Thwish .......... Thuck ......

Oh no, not again!

" Artikaaaaaaa !!! ", my coach called. I turned around, " What happened to you? Where is your focus? You should concentrate on hitting the bull's eye now! This isn't how an Archer should be !!! ", he said while shaking his head in disappointment.

Who wouldn't, when your all time top student misses the goal. Pssshh, I wish it were easy.

" Okay students, you can take a small break. Only 5 mins and you all should be back. Now dismissed! ", The coach yelled while standing in the front.

" So, Arti? ", Swetha asked while motioning me to sit beside her, " What happened to you? You aren't like this usually! ", She questioned while handing over the water bottle.

"Ahem .... May I have your attention please?", Dad said while I kept my fork down. Damn, the chicken was so delicious. Why can't he let me eat?

"Yes yet? What happened?", Vijay asked. It's so weird to call them as 'bhai' .

Then both Ma and Dad got up while holding each others hands. My mom's face was so red that it might explode any moment. And Dad's was no different.

Both were blushing like teenagers ...

"Um, actually since you all know that we are dating, we just formally wanted to announce this. We Are Getting Married !!!", Ma said while I started clapping my hands like crazy.

"Artika, stop being dramatic!", She said while blushing more. "What ma? Shouldn't I act like as if you're telling this for the first time and me, as an excited kid should start clapping and jumping around?", I said while earning giggles from the younger bros.

" Hahahhahah , that was so funny !!!! Dad! I already love her!", Aarav said while jumping in his seat. What a kid!

"Yes dad, she's cool !!!", Arvind added.

"Okay okay, I get that. Now, for the next shocker. We are deciding to get married next Saturday!", Dad said while I choked on the water I was drinking.

"Putta? Are you okay?", Ma asked while patting my head. "Yes ma! I am fine.", I replied .

Okay so the marriage is on NEXT SATURDAY ?????? Oh boi !!!!!

"What ?? Next Saturday?", I practically yelled, "That's so quick !!! I thought it was the next month!"

JUNGSHOOK !! !!!

AND I OFFICIALLY HATE SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS ! Why should everything happens on that day.

"No putta! The marriage was to take place next month. Since, dad has opened a new company abroad, he will be having some works. That's why we preponed it!", Ma explained calmly

"Oh! ....", I replied which almost came out as a whisper.

I honestly didn't expect the marriage to be so soon. I wanted to at least talk to the 5 pillars. Maybe we could bond well and blablabla . I mean, at least I would get to know their likes and dislikes and try to be a good sister. At least I could have a truce talk with top 3 who looked like they could charge at me even I did a single move wrong.

They are like Hawks. But the younger ones are like pigeons, so cute ...

Okay, coming to the point. I am not a person to adapt to the surroundings or with the new people easily. I only know 5 people in this world including Ma. From the day I got to know about their relationship, I knew they would get married someday or the other. I was preparing myself for the day that mom was going to announce someone as her boyfriend. So, I at least needed a month to come in terms that I am going to live with a new family in a totally new environment.

Cons of not being able to adapt easily ..

"Arti? Are you okay? Do you want us to cancel this marriage?", Dad asked while pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up to see everyone staring at me ......... weirdly.

"Um ... No. It's fine. You can carry on with the marriage. I am fine with it. I guess." , I said while trying to fake a smile.

"Okay then. Devika, you take her home. I guess she has to come to terms that we are getting married next week. I will see you later.", Dad said while pecking her cheeks.

" Artikaaaaaaa! ", Swetha shook me while I looked up at her trying to comprehend what she was trying to do.

" Oh god! I seriously hate your day dreaming habit. It sucks! ", She said while flicking my head.

Red Alert! Mama Bear is angry !!!

" Owww ! You shouldn't do that! That's violence! ", I said while rubbing my head. She hits pretty hard.

What's she eating? Steel?

" Well, not answering a question is disrespect! ", She said. " Okay, chill dude. Shall I give you a sprite? ", I asked mockingly.

