Upon reaching home.

Ruhi saw that everyone was already present there, except for the kids and Saurav.

Harsha opened her arms, and Ruhi went towards her and hugged her.

Harsha (patting her head): You okay?

Ruhi (grinning): Yes! Yes!! Perfectly fine. See!!!

She said twirling.

Harsha patted her cheek. Seeing, cheerful Ruhi back. A peace broke into the family's heart.

Ruhi went towards Mihika.

Ruhi (demanding tone): Bhabhi, pucho to mera exam kaise gaya? (Ask me, how was my exam?)

Mihika (chuckling): How's your exam?

Ruhi (shaking her head): Bhabhi, you know these open hairs were troubling me a lot. I couldn't focus on the exam properly.

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): This is not the answer to how's your exam, Rooh!

Ruhi (keeping finger on her lips): Shh!! Don't disturb.

Ruhi turned back to Mihika.

Mihika (patting her cheek): I will make your braid and style them, okay?

Ruhi grinned.

Adrita (side hugging Ruhi): But you need to wear something like frocks, tops and dresses.

Ruhi: If something is comfortable like this, then I will wear it.

She walked towards Anirudh.

Ruhi: Buy me some new dresses that are comfortable and classy. You know, everyone praised me in college. You look pretty.

She excitedly hopped towards Vidyut.

Ruhi: Some boys even said, I'm looking divine or a diva.

Vidyut (dramatically frowning): They must have weak eyesight.

Ruhi glared at him.

Adrita (with teasing smile): How about Nayan? What did he say?

Ruhi stood thinking.

Ruhi (thinking deeply): He didn't compliment me.

Vidyut (smirking): I see!! His eyesight is good.

Ruhi rolled her eyes, ignoring him, but her eyes lost the excitement they had held just a few minutes before.

Anirudh (cupping her cheeks): You don't need anyone's validation to know how pretty you are. Neither a particular cloth type proves your beauty. You give vibes of being energetic and adventurous in tomboy clothes. Your current look gives a vibe of a cute and classy girl, and if you ever wish to wear an Indian dress or saree. Your vibe will be soft and vibrant. You can try anything you wish to. Just make sure to wear it with confidence, not because someone likes it or is asking for it.

Ruhi's orbs shine due to tears brimming in her eyes.

Anirudh (wiping her tears): We will go to buy you clothes. I will choose some more like this.

Ruhi blinked her eyes, Anirudh pecked her forehead.

Ruhi (wrapping her arms around Anirudh): Dada, you are the best father. I am so lucky that you are my first love.

Anirudh patted her head.

Ruhi (looking at Vidyut): I am so lucky to have you guys as my brothers and also fathers. You three are my first love. So, important for me.

Harsha, Mihika and Adrita were smiling, whereas Anirudh swallowed the happy tears and felt soft and peaceful. Vidyut - his heart skipped a few beats as he understood Ruhi's words.

***

After getting fresh, Ruhi sat in her room, glaring at her phone which she was holding in her hand.

Ruhi (complaining): Nayan, should have said at least I look beautiful.

She pouted.

Ruhi: Huh!! I won't speak to him. Yes! This is his punishment. Vaise to bahut bolta hai Ruhi chuhi, this earning, this dress, this, that, ye vo ab jab ready hui to kuch bola bhi nahi... He is so rude. I don't like him at all... Hmph!!!

Just then her phone rang. She saw Nayan's call.

Ruhi (staring at his name): I said I am angry with you. So, I won't speak with you.

Sighing, she received the call.

Nayan: Ruhi, you safely reached home, right?

Ruhi (rolling her eyes): Hmm!!!

Nayan: How was your exam?

Ruhi: Good.

Nayan felt Ruhi's flat tone. He shrugged it for now.

Nayan (smiling): Ruhi Chuhi, you look breathtaking.

Ruhi's lips curved up and her ears turned red.

Ruhi (controlling her smile): Bhai or Adrita bhabhi told you to compliment me?

Nayan (confused): Why will they?

Ruhi (rolling her eyes): Leave...

