Only Harsha, Nayan and Ruhi were present at home with the twins, who were sleeping.

Harsha (raising her eyebrow): Oh, hero! Your college?

Nayan: I am here with you. Mumma told me that Adrita bhabhi and Mihika bhabhi have to be present in the office for an emergency. So, I thought I would accompany you, as you need to take care of the twins and Ruhi too. Mumma also agreed.

Harsha (ruffling his hair): So cute! Thank you...

Nayan gave a shy smile.

Harsha: Come, Ruhi. Let's freshen up and get ready. You need to take your medicines.

Ruhi: What's for breakfast?

Harsha: Sandwich or toast, whatever you prefer.

Ruhi: Anything else?

Harsha: What do you want to have?

Ruhi (sparkling eyes): Poha...

Harsha: Let's get fresh; I will prepare it then.

Nayan: Umm... Bhabhi, you get her fresh. I will prepare Poha.

Harsha (with a proud smile): You sure?

Nayan: Yes, yes...

Ruhi (ordering): It should be Yummy...

Nayan (saluting): Aye aye, captain...

Ruhi giggles.

Harsha took Ruhi to get ready for the day, and Nayan went into the kitchen to prepare Poha for Ruhi.

After some time...

Nayan was setting the poha on the dining table when Ruhi walked in with Harsha's support.

Nayan saw Ruhi in a cute, loose-fitting night suit. He smiled, admiring her.

Harsha made Ruhi sit at the dining table.

Nayan: Did you apply ointment?

Ruhi nodded, rolling her eyes.

Harsha: I haven't applied it on face and hands. Once she has breakfast, I will apply it.

Harsha sat beside Ruhi to feed her when her phone rang.

Nayan (taking the opportunity): Bhabhi, you attend the call. I will take care of Ruhi. You don't worry.

Harsha: Are you sure?

Nayan nodded. Harsha walked into her room.

Nayan sat beside Ruhi to feed her.

Nayan (feeding her first bite): How's it?

Ruhi (scrunching her nose): You could have done better.

Nayan (narrowing his eyes): Sure, sure...

Ruhi giggles, taking another bite, which feeds her.

Nayan: Main na tumse naraz hoon. (I am angry with you)

Ruhi (teasingly smiles): Aise kaun batata hai? (Who informs like this?)

Nayan (rolling his eyes): Naraz main hoon to mujhe hi batana padega na. Varna aapko pata kaise chalega?
(I am angry. So, I have to share with you, or else how will you know)

Ruhi (nodding): You are right... To batao, kyun ho naraz? And and mana kaise padega?
(So, tell me why you are angry? And how do I pacify you?)

She asked, making an innocent face while chewing her bite.

Nayan (staring at Ruhi): Sab main bataun? Ye to cheating hai na?
(I have to tell everything? This is cheating?)

Ruhi (making cry face): I am already not well...

Nayan (frown): Huhhhh!! Fine, fine... main nazar kyun hoon, vo batauga sirf. Manana kaise hai, that's your responsibility.
(I am telling you why I am angry. How to pacify that's your responsibility)

Ruhi nodded, blinking her eyes innocently. Nayan fed her another bite.

Nayan (narrowing his eyes): Cheater....

Ruhi: Say now.

Nayan: You don't consider me your best friend?

Ruhi (confused): Why is it so?

Nayan stared at her for a long time.

Nayan (sighing): Ruhi, kal itna bada decision liya. Subah 5 baje ghar se akele chale gayi bina bataye. Ek baar bhi nahi socha kisi ko bata doon? At least your friends. I can understand that you were worried about your family. But you could have told us, Navya or me?

(Yesterday, you took such a big decision. Left home at 5 in the morning alone. Not even once did you think to share it with someone?)

Ruhi bit her lip, looking down.

Nayan waited for her patiently.

Ruhi: I wanted to, but you know... He... he could have harmed someone. When Khush came home, he was injured. Dada said Khush was playing around and got injured, but I know it was intentional. He harmed my baby. I didn't want to harm someone else.