" Artika! I swear you wouldn't want me to flick your head another time. ", She said.

" Okay .... I was just joking. You shouldn't get angry. Calm down Buddha! What's the question you wanted to ask? ", I asked while settling down the water bottle and my bow beside the bench.

" What happened to you? You usually day dream only when you over think. You were also not concentrating in today's class. The girl who used to hit the bull's eye is now nowhere near the target. What happened? Did something happen during the lunch meet? ", She asked while placing her hands on my lap.

" Actually, ma is getting married the next Saturday. ", I said while putting my head down.

" Hey Arti? Are you fine? Aren't you happy that your ma is getting married? ", She asked.

" Of course Swetha, I am really happy that Ma is getting married. Her happiness is my happiness. But I can't help but feel insecure! ", I said with a sigh.

" And why exactly are you insecure? "

" Because ....... because. You see, when I went to lunch, the younger brothers were happy to see me and they even accepted me without any hesitation. But the elder ones are not like that. After introducing themselves they didn't even glance at me once. Like, they just don't want me to be in their life. They are locking me out. But, I want to be their sister. A really good sister. Maybe it's my stubborn attitude. , maybe it's the fact that I didn't have siblings and when I am getting one I don't wanna loose it but I really wanna prove that I would a good sister. -", I ranted out.

" Artika , you need to calm down. I seriously hate this overthinking habit of yours. Overthinking will only stress you more. For now focus on strengthening your relationship with the younger ones, then we can slowly move on to the elders. You know, you are the sweetest human I have ever come across. There's not a person who could hate you. They just need some time. So wait okay? ", She said.

" And by the way, Rome was not built in a day. The same goes with this. It will take time, but it's all worth it. ", She said while pulling me in a hug.

We stayed like that for sometime. " Okay, I guess our break is over! Let's get down to business. And Artika, I need to see your best shot ", she said while pulling away from the hug and winking at me.

" Sure soulmate! You're gonna see it! ", I replied with a thumbs up.

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Author's pov:-

Loud laughter erupted across the basement of Malhotra Holdings as the chilly night wind carried it's echo in the air. Six men sat around a clean table with a glass of expensive liquor each. There was a strong stench of blood lingering in the air, which didn't affect them. At all.

" Okay bastard! I agree, I lost in the bet! Will you fucking stop teasing me with that? ", Arun shouted.

Arun Agnihotri , 24 year old, CEO of AM Electronics which specializes in electronic device production and home decor and heavy electrical production.

" Pssshh , crybaby. Are you gonna cry now ??? Ooooooooooh. You shouldn't waste your precious tears. Mamma will take care of ya! ", Yudhi cooed while the younger sulked.

Yudhi Oberoi , 24 year old, CMD of Oberoi Groups., That deals with fashion, clothing and jewelery.

" Okay Goldsmith. Enough of your Mamma role. I just want to gag with all the alcohol that I have taken! ", Vikram said while rubbing his chest to feel better. ( A/n you know who Vikram is. It's none other than our gorgeous Vikram Malhotra! )

" Are you okay Vikram? I told you not to take too much right? ", Abhi said with concern laced in his voice. ( A/n And you also know our Abhimanyu )

" Yes Bhai! I am good. Don't worry. ", He replied.

" Ahhh ! Here goes this brother-brother moment. This is like a fucking soap opera! ", Vedansh cried.

Vedansh Singhania , 25 year old, current CEO and soon-to-be MD of Singhania Corporation., Deals with viscose staple fiber, viscose staple yarn, steel, cement, telecommunication, media, finance and pharmaceuticals. His family owns India's largest media company.

" How can we forget that they are blood brothers? Hey and by the way, this whiskey is good. I mean, it's better than the last one you bought Ved! ", Aadithya said while taking a sip from the glass.

Aadithya Roy, 26 year old, Chairman of Roy Holdings., Deals with Hydrocarbon exploration and production, petrochemicals, telecommunication and clothing brand.

