you unknowingly helped.”

“You should have thought about Aashi at least,” I added.

Her face turned pale at the name.

Just then, the lady constable entered. she was telling but who is gonna listen to her irritating voice.

Finally….peace.

Later, after spending some time with the kids, we were just stepping out, he was about to leave -when I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the changing room.

“Whoa, easy woman. I am all yours,” he teased as I pulled him in and kissed him deeply.

My fingers gripped his collar.
I didn’t wait for him to take the lead. I claimed the moment entirely.

The warmth lingered long after we parted.

•••••

Later that night, we all gathered in the living room for dinner-Papa, Mumma, Prisha bhabhi, Kunal bhaiya and me.

The clinking of cutlery, soft conversations, and the comforting presence of family wrapped the night in silence and peace.

“Mumma, what about the lehenga I told you to fix?” I asked suddenly.

She gasped, “Oh no! I forgot to pick it up from the boutique. I’ll get it tomorrow.”

It was for Aashi’s wedding.

I called her, and she sounded broken-guilt laced in every word.

It took a while to make her understand that none of it was her fault.
It was her mother who crossed the line, not her.

I came out of my thoughts when I heard Atharv’s all shouting as if he is a superhero fighting all monsters to save the world.

Kunal bhai kissed Prisha bhabhi’s forehead and sat down with a sigh.

Dad looked at him and silently handed him a glass of water.

He took a deep breath, “Finally…I think I can sleep properly tonight. Haven’t had a peaceful night in days.”

“Actually…nahi,” Prisha bhabhi suddenly muttered.

We all turned to her in sync, alarmed.

She pointed to her baby bump, “It’s hurting…I think…I think it’s time.”

Kunal bhaiya shot up like a rocket, “I am ready. And i promised this time I won’t make the mistake like last time.”

“I am ready too!” I stood up, raising my hand.

“Us also!” Mumma and Papa said together, rising in panic-mode coordination.

“Ek min ready to mujhe hona chahiye lekin…aaahh” Prisha bhabhi shouted, clutching the side of the sofa.

Just then, Atharv came running into the room at full speed, wearing one slipper and one shoe, a towel flapping behind him like a super hero cape.

“Mumma! Main bhi ready hu! Mai bhi chalunga aapke saath” he announced proudly, arms in the air.

“Baby you will stay with your bua and dadu,” bhai said and i pulled him.

He looked shocked.

“Kuanaaaalll.. ab kis ka wait kar rahe hain aap? Chaliye naa. Agar 2 min aur hue maine aapko fry kr dena hai,” prisha bhabhi shouted.

And in the middle of all that chaos-with Bhai in mismatched slippers,

Mumma panicked, and Papa called the hospital to give instructions.

I just stood there with my little tornado silently praying for Prisha bhabhi’s health and hoping everything would go smoothly.

Waiting for that little bundle of joy.

—————————————-
Finally Chapter 68…!!
So how was the chapter??

Your favourite scene??
Mine was Kunal and Vihaan’s moisturizer and perfume theory🤭
And the whole dramatic fighting scene of making bhajiya of samar😂✋🏻

Sorry for the late update… I swear I am barely getting any time lately to write the chapter. I am trying to update soon, but I always end up getting stuck with some work.

And one more thing… I noticed the chapter is getting around 8K-9K reads on average, but the votes 🥲 aren’t even crossing 2K.

I don’t want to give a target, but I think I can expect at least 2K votes if the reads are this much. This is just the average…normally, it crosses 10K++
So, dear silent readers… the book is almost at the edge of ending.
It’s in its final few chapters now, so please….at least now you can vote and comment.😭😭

Please bahut saare votes and comments krna😭😭

I am waiting for your comments..!!💗

Enjoy Reading ❤️

Stay Tuned for Further Updates….!!!

Bye Cutiepies…!!🍁

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