Nayan (softly): Ruhi, that's not true. Khush got injured while playing. Vidyut bhai checked the CCTV footage from the school's playground, where kids were waiting. Khush, with friends, was running around when he fell.

Ruhi shook her head.

Nayan: Okay... Maybe it was planned, but you could have informed me? Anything could have happened, Ruhi. You had no idea who that person was, what his plan was, or what his intentions were.

Ruhi stared at him blankly. All these thoughts crossed her mind, but protecting her family was the top priority.

Ruhi was unconsciously biting her inner cheek.

Nayan: Ruhi, I know you are worried about your family. Your family is also worried about you. We want you to be safe.

Nayan takes a deep breath.

Nayan (staring into her eyes): What are you hiding, Ruhi?

Ruhi immediately shook her head.

Nayan softly rubbed her palm, not wanting to hurt her injury. He carefully held her.

Nayan: Ruhi, you are lying...

Ruhi blinked, trying to understand how he knew she was lying.

Nayan (with a small smile): Not that I want to know your secrets against your will, but I want you to share your pain. Also, you don't need to share it now. Take your time. Now you just need to know that I am with you.

Ruhi nervously wet her lips with her tongue before speaking.

Ruhi: Will you stand beside me, even when Masi punishes you for being with me?

Nayan (sighed): Of course, yes! Mom will only punish me if you are at fault. I mean, if it's your mistake. Let me be honest: I may scold you for your mistake, or maybe I will share everything with Bhaiya if the situation isn't in my hands to control, but I will be beside you. I will scold you and punish you with your loved ones. Punishing you doesn't mean leaving you alone. I will be beside you.

Ruhi nodded a little, as tears brimmed in her eyes.

Ruhi (mumbling): Jab... Jab main Navya and Ivana ko bataya tha with that photo jisme cut tha wrist par...
(When... when I told Navya and Ivana about that photo of the wrist cut...)

She mumbled. Nayan's brows knitted in confusion, but he stayed quiet, not wiping her tears either. He let her pour out her pain.

Ruhi (hiccuping): They said vo log support nahi karenge; unko family wale punish karenge. Mujhe dar lag raha tha bahut. Mujhe laga sab mujhse nafrat karege. Bhabhi... what if they felt they failed in teaching me? My brothers... how will they face his parents? Kids... What will kids think about me? I never forced anyone. I swear, Nayan, I never did. Please trust me.
(They said they can't support me; their family will punish them. I was scared. I thought everyone would hate me.

She said, joining her trembling hands.

Nayan was shocked...

He couldn't respond to her pleadings.

How much has Ruhi gone through?

Just one person's game.

She lost trust in her mother.

She was scared for her family.

She was scared of how her family would treat her.

She lost friends.

She lost trust.

She lost her mental health.

She lost her peace of mind.

She lost her strength.

She was physically injured...

Ruhi lost many things in this game.

But they lost the real, carefree Ruhi.

Nayan knew that this pleading and fear were her old trauma.

But she couldn't pour this out; she was still scared.

Still, she was pleading.

No one knew her condition to assure her or be with her.

Nayan (softly): Ruhi...

He slowly reached out to hold her hands. He knew she had bruises on the backs of her hands, but to assure her.

He held her hands, softly and carefully. Ruhi felt a little pain but stayed quiet.

Nayan: Tumhe kabhi bhi apni innocence prove karne ke liye kisi ke bhi samne hath jodne ki need nahi hai. Neither your family nor I. I trust you. Your family trust you. We know our Ruhi is innocent.

He swallowed his emotions. Ruhi was staring at him. Silently, taking in his words.

Nayan: We may question you, get angry with you, but we trust you. We love you. We are with you.

He slowly raised his hand to wipe her tears.

Nayan: For your parents' fault, for Navya's or Ivana's fault. You are not responsible. It's others' fault. You don't need to carry it with you.

Ruhi simply nodded as his words echoed in her mind, giving her a sense of peace.

He pecked on her palms softly.

To be continued...

The story is about to end. If you have any particular scene in mind or want any scene. Do share it with me.