Kuhu pulled her curly locks from the elastic band she’d grabbed at the airport to tie her frizzy hair away from her face, hissing as she did so, she flinched at the hair now tangling the band. “Kunal” she pouted, shaking it, “Look”. Yes, her biggest concern shouldn’t have been hair loss, it should have been her older sister’s reaction when she found out she hadn’t brought her back a present, but losing yourself in a four-poster bed would do that to you, one day she’d understand.

“You have so much hair, it’s not like you’re going to miss it” Abir wrapped his arms over her shoulders, “But I’ve missed you, we haven’t spent any time together since I’ve been back”. She’d always been like a little sister to him, when they were younger she’d follow him around by grabbing onto his trouser leg, almost pulling it down in the process, and now here she was, still small, but yet so wise, mature and soon to be marrying his brother, time really did fly.

Elbowing him, she spun on her heel, a soft giggle escaping her lips as he rubbed his chest mournfully. “You’re the one chasing my sister around, you have no time for me” she pouted, deep down she’d been hoping he wanted to spend time with her, he was like the brother she never had and all in all her absolute favourite person, no one had had her back like he did, she doubted anyone ever would.

“Aw, you know you’re my number one” he assured and squeezed her cheek. “You do realise I’m only doing to her what you did to me, right? You know, tit for tat”.

A shrill voice echoed around them as Mishti stepped into the house “Are you talking about Kuhu's b.o.o.b.i.e.s?” Spelling it out, her voice verged on hysterical as she swung her bag around so it hit him on the head.

“Ouch” rubbing his head, he stepped back. “What is it with the Agarwal sisters injuring me?” How was it she could make that comment dirty, but could never understand a single one of his innuendos? She really was a special breed.

Squeezing her younger sister’s cheeks together like a goldfish, she used a similar tone of voice one would use to speak to a baby. “Did you miss me? Of course, you did, But say it, make me feel good about myself”.

Slapping her hands away, she shook her head. “I can’t say anything when you’re holding me like that” intertwining their fingers, she swung her hand backwards and forwards playfully “You know you love me?”

“Yes,” she bounced on the heels of her feet.

“Well, I may have forgotten to get you a present” she grimaced, this would not go down well, it might even end with her body buried underground, she’d learnt the hard way before exactly what happens when you don’t feed Mishti chocolate. Gulping, she stared around at the two men who’d suddenly disappeared, therefore ensuring she’d have to deal with the explosion alone, they were good for nothings and they’d pay for this…you know if Kuhu didn’t end up paying for it first.

“You didn’t buy me a present? Did you buy other people presents?” Her voice was quiet.

“Of course not, I didn’t get anyone a present”.

“Why?”

“Uh, I was busy”.

“Too busy for me?” Mishti dropped her hand, she hated to sound so childish, but she’d always feared that when her sister got married she’d forget about her, was this the start of it? There was no better time than the present to belt out her favourite love song that also applied to her relationship with her sister, why? You ask because when Mishti does not know what to do, she sings. “I miss you like crazy, I miss you like crazy, ever since you went away, every hour of every day, I miss you like crazy, I miss you like crazy” spinning her sister out, she swayed with her dramatically then dipped her, brows waggling mischievously.

Kuhu giggled loudly “You’re such a twit, get off” shoving her away playfully, she kissed her cheek. “I’ve missed you too, so you’re not mad at me?”

“No, but only if you bake me some heavenly cookies with caramel goodness” fluttering her lashes, she jumped when arms wound around her hips.

“And for me too” Karan rested his chin on her shoulder, inhaling the scent of tropical shampoo that clung to her. Ever since returning from where he’d been stationed he planned to forget the Agarwal sisters, but since his youngest brother had got so involved with them, he saw no bad in involving himself too. Time had changed him, matured him and rather than bedding Mishti, what he really wanted to do was make a woman out of her in a different way, by marrying her. She was a source of light after the darkness he’d seen and since he had no time to fall in love, an arranged marriage seemed the only way and who better than the bundle of joy that was her? She was too innocent to stray and would wait for him when he left. Perhaps what brought it out of him was the same reason his brother saw something in her, or perhaps it was if a woman like her, so pure and good could love someone like him than it would rid the seeds of doubt in his mind that he was unlovable?

Abir had seen a multitude of things that broke his heart, but nothing had quite shattered it like this had. It seemed every time he got close to her, his older brother would return to scoop her away- for that he hated him. That woman, his innocent little munchkin was all he’d ever wanted, all he’d ever dreamt of, he’d returned just to see the stars sparkle in her eyes but they only shone for Karan and maybe it was time he accepted that? Maybe it was time he went back to where he belonged? Away from the woman who had his heart ever since he was small. Bowing his head, he swiped away a tear, turned to walk away only to stop at Kuhu's shaking head.

“Don’t” she whispered, a soothing hand on his shoulder. She knew what was coming, just like before he wanted to run away, but if he left now he’d lose any chance with her.

He shrugged her hand away “I can’t, I can’t stay and watch this” skidding past her, he headed for the only other place that could offer him safety.

“Hey, wait” by the time Mishti reached him she was out of breath and a little red in the face. “Are you” she held her hand up, leaning on his shoulder to steady her shaky legs, the fit life was not for her. “Are you going to the waterfall?”

“What’s it to you?” He snapped, instantly regretting it when she looked away sadly, her brows furrowed in confusion. “I mean if you want company there why not invite Karan?”

“Why would I do that?” She laughed, hand hitting the back of his head. “Silly, it’s our place” her eyes widened, lips pursing. “I didn’t mean it like that, you know, we don’t own it, but you know, it would feel” she shrugged, “Rude?” She sounded unsure herself, but she didn’t want to invite others to somewhere so sacred, when they’d been alone there together he’d always been so nice, sharing that felt like sharing him and for some odd reason that made her feel uncomfortable. “Do you bring, um, bring Sheetal here?”

“Why would I do that?” He repeated, his grin so wide it hurt as he smacked her head in return. “Silly, it’s our place”.

“Ow,” she pouted, rubbing her scalp. “Couldn’t even let me get one hit in for free, could you?”

“Like it rough then, do you?” Abir placed his hands on her hips, tugging her to his chest.

“Huh, like what rough? Slaps? I don’t like them unless I’m handing them out” she wasn’t going to lie, the majority of the time she didn’t have a clue what he was on about, but she pretended too, though lately, it seemed he could see right through her A* acting.

“Ever the dominant” he winked, “What else would you do to me?”

“Hmm” Mishti tapped her chin, really thinking about all the things she’d love to do to him, you know, kick him, hit him, bruise him, batter him etc. “Depends what you did to deserve it”.

“Oh, so what if I did this?” Leaning into her, he pressed his lips to her cheek, jumped back and hitched up a brow, “Do your worst, Munchkin”.

Her jaw dropped the second her hand covered her cheek, swallowing harshly, a tear fell down her face. “I hate you” turning, she ran as fast as she could back to her home.