Dear Readers,

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This is an unedited draft of the book, meaning there will be several grammatical errors, name mismatches, plot discrepancies, and other sematic errors. If that is something you find offence, please do not proceed further.

The book is made available on Wattpad for feedback, once feedback is collected the book will be pulled from the platform, sent for professional editing and then published on Amazon kindle as a part of its unlimited program.

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Good day,

Swati Sandeep

The beach was brightly lit, with a few people strolling around. The full moon cast its glow on the waves, bathing it with an eerie glow. Dheer's eyes scanned around the place looking for Dhruv. He had no success. He drove through the beach road hoping to find a trace of his brother, but he could not find him anywhere.

He was on the verge of giving up when he noticed someone walking by the sea. The waves were roaring, the tide at its peak. Dheer hit the breaks and the car came to a screeching halt. Dheer quickly parked the car and rushed onto the beach. For a second his heart skipped a beat. He did not want his Bhaiya anywhere near the sea. He knew Dhruv was a brave man, but tides could be unpredictable.

Dheer made his way to the beach and caught up to the man. Dhruv looked startled as he felt the hand on his shoulder.

"Aap yaha kya kar rahe ho, Bhaiya? (What are you doing here, Bhaiya?)"

For a second he did not react, his eyes remained emotionless.

"Bhaiya?"

"What are you doing here, Dheer?" Dhruv ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. A strong wave took them by surprise. Dheer grabbed Dhrv's hand and pulled him away from the waters. A single misstep could cost them their lives. Dhruv did not protest as Dheer guided him out of the beach. He was too exhausted to put on a fight.

"Ghar chaley hai, please. (Let's go home. Please.)"

"You go, Dheer...."

"Teen baj rahe hai, Bhaiya. Dev dar gaya hai. Gussa karna hai kar lo, baat maat karo. Koi aapko disturb nahi karega. Bas ghar chalo. (It's almost three, Bhaiya. Dev is getting worried. Be mad at them, don't talk if you don't want to. No one will disturb you. Just come back home. Please.)"

Dhruv looked at his watch. He had lost track of time. He did not want to worry his family.

"I lost track of time."

Dheer nodded his head. Anyone in his place could not be able to deal with their emotions. He was glad he found his brother. "Ghar chale? (Shall we go home?)"

"The metro..."

"I got the car." Dheer gently guided him to the car and opened the door for him. "Baitheye. (Sit Please)"

Dhruv got inside quietly. He had not spoken anything but Dheer could feel his pain. He wanted to reach out and comfort him but did not know how. He wished his Bhaiya had someone to talk to, but what he saw was that the man had no friends. Like himself Dhruv prepared to keep his own company.

He reached for a bottle of water and placed it in Dhruv's hand. He looked dehydrated. Dheer wished he could grab him a coffee but it was best to go back home. Dhruv gave him a blank look. Dheer uncapped the bottle and gently brought it to Dhruv's lips. "Have a sip. You need it."

Dhruv did as he was told, which brought tears to Dheer's eyes. He had to look away. Dhruv was always the one to offer comfort. Seeing him so vulnerable undid Dheer. He started the car before his courage could give in. Past and present blurred for him. Memories wreaked havoc with his heart. The last time he saw the look in Dhruv's eyes, his brother was on the verge of dying.

As the car sped forward, Dheer let the memories wash over him. Twelve years ago, on such a lonely night they were trapped in the enemy's lair. Dheer did not remember much; he could never forget what happened that night.

He could neve forget the fear or the agitation they suffered. Dheer craved ice-cream and Dhruv obliged him by taking him out. The ice-cream place was only five minutes away from Dhruv's palace. Abhishek let them go. Dheer's security was always there with him, so there was no reason to fear.

When they were ambushed by the goons, the security did not see it coming. Within seconds the security were killed and Dheer taken into the van. They would have succeeded in taking him away but Dhruv got into the van at the last minute. The goons tried to get rid of Dhruv but his Bhaiya held on to him, refusing to let go.

Dheer remembered holding on to Dhruv for his dear life. He had never been so terrified in life. The goons with their scary guns and black masks looked horrifying. Dheer wanted to go back home to his Mumma but even at seven he understood that it was not possible.

Dhruv's hands wrapped around him, as if trying to shield him from the monsters.

"Mumma chahiye, (I want Mumma), Bhaiya." Dheer sobbed, holding on to him. "Dar lag raha hai, bahut dar lag raha hai. (I am scared. I am very scared.)"

"Don't cry, Dheer." Dhruv whispered in his ear. "I am here with you. I will not let anything happen to you."

Dheer believed him. He always trusted his Bahiya to protect him. He did not know how long the drive lasted because he blanked out almost immediately. The next time he opened his eyes he was in a dark place. He could not see anything and panicked. Before he could start crying gentle hands reached for him.

He felt Dhruv's touch and leaned into him. "Bhaiya"

"Shhh" Dhruv dropped a kiss on his head, both a caution and comfort. "I am right here, don't cry." His voice sounded rugged, almost as if Dhuv was struggling to breathe.

"Kya hua aapko? (What happened to you?") Dheer tried to sit up but his body felt too weak. He could barely lift his hand.

"Nothing." Dhruv whispered, but Dheer could hear the pain in his voice. Dheer's eyes adjusted to the darkness and he could see his brother's silhouette. He struggled to get up and reached for his Bhaiya's hand. "Woh log hume yah kyun leke aye, Bhaiya? (Why did they get us here Bhaiya?)"

Dhruv gently pulled him closer. "They want something from Chachu, Dheer." Dhruv's voice faltered. "You don't have to worry. They will not harm you. Chachu can do anything for you. He will get you out of here safely. You should be brave. You should not cry. Trust your dad, bacha. He will com...come for you."

Dheer cuddled to Dhruv seeking warmth, but pulled back when Dhruv hissed in pain. He did not know what happened but he could feel the wetness in his hands. When he hugged Dhruv he felt a warm liquid oozing from Dhruv's belly. "Kya hua? (What happened?)"

"Nothing, bccha." Dhruv tried to pull him closer but Dheer held back. He knew Dhruv was hurt and there was no other explanation. He did not wish to think about blood, that scared him more.

"Aapko chot lage hai? (You got hurt?)"

Dhruv shook his head. "Do you have your inhaler with you?" The voice was barely a broken whisper. Dheer knew something was very wrong and started crying. Dhruv gently cupped his face. "Don't cry. Please."

"You are hurt...."

"I am. But I am fine." Dhruv struggled to sit upright. He leaned against the wall for support. "I will not leave you alone."

"Promise?"

Dhruv gently caressed his hair. "Yes, Promise."

Dhruv opened his arms for Dheer and encouraged him to snuggle with him. Dheer was worried about hurting Dhruv but he needed comfort.

"Be brave, bacha. Chachu and Dad will get us out of here. They love us very much. They will never let us suffer. We have to trust them."

Dheer leaned his head on Dhruv's shoulder. "Dar lag raha hai. (I am scared.)"

"Main hoon na. (I am here with you.) Don't be scared."

Dheer could not hold back his sobs. The dingy place and the darkness was getting to him. He felt suffocated.

"Use the inhaler bacha. You will be safe."

Dheer reached for his inhaler, but he wished he was with his mother. He tried to close his eyes, but the monsters in the dark reached for him. He felt imaginary claws and hands reach for him. Dheer struggled to get away but Dhruv wrapped his arm around him.

"You are safe." He whispered again and again until Dheer relaxed in his touch.

"Try to get some sleep. By the time you wake up, we will be back home, safe."

Dheer shook his head. He knew the monsters were waiting for him in the darkness. The moment he closed his eyes they would again reach for him.

He was on the verge of panic when Dhruv's soft voice filled the room, a soft lullaby comforting Dhruv. His tiny hands fisted in Dhruv's shirt. It was his favourite lullaby. The one his father often sang to him. The one his Bade papa composed and sang. It was his comfort song. He felt soothed and raw fear gnawing at his gut eased away. He felt his body relaxing against Dhruv. Showly he drifted off to sleep, comfortable in the knowledge that his Bhaiya would always protect him.

His peaceful sleep was broken when the room was flooded by light. Dheer rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked at the door. He could see a swarm of police officers barge inside. Dheer turned around to wake his Bhaiya but gasped when he saw the blood coating his t-shirt and Dhruv's. His Bhiaya lay there in a pool of his blood as his arms still cradled Dhruv.

