A few days passed...

The whole family is working on bonding with Ruhi. They are trying their best to make her feel family.

For now, the brothers need time to accept Ruhi as their sister. They decided to share the truth with Ruhi, only after accepting her as their Sister.

Vidyut is the most comfortable person for Ruhi among the brothers. He is funny, and being a teen boy, he behaves dramatically and is entertaining. Ruhi is bonding with him smoothly. Whereas, Saurav is her safe place. A person with whom she gets her peace.
Lastly, Anirudh... They need time to create the bond. Small conversations started between them. Small gestures from Anirudh for Ruhi. That's all for now.

After a week,

It was evening. Shalini and the boys were at home. Harsha just returned home with Ruhi and Khushi. She was returning from the hospital and picked up Ruhi from the Bus stand.

Ruhi came back home and placed her bag on the table. She went up to Saurav and sat on his lap. Saurav squishes her in his arms like a plush, fluffy teddy bear. Saurav knows that Ruhi loves to cuddle, and that's the reason she came up to him directly after returning. Which she is recently doing, whenever he comes home from his work. She feels safe, secure and assured whenever he hugs her tightly and cuddles her. Soft giggles left her lips as she hid her face in his chest.

Khushi (complaining): Papa... mumma chi chi chi...

Anirudh (raising his eyebrow): What happened?

Khushi (sad face): No chocy...

Harsha (shaking her head): Her chocolate fell down in life. She was trying to pick it. I said no.

She rolls her eyes.

Anirudh (chuckling): Chocolate is not good.

Ignoring Anirudh, Khushi went towards Vidyut and sat sadly.

Ruhi broke the hug and came towards Vidyut.

Ruhi (smiling): Vidyut bhaiya, Anirudh bhaiya ke paas Harsha Bhabhi hai and Saurav bhaiya ke paas Mihika Bhabhi. Aapke paas nahi... (Anirudh Bhaiya has Harsha Bhabhi and Saurav Bhaiya has Mihika Bhabhi. You don't have anyone)

Vidyut (raising his eyebrow): So?

Ruhi (smiling, while showing her teeth): Riya didi aapke liye? (How about Riya didi for you?)

Vidyut (confused): Vo Samne building wali? (Who lives in the opposite building?)

Ruhi nodded with a proud smile as if she had done something great.

Vidyut (making faces): No way! I don't like her.

Ruhi (frown): She is a good girl. She gave me and Khushi chocolates and kissy also.

Khushi (patting her cheeks): Kissy kissy.

Listening to Ruhi and Khushi's demand, Saurav burst out laughing, and Anirudh too joined him after spitting water which was supposed to go down his throat. Harsha and Shalini sat silently, controlling their laughter.

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): No.

Ruhi (Stubbornly): Yes... Please get married. Harsha Bhabhi and I saw a very pretty dress. Khushi and I will wear the same dress. Mihika Bhabhi will set my hair. Yess....

Khushi excitedly clapped while speaking something in her language.

Vidyut (sulking): See, Saurav bhaiya have Mihika Bhabhi. But still, he is not married to her. Ask Bhaiya to marry Bhabhi. On Saurav's Bhaiya's wedding, you can wear your pretty dress and also set your hair.

Vidyut's sulking face and the argument these two were having. It was full-on fun for others. Silently laughing and enjoying this, everyone sat around.

Ruhi (poker face): Girl apni shaadi me kitni busy hoti hai. Aapko to kuch pata bhi nahi hai. Mihika Bhabhi busy hogi to mere hair set kaise karegi? Bolo!

(Girls have so many things to work on for their own wedding. You don't know anything. Mihika Bhabhi will be busy with her own wedding. How will she set my hair? Tell me?)

Listening to her explanation, Vidyut was staring with wide-open eyes.

Vidyut (thinking of some excuse): Elder Brother should marry first. So, Saurav bhaiya have to marry first then only I can.

Ruhi (turning towards Shalini, whining): Dadi....

Shalini controlled her smile and patted her cheeks to look normal.

Shalini (cooing): Naa mera bacha! Don't be sad. Saurav se pehle Vidyut shaadi karega to chalta hai.

(No my baby. Don't be sad. Vidyut can marry before Saurav).

Vidyut rolls his eyes, knowing no one is serious. Everyone is just teasing him.

Khushi (happily announcing): Cha... dadi yes.

Ruhi (giggling): Dadi said yes.

Vidyut: Still No!! I can't marry. Because I am 19 and boys can't marry before 21.

Khushi (whining): Papa....

Vidyut (making faces): Bas dono yehi karo papa, Dadi... (You both can only do this, Papa, Dadi...)

Anirudh (controlling his laugh): I will manage with his age. Don't worry, he can marry. He will marry.

Ruhi (squealing): Yesshhh!!! Bhabhi new dress that blue.

She turned to Anirudh and gave him a flying kiss in excitement. Looking at Ruhi, Khushi laughed out loud and repeated her actions.

Anirudh, who was laughing a few seconds ago, grinned, getting the flying kisses.

Ruhi is comfortable around Anirudh, though, they have not bonded much. Ruhi simply speaks with him with a smile on her lips. She doesn't complain to him, throw tantrums in front of him, or demand anything. Whereas, she does all these in front of Saurav and Vidyut.

Vidyut (sulking): Just because she wants to buy a new dress and get ready. She wants me to marry and that also with Riya... Yuckk... She is too clingy. She gave them kisses. They want me to marry her! Huh!! No one values me.

Harsha (in mother's tone): Okay enough now! Ruhi, Vidyut bhaiya is a student now. He has to complete his studies first. We will buy that blue dress for you and Khushi. You can wear it on occasion and Mihika will set your hair, okay? Now, stop all this and let's get fresh and have your milk.

Anirudh: You get them fresh, and I will prepare milk for them by the time.

Harsha nodded, and she took both the girls into the room.

After a few minutes, Everyone sat for evening tea or milk.

Ruhi (sadly with hope): Tomorrow, I have PTM. Mumma will come for me? She won't get any complaints.

Her words, preaked brother's heart. How they used to wish for their mother to come back.

Harsha (softly, caressing her cheek): Ruhi, Mumma has so many responsibilities to complete. God have so many works, so she is helping him. She won't be able to come, baby. We will come for PTM.

Shalini: Anirudh, Saurav, you both go for her PTM. Harsha has the responsibility of Khushi, her duty and she is also looking after the home during the day.

Both nodded.

Shalini: Also, update her important contact in School. If an emergency comes up. You will be ready to reach. Harsha has to look after many things.

Anirudh: I will update my as main and Saurav's as backup.

Vidyut (narrowing his eyes): Why not me? You have to update mine. I am also an elder now. You can't tag me the younger one now.

Anirudh: If an emergency arose and you are in a lecture, then?

Vidyut: You can also be in a meeting. I won't keep quiet here. I am an elder now. I can take the responsibility.

Shalini: Ani, update his contact as backup.

Anirudh nodded.

Shalini: Also, update his contact for groups and updates. He is older now. He will be responsible for her studies, projects, and updates about her school.

Vidyut (whining): Not this responsibility 😑.

Saurav (smirking): Now, you are elder, Vidu. You should take responsibility and this is your responsibility.

He made a crying face, but anyway agreed.

Others chuckled at his drama.

To be continued...