Nayan: Alright! But you look breathtaking seriously.

Ruhi (grumpily): Why didn't you say this earlier in college?

Nayan (smiling, understanding her complaint): Everyone was around and they were already teasing.

Ruhi (hitting her head, mumbling to herself): Idiot, think before jumping to conclusions.

Nayan (confused): Your voice is not clear.

Ruhi: Huh! Uh!! Sorry.

She grinned widely.

Ruhi (with a shy smile): Thank you.

Nayan (with concern): How was your exam? Were you comfortable?

Ruhi (sighing): Yes! It was good. Honestly, a few times, I felt uneasy but Bhai was around. So, that was comfort.

Nayan: Hmm... Good.

They continued their call....

***

It was nighttime...

Vidyut called his IPS friend Yug to discuss the college environment which seems calm. Vidyut is doubting a little more.

Yug sat with everyone. Khush came running to him.

Khush (excitedly): Chachu, when will I be a big boy. I will be a police uncle like you.

Yug (patting his head): Alright, young man. I will help you.

Vidyut (raising his eyebrow): Like Yug chachu? Not like me?

Khush shook his head, pouting.

Vidyut: Why??

Khush: You are boring like Papa and Saurav Chachu. You sit in the office only. Yug chachu is powerful and strong.

Vidyut (frowning): I make laws that your Yug chachu follows.

Khush (narrowing): Yes! But you sit in the office. Yug chachu runs and catches chor and he is powerful.

Vidyut rolled his eyes, making everyone chuckle.

Yug (smirking): You can be the district collector but still I am more powerful than you.

Vidyut (evil smile): Let him grow up. Will see.

Shaking his head, Vidyut and Yug chuckled. Khush glared at them, not understanding the topic.

***

After a few days...

Today is Ruhi's last exam.

The fear and nervousness, she had at the start of her exams are fading slowly. She is now comfortable in college.

One of her brothers is always present with her on the college premises. She is following all the instructions her brothers have given her.

After completing her exam...

Ruhi walked out of her classroom with Navya. Ivana is in another class.

Both the girls walked towards Anirudh, who was waiting for Ruhi in the corridor.

Ruhi (with disbelief): Dada, you were supposed to take care of me, not to sit with your laptop.

Anirudh (smiling sheepishly): I was getting bored.

Ruhi (holding her stomach): It's paining. Periods maybe...

He sighed. Just then Ivana came.

Anirudh: You girls come out. I will take the car from the parking till then.

Ruhi blinked her eyes. Anirudh patted her head and walked out.

Giggling and talking, the three stood near the college's back gate. The principal stood behind them at a distance to take care of Ruhi till her brother came. It's kind of a regular thing now. Two Police officers in civil dress.

For safety, Vidyut arranged her entrance and exit from the back gate.

Ruhi (whining): I am thirsty and have cramps.

Navya: Anirudh Bhaiya is coming. Wait for a few minutes.

Ruhi (wobbling her head): Yes! Yes!!

It's been a few minutes, Girls were still waiting for Anirudh.

Ruhi took out her phone to call Anirudh. He received the call in a go.

Ruhi (whining): Dada!!!

Anirudh: Rooh, car missing. I am looking for it. I called Saurav. He is coming to pick you up. Stay around the officers and principal.

Ruhi irritatedly, hanged up the phone.

Ivana: What's wrong?

Ruhi: The car is missing. Dada is searching. He called Saurav Bhaiya. But I am hell thirsty now.

Ivana: Ruhi, you don't have a water bottle. You can have some water from my bottle. Water is fresh.

Ruhi hesitating agreed. She took her bottle and removed the mask.

As she removed the mask. Principal and officers came around, surrounding her, trying to protect her.

Ruhi gulped down the water and quickly covered her face with a mask.

Some minutes later...

The car stopped in front of the college's back gate and Saurav came out.

He stood numb as he saw Navya, Ivana, the principal, guards and officers lying unconscious in front of the gate.

Ruhi???

She was missing, her bag was lying there.

To be continued...