"Ye... yeh kya kar rahe hai... Bhaiya?" She choked out a murmur.

(Wh... what are you doing... Brother?)

"Shhhhhhhhh..." His hands gripped the sides of her waist as he shushed her. "Trust me, you'll feel good. It's just a matter of few hours, honey." With a trail of contempt, he muttered in her ear and then bit her earlobe.

Aarvika's eyes brimmed with tears, feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation. While his one hand aggressively and cruelly grabbed her waist, the other one wandered all over her back. She was itching to yell. However, it seemed like her voice was trapped in her throat. Her mind too delicate to take in the details, she continued to straddle him like a statue, her heart heavy with despair.

Then she felt a sharp pinch in her breasts, and a shriek came out of her lips. She could take no more of this, so her body instinctively hit him hard in the nose, forcing him to shove her away. "You bitch!" He raged, cradling his bleeding nose, and stared at her hazy form with bloodshot eyes.

Seizing the opportunity, Aarvika bolted from the amphitheatre as quickly as she could. She dashed down the corridor, her footsteps booming loudly against the walls of the empty school. Each stride was motivated by a desperate desire to flee, to separate herself from the polluted rencontre that had left her trembling.

Even though her hands were full cleaning her eyes, tears continued to fall, clouding her eyesight. His hand appeared to stick to her flesh, a repulsive, unwavering memory of what had transpired. The episode kept playing in her head like a never-ending movie reel, with embarrassment and anguish imprinted on every frame. She was breathing heavily and gasping for air, and she was having a hard time finding comfort in the chaos.

Just as she round the corner, she slammed into a solid object and startled out of her daze. She staggered slightly from the contact, and her heart skipped a beat as she glanced up. With his comforting, well-known presence, Agastya, her Agni Bhaiya, stood in front of her. A surge of comfort passed over her as his worried eyes examined her face. In his company, the tumultuous tempest inside of her seemed to still exist, only to be replaced with a much-needed sense of safety.

"Lilliput, kaha thi tu? Main kabse dhoondh raha tha tujhe." Agastya spoke, his voice full of familiarity and concern at the same time; she felt a twinge of comfort in the middle of her pain when he spoke to her using her nickname, the one he had given her with such care.

(Tiny, where were you? I have been looking for you.)

She was unable to speak because of the lingering shakes from her terror. Agastya realized that something had to have happened, and his gaze softened with pity. Gently taking her arm, he led her to a private space. The icy, invasive touch she had felt before was a sharp contrast to the tenderness of his palm.

As they settled into a more private space, Agastya's expression remained one of deep concern. "Aaru, kya hua? Aankhein laal kyu hai teri? Ro rahi thi tu? Kya ho gaya? Bata mujhe." He asked, his voice steady but imbued with a tenderness that sought to ease her discomfort.

(Aaru, what happened? Why are your eyes red? Were you crying? What's wrong? Tell me.)

She peered into his eyes and felt the tempest inside her slowly subside as he gave her an implicit promise of safety. With a trembling breath, she began to describe the agonizing journey she had gone through, knowing that Agastya would be her rock during this stormy time.

Aarvika was about to speak, but she was having trouble voicing the words because of their weight in her throat. A barrage of inquiries overcame her.

How would she respond?

She went there voluntarily; therefore, she shared some of the blame for everything that occurred.

Would her brothers find her repulsive?

Would people begin to despise her?

These concerns took over, and she decided to keep quiet. Agastya's voice sliced through her turbulent thoughts, bringing her back to the present. "Are you even listening?" He asked, his tone tinged with concern as he gently shook her.

Aarvika, caught off guard, quickly fabricated a response. "I bunked my science class and got punished by the teacher," She said hurriedly, hoping to divert his attention.

Agastya's eyes widened in disbelief. He stared at her, trying to reconcile this with the sister he knew. Then, he let out a hearty laugh. "Seriously, Lilliput? Since when did you start crying over punishments?" His disbelief was evident as he continued, "You're the one who used to get into trouble all the time, and now you're shedding tears over a detention?"

He furrowed his brow, considering another possibility. "Periods hai kya tere?" He asked, his voice softening with concern.

(Are you on your periods?)

With her eyes still welling up with tears, Aarvika shook her head. Agastya's bewildered face grew as he saw that Aarvika was concerned over something else totally, not the typical explanation of hormone fluctuations. Though he was intrigued, he decided not to investigate further. He chose to give her the space she required after noticing her red, puffy eyes and her sