Saurav and Ruhi returned to find everyone present in living but Anirudh.

Khushi beamed excitedly, looking at Ruhi.

Khushi (patting the new toy): Come Yuhiii come...

She called Ruhi to join her and look at the new toy.

Ruhi giggled, walking towards her. She held a teddy in front of Khushi.

Khushi gleefully grabbed the toy, speaking "Yuhiii...."

Harsha (shook her head): Khushi, what Papa taught you? Don't call Ruhi with her name. Say?

Khushi turned to Harsha, staring at her for a few seconds.

Khushi (giggling): Di...

Harsha (smiling): Very good. Ruhi is older than Khushi. Khushi call her Di.

Khushi nodded. Shalini, Saurav and Vidyut were surprised, listening to Harsha and Ruhi's conversation.

Vidyut (Shocked): Bhai?

Saurav (Shocked): Really??

Shalini (Shocked): How???

All said in unison. Ruhi and Khushi were staring at them with Doe's eyes.

Harsha (smirking): He is a surprise box. After all, he is my husband.

She raised her invisible collar, proudly.

Shalini: What he said?

Saurav: We will discuss this later. Bhabhi, please keep ice cream in the fridge, or it will melt.

Harsha nodded, and she took ice cream.

Khushi (ordering): Cha Ieeeee-eeemmmmm do bibi ko (Uncle, give baby ice cream).

Harsha (hashing her): Shh!!! You had ice cream with your Papa. Now, this one is for Ruhi Di and Chachus and Dadi.

Khushi (innocent pout): Di, bibi Ieeeee-eeemmmmm?

Harsha: We will see it later. Let's have dinner now. Ruhi and Saurav get fresh first.

Ruhi nodded and was about to go into Harsha and Anirudh's room.

Vidyut: Ruhi get fresh in my room.

Ruhi went into his room.

Saurav walked into his room.

....

After dinner.

Harsha took Ruhi into her room to get her ready for bed.

Meanwhile, Saurav walked into Vidyut's room.

Vidyut (raising his eyebrow): You should knock before entering.

Saurav: I have something important to talk about with you.

Vidyut understood the seriousness of his voice.

Vidyut (patting on the bed): Sit...

Saurav sat on the bed, beside Vidyut.

Saurav: Today, Ruhi told me... Mr Rajput... I mean that man used to shout at her mother.

Vidyut (smiling sadly): What else very are expecting from him? That man couldn't even respect his own mother. How can we expect him to respect anyone else?

Thick silence spread around. Both the brothers were silent, not knowing what to say next.

Vidyut (breaking the silence): Bhai, how did your heart accept Ruhi? I know still we don't consider her our sister but -

Saurav (cuts him in the middle): When Mumma was pregnant with you. Regularly, we, as in Me and Mumma, used to pray to give me a sister. Mumma used to say a sister can understand you like your mother does. It doesn't matter if she is a younger one or older. I have noticed qualities Ruhi has. Somewhere, my heart started to accept Ruhi as one for whom Mumma and I used to pray. So, I thought to give it a try. I feel the results are positive.

Vidyut heard each and every word with full concentration and sighed by the end.

Saurav: How about you?

Vidyut: I never hated her to be honest. I always had a question in my mind if mom would have been here. She would have taken Ruhi with her like all of us. But it was difficult for me to accept her because I had hate in my mind for that man... Bhabhi questioned me once: what's more important for me- My mother's teachings or my hatred for that man? That's why I decided to give it a chance.

Saurav nodded understanding his point.

A usual thing between brothers. They sit together and discuss everything. This case was different. Everyone has their own battle in mind. They couldn't sit to discuss and understand each other. Now, Situations are in control for Vidyut and Saurav. They choose to speak with each other and understand each other's points.

Vidyut (thinking): Bhai, you think we should speak with Ruhi about him. Maybe, we can get some idea about her life.

Saurav: I am also thinking the same.

Vidyut nodded.

Saurav: I will get fresh and come. We will sleep together and try to speak with Ruhi.

Vidyut: Sounds good.

Saurav: I will be back.

Saurav left. Vidyut lay on the bed, thinking about their conversation.

After a minute or two...

Ruhi walked in.

Ruhi (jumping on bed): Bhaiya...

Vidyut's chain of thoughts broke.

Vidyut: Saurav bhaiya is coming. He will be sleeping with us.

Ruhi nodded, lying beside him.

Vidyut (turning towards Ruhi): Tell me one thing... you were scared of me before?

Ruhi shook her head with a pout.

Ruhi: I didn't know you.

Just then Saurav came in.

Saurav (walking towards Ruhi's side): Make some space for me.

Vidyut and Ruhi shifted a little. Saurav had enough space for him.

Saurav (teasing smile): Move move...

Ruhi (patting Vidyut's arm): Move bhaiya...

Vidyut (narrowing his eyes): You have enough space bhaiya. Aap kya chahte ho, main gir jau? (You want me to fall down?)

Saurav (making faces): Fine! Fine!! I will adjust in this little space. I can't ask you to fall down, anyway.

He lay beside Ruhi and took a deep breath.

Vidyut (mumbling): Dramebaaz...

Ruhi giggles, looking at both of them.

Saurav turned towards Ruhi as well. Saurav and Vidyut came face to face. Saurav raised his raised. Vidyut nodded.

Saurav: Hmm... Ruhi, you told me your father had three boys. He used to shout at your mumma that he doesn't like girls.

Ruhi nodded, her curvy lips turned down.

Saurav: You know who are those three boys?

Ruhi looked at Saurav and then Vidyut and shook her head.

Vidyut: Are you angry with them? Because your Papa loved them.

Ruhi (shaking her head): Ek secret batau? Mumma ne bataya tha mujhe. (Can I tell you a secret? Mumma told me)

Both Saurav and Vidyut immediately nodded. Both were attentive to her words.

Ruhi (sadly): I used to cry for Papa. Mumma told me, Papa didn't love his boys also. That's why Papa never met with them. But Mumma used to say whenever I will meet them. They will love me a lot.

To be continued...