" Okay, enough of the whiskey talks like captain Haddock. ", Ved said while standing up. " I heard from my sources that our dear Abhi's and Vikku's dad is getting married! Is that true ???? ", Ved asked while twirling the glass.

" And how did you know this? ", Abhi asked while biting the inside of his cheeks.

" Aww baby, don't get angry. Didn't I say I got it from my sources? Which means that your people are failing to hide the news. They are becoming lazy! ", Ved said while chugging down the whiskey.

" The first thing to do tomorrow is to fire them all! ", Vikram said keeping the glass down creating a sound.

" Oh ! , don't get angry soon. By the way when's the marriage? Is it a shot gun marriage? Or love? ", Yudhi asked while slowly watching the younger try to form words.

" Um .... This sounds so weird, but this is a love marriage. ", Abhi said.

" Ooooooooooh! So Deepak uncle has fell in love after 15 years huh? Then he must really love the woman! ", Arun said.

" You should've seen my dad today, he was blushing like a 15 year old who had proposed to his crush! Damn dude, he had fallen very hard! ", Vikram replied while trying to imitate the scene when ended up in them erupting into another set of laughters.

" Omg Vikram !!!! You should have become a theater artist! ", Arun said while wiping his tears.

" Yah shut up! I am trying my best to control my laughter! ", Ved said while clutching his stomach, trying his best to stop laughing.

" Okay .... Fine fine. Let's take deep breathes. Breathe in, breathe out ..... ", Aadi said while motioning his hands up and down.

" Okay, next question, who's the lucky lady? ", Yudhi asked.

" It's Ms. Devika Varma! ", Abhi said blankly ..

" Sorry, no offense. But, I don't remember her! ", Yudhi replied.

" Me too! ", Arun added.

" Me three! ", Ved said.

" Wait, I guess I know her. The one who owns an orphanage right? We both hold shares in her orphanage. How can I not remember that! ", Aadi said while folding his arms across his chest.

" Yup, definitely! ", Vikram said while leaning back on the chair. " So, when's the marriage? ", Arun asked this time.

" It's this Saturday! In the registrar office! Dad said he wants to keep this unofficial. ", Abhi said a bit seriously as if thinking about the consequences of the news getting leaked.

" Fine then. Can we host a drink party at the registrar office itself? It's gonna be fuuuunn ! ", Yudhi said while throwing his hands in the air.

" Omg !! Can't you guys live without that alcohol? If you win a project - let's drink, if someone dies - let's drink, if someone's getting married - let's drink, if your compamy goes down - let's drink, if your stocks go up - let's drink, you all need a reason to drink don't you? ", Aadi dramatically said.

" Oh shit! He got to know the truth! ", Arun said earning a glare from the former.

" Okay, fine fine. But, we seriously can't have a drink party there. Maybe we can have it in our resort. ", Abhi stated.

" Why Abhi? We can clear the whole registrar office just in a second for our party, but why don't you want it there? ", Yudhi asked while moving forward.

" Because we are gonna have kids there and we shouldn't be a bad influence. ", Vikram replied instead of Abhi.

" By kids you mean Aarav and Arvind? They are grown ups. They are 18 right? They are legally allowed to drink. Then why not. ", Aadi asked.

" Because we are having Ms. Varma's daughter there. She is a minor. ", Abhi said.

" Ms. Varma's daughter? So she going to be your would-be step sister? Woohoo, our boys are gonna have a new sista .... ", Yudhi yelled earning a smack from Arun.

" Hmmmm ... This is getting interesting ..... ", Ved said.

" Okay, show her photo Abhi. Let's see. ", Aadi said. Abhi immediately unlocked his phone and opened the photo of his sister and kept on the table. Soon everyone crowded around the phone to take a glimpse of the girl.

" Seriously, she is so cute. Oh my babies are gonna get a cute baby. I really wanna adopt her. ", Yudhi exclaimed while keeping his hands on his heart.