"Bhaiya?" Dhruv tapped at Dhruv's face, panicking. He wanted him to open his eyes. A police officer stepped inside and gently grabbed Dheer. He tried to pull Dheer away from Dhruv but Dheer refused to let go of his bhaiya. His hands fisted in Dhruv's shirt as he cried harder.

"Bhaiya, open your eyes please."

The officer once again tried to pry his hands away from Dhruv but Dheer struggled harder. Dhruv's eyes flickered open. Dheer cried in relief. He hugged him and cried harder. Dhruv could barely breathe but he pulled away from Dheer and gently nudged him towards the officer. "Go" He forced the words.

Dheer shook his head. He would not leave his bhaiya and go. Dhruv's eyes filled with helpless tears. He looked at the officer, his eyes holding a silent plea, a vulnerability that defied his age. "Keep....him....safe.." His eyes closed a second before the officer nodded his head.....

The phone buzzed, startling Dheer from his thoughts. He looked at the man sitting by his side. How did he let himself forget that he owed his life to his Bhaiya? How did he let his pain override his senses? He was so angry at Dhruv for shutting him out that he blocked away all the memories. He blamed Dhruv for not being there for him, forgetting the fact that he would not have survived the darkness with his brother. He had no right to hate Dhruv! No right at all.

The phone continued to buzz forcing him to answer. It was Dhrti. He had texted to let her know that they were coming back. She must be worried. He answered the phone reluctantly and told her that they would be there in a few minutes. It was not about himself any more. Dheer reminded himself. He had already made the biggest mistake of his life. There was no forgiveness for ungrateful behavior. He only had to make sure that his Bhaiya did not suffer more. They had all done enough to hurt Dhruv. Not any more! He promised himself.

Dhriti and Dev waited outside for Dhruv. Neither could relax until they saw Dhruv for themselves. As soon as the car came to a halt Dhriti rushed to the passenger side. She hugged Dhruv the minute he stepped out of the car. "Where have you been, Dhruv? You terrified us."

Dhruv stepped back from her embrace, but did not look at her. "Sorry" He mumbled and walked away. Dhriti's eyes filled up. He was not the one who should be apologizing. She did not even mean it as an accusation. It was only her fear talking. Dhriti held his hand and stopped him.

"I am sorry for everything, Dhruv." Dhrti struggled with tears. "I should have told you everything...."

"I am tired, Dhriti. Can we talk in the morning?" Dhruv sounded lifeless.

"Dhruv please....."

"Let him rest, Dhriti" Dheer gently pulled her away. Dhruv needed space. He could understand Dhriti's desperation, but it was not the way to handle things. Everyone was high on emotions, it was best to give it time.

"I need to talk to him." Dhriti shook her head. Dhruv's silence terrified her. Her brother never shut her out. They never slept on an argument before. She needed to sort things out with him. Dhruv walked away without letting her argue. Dev was in his way. Their eyes met for a brief second before Dev lowered his eyes and moved aside to let him pass. Dve wanted to beg and plead, but the look of exhaustion in his Bhaiya's face got to him.

His Bhaiya had asked for time, the least they could do was respect his wishes. They had remained silent when they had to talk, now they could not force the conversation on him. Dhriti tried to stop Dhruv but this time Dev held her back.

"Bacha...."

"He wants time, Di." Dev gently wiped the moisture from her eyes. She had done everything for his happiness. She did not deserve to suffer for his mistakes. "Give him some time. We can talk in the morning."

Dhriti shook her head. "Dhruv bohot taqleef me hai, Dev. (Dhruv is in a lot of pain.) He needs me now. Let me go."

Dev tried to stop her but she did not listen. She could feel Dhruv's emotions. They always felt each other's pain. She could not leave her twin alone when he suffered. No matter what everyone said, she knew Dhruv needed her.

Dheer wrapped his arms around Dev and gently guided him inside. There was nothing they could do except to ride the wave. If Dhrit could reach Dhruv that would solve the misunderstanding. That is all that really mattered. 

Dhriti found Dhruv's door closed and knocked. There was no answer. Tears threatened again but she forced them at bay. "Dhruv, darwaza khol. (Open the door, Dhruv) We need to talk."

There was no answer. Dhriti tried to open the door only to realize that it was locked from the inside. Dhruv never shut the door. No matter what happened, he kept his door open for her. They had argued countless times, but she always knew she would be welcome in his room.

