Longest chapter till now...

Hoping for a good response.

Happy Reading...

Next morning...

Everyone got ready and sat for breakfast but Vidyut is missing. He has a cough and a cold. That's why he is still sleeping.

Everyone silently had breakfast. Vidyut's missing presence, of course, matters to all.

After breakfast.

Shalini: Harsha, aaj Ruhi ko tu drop kar bus stand tak. (Harsha, drop Ruhi today at the Bus stand.)

Ruhi went to grab her bag. She ran into Vidyut's room. He was awake.

Ruhi (caressing his hair): Main school jau? (Shall I go to school?)

Vidyut nodded.

Ruhi: Take care and rest. In the evening, I will come and sit with you.

Vidyut (smiling): Okay Dadi maa...

Ruhi (pouting): I am a baby, not Dadi maa.

Ruhi bent towards his forehead and pecked his forehead.

Ruhi (patting his head): Get well soon bhaiya.

Vidyut smiled. Bidding him bye, she ran out.

Harsha (looking at Ruhi): Chale?

Ruhi nodded. They left.

Saurav came out of the ready room for the office.

Shalini: Saurav, will you pick Ruhi from the Bus stand in the evening? Now, Harsha went to drop her. She may have a duty at the hospital in the evening.

Saurav nodded.

As Anirudh got ready, the two also left for the office.

....

Skips to evening...

As Saurav is picking her up after school from the Bus stand. He left office a little early.

Ruhi's bus was already at the bus stand when he reached there.

As he came out of the car. Ruhi smiled widely, looking at him.

Saurav: Sorry for the delay.

Aide: May I know your relation with her? Usually, it's her elder brother or her sister-in-law who comes to pick her up.

Saurav rooted for his spot, listening to his question.

Saurav's POV: Is she my sister?

Saurav's POV ends.

Saurav (small smile): I am also her elder brother. She has three brothers.

Aide (looking at Ruhi): Is he correct, Ruhi?

Ruhi (nodded): Yes, he is my Saurav Bhaiya.

Aide (nodding): Okay sir.

Ruhi went towards Saurav with a smile. The bus left.

Saurav: Chale? (Let's go?)

Ruhi (looking at a shop): Vidyut bhaiya ke liye cream bread le? Unke favourite. Unko Acha lagega (Can we buy cream bread for Vidyut bhaiya? His favourite. He will feel good)

Listening to her words, A flashback hit his brain as he remembered his mother.

Flashback:

One fine day, Saurav, around 9 years old, came out of school to see his mother waiting for him.

Saurav (concerned): Mumma, how's Vidyut now?

Vibha: He is so stubborn. He doesn't want to take medicines. I don't know what to do with this boy.

Saurav sadly pouted. Vibha took him towards a shop and brought cream bread.

Saurav: For Vidu?

Vibha (nodding): He is asking for it. He said Buy this for me then only I will take medicines.

Saurav nodded with a smile and they left for home.

Flashback end.

Saurav (smiling): Come...

He took her to the shop and they bought. Then headed towards home.

He reached home and saw Vidyut lying on the sofa, Khushi sitting with him and talking in her language. Shalini was sitting beside them, caressing Vidyut's hair.

Ruhi (running towards Vidyut): Bhaiya...

She stood with him. Just then, Harsha came out of the kitchen.

Harsha (scolding): Vidu take your medicines. Now, I won't listen to your drama. Since morning, you have been stubborn.

Ruhi (Happily): Bhaiya, I bought your favourite cream bread.

She took it out of her bag. Looking at the packet. A small smile played on Vidyut's lips, remembering his mother.

Saurav: Now, take your medicines.

Vidyut nodded and took the medicines. He then opened the packet of bread and shared it with Ruhi, Khushi, and the rest of the bread, and he ate it.

Harsha (ruffling his hair): Good boy!

Shalini: Ruhi, how do you know this is Vidyut's favourite?

Ruhi: Vidyut bhaiya always buys this for himself when he buys chocolate for me.

Harsha (clapping): Our Ruhi is smart.

Ruhi gave her a proud smile.

Harsha: Come bache, I will get you fresh.

Ruhi nodded and went with Harsha.

Saurav: Dadi, do you remember this bread?

Shalini (small smile): How can I forget? He only used to take medicines if someone bought this bread for him.

Vidyut and Saurav's bantering begin with this. Khushi was enjoying herself and jumping in between. Shalini was just looking at them.

Shalini's POV: I wish Ani could see this side. How unknowingly she is playing the role of their mother. Vibha always wanted a girl child. So, they can have a sister. She used to think a sister could teach their brothers to be gentlemen.  Growing up with sisters and a mother around. A boy can learn to be responsible with the opposite gender. Because they can't bear the thought of anyone disrespecting their sister or mother. I wish I could have thought this.

Shalini's POV end

She sighed looking at them arguing over a useless topic.

Harsha and Ruhi came out, after getting Ruhi fresh.

Harsha: Ruhi sit. I will bring milk for you both.

Vidyut (whining): No, I just had medicines.

