The next morning...

Ruhi stirred, slowly opening her eyes.

Instantly, her eyes closed, due to sunlight entering the room through the window.

She took a few seconds to brighten before opening her eyes.

She felt emptiness beside her and a soft sigh escaped her lips.

The events of the previous day replayed in her mind.

His words echoed in her mind, each one as sharp as when she had first heard them.

You are an illegitimate child. A home-wrecker's daughter. A cheater's daughter.

People looked at your mother with disgust... and you still walked around as if you belonged here.

People looked at your mother with disgust... your father as a stain... and you still walked around as if you belonged here. No, you are a combination of disguise and stain.

Your mother? She just wanted someone to open her legs.

Your parents are destroyers. They gave birth to destruction.

You are drowning? No! Ruhi... you were already drowning. The moment you breath first time. You are already drowning in lies, as a betrayer, as a sign of a broken house.

Your father? He cheated his first wife to marry your mother. Your mother? She ran away to marry a man who was already married. Is it love? Never...

Her hands fisted tightly.

Her breath is uneven.

Her chest was rapidly rising and falling.

She pushed the sheet hurriedly, standing up on the floor.

Her eyes fell on the bed, and she noticed a blood stain.

Looking at the blood stain, the word "stain" rang in her mind.

Her legs gave up and she fell as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Harsha entered the room to wake Ruhi, and her eyes fell on Ruhi.

Harsha immediately rushed towards Ruhi and sat beside her on her knees.

Harsha (holding Ruhi through her shoulder): Ruhi?

A heavy sob escaped Ruhi's lips, as she looked at the blood stain on the bedsheet.

Ruhi (with a heavy voice): Maine kuch nahi kiya.
(I didn't do anything)

Harsha (cupping Ruhi's face): Haa bache. We know.
(Yes baby)

Ruhi: Sab sach hai na?
(Everything is true?)

Her lips wobbled.

Ruhi: Papa was married and Badi mumma was alive?
Mumma ran away?
She broke Badi Mumma's house?
That's why everyone hates them?

She questioned in a broken voice. Her body shivered.

Harsha wiped her tears.

Ruhi: What am I?
A destruction?
A stain?
A burden?

She hiccuped.

---

A few minutes back, in the living area.

After sending kids off to school.

Anirudh sat on the sofa in the living room.

Harsha: I will wake Ruhi. She must be scared of water. I will help her to get fresh.

She walked into Ruhi's room.

Anirudh turned on the News Channel, like his usual habit.

News Reporter: Yesterday, we found Ruhi Rajput, the sister of an IAS officer, lying near the lake.

Today, we got this information from the sources. She is not the "Real" sister of Vidyut Rajput but his half-sister.

Whatever happened yesterday, who is behind all this? Vidyut Rajput and his family? Or someone else?

Stay in touch to know more...

Words hit straight to the brother's heart.

Saurav angrily threw the remote breaking the TV screen.

---

Ruhi...

She heard the News Reporter's voice.

Her mind screamed, she is staining her brother's name.

She shivered, listening to the voice of the TV shuttering.

Ruhi mumbled, because of me.

---

She slowly wiped her tears and stood up with the support of the bed.

Harsha stood up, immediately after Ruhi.

Harsha (cupping Ruhi's cheek): Don't let these words affect Ruhi. You are Ruhi... Bas Ruhi.

Ruhi just nodded a little.

Ruhi (mumbling): Mujhe fresh hona hai.
(I want to get fresh)

Harsha nodded, supporting her.

Ruhi didn't say a word but her mind screamed that she was a burden to Harsha.

Even though she knew how to swim, she knew Martial arts.

Still, she needs someone even to get fresh.

She felt a pinch in her heart.

---

Meanwhile, in the living area...

Adrita flinched at the sudden sound when the glass shattered.

Saurav (angrily): What do they think? How can the spread of anything like this?

Vidyut (smirking): Something interesting...

Anirudh, Saurav and Adrita snapped at him.

Saurav (with rage): What's interesting about this?

Vidyut: Now, this will help me identify who leaked this information to the media. I just need to meet the owner.

His smirk grew wider.

Anirudh stared at him. Saurav thought for a few seconds before nodding in approval.

---

After getting fresh.

Everyone gathered in the living area for breakfast.

Mihika had breakfast and left to drop the kids at school.

Whereas, others especially brothers waited for Ruhi to wake up so they could have breakfast together.

Harsha and Ruhi came.

Anirudh walked towards Ruhi.

Anirudh: Good morning bache. Come let's have breakfast.

Ruhi's eyes fell on the call to see it's 10 already.

Ruhi (whispering): Aapne breakfast nahi kiya?
(You haven't had breakfast?)

Saurav: We were not hungry. So, we can have it together.

Ruhi gulped her emotions when her mind screamed.

Again, they disturb their routine just for me. They sat hungry just for me.

Vidyut (holding her hands): Where are you lost? Come!

He took her towards the dining room.

They settled for breakfast.

Saurav: Today, I prepared your favourite noodles.

He said serving her. Ruhi gave him a faint smile.

Anirudh (taking the plate): Let me feed you.