"Don't do this, Dhruv. Please. Ek baar mere baat to sun le. (Hear me out, please.)" She pleaded, hoping to get through. The light was still on. She knew he was not asleep.

"Dhruv please...."

The lights turned off in answer. Dhriti's eyes filled up. Dhruv could not shut her out. Her Dhruv would never do that to her.

"Please, Yaar. Give me one chance."

For a second there was no answer. Dhriti felt her heart sinking when she heard the faint whisper.

"Let's talk in the morning, Dhriti. I need time. Go, sleep."

She touched the door, desperate to feel the connection to her twin. She knew he was on the other side. She knew he was there. Her heart knew it.

"I am sorry" A small sob escaped her lips. "Please, talk to me."

There was no answer. Dhriti leaned against the door. She could not leave when he was distressed. She needed to be there for him, she needed to be there with him. Fear gnawed at her heart. Once she felt such fear. The fear of losing him. She had almost lost him then. Her eyes clouded with helpless tears. She could never forget the fear or the pain.

12 years ago she was reading a bedtime story for Dev, when she felt panic rush through her. The feeling was so intense that she had tears rolling down her cheeks. Her mother had rushed inside hearing her sobs.

Shanti did her best to soothe her, but Dhriti could barely breathe. Shanti was about to call for Abhishek when all hell broke loose. A body guard barged inside to tell them that Dheer and Dhruv were kidnapped. At that moment Dhriti knew her twin was in trouble. He was in pain.

Twelve hours later they rushed to the hospital where Dhruv was admitted. He had suffered multiple stabs to his abdomen and had lost a lot of blood. The doctors had given up all hope. They told her that Dhruv would not make it alive. It was the worst moment of her life.

She could hear her mother sobbing, she could hear her father begging with the doctor to save Dhruv but their voices faded away. All that remained was the growing fear in her gut. Her twin could not die. He could not leave her behind. They had come to the world together. He could not leave her behind.

She forced her way into the ICU where Dhruv lay on the bed, hooked to all those horrible machines. The nurse tried to stop her but the doctor let her go. There was nothing they could do to help Dhruv, so they let her have her time with him.

She could never forget the horrible night. She had held Dhruv's hand, praying, begging for him to come back to her. She did not know how long she stayed, but she knew she could not leave him alone. Dhruv needed to know that he was not alone, and she refused to leave his side.

It was only when she felt his hand moving that she let herself look at him. Dhruv's brows flinched in pain. He was crying in sleep, struggling. Mumbling something she could not hear. Dhriti pushed the nurse call button in panic. Dhruv was struggling hard. She was scared he would hurt himself more.

The nurse rushed inside to check on him. It took two people to subdue Dheer. The doctor had to sedate him to keep him from hurting himself. Dhriti was once again allowed to stay. This time the doctor did not tell her that Dhruv would not make it. Instead he patted her head and asked her to be there for her twin.

As he held his hand again, she heard him mumbling. She went closer to hear what he was saying.

"You will be safe, bacha. Nothing will happen to you. I am here....." He repeated it again and again until the medication took effect and he drifted off to sleep. Dhriti's eyes filled with helpless tears, even when he was struggling with his life, her twin was worried about Dheer. She did not know what magic the boy casted on her twin that he was ready to die for the boy.

Dhruv was always selfless. Dhriti never knew that selflessness would one day endanger him. She spent the night praying for his well being. She only left the room when the doctor assured her that Dhruv was safe. Dhruv survived by a miracle. She could not thank the almighty enough.

As she made her way to the hospital temple she overheard her mother and father arguing again. Dhriti closed her eyes in frustration. For seventeen years Abhishek and Shanti had a very happy marriage, everything crumbled after her father's brother waltzed into their lives. The once happy couple were now ready to rip each other's hearts.

She wanted to yell at them to stop fighting but was too exhausted. Dhrit would have walked away but her mother's words caught her attention.

"I would have lost my son because of Dheeren, Abhieshek. Open your eyes. Dhruv is your child as well. Don't you feel anything for him?"

"Ofcouse I do, Shanti. Bacha hai woh mera. Uska dard mera dard hai. (He is my son. His pain is my pain.) That does not mean we will blame an innocent child for what happened."

