It hits like a bomb. It's this moment that she knows, that she messed up. Really bad this time.

"I am sorry. I-i didn't realise when things turned this way. There was always something happening around us and... I am sorry for scolding you."

Srishti felt like crying even more. The anger totally subsided, only to leave a deep sense of hurt behind. "You're not getting it Di." She stood up and looked out the window. Wait-hoping their relationship wasn't cracked to the point where they didn't understand each other.

Preeta sat there pondering what she just said. What was it that she wasn't getting. She thought back to what Srishti said before almost giving herself a slap. It clicked too late and too fast at the same time. Another wave of guilt sank in the pit of her stomach.

"Srishti I... I am sorry for never understanding. You are right, your intentions were right and i- I didn't see it. I was so wrapped up in myself that I didn't realise what I was doing. I know its not an excuse... I failed miserably in taking care of you. I am sorry," she stood up and placed her hand on the small of her sibling's back. "I know I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have raised my hand. When mom did I should have stopped her. It even happened in front of Kareena aunty. I know it must've been really insulting and just because you are the youngest, doesn't make it right. I am sorry Srishti."

"I just wanted someone to understand. I know I am a screw-up but I didn't expect to get slapped every single time, I do a mistake. I am not a punching bag. I would gladly take hits for you but not from you," a loud sob wracked her rigid frame as she slid to the ground. She finally got her point across but she didn't know what to feel now. So she settled with, "Thank you for understanding."

It was supposed to be a sincere appreciation but it felt so wrong. How did they reach a point that they had to thank each other for something like this? It was gnawing at them.

Preeta shoved at the tears on her cheeks before dropping in front of her. She doesn't care about the hard of the ground or the cold of the tiles against her jeans. She needed to be there for her little sister right now. like how she was always there for her. This wasn't about her. It was about Srishti.

She took in her defeated form. Shoulders slumped, eyes red and puffy, face crumpling and tear streaming down her cheeks. It was a stark contrast to her usual bubbly outlook. Now preeta was starting to wonder if that was all a facade too. She gently used her thumbs to brush away the pearls that dropped from the Raven heads eyes.

"You are not a screw-up. You are the best person I know. The worlds number one spy right?" the joke didn't do anything to even stem the tears. "You don't have to thank me for that. I was supposed to get it without you telling me. I will make it up to you. I promise."

"Really?" she asked with a small voice. Her vision was still boring a hole into the marble floor as she held out her pinky finger. "Promise?"

"Promise." preeta gave her a firm nod and intertwined their pinkies.

Srishti wiped her tears and sat there studying the hem of her jeans. "Di, how did you get in?"

"The window."

They sat in comfortable silence and until preeta noticed her sister's eye dropping shut. She understood how exhausting this whole ordeal must have been. First hearing baseless accusations and insults from the Luthras and then from herself. It was tiring. "Let's go to bed."

Not having the energy to protest, Srishti let herself be dragged from the floor onto her bed and under the duvet. Preeta sat at her side and lovingly threaded her finger through her little sister's hair, straightening the small tangles in them. It's been a long time since she did this.

Srishti sighed in content. she couldn't remember the last time this happened. So much so that the touch felt foreign but welcomed. "Its been a long time."

"It has." preeta agreed.

"I don't blame you. Our lives have been beautifully messed up."

The older sibling laughed at her younger one. Even this kind of situation, she knew how to lighten the mood. "You are not a screw-up. You make mistakes and some of them cant even be called that."

"Then what would you call them?"

"I would call them...whoopsies. They just happen."

"Then this mess," Srishti waved her hands toward the fallen items of the shelves. "Is a whoopsie and I am not cleaning it up."

Preeta rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Sleep, you need it," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind the tired girl's ear.

Srishti repositioned herself so that her head could lay on her sister's chest to listen to the symphonic heartbeat. Something she used to do at a younger age when she missed her mother or had a nightmare. As preeta stared running hair hand through her hair again, all she could do was close her eyes and remember every good memory they shared.

"Srishti?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

Srishti grinned for the first time in the whole day and snuggled closer. "I missed you."