To those who have complain with short chapter...

I also have a complaint about the low response. Are you guys listening to me?

Happy Reading... ✨️

In the Afternoon,

After lunch,

Harsha walked into Ruhi's room with her favourite chocolates.

She sat on the bed beside Ruhi.

Ruhi was holding the framed family photograph from Vidyut's wedding.

Vidyut stood as the groom, grinning from ear to ear, while Adrita stood beside him with a shy smile. Shalini sat in her wheelchair between the bride and groom, her face glowing with contentment.

Harsha and Anirudh stood on one side with little Khush, who was barely a year old. On the other side were Saurav and Mihika, holding eleven-month-old Niyati.

Right in front of the newlyweds, beside Shalini, stood Ruhi and Khushi, their smiles as bright as the morning sun.

Ruhi's thumb slowly traced over each familiar face.

Harsha nudged Ruhi, forwarding chocolates to her.

Ruhi forced a smile and took the chocolates.

Harsha took the photo frame from her hand and placed it back on the nightstand.

Harsha (holding Ruhi's hand): 10 years pehle mere ghar na ek choti si ladki aayi thi, grey and pink frock me, ek teddy hath me, do chote side pony. You know her eyes... they seemed hollow but usme pain and aese emotions the, jo usse pata hi nahi the.

(10years ago, a little girl came to my place. Grey and pink frock, one teddy in her hand and her two small side ponytails. You know, her eyes seemed hollow, yet they held pain and emotions which were unknown to her.)

Ruhi blinked, she understood who Harsha was talking about.

Harsha: Usne mujh par bharosa kiya. Dheere-dheere mere saath waqt bitana shuru kiya. Meri har baat bina sawaal kiye maan leti thi.

(She trusted me. She used to spend time with me, following my words.)

Ruhi lowered her gaze, her lips quivering.

Harsha gently stroked the back of her hand.

Harsha: Uski aankhon ki khaamoshi dheere-dheere hansi mein badal gayi. Woh shararat karti thi... zid karti thi... apne bhaiyo ladti thi... aur sabse zyada pyaar bhi karti thi.

(Slowly, her silence turned into laughter. She was a mischievous child... a stubborn one... She used to argue with her brothers... she used to love everyone a lot.)

Harsha paused, letting Ruhi process the words.

Harsha (sighing): Can I ask you something? Will you answer me honestly?

Ruhi nodded.

Harsha: In the 3rd class, when you got an assignment to write about your father. Why did you write about your brothers?

Ruhi was silent. She knew the reason but couldn't speak it out.

Harsha held her hands a little tight.

Ruhi: Because I never felt like I was missing a father.

A sob left her lips.

Ruhi: Father wali feeling, safety, security, understanding sab tha mere pass. (I felt father's feelings, safety, security and understanding)

Harsha: Exactly! You are their child, our child. You can never be a burden or anything. They always tried to give you that because their heart accepted you as their child.

Ruhi just nodded.

Harsha: Ruhi, Tomorrow is Rakshabandhan, you remember?

Ruhi nodded, looking at a bag in which her brothers had already bought clothes, shoes and accessories for her, for Rakshabandhan.

A tear rolled down her cheeks.

Harsha: Tum zimedari nahi, unki beti ho, unki behn ho. Hamesha ye yaad rakhna.
(You are not the responsibility, you are their daughter, their sister. Always remember this.)

Harsha gently wipes her tears.

Harsha: Jis din se tumne khud ko bojh samajhna shuru kiya... Us din tum unke pyaar ko kam samajhne lagi ho... Unka pyaar kabhi itna chota nahi tha...
(The day, you started believing, you are a burden means you are underestimating their love for you... Their love was never so low)

Ruhi (hiccuping): I thought... I was scared...

Harsha shook her head.

Ruhi (holding her ears): I am sorry.

Harsha (holding her hands): No Ruhi! I don't want your sorry.

Pecking the back of her hands.

Harsha: Mujhe sirf humari purani Ruhi vapas chaye. Kal sirf humare ya bhaiyo ke liye nahi, apne liye bhi smile karna.

(I want my old Ruhi back. Tomorrow, not only for brothers or us but smile for yourself too.)

Ruhi nodded, finally feeling peaceful.

Harsha miled faintly before leaving the room, giving Ruhi the space she needed.

Once the door closed, Ruhi reached for the family photograph again.

This time, her fingers no longer trembled as they traced each familiar face.

Her gaze lingered on her brothers... then on Harsha, Mihika and Adrita.

A tear escaped, but unlike the earlier ones, it carried relief instead of fear.
She looked at the Rakshabandhan shopping bag resting beside the wardrobe.

A small, genuine smile found its way to her lips.

For the first time since the incident, the weight on her chest felt lighter.

Keeping the photo back. She sighed and lay on the bed.

Just then her phone pinged.

Phone...

It wasn't her phone.

It was the emergency phone that Vidyut had insisted on keeping with her.

She lazily took it and opened it.

Her eyes fell on the notification, making her breath hitch.

Notification: Hey Butterfly 🦋,
Missed me?
I missed you too...
I have a surprise for you. Just check it, your nephew- Khush is coming with it.

The smile on her face disappeared.

Blood drained from her face.

Her body shivered and her heart was pounding violently again.

She mumbled Khush and saw the time.

Kids must be back from school.

She hurriedly walked out of the room.

She saw Saurav and Anirudh with the kids.

Khush's hand was covered with a bandage.

Blood was clearly visible on his white layered bandage.

Ruhi stood numb...

Just then her phone pinged...

Notification: How's the surprise?
Tomorrow 5 a.m
Kalyankar Road.
Come alone.
Or you want one more surprise?

Saurav saw Ruhi.

Saurav: Rooh...

She looked up and tried to act normal.

Anirudh immediately noticed that she didn't seem well.

Anirudh (pulling Ruhi in a hug): You okay?

Ruhi (pointing at Khush's hand): How?

Anirudh in a breath of relief.

Anirudh: He was running in the playground.

Khush (dramatically): Chot lagi and Papa ne daata.
(I got hurt and Papa is scolding me)

Ruhi said nothing. She sat in front of Khush and hugged him.

The family thought, she was being emotional.

Ruhi knelt before Khush and wrapped him tightly in her arms.

Khush blinked in confusion.

Khush: Bua... itu si chot lagi hai.

He giggled.

Ruhi only hugged him tighter.

She buried her face against his shoulder, hiding the fear in her eyes.

Saurav exchanged a glance with Anirudh.

They assumed she was still shaken by the recent incident.

Neither of them noticed the emergency phone clenched tightly in her hand.

To be continued...

I haven't received any response to the suggestion...
I am not sure if you guys are interested in reading.
No response. I am considering- No interest.
So, Rooh will be my last book.