Nayan: The principal was saying that he isn't responsible for her missing. Through the party, she got a way to escape. He was not ready for help. Instead, he was blaming her. The moment, Vidyut bhai came into the picture. His personality shifted from one to another in a snap.

Anirudh (remembering something): If parents and guardians are coming to find their missing child. He was asking to wait and have tea or coffee. The hell do we need tea or coffee in that moment?

Yug (confused): Details?

Vidyut: Saurav bhai and I met him before as Anirudh bhai was parking the car. As we arrived, the principal saw us, and this fake concern began, which I sensed from the way he spoke with us. When Anirudh bhai came. He tried to assure us, which was fake, of course. I informed you are coming. Out of nowhere, he asked the staff to look after Ruhi immediately and asked us to wait and offered tea or coffee.

Anirudh: In such a situation offering us tea or coffee.

Vidyut: But when I went to college for admission. There was a lady as the principal.

Everyone was shocked by this new information.

Anirudh (gasped): And you are telling this now?

Nayan (quickly replying): He is the vice principal. He is working as the principal most of the time. She visits college once in a while. So, he is the principal in her absence. When things go south or if a child belongs to high society. She is attending them personally. That's why, Mom, Vidyut bhai, Ivana's and Dhruv's parents met her at the time of admission. She is there for paperwork.

Yug: Why not siblings' parents?

Nayan: Because they don't belong to the high-class society. They got admission here due to high rankings and scholarships. They aren't poor but not as rich as we are. Their parents earn enough for their family.

Yug (looking at Vidyut): This is what you were trying to explain in front of the staff and principal? He wasn't letting you complete it.

Vidyut: Yeah!!

Yug: I am arranging a meeting with the lady principal this Monday. I want at least two of her brothers to be present there. Ruhi isn't going to college until I am green signalling.

Harsha: She won't anyway. She is in trauma. We shouldn't send her there where she got this trauma. This will rub her wounds. She will be with us. I guess it will take a few days to improve her condition. Studies are not more important than her mental condition.

Harsha being the child psychologist, already understood Ruhi's condition. She cleared her decision of Ruhi, not going to college for some days.

Yug: Alright! Is it possible for Ruhi to share what happened? I mean she is a victim, only she can explain actually how all this happened? Also, she was drugged. So, I will suggest her check up.

Adrita: Hmm... I will arrange her blood test for tomorrow morning. Blood samples can help us detect the drug. But as tomorrow is Sunday. We will get the results by Monday evening.

Ankita: Tomorrow is Sunday. So, can you arrange a blood test for tomorrow morning?

Adrita: Yes masi, don't worry. I will ask the phlebotomist to take her blood samples tomorrow morning. But the medical technologist won't be available tomorrow. Anyway, we need to take blood samples tomorrow morning only, because by Monday maybe the drug won't be detectable in the blood.

Everyone just nodded in agreement absentmindedly, processing the information.

Harsha: About Ruhi's statement. I guess we should wait for a day or two. Let her mind be stable. One of us will try to speak with her tomorrow if she is in condition.

Yug: Alright! I will take my leave now. Vidyut, I will connect with you tomorrow and update me same, if you guys find anything.

Vidyut nodded. Bidding bye, Yug left.

Anirudh: I will check on Ruhi.

Vidyut: She is sleeping. I will be joining Saurav bhaiya and Ruhi, tonight. Mihika Bhabhi, can you please be with Adrita and the kids?

Mihika nodded in assurance. Everyone left for their rooms.

With thoughts and stress, they all slept.

Next morning...

Saurav woke up first. He saw Ruhi and Vidyut sleeping, Ruhi cuddling Saurav and ditching Vidyut. He felt strong heat releasing from Ruhi's body.

He touched her head and felt her body hot. Her body temperature felt high. He freed himself from her clutches and walked out of his room into the living area.

Everyone was already up, even the kids. He saw the time and it was 9.

Mihika noticed Saurav first. He seemed stressed.

Mihika: Saurav, what's wrong?

Saurav (worried): Ruhi is burning with fever.

His words pulled everyone's attention. They all immediately stood up and were about to rush into Saurav's room.

As all the elders stood up in shock. Khush, Khushi and Niyati were shocked too due to the sudden moment of the elders.

Harsha (sharply): Stop! The previous night, she just went through trauma. Now, when she opens her eyes and will find everyone surrounding her and her body burning. She may panic. We need to handle this calmly. She shouldn't wake up in shock.

Everyone obeyed her words.

Harsha (sighing): Khush, go and wake your Ruhi bua. She has a fever. Wake her calmly. No masti.

Khush nodded with a pout and ran inside the room.

Khush (tapping Ruhi's cheek): Bua...

He tapped again. Instead of Ruhi, Vidyut woke up.

Vidyut (Groggily): What happened Khush?

Khush (putting finger on his lips): Shh!!!

Vidyut gave him a confused look with half-open and half-closed eyes.

Khush (whispering): Bua have fever. Mumma said wake calmly. No masti.

Vidyut: To main Tandav thori kar raha hoon. (I’m not creating chaos or anything.)

Khush glared at him. Vidyut narrowed his eyes. But instantly, Vidyut released Ruhi is having fever and the previous night's event.

Vidyut (wraps his arm around Ruhi): Good morning bhai ki jaan.

He mumbles, pecking her hair.

Khush (pushing Vidyut's hand): I will wake my bua. No bad manners chachu. I will complain to Adrita Chachi.

He scrunched up his nose, trying to intimidate him.

Vidyut smile little.

Khush patted Ruhi's cheek with his little, soft hand, mumbling "Bua wake up".

