A week passed...

Ruhi's condition improved. She is fine now.

Ruhi is home. Spending time with her family.

Yug and Vidyut are still investigating, but they have found no clues; neither principal is confessing to anything. He explained that his reason for trying to run away was that the College's responsibility was on his shoulders, and he was scared.

After a week...

It was evening time. Everyone settled in the living area. Having evening snacks and tea.

Saurav: Kids, everyone bring your books.

Niyati (pouted): No, Papa...

Saurav (raising): You have a maths exam tomorrow. We need to prepare.

Niyati: I don't like maths.

Khush (happily): Maths is easy, Niyu.

Anirudh: Is it?

Khush nodded, happily.

Vidyut: 2+2?

Khush (proudly): 22.

Saurav smacked his forehead.

Anirudh: 10+10?

Khush (shocked): 1 0 1 0.

He said one zero one zero, not one thousand and ten.

He replied with a proud smile. His chest is puffing.

Vidyut (smirking): I can feel your office is drowning.

Saurav (smirking back): He is following your footsteps.

Vidyut (gasping): Oh please! I was always brilliant in maths.

Anirudh: We know that surely.

Vidyut pouted.

Saurav (pulling Khush): Come here, little Vidyut.

Khush (narrowing his eyes): Khush...

Saurav (counting on Khush's fingers): one, two... one two... now one, two, three, four. It's four.

Khush (scrunching his nose): No, easy, Chachu. Four is easy.

Anirudh: 22 is not correct.

Khush (whining): Niyu maths is bad.

He complained.

Adrita (chuckling): He is the same as Vidu. If something is difficult, it means it's bad.

Vidyut (offended): I cleared UPSC. I am an IAS officer. Don't underestimate me.

Saurav: IAS officer-

Before Saurav could continue.

Harsha (sternly): Stop everyone! Don't trouble him.

Vidyut (fake crying): Bhabhi...

He hugged her. Anirudh was about to speak.

Khush (angrily): She is my mumma. Chachu stay away.

He said possessively.

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): Baap kam tha abhi beta bhi aa gaya. (Father was not enough, now his son is joining)

Mihika: Alright! Kids bring your books.

Kids ran inside the room to bring the books.

Ruhi came out of her room.

Harsha (sighing): Ruhi, your exams are beginning next week.

Ruhi (shocked): I have to visit college?

Anirudh: I will speak with the principal tomorrow and let's see if we can find a solution.

Ruhi nodded.

***

Next evening...

Ruhi sat impatiently, waiting for Anirudh and Vidyut to come home.

Today, Vidyut scheduled a meeting with the principal regarding Ruhi's exams, which are starting the upcoming week, and also to discuss any concerns about the person. Anirudh tagged along.

Saurav entered and saw Ruhi lost in thought. She was biting her nails.

Saurav (sitting beside her): Don't worry, Rooh...

Just then Anirudh and Vidyut entered.

Saurav: Is everything okay?

Anirudh nodded.

He sat beside Ruhi on the other side. She hugged him.

Everyone gathered in a few minutes in the living area.

Harsha: What happened?

Vidyut (frustrated): Still no clue. I mean whoever he is. He is very smart.

Ruhi (looking up at Anirudh): Exams?

Vidyut: You won't be attempting. I spoke with the principal and she is also aware of the conditions. So, she agreed to pass you without exams.

Ruhi stared at him shocked.

Ruhi (shocked, whisper): Seriously?

Vidyut: Yes! You are Vidyut Rajput's sister. You don't need to attempt the exams. I will ask her to give you the highest marks but you won't be visiting college.

He mumbles out of frustration and stress.

His words hurt, Ruhi's pride. She was staring at Vidyut with disbelief.

For a moment, his words didn’t feel like concern… they felt like a slap.

All those nights she stayed awake, struggling with concepts, pushing herself when she felt like giving up… did none of that matter?

Was she just Vidyut Rajput’s sister to everyone? Or her brother thinks, she can't score highest without his name?

Her fingers clenched tightly. Something inside her shifted—quietly, but firmly.

Ruhi (with hurt): No bhai! I don't need your position to prove my worth. I will appear for the exams. I can score on my own.

Vidyut (annoyed): No Ruhi! You don't need to appear for exams. I said you will get the highest marks. You will top the exams. Just stay at home and relax. I will manage everything.

Ruhi (irritated): I know bhai, you are an IAS officer. But I can score good marks. I don't need your support in this position. I will appear for the exams and will score the highest marks in the class.

Vidyut said those words out of concern but his words crumbled her pride. She angrily made the decision.

She took Anirudh's phone and texted the principal stating "She will appear for the exams".

The whole family was in shock. Ruhi angrily walked into her room.

Vidyut was about to follow her but Harsha held his arm and made him sit beside her.

Vidyut (irritated): Bhabhi, she needs to understand. We want her safety.

Harsha (taking a sharp breath): Vidu, she was also not planning to visit college. But the words you said and the way. She felt hurt and made a decision.

Vidyut (frowning): Hurt? No Bhabhi! I am trying to protect her.

Anirudh (softly): No Vidu, it sounds like she can't achieve without your power.

Vidyut sat quietly for a few minutes, processing whatever had happened a few minutes back.

That sentence landed heavier than he expected.

Vidyut leaned back, his jaw tightening.
His own words echoed in his mind—
“You are Vidyut Rajput’s sister…”

For the first time, it didn’t sound protective. It sounded… dismissive.
His gaze dropped.

He remembered the way Ruhi looked at him—shocked… hurt… almost betrayed.
A faint guilt crept in, settling uncomfortably in his chest.

Vidyut (mumbling): I didn't mean to. I just wanted to protect her.

He stayed silent after that. Everyone stayed quiet.

Saurav (breaking the silence): Abhi? (Now?)

Anirudh: I can try to speak with her.

Mihika: But bhai, she informed the Principal. Now, speaking with her. It will hurt her more.

Harsha (thinking deeply): I understand your fear. You want to protect her. She is at a tender age in a difficult situation. If we oppose decisions for her like this… somewhere she’ll begin to feel she isn’t capable enough. Aur agar uska khud par se bharosa toot gaya na… toh woh kaun lautayega? (And if she loses faith in herself… then who will bring it back?)

Anirudh (softly): I guess Harsha is right.

Vidyut gulping the lump.

Vidyut (low voice because of guilt): I never meant to hurt her or question her ability. I messed up everything.

Saurav: I think we should let her attempt her exams. One of us will visit the college with her. We will be around her.

Anirudh (nodding): We will plan this.

Harsha (caressing Vidyut's hair): Don't be guilty. It's okay. Now, we just need to protect her.

Vidyut (blinked his eyes): I will protect her. Let me arrange security and every other precaution for her safety.

Harsha pulled him in a hug, rubbing his back.

Advik and Advika who were busy with their toys till now. Advika saw her father,  hugging Harsha. Sensing her father's uneasiness. She crawled towards him and held his pants in her small chubby fists, trying to stand up with support. When she tried to stand. She fell back on the floor.

She angrily babbled something in her language.

Vidyut immediately broke the hug and took her on his lap.

Vidyut (kissing her hair): I am here, princess.

She patted her small hand on his chest, as if consoling him.

Harsha (with teasing smile): Adrita, I thought no one could replace me in Vidyut's life. Not even you did but see this little girl.

Vidyut (giggling): Not even her. You both hold different places in my heart. Plus, my princess is not jealous like this giant man sitting in front of his son.

He said eyeing Anirudh.

Anirudh (shocked): Giant and Jealous?

Everyone laughed.

To be continued...

I know I posted after a long time and that too a short chapter. But I was not well. So, couldn't update.