Extinguished hope. 

"Ma'am, you look very exquisite," said Zahar when I reached them. I felt a sudden hotness on my cheeks. "T-thanks," I murmured to her. "See, ma'am—we took good care of him until you came." They both laughed. "Besides, he is awake too. He is such an intelligent kid, ma'am. I must add he didn't cry a wink and always had naughty kinds of stuff to do," she chuckled, looking down at my brother with adoration in her simmering eyes. Stepping further, I walked over to the bed with Sabba next to me. We stood at the edge of the bed, gazing down at my adorable brother. Sitting in the centre of the bed was my one and only Shaur, who was waving his hand randomly in different directions wherever he could. Inquisitively, he wandered his dark, big brown eyes around the room with a tint of rejoicing as well as mischievousness in them.

I smiled at his impish actions.

I smiled. My first true smile after all those unpredictable situations. It seemed so long since I smiled at anything. Apparently, that was all because of my not-so-very-innocent brother and his not-so-innocent tactics. He might look innocent and docile for his age, but the look could also deceive you. Therefore, in his case, his looks will deceive anyone. His innocent, dark, big brown eyes always held mischievousness in them. He had always been the eye candy of our family since his birth. When he was born, he was just too tiny. Now, he was so grown-up for a kid at his age, barely looked like an eight-month-old infant. I smiled with tears blurring my sight. My eyes burned with unshed tears, thinking about our merry days with our parents. I missed them so much that it hurt. My face contorted with pain. I so wanted those days back. 

What would I do without them?

"Ma'am?"

What will I do with you, Papa, maa? It was a silent plea. 

"Ma'am?" Someone shook my shoulder gently.

"Huh?" I said, looking up at Zahar with a start.

"Are you all right, ma'am?" Sabba asked, frowning at me with a bit of concern in her voice.

I nodded at both of them.

They look concerned for me, even though I am nobody to them. Maybe they could really help me get away. Now, when I think about whatever happened to me, it was so strange— too strange.

Awdhesh's sudden behaviour, and now this stranger. My heartbeat instantly fastened thinking about Awdhesh. 

What would have happened to him?

I didn't know what made him behave like that with me, like the way he did with so much aggression and violence. I trembled visibly at the slap as it resounded in my ears. It wasn't him; I was sure of it. 

"Okay, now sit here and have your dinner, I got to know you haven't eaten anything," Sabba said, nodding at the food. Her voice brought me back from the daze. I sighed. I was not hungry, but Shaurya would be. I glanced up at Shaurya, who was already engaged in playing with his new friends.

"Ma'am?”

"Please don't call me that; we are humans. We are all equal. So, I request both of you to please call me by my name." I said, mainly begging. “It's Radhika.”

Rest of the story is available on GN