"SHE DOESN'T EVEN SHARE OUR FAMILY SURNAME!"

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Brinda, the Mishra household domestic help opened the door. Vivaan walked in with a weary smile on his face. He ruffled his already messy hair and tossed his bag on the sofa. He opened his shoes, loosened his tie, unbuttoned the first three buttons of his shirt, and collapsed on the sofa.

"Had a nice day?" Brinda asked him in her usual cheerful tone.

"You have no idea..." A lopsided smile formed on his face.

"Got a date today?" Brinda wiggled her eyebrows at him.

"Yes." Vivaan gave her a cheeky grin.

"Chikoo, is that you?" Her mother, Pratima asked from inside the house. Chikoo was Vivaan's nickname.

"Yes, maa!" He shouted back.

"Come here!" She called. "I need to talk to you."

"Coming!" He tossed his tie in the laundry bag and jogged his way to his mother's room.

His mother was sitting in front of her study table, looking at her laptop. He spotted his father too, sitting on the bed.

His father, Anurag Mishra is the founder and CEO of the well-known company Nox Digitals. His mother is a well-known Kathak dancer. She grew up in Kolkata. When she was in college, she met his father through a common friend and romance bloomed in between them. When they turned 32, they got married and had Vivaan two years after their wedding.

"Yes, maa?" He asked eagerly. He was his mother's precious prince. She loved him with all her heart. She always wanted a baby, to be exact twins; one girl and another boy. When Vivaan came she was over the moon.

"Your sister is coming," informed her mother, cheerfully.

Vivaan's bright face darkened and creases formed on his forehead. Eyes clouded in contempt and disdain, lips curled in a sneer.

"Why?" He asked, curtly.

"Vivaan!" His father admonished. 'She happens to be your sister.'

"Adopted," corrected Vivaan, teeth-gritting.

His father gave him a hard look and said, "But she still is your sister."

"SHE DOESN'T EVEN SHARE OUR FAMILY SURNAME!'' Vivaan yelled, venom dripping from his every word. "HOW CAN I REGARD HER AS MY FAMILY!"

"VIVAAN!" His mother admonished. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TALK ILL ABOUT YOUR SISTER, WHETHER SHE IS ADOPTED OR NOT."

Pratima stopped, took a deep breath, and tried to keep her temper in check.

"Listen, Vivaan, her surname is Bhattacharya because I asked your father to give her that surname. I wanted her to have my maiden surname. You have no right to say that she isn't a part of our family. She is as much a family to us as you are. I don't want to hear anything about her from you. Go. Just don't misbehave with her or else, you would be grounded. No phones, no laptop, no TV, and no going out after school hours. Now, go."

Pratima collapsed on her bed, exhausted from the row. Vivaan looked at his parents one last time before he strode out. He slammed close the door of his room, the sound reverberating in the silent corridor. He walked upstairs to his room.

He as far as he remembered never liked his sister. Never ever. She was adopted when he was only three. He instantly took a great hatred and disgust on her. He was paranoid. Paranoid that she would receive all the love and he would be left alone, discarded and forgotten by his parents. As he grew up, his mind was invaded with the list of power and ambition. He was afraid that all the properties would be given to his sister, once they grew up. The fear drove him crazy and he started hating her more every passing second.

She was now in Kolkata and was supposed to be back next week. He hated it. Why couldn't she stay there and not return ever?

Well, thought Vivaan, how can she miss the chance to wreak havoc in his life and turn it into hell with her overwhelming presence...

He let out a disgruntled groan before his eyes landed on his phone.

Drishti.

The thought of his date with Drishti gave him some solace. He picked up his phone and texted Drishti.

8 p.m, Pixie Café. Remember? - Vivaan (in case, you forgot who I am)

Drishti didn't take long to see his message and reply.

How can I forget you Vivaan? And yes, I do remember. I don't forget things easily. - Drishti

That's good to know. Looking forward to seeing you, again. - Vivaan

Same. - Drishti.

I gotta go. See you at 8. Bye. - Vivaan

Bye. - Drishti

Vivaan tossed his phone on his bed, got out of his dirty school uniform, threw them in the laundry bag, and trotted towards the bathroom to freshen up; to rub the dirt and exhaustion from his skin. He wanted to look presentable in front of Drishti, not like some asylum run-away.

Once feeling relaxed and clean, he went back to his room and texted Arav.

Dude, what should I wear for today's date? - Vivaan.

Vivaan got a reply back nearly half an hour later.

Date? With whom? When? How? Why don't I know about it? How could you betray me like that? You are changing Vivaan. Remember, our motto? 'We two brothers will stick through thick and thin and will care for each other more than any girls. We are two bodies with one soul.' How could you forget this? Should I be concerned? Angry? - Arav

Stop rambling. I didn't forget the motto. Of course, not! We just said that this afternoon, after cricket practice. And if I didn't want you to know, I won't be asking you for advice. - Vivaan

But you should have said me immediately! - Arav

I am telling you now. What's the problem with that? - Vivaan

You haven't said anything yet. - Arav

Oh, shoot! Sorry. I am going on a date with Drishti. At 8 p.m, Pixie Café. - Vivaan

You what? You asked Drishti on a date! OMG! I never thought you would get the balls to ask her. - Arav

Shut up and help. - Vivaan

Sure. - Arav

You can wear that brown cashmere apparel and creamy trousers of yours. - Arav

Will that look good on me? - Vivaan

Everything looks good one you. - Arav

Thanks, bud. - Vivaan

No thank you or sorry in friendship, remember? - Arav

Yes, boss. - Vivaan

Well, it's only 7. You have loads of time to prepare yourself. Tell me what happens. Don't forget to convey to me all the details of your date with Drishti. - Arav

I won't. - Vivaan

Vivaan, as per Arav's opinion, pulled out the cashmere apparel and creamy trousers from his wardrobe.

He was sure he was going to leave a long-lasting impression on Drishti.

A/N- The first thing I did this morning is write this chapter. I nearly forgot to write this chapter and instead jumped into the next.

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