"Tere exams kabse hein, Riya?" I asked my best friend as she settled in her seat.

(When are your exams from?)

"The business exams starting from 12th of next month, what about you?"

I whined at her response as mine were much earlier.

"28th this month. I literally have 18 days to prepare for this exam!" I sulked while shifting in my place.

How do I even complete the portion for the whole semester?

After my first year, all the psychology students had to choose electives for their second year and I chose two electives- psychology of relationships and clinical neuropsychology.

Clinical neuropsychology was easy because I had case studies and experiments to understand it. But man, psychology of relationships is the hardest.

And thanks to my luck, the first exam for my 2nd year finals is that same subject- psychology of relationships.

It's just that I need to understand all of this while reading from a textbook and my problem is that I cannot understand until I have practical knowledge about it. Experiments, case studies or test subjects are a big help in other courses but not in this one.

Who will go around looking for a subject for understanding her elective better?

"Oh! I can do that!" I responded to my inner voice out loud while Riya looked me up and down because of my random reaction.

I jumped out of my seat and looked at Riya to share my excitement.

"I need a test subject to understand psychology of relationships better."

I explained her how I'll go about with the subject and how they can help me as she enthusiastically reciprocated with my idea.

"Who do you think will be the best?" I asked her and started thinking of every single person in my life.

She immediately started suggesting names of our friends but I can't be with them for half of the day.

"Nahi nahi, I need family members. I can't live with our friends for this," I laughed as she nodded her head as an understanding.

(No, no)

"Hmm, your mom?" She listed.

"I know her too much,"

"Your dad?"

"Nahi, vo to office mein hein half of the time,"

(No, he's in the office half of the time)

"Tumhare bhai? He's our last and only option,"

(Your brother?)

"Haan! He's the best option," I agreed with her reasonable option.

(Yes!)

"He's leaves home at 8 and comes back at 4. He's the best choice. I can observe him from 4 to 9. I can observe his actions and reactions peacefully for five whole hours!" I lifted my fingers to show her the number five to exaggerate the time.

"But it's already 3:30. Do you want to start it today or no?"

Shit! Bhai will be home any minute now.

I immediately went towards Riya's desk to quickly grab my things.

"Okay, Riya. I have to go now. I'll start the experiment today and let you know the updates." I gave her air kisses while exiting the room.

I immediately got inside my car and drove back to my house while listening to my favourite song, 'o rangrez' from the movie 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'.

I was so lost in listening to the song on loop that I didn't realise I had reached my house already.

"Bhai must be inside already," I check my watch and it was quarter past four.

"Right on time" I murmured to myself while smiling proudly.

"Maa!" I called for her as soon as I stepped inside my house without knowing we had people over.

It was a huge family. Aryan bhai's family.

I awkwardly smiled at them and immediately rushed up to my room. I could clearly hear the loud laughter that echoed in the living room.

"Why are you the way you are, Aarzoo!" I scolded myself and locked my room's door.

I started braiding my hair to freshen up and picked out my clothes for changing. 

Our family- the four of us and Aryan bhai's huge family have always been close. Bhai and his best friend met each other when they were just 5 years and since then they haven't stopped and in that process our family got close.

We meet twice a month- either in their house or ours. That's when I used to have the most fun. Growing up in a small cute family, I realised how loving it is to have so many people care about you.

If one gets awarded, all of them have to be there and someone gets admitted in a hospital, all of them have to be there. It's a cute loving huge family.

One day, I wanna be in such a family. It's not that I don't like my small family, I just like being around people, I guess.

I think Aryan bhai and I need to exchange families.

I laughed at my inner thought while getting down the stairs in my sweatpants and a normal T-shirt.

I went into the hall to greet all the people present there.

"Hi, everyone!" A bright smile made its way up my lips as soon as I saw the crowd gathered.

I was present in our get-together after almost 4 years. It feels nice.

They all greeted back with the same smile, except for one.

My brother's best friend.

Why does he have to be such a buzz kill? His response didn't make a difference but it's still a killjoy for me.

With my books in my hand, I made way for myself through the aunties and uncles sitting on the ground who were playing a game of cards while munching on snacks.

"I want snacks too," I whispered to myself in a whining tone and sat between my brother and Aryan bhai.

Time to start my experiment!

I rubbed my hands together and opened my textbook's first chapter- theories of love and attachment.

I wrote the heading down in my notebook and read further into my textbook.

Number one- Prosocial behaviour.

"What's that?" I scratched my head and read the text below the subheading.

These are voluntary actions intended to benefit another person, often motivated by empathy and a desire to strengthen bonds.

My inner voice read the passage with confusion spilled all over.

"Eat," I heard someone's voice pull me out of my confusion.

It was Aryan bhai handing me a plate filled with snacks. I grinned at him showing him all the teeth and took the plate from his grip.

"Thank you, Aryan bh-" he shut me by showing me his palm in front of my face.

"Rude," I murmured clear enough for him to hear.

I could see him stiffing in his place right after I spoke.

A chuckle left out of me and I was about to speak to him again but before I could talk to him he got up from his seat and left to the garden.

"Anyways," I said and continued my work.

I dived into my book again.

The difference of prosocial behaviour in romantic relationships and family-
In romantic relationships these acts are more individualised and tailored to their specific partner.
In a family this behaviour is often broader and focused on maintaining the stability with everyone.

"Bhai, can you pass me that bottle?" I heard Krithika's voice which made me look up from my papers.

Aryan bhai stepped into the hall from the garden with his phone near his ear.

"Take it yourself," he replied while Kritika sulked at her elder brother's behaviour.

He didn't show her any prosocial behaviour. Maybe because he's on a call. He gave me food though. That's prosocial, right? After all, I'm family too.

I proudly smiled at my understanding of the concept and jotted down the points.

I didn't forget to write 'observed from Aryan' beside the subheading to help me remember the subject's actions.

So he is human after all.