After a few minutes, Ruhi fell into a deep slumber. Feeling her even breath.

Vidyut turned towards Saurav to face him.

Vidyut (whispering): Bhai?

Saurav: Hmm??

Vidyut: She has no idea we are those three brothers. Are we going to share with her?

Saurav: Uh-huh! I don't know... I mean, she is hoping all three brothers will love her, but Ani bhai is far from her hopes. Plus, though we are trying, we are not near what her mother hoped. Vidu, I feel her mother regretted marrying Mr. Rajput.

Vidyut: Maybe because he never loved his daughter but always dragged us in that?

Saurav: Possibly...

Vidyut: Bhai, will we share this with Ani bhai and Dadi?

Saurav: Not sure about Bhai, but will speak with Dadi in the morning.

Vidyut: As you say...

Saurav: Don't overthink and sleep now.

Vidyut sighed and nodded.

Both fall asleep with thoughts in their minds.

Next morning...

Ruhi was the first one among the three of them to wake up.

She slowly opened her eyes and took a few seconds to understand her surroundings. A smile settled on her lips upon realising she was squeezed between Saurav and Vidyut. She loves to cuddle.

Ruhi noticed both of them were sleeping peacefully. She slowly came out and jumped off the bed carefully, not disturbing their sleep.

She walked out of the room to find Shalini and Harsha having tea. Ruhi excitedly strode towards Shalini. Shalini saw her and embraced her in a warm hug.

Harsha (raising her eyebrow): You woke up early?

Ruhi wobbles her head.

Shalini (concerned): Kyun? Neend ache se nahi ki? (Why? Didn't get good sleep?)

Ruhi (squealing): Yes... Yes... main soyi ache se. Ek side Vidyut bhaiya aese soye and ek side Saurav bhaiya aese mast mast. (I had a good sleep. On one side, Vidyut bhaiya was cuddling me, and on the other, Saurav bhaiya was too.)

A grin appeared on her face. Shalini sighed in relief and patted her head.

Just then Vidyut too came out of his room.

Harsha: Waah!! Vidu... tu bhi jaldi utha gaya... (You too woke up early)

He lazily walked towards Harsha, sat beside her, and lay his head on her lap.

Harsha: You two go and brush your teeth.

Vidyut (whining): Let me sleep.

The next moment, he sat up straight, surprising Harsha with the abrupt change.

Vidyut: Let's wake bhaiya?

He smiled mischievously.

Ruhi (giggling): Wake up prank?

Vidyut nodded.

Ruhi: Me too...

Harsha: But first brush your teeth.

Vidyut and Ruhi (shout in unison): No...

Harsha glared at both of them, which they royally ignored.

Vidyut (mumbling to himself): Saurav bhaiya is the perfect person for a prank. Doing it with Ani bhaiya without anyone's support won't be safe.

Ruhi stared at him for a few seconds as he stopped mumbling.

Ruhi (excitedly): Let's pour a glass of water.

Vidyut (making faces): No... That's too boring.

Ruhi glared at him.

Harsha and Shalini were patiently waiting for Vidyut to say something, knowing something was cooking in his mind.

Vidyut took out his phone and searched for the crackers' sound.

Shalini (listening to the sound): What are you planning to do?

Vidyut smiled mischievously and walked into his room, where Saurav was sleeping peacefully. Ruhi ran behind him.

He took Saurav's phone and set an alarm for after 5 minutes with a Crackers sound. He set his phone to video recording and placed it on the study table in front of the bed. He held Ruhi's hand and tried to walk out but she stood glaring at him for not involving her in his plan.

He then quickly took Ruhi in his arms and ran out.

Once, they came back where Harsha and Shalini were waiting for them.

Ruhi (angrily): Don't talk to me.

Vidyut (confused): I am all quiet already.

Ruhi glared at him and jumped out of his arms. She angrily sat beside Harsha. Harsha and Shalini controlled their laughter.

Ruhi (glaring at him): Bad bhaiya. This is cheating. I will not talk to him.

Vidyut slapping his forehead.

Vidyut: But still the plan is left. You have your part to do. If you are angry with me. I won't share with you.

Her anger melted as she listened to him. She quickly ran back to him.

Vidyut (making her sit on his lap): Now, go to the room and when the alarm rings. Just act like you are scared. Don't let him know this is an alarm.

Ruhi nodded with a smile. Shalini shook her head, smiling. She was glad, Ruhi is bonding with Vidyut and Saurav.

Ruhi (peaking Vidyut's cheek): You are good bhaiya.

Vidyut (raising his eyebrow): Good bhaiya?

Ruhi smiled innocently and nodded. Vidyut chuckled and squeezed her cheeks. Ruhi squealed.

Vidyut: Go now... When will the alarm ring? Act like scared.

Some minutes later, they heard the alarm ringing. Ruhi ran inside the room, grinning.

In a minute or two, the Alarm rang.

Listening to the voice of the crackers blasting, Saurav woke up with a jerk.

Ruhi (trying to act scared): Bhaiya...

Saurav (worried): What's going on?

He quickly walked towards Ruhi and gave her a hug, trying to calm her.

Saurav (patting her back): Don't worry. I am here.

He took her in his arms and walked out. Ruhi hid her face in his neck, trying to control her laugh.

They went out of the room.

Saurav (worried): What's happening? Who is bursting crackers at this time?

Vidyut (shocked): Crackers? Maine to bomb ki aawaz set ki thi (I set the sound of the bomb blast)

Saurav heard him and glared at him, understanding he was behind all this.

Saurav (angrily): What's this Vidu? See, she got scared. At least you should understand we have kids at home.

Ruhi couldn't control her laugh anymore. She giggles slowly.

Saurav: See, because of you, she got scared and is crying now.

Vidyut glared back at him.

Saurav (Rubbing Ruhi's back): Calm down Ruhi.

Shalini (laughing): Saurav, Ruhi ko dekh to le. She isn't crying. (Look at Ruhi at least)

Saurav aparted the hug. Ruhi saw Saurav's face and started laughing. Vidyut too couldn't control and joined Ruhi. Saurav glared at both of them.

Ruhi (laughing): Saurav bhaiya buddhu banaya (We made you a fool)

Saurav narrowed his eyes. Still, Ruhi and Vidyut were laughing. Saurav started tickling Ruhi.

Saurav (smirking): Buddhu banaya? (Made a fool?)

Ruhi (laughing): Stop! Stop!! This is cheating...

She tried to hold his hand.

Ruhi: Stop!!

Shalini (ordering): Saurav Stop...

Saurav stopped. Ruhi hugged him, taking deep breaths. Saurav rubbed her back to calm her.

Once, Ruhi was calm.

Vidyut (smirking): Ani bhai is still sleeping. It's time to prank him...

Harsha (raising her eyebrow): Anyhow, you have a plan for getting beaten today, Vidyut?

Vidyut (smiling innocently): Bhabhi... Now, I am not alone in this prank.

Saurav: Who said I am part of your plan?

Vidyut (whining): Bhai, please? Don't break my heart like this.

Saurav: Stop this overacting. I am in...

Vidyut (excitedly): Bhabhi... you are also part, okay? Yess yess.

Harsha: Yes, I am always in. I love to trouble him.

Shalini was admiring them. She felt happy. Whereas, Ruhi was quiet. She was scared of Anirudh.

To be continued...