Harsha (glaring at him): I am not entertaining your tantrums anymore. You have to complete your milk, or don't talk to me. Even you have skipped your lunch. Enough now.

Harsha went into the kitchen.

Saurav: I will be back...

He went into his room to get fresh.

A few minutes later.

Harsha came back with milk for Vidyut, Khushi and Ruhi. Saurav too came back and sat with Khushi.

Harsha handed them milk.

Vidyut (with puppy eyes): Biscuit.

Harsha nodded and went into the kitchen. She came back with Biscuits for Vidyut and tea for others.

Ruhi saw Vidyut who was half-lying on the sofa

Ruhi: Main khilau bhaiya? (Shall I feed you, brother?)

Vidyut nodded with a smile. Ruhi took the plate and placed the Biscuit. She then poured the milk on it.

She started to feed Vidyut with a spoon.

Khushi (looking at Vidyut): Bibi do Yuhiii di.

She ordered, and Ruhi was excited to feed her.

Harsha: No Ruhi. Vidyut bhaiya is not well. This may affect her as well.

Saurav: I will feed her, Ruhi.

Ruhi nodded, understanding. Saurav took the food for Khushi in another plate and started to feed her.

Everyone was busy drinking tea or milk, and Shalini was still lost in the same thoughts of Anirudh.

Vidyut: About whom are you thinking, Dadi?

Shalini (sighed): Ani...

Khushi (giggling): Papa oppy (Papa is at the office)

Saurav (chuckle): Yes Dadi, her papa is still in office.

Shalini (nodding): Ruhi, Khushi go and play with toys.

Ruhi nodded and stood up. She took Khushi and both went into the room to get the toys.

Shalini: Yester night, after you all left for dinner. I spoke with Anirudh. He is adamant about his decision. He doesn't even want to try to talk to Ruhi.

She finally shared her thoughts, which had been bothering her all night.

Vidyut (acting of thinking): Dadi, remember when we were kids, bhai never wanted to talk with Harsha Bhabhi. He never liked her. Now, see, he loves her the most and she is our bhabhi.

Harsha (raising her eyebrow): What do you want to say?

Vidyut (smiling innocently): No, nothing. It's just he loves you a lot.

Harsha nodded with a smile.

Saurav: Dadi, I feel bhai is still in past.

Shalini (sighed): Hmm... He is hurting himself and her. If he will accept her. Things will be easy.

Vidyut: Can I suggest something?

Shalini: Haa? (Yes?)

Vidyut (thinking something): Can we leave Bhai and Ruhi alone? Like I think this way, not having other option, as she will talk with him and he too has to reply to her. Maybe he can understand that accepting her won't be a bad option.

Harsha (raising her eyebrow): You think this will work?

Saurav (supporting Vidyut): Yes definitely.

Vidyut (chirping): Yes bhabhi. See, I too used to pick and drop her. In the meantime, she used to speak with me. I started to respond to her. I realised it is not difficult to talk. Slowly, I started to accept her.

Saurav (shaking his head as he remembered his old thoughts): Same with me. I was alone with her. Her way of ordering, taking care of me, melted me. I thought I could give it a try. Now, we can try this. What's wrong with giving it a try?

Shalini (thinking): If you both want to try. Let's try this. Maybe the results will be positive. If not then too it's okay. At least we tried.

Harsha (nodding): But how will we leave them alone? It will be for a few hours. We shouldn't risk of day or more.

Vidyut (whining): Itna to aap soch hi sakte ho. Sab main sochu? (Now, at least you can think this. Am I the only one who has to think?)

Harsha (giggling): You can't be serious for even ten minutes?

Vidyut (fake crying): You can't break my heart like this. I am hurt.

Shalini: Now stop this drama. Think about how we can leave her alone with Ani.

Vidyut (proudly smiling): Simple, we have to go somewhere. See, here to I thought.

Saurav (thinking): I can go on a date with Mihika.

Vidyut (smirking): Is it an excuse or...

Saurav (glaring Vidyut): Shut up.

Vidyut (pouting): Haa haa bas bade hone ka fayeda uthao. Huh! Darta nahi main aapse. (Just take the advantage of being older. Huh! I am not scared of you.)

Harsha: Leave... Saurav, your idea is good. Go for it.

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): I will plan a boys' night out with friends.

Shalini shows his thumbs up. He smiled, giving her a flying kiss, making everyone chuckle.

Harsha: Now, Dadi and I...

Vidyut: Bhabhi, you are invited to a party of one of your colleagues with your whole family?

Shalini: No... We can take Ruhi over there. Somewhere, where we can't take Ruhi. So, Ruhi and Anirudh have to stay here.

Harsha: Okay! How about some relatives? We can say we are invited but will go to a hotel.

Shalini: Then I can say my sister has invited but we can't introduce Ruhi as we still haven't accepted her.

Harsha, Saurav and Vidyut (in unison): Perfect.

Saurav: When can we execute this?

Harsha: Maybe Friday? You and Vidyut can make a weekend plan?

Everyone agreed to this...

To be continued...

What do you think? What will be the result?