Goals on chapter 35 are not yet completed... I don't think if you guys want to read further story. If yes... i don't know why goals are still pending...

Happy Reading... ✨️

Ruhi's eyelids fluttered open.

The ceiling above looked familiar for a moment before her memories returned in broken fragments.

Her body was aching...

She tried to call out...

But her throat burned with dryness. Not a single word came out.

She tried once again...

Pain shot up in her injuries near her jaw.

Giving up...

She slowly pushed herself into a sitting position.

Her body burned due to sudden movement.

A sharp pain shot through her body, forcing her to shut her eyes.

Taking a slow, shaky breath, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

The moment her feet touched the floor, her knees almost gave way.

She caught the bedside table just in time.

Every bruise protested as she forced herself to stand.

One careful step...
Then another...

Supporting herself against the wall, she slowly made her way towards the bedroom door.

Voices drifted in from the hallway.
She looked up...

Her three brothers were sitting outside with her family.

None of them noticed she was awake.

Saurav sat with his head bowed.

Anirudh's eyes were red.

Vidyut sat on the floor, stared blankly at the wall as tears rolled down his cheeks.

For the first time in her life...

Ruhi saw the men who had always been her strength...

Breaking...

She blinked as tears rolled down her cheeks...

She wakes up expecting comfort, but instead sees her brothers carrying the weight of guilt.

The kids sat quietly, instead of fighting over gifts.

The festival doesn't seem happy at all.

Her hand moved unconsciously; and she pressed it against the door.

She winced as she felt pain.

Niyati's eyes widened.

Niyati (shocked): Bua...

Everyone's head snapped towards the doorway.

For a moment...

No one moved.

Relief.
Disbelief.
Pain.

Every emotion flashed across their faces at once.

Adrita was the first to react. She hurried to Ruhi before her trembling legs could give way.

Adrita (gently scolding): Ruhi... you should have called us.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, she carefully supported her back to the sofa, between Saurav and Anirudh.

Mihika quickly brought a glass of water.
Ruhi's trembling fingers struggled to hold it.

Mihika silently steadied the glass while Adrita helped her take a few slow sips.
The burning in her throat eased slightly.
Ruhi let out a shallow breath.

Silence filled the room.

Everyone was looking at her.

No one knew what to say.

Ruhi's eyes slowly wandered around the living room.

The untouched rakhi thali rested on the centre table.

Gift boxes lay unopened.

The sweets were still covered.

Forcing a weak smile onto her face, she looked at her brothers.

Ruhi (softly): Rakhi...?

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Yet everyone in the room heard it.

The silence grew even heavier.

Instinctively, her eyes shifted towards the wall clock.

02:10 PM

A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.

Ruhi (turning to Anirudh): Dada, rakhi?

Anirudh shook his head.

Ruhi (frown): Kyun?

Anirudh (breaking voice): Rakhi teri raksha kare isliye bandvate hai na hum tujhse.
(Rakhi, your tie on our wrist is to protect you)

He looked at her wrists which were covered with black and purple marks.

Anirudh (gulping the lump): Kis baat ki Rakhi?
(Why to tie Rakhi?)

He angrily wiped his tears.

Anirudh: Jab tere bhai tujhe protect hi na kar paye.
(When we couldn't protect you)

His voice trembled.

Anirudh: Hum to chain se so rahe the, tujhe protect karne ke jagah.
(We were sleeping in peace instead of protecting you)

She blinked, digesting his words...

She turned to Saurav to see him, looking down.

He still hadn't looked at her.

Her gaze fell on Vidyut, who was carrying guilt.

Harsha, Mihika, and Adrita stood silently.

No one interrupted.

Ruhi (with shaky breath): Dada, agar Rakhi nahi bandvaoge to aage...
(Brother, if you don't want me to tie Rakhi...)

She paused, not able to speak...

After taking a sharp breath.

Ruhi: Kal mujhe kuch takleef hui... (In future, if I am in trouble)

Anirudh stared at her.

Ruhi: Main aapke paas kis haq se aaugi? (With what right, I will approach you?)

Anirudh was staring at her, not knowing the answer to her question.

She slowly turned towards Saurav and held his hand.

His cold, rough hands, felt her small, soft, hot hand trembling.

He held her hand softly, and his thumb accidentally brushed against one of her bruises.

Saurav (shocked): Sorry...

His face turned pale.

He immediately let go of her hand.

Without letting him pull away, she held his hand again. A faint smile appeared through her tears.

Ruhi: Agar main aapko Rakhi na bandhu... (If I don't tie Rakhi on your wrist...)

Her lips trembled.

Ruhi: Main kaise bolu... "My Saurav Bhaiya is here na"
(How will I say...)

Her words broke something inside Saurav...

She was about to stand, when Saurav lightly, held her back.

Saurav: Don't Rooh!

Anirudh noticed Ruhi's gaze.

Anirudh: Vidu, come here...

Vidyut obeyed his words and sat near Ruhi's legs, without touching her.

He was being cautious, not waiting to cause her pain.

Ruhi (cupping his face): You also think this is your fault.

Vidyut sat quietly, not meeting her eyes.

Ruhi with a small smile.

Ruhi (wiping his tears): Aapko yaad hai...

She glanced at Adrita.

Ruhi: Bhabhi was 4 months pregnant. We went to her hospital.