He took the bite and fed her.

Ruhi slowly opened her mouth accepting.

She was looking down, her hands fisted under the table. She was eating slowly as if forcing herself to gulp it down.

Family can notice the difference but they know she is traumatised, she needs time.

After having a few bites.

Ruhi (mumble): I am full...

She stood up without waiting for a reply.

She walked towards her room.

Harsha: I am home today. I have taken leave from the hospital for a few days.

Anirudh nodded with a sigh. He was satisfied that Harsha would be around Ruhi.

After Anirudh, Saurav and Vidyut left for work.

Adrita took the twins into Ruhi's room who was lost in her thoughts.

Looking at Ruhi, the twins squealed, drawing Ruhi's attention.

Adrita made them sit on the bed.

Both quickly went towards Ruhi.

Ruhi patted their heads and gave them some toys

Usually, she would have played with them.

Adrita and Harsha are standing behind the door, looking at Ruhi

Adrita: Bhabhi, Ruhi will be fine, right?

Harsha: She needs time. She will be fine. Let her be with the kids for some time.

Adrita agreed and both left from there.

----

In the evening...

The doorbell rang.

Harsha went to open the door.

She found Navya with her mother. She welcomed them.

Navya's mother: Ruhi is fine?

Harsha (with forced smile): She will be fine.

Navya: Can I go and meet her?

Harsha nodded.

Navya walked into Ruhi's room.

Navya's mother: In the morning, Navya felt difficulty when she woke up. Looking at Navya's condition, we were worried for Ruhi.

Adrita gave her a small smile, not knowing what to say.

Harsha: Navya is fine now?

Navya's mother: Yes! Thanks to Adrita. She immediately arranged a doctor for Navya and Ivana. Both had checked up. They are better now. Thank you for the help.

Adrita: That's my responsibility.

Navya's mother: I hope we are not troubling Ruhi. Navya saw the news. Since then she was worried and stubborn about meeting Ruhi. I couldn't deny her when she started crying.

---

Inside the room.

Ruhi was sitting on the bed, lost in thought.

Navya walked in.

Navya (sitting in front of Ruhi): Ruhii!!!

Ruhi flinched.

Navya immediately held her hands.

Navya: It's me, Ruhi...

Ruhi took a deep breath, calming herself.

Navya: You okay?

Ruhi hugged her tight. As if she were waiting for someone to hold her.

Navya (rubbing her back): I am here!

Ruhi stayed like that for a few minutes.

She broke the hug.

Ruhi (with teary eyes): Navi...

Navya: You want to share something? Tell me... He said something?

Ruhi (hesitating): My parents... I am a mistake... No!! Not a mistake...

She swallowed.

Ruhi: Papa cheated... Mumma broke a family...

Tears brimmed in her eyes.

Ruhi: Then what am I?

Navya's eyes widened. She grasps.

Navya: What are you saying? How can you trust... trust that man? You don't even know him.

Ruhi looks down. Processing Navya's words.

Her heart skipped a beat at her words.

Navya: You can't let him win.

Ruhi (with guilt): News! Vidyut bhai's image...

Navya stared at her, blinking her eyes.

She couldn't digest the words, Ruhi said.

Navya: Ruhiiiiii.... where is Ruhi who used to say... My brothers taught me to ignore the people who hold unwanted opinions.

Ruhi sat silently.

Navya: Think like real Ruhi. The one who was nurtured by her brothers, not the one who is helping some random psycho succeed.

Ruhi looked away.

Somewhere deep down, she knew Navya was right.

Yet the stalker's words had already taken root.

Ruhi gave her a small nod.

After some time, Navya left with her mother.

Ruhi sat alone again.

She looked at the bedsheet. Her fingers softly touched the cloth.

Her mind went back to the period when...

She came home for the first time.

How her brothers reacted.

She was too young to understand the meaning of death.

She closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks.

She understood why they didn't want to accept her.

Eventually, they accepted her.

They loved her

They cherish her.

But their pain?

Had they buried their own pain and feelings just to make space for her?

Just then Khush came running into the room.

Khush (pouting): Bua, I missed you so much.

Ruhi came back to her senses and gave him a small, forced smile.

Khush (touching her forehead): No fever.

He gave her a wide smile.

Khush: You are good now.

He sat on the bed in front of her.

Khush: You have a fever... Papa gives you bad food?

Ruhi was staring at him.

Khush (pulling out biscuit from his pocket): Ye lo (have this)

Ruhi's eyes fell on the full biscuit.

Usually, he eats half at the time of lunch

Ruhi (in a muffled voice): Khaya nahi? (Haven't you eaten it?)

Khush (sad smile): Aapko fever tha raat ko and morning bhi to the main bahut sad tha and miss bhi kiya.
(You had a fever last night and in the morning too. So, I was sad and missed you a lot)

Guilt crawled into Ruhi's heart.

Even the little one is sad because of her

Khush: Now, you are okay.

He ate half a bite and forwarded the remaining piece to her.

Her throat tightened as she felt pain in her chest.

She shook her head as no words came out.

She softly held his hand and made him eat the remaining biscuit.

Khush happily ate it.

To be continued...