" Yess , me too. How did you guys get so lucky? ", Arun asked while staring at the phone.

" One warning, you guys are not gonna hit on her. Understood? ", Abhi said while snatching his phone. " Keep your Playboy habit out of her way. ", He stated.

" Yo! Man. Chill dude. We will never try anything like that. If she is your sister, the she is gonna be my sister too !! ", Yudhi said while poring more whiskey in his glass.

" Woah! Overprotective brother mood ON huh? ", Aadi asked while settling on his chair.

" It's nothing like that. Since dad is getting married, she is coming under the responsibility of the Malhotras. And our duty is to protect whoever is under us. Be it our employees or her. Nothing more, nothing less. ", Abhi said earning 'O's from the others.

" But I am serious. If you accept her as your sister or not, she is going to be our sister. We also have the same responsibility as you have! If you need anything you can tell us! ", Aadi stated.

" Guys, let's keep this topic for later. You are getting tipsy. We still need to interrogate that shithead! ", Arun said while pointing to the man who was tied up in the chair. He was bruised with blood dripping from his face due to the excessive punching. Soon everyone stood up. The tipsiness from the alcohol vanished and was soon replaced with anger. Who wouldn't when they tried to harm their brothers.

" This Motherfucker is not at all opening his mouth. Let me try my tactics this time. ", Vikram said while opening his pocket knife.

" Okay boy, you better say why you were spying on brothers or I will chop all your fingers off! ", Vikram said in very deep and menacing tone which could creep the shit out of a person. The man who was cracking jokes a while ago was nowhere to be seen.

" I'll give you 10 seconds. You better say. Or ... ", He said while running his knife across the chest of the person creating a cut. Blood started oozing out while the man started crying out in pain.

" You've 5 seconds more. Say, why did you spy on Aarav and Arvind? Who said you to do this? ", He said while taking the finger of the man in his hands. The man's eyes grew wide as he became terrified of what was going to happen.

" No no. Let me say. I will say the truth. Please leave me. I will really say the truth sir. Please listen to me. ", The man cried.

Vikram slowly left his hand waiting for the man to say.

" Pfft .. We haven't even started our torture methods and this man already got terrified. Weakling! ", Yudhi whispered in Abhi's ear.

" Sir ...... I was sent by Mr. Kapoor t ... o spy on your brothers. I had to report their each and every activity. I only know that Mr. Kapoor is planning on harming them. But, I wasn't the one employed to harm them sir. Believe me. Please sir. Please leave me, I will never open my mouth. I flee away from this city and never come back here sir. Please believe me Sir! ", The man started pleading which earned irritated sighs from the rest.

" Listen here fuckard , you tried to mess with my brothers. I will never tolerate if anyone tries to harm them. Be it you, or that Kapoor. I will never leave them! ", Abhi said which sent shivers down his spine.

" How much did he pay you for spying on my brothers huh? ", Vikram said while placing his knife under the man's chin, lifting up his head.

" Fi ... fifty l ... la..lakhs! ", The man stuttered.

" I can't hear you! ", Abhi said.

" Fifty lakhs sir. ", The man said louder. " Now your greed for money is going to cost your life. ", Vikram said while taking out his gun.

" S..sir, s .. ss ... sir, please sir. I will never do t..his mistake again sir. Please sir. Please leave me just this once sir !!! ", The man begged.

" You know what, I hate people who beg. I hate that habit. ", Vikram said while shooting the man on his forehead head.

______________________________________

Author's Section:-

Hi peeps, I am seriously lazy to write now. I am getting lazier day by day. Is there any medicine to cure laziness? I don't know. If you know please recommend me some.

Btw, Their Lost Gem has crossed 700+ reads and 130+ votes. I am super happy. You guys are the best🤧🤧😭

Stay safe cuties

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Updated:- 26/04/2021
Word count:- 3000 to 3050

Thank you so much for reading my book till now. You're so sweet.
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