Vidyut knitted his brows.

Ruhi: Bhabhi attempted a delivery and the baby couldn't survive.

The whole family was confused by her words.

Ruhi (with deep breath): Her family was threatening Bhabhi. That was just the emotions the family poured out. Additionally, they were unaware of Bhabhi's pregnancy.

Vidyut nodded, asking her to continue.

Ruhi: You said when Bhabhi was preparing for delivery. She knew the risk. Although she was aware of this situation, she still chose to go for it.

A frown appeared on his forehead, understanding Ruhi's words.

Ruhi: Today, I made a decision. I knew there could be a risk.

She took a breath before continuing...

Ruhi: Aapne kaha tha, aap Bhabhi ki problems nahi mita sakte... but uske saath de sakte ho.
(You said, you can't erase her problems... but be her support)

Her smile widened.

Ruhi: Aaj main keh rahi hoon... aap meri problem kam nahi kar sakte bas mujhe aap logo ka sath chaye.
(Today, I am saying... You can't erase my problems. I want my brothers to be with me)

The room fell silent.

No one had an answer.

Ruhi's words echoed through the room long after she had stopped speaking.

Vidyut lowered his head.

Beside her, Saurav suddenly wrapped both his hands around hers.

His grip was very careful, afraid of hurting her.

He swallowed the lump in his throat.

Ruhi looked at him.

A faint smile appeared on her bruised face.

Ruhi (weakly): My Saurav Bhaiya is here na...

Saurav closed his eyes.

That single sentence shattered whatever composure he had left.

He bent forward, resting his forehead against her hand as silent tears escaped.
Anirudh turned away, trying to hide his face.

Harsha quietly walked to him and held his arm.

He pulled away.

Not because of anger...

Because he couldn't stop crying.

After a few seconds...

He came back. Without saying a word... He knelt in front of Ruhi.

Very carefully...

He rested his forehead against her lap.

Anirudh (broken): Maaf kar de, baccha... (Forgive us, baby)

Ruhi's eyes widened.

Ignoring the pain in her bruised arms, she slowly placed one hand over his head.

Ruhi (whispering): Dada...

Vidyut (smiling with tears): Celebrate kare Rakhi?
(Let's Celebrate?)

Mihika: Let her get fresh and ready first.

Saurav (wiped her tears): Go and get ready. We are waiting.

He pecked her hair.

A genuine smile appeared on Ruhi's face.

Anirudh: Mihika, make her wear something comfortable. Maybe one of our t-shirts. Don't go for that dress.

He instructed.

Ruhi (excitedly): Saurav bhaiya's Chanel.

Saurav's eyes immediately went wide.

Saurav (sternly): See, you are hurting yourself. Shanti se bhi bol sakti ho. (You could have said it calmly)

Ruhi blinked her eyes.

Mihika supported Ruhi inside the room to get her ready.

Adrita (to kids): Come babies... let's get ready for Rakhi...

Kids smiled a little but the atmosphere around them couldn't let them jump for joy.

They all finally went to get ready and sat for Rakhi...

By the time... Harsha called Ankita and Ajit as well for the celebration.

A little while later...

Ruhi stepped out of the room, dressed in Saurav's brand-new, sky blue Chanel T-shirt and a pair of loose cotton pyjamas The soft fabric hung loosely around her fragile frame, hiding most of the bruises beneath it.

Her hair had been tied into a simple braid, and her pale face carried traces of exhaustion despite the faint smile she wore.

Sitting beside the sofa, she glanced around to find Ankita and Ajit with his family.

Ankita (sitting beside Ruhi): Comfortable baby?

Ruhi nodded.

Ajit patted her head, with a small smile.

Nayan glanced at her hands, face and feet, which were covered with small scratches, black and purple marks.

He looked down, gulping the lump.

Ruhi: Shuru kare? (Let's begin?)

Ankita: Anirudh, Saurav and Vidyut, you three come first.

She said, standing up. Leaving space for her brothers.

Anirudh came and sat beside Ruhi.

Ankita stood beside Ruhi for help.

It was difficult for Ruhi to hold the plate.

Ankita supported her and helped her with tying the rakhi, as Ruhi couldn't stretch her arms and hold the plate for aarti.

After Ruhi, everyone celebrated Rakhi...

Ruhi sat silently, looking at her family.

Her eyes stopped at Harsha.

Harsha saw Ruhi and walked towards her.

Harsha (pecking Ruhi's hair): I am proud of my baby.

Ruhi (smiling): You gave the strength.

Harsha softly patted her head.

Once, celebration was done...

Everyone sat in living area.

Ruhi glanced at everyone then lowered her eyes.

Her fingers twisted nervously in the hem of Saurav's T-shirt.

Ruhi: Bhai... mujhe aapse kuch kehna tha.

Vidyut (gently): Haan, Rooh. (Yes, Rooh)

Ruhi swallowed.

Ruhi: Aaj... usne mujhse ek baat kahi. (Today, he said one thing)

The room slowly fell silent.

Saurav's attention immediately shifted to her.

Anirudh's jaw tightened.

Ruhi took a shaky breath.

Her voice cracked.

Ruhi: Happy first Rakshabandhan... unwanted sister.

Silence.

Complete silence.

The smile disappeared from Saurav's face.

Anirudh's fingers curled into fists.

Vidyut froze.

To be continued...