Vidyut (shaking Ruhi lightly): Rooh wake up...

Ruhi stirred a little, opening eyes slowly.

As she opened her eyes, she found Khush standing there smiling looking at his bua.

Khush (pecking her cheek): Good morning Bua...

Ruhi (smiling): Good morning cutie...

Vidyut (clearing his throat): This hottie brother of yours also needs attention.

Ruhi (turning to Vidyut): Good morning cutie bhai...

She hugged him. She seemed calm and happy.

Vidyut (glaring at her): Not cutie but hottie...

Ruhi (poking her tongue): Cutieeeee...

She giggles, Khush too.

Khush: Mumma, Papa are waiting for you.

Vidyut: Come, let's go out.

Nodding, Ruhi gets up from bed, remembering the party night. Every memory started to enter her brain. Her smile faded.

Vidyut saw her. He sensed that she remembered everything.

Vidyut (pulling her in a hug): Rooh, you are safe.

She nodded, coming back to her senses.

Vidyut: See, you are having a fever now. Come, everyone is waiting for you.

She just nodded, standing up. Her legs wobbled, and Vidyut held her on time.

Khush stood there, looking at his bua and chachu with a sad smile. He understood, his bua is not well.

Vidyut supported her, while walking. Khush came forward, holding her other hand for support. Unknowningly, a small smile came back on Ruhi's lips. They slowly walked out.

Everyone was already waiting for them.

Vidyut made Ruhi sit on sofe beside Anirudh.

Anirudh (hugging Ruhi): Today, I will prepare your favourite breakfast. Tell me what you want to eat?

Khushi (whining): No no no!!! Papa, you will add capsicum, carrot, beetroot and all this.

Khush (grinning): Mihika Chachi will prepare cheese sandwiches, Bua.

Anirudh: But I only told Ruhi for her favourite breakfast. So, not for you.

Niyati (grumpily): We are Ruhi Bua's Team. We will also have yummy yummy. This is Rule.

Khush: Yes yes Rule...

Advik and Advika who are learning to crawl. They crawled towards Khushi who was playing with them a few minutes back. Everyone was focused on Ruhi, waiting for her response.

Khushi (giggling): Papa, see Advika and Advik also support us.

The drama of these three was enough to engage Ruhi with small smile.

Ankita (chuckling): Ani, today I will prepare my kids' favourite breakfast.

Three of them cheered, followed by Advik and Advika.

Nayan (smiling small): I am also included, Mom...

Khush (grinning): Cheese Sandwich.

Khushi: No! Pasta...

Khush turned to Ruhi with puppy eyes.

Khush (requesting): Bua, cheese sandwich.

Saurav (rolling his eyes): Here you go! Masi cheese sandwiches final.

Ruhi nodded at Khush, who giggled happily. Khushi and Niyati pouted. Ankita chuckled, looking at them.

Ankita: I will prepare both, okay?

Kids' cheered, Advika and Advika joined them giggling.

Mihika: Come Ruhi, let's get fresh.

Ruhi nodded, with Mihika's support. She went into her room to get fresh.

After Ruhi left.

Adrita: For Ruhi's blood samples. Someone will be here in half an hour. Till then she can't have anything.

Ankit: It's only about half an hour. Till then I will prepare breakfast. And boys, you have to help me. Come...

She ordered them.

Saurav: After getting fresh. I will join you.

Vidyut (nodding): Me too...

Without any further discussion, they all left.

Today, without any argument, Vidyut agreed to join the kitchen. Usually, he only works in the kitchen when it's his turn.

Not only Ruhi, but her family is also affected.

***

After getting fresh, Ruhi sat with the family.

She was silent, just looking around and listening to their talks. Mostly Khushi, Khush, Niyati speaking.

Some minutes later, door bell rang.

Adrita opened the door, she came with phlebotomist.

Harsha (sitting beside Ruhi): Ruhi, he is here for your blood samples.

Ruhi nodded and followed the instructions. She seemed quiet and dull. Her family's heartache looking at their all fun loving, chatterbox turned to quiet.

Phlebotomist was preparing injection and everyone surrounded Ruhi.

Khush: Doctor Uncle, Bua has fever but don't give her this.

He pointed at injection with scrunched nose.

Niyati: Yes yes! Give her medicine only.

Khushi: We will take care of Bua.

Ruhi turn to them, listening their words.

Ruhi's POV: I was scared how everyone will react after knowing about wrist cut. I thought no one will trust me but...

She saw Innocence and concern in their eyes.

Ruhi's POV: Today, they all are standing beside me, trusting me, loving me more. Mumma, you were always right. Badi Mumma, always Thank you for giving me so beautiful family. I love you Mumma, Badi Mumma and my family.

Ruhi's POV end...

She came back to the world when she felt pinch on her arm. She looked down to see blood drawing out of her arm.

She turned behind to see Saurav standing on the one side of her, Vidyut on the other and Anirudh sitting beside her.

Her eyes brimmed in tears. Yesterday, she was crying out of fear and now, she has tears in her eyes due to love she felt unconditional.

Khush (pointing at Ruhi): See, Mumma, Bua is crying. Her hand is paining.

Khushi: Her arm is paining. Not hand.

Khush glared at her. She narrowed her eyes at him.

Lab Technician: Done... Your Bua is free now, okay?

He asked Khush. He pouted, walking towards Ruhi and hugging her.

Ankita: Come Ruhi, Have medicines and breakfast.

With this Lab Technician left and others sat for breakfast. Mihika sat with Ruhi, feeding her.

Ruhi was just busy in admiring her family. She was smiling softly, looking at everyone.

To be continued...