"That innocent child is her child! She never wanted us to be happy, this is all her fault! What she could not do, her son is doing it for her. He almost got Dhruv killed. Dheeren is responsible for Dhruv's condition. My son would not be here if they had stayed away. They got us nothing but trouble."

Dhrti's eyes widened in shock. She did not understand why her mother was blaming Dheer. The kid got kidnapped as well.

"Those people only wanted revenge from Anjali, Abhishek. Why did they hurt my son?"

Dhriti froze. What was her mother talking about.

"They only wanted Dheer, Shanti. Our son was at the wrong pace...."

"It is they who are in the wrong place, Abhishek. Jabse woh log humhare zindigi me aye hai tabse bas humhare zindigi me mushkele he aye hai. (Since the day they came back into our lives we have only had trouble.) Aur aaj unke wajah se main apna bacha kho detey. (I would have lost my son because of them.)"

Dhriti could not hold back her gasp. The husband and wife turned around surprised. They were not aware that she was there.

"Riti? Are you okay, beta?" Abhishek gently reached for her hand.

"What is mumma, saying dad?" Dhriti's eyes filled with tears. "Is Dheer responsible for Dhruv's condition?"

"Nahi (No) beta...."

"Jhoot maat bolo apne se. (Don't lie to your daughter)" Shanti hissed in anger. "She has the right to know. She needs to know why her brother ended up in the hospital."

"Shanti please...."

"Dhruv got hurt because of Dheer." Shanti did not pay heed to Abhishek's pleas. "Tera bhai aaj yaha hai kyunki use Dheeren ke bhai ke hone ke saza mil rahe hai. (Dhruv is paying the price for being Dheer's brother.) Those people wanted to teach Anjali a lesson. Your aunt has many enemies thanks to her nature. Everyone wants her dead! And some want to hurt her so badly that they do not hesitate to hurt the people she loves. They went after Dheer to get back at Anjali and Dhruv was hurt because he was with Dheer. As long as that family is with us, we will never be safe. Aaj jo hua phir hoga. (This will happen again.) This will continue to happen until we are all dead!"

"Enough Shanti. Bache hai woh, Kaise batey kar rahe ho uske samne? (Enough Shanti. She is a child. How can you talk this way infront of her?)"

The husband and wife continued to argue but Dhriti did not hear a word. Her mothers words terrified her. She almost lost her twin in the incident, if something like that happened again, they would not be so lucky. She could not lose her Dhruv. She could not lose her family. Her mother was right, it was Anjali's fault. She hated the woman with every breath of her life.

"Dhriti?" A gentle hand shook her from her thoughts. She looked through tears filled eyes as Dheer gently made her stand.

"How long have you been here?"

Dhriti did not answer. Past and present blurred for her. She didn't even know where she was. Dheer gently guided her to the kitchen and helped her sit at the table. The sun rays poured through the window, making Dhrti flinch. Dheer quickly pulled the blinds down. She looked so pale that he was worried for her. He grabbed a kettle and set it to boil. Her puffy eyes told a story of its own.

"Sare raat soye nahi tum? (You did not sleep at all?)"

Dhriti looked away. She did not wish to talk to him. Her head was spinning. She needed to talk to Dhruv. She could not lose her twin.

Dhreer prepared the black coffee and brought her a cup. She looked like she needed it.

"Give Bhaiya some time. He will come around." Dheer placed the cup in her hands, urging her to drink. She wanted to push the drink away, yell at him. Blame him for everything, but for the first time she could not.

Dheer was the one who got Dhruv back home. She owed him a favor, but her mothers words still rang in her ears, urging caution. The boy might not be responsible for their situation but he only brought trouble.

"Tears won't help, Dhriti." Dheer handed her a tissue. "You need to be strong. Bhaiya is already upset. If you cry now, that will only upset him more. Bhaiya...."

"Chala jaa. (Leave) Please."

Dheer pulled his hand back as if she struck him. "You want me to leave you alone?"

Dhriti looked at him, her eyes reflecting her anguish. "Go back to New York, Dheeren. Please. We suffered enough. You do not have to make it worse for us. I hurt Dhruv enough. I cannot hurt him with your truth. Chala jaa (leave) please."

Dheer's face lost all warmth. He walked away without a word. He knew he was unwanted. He would leave soon. She did not have to ask him again. Once they resolved their differences he would walk away. They would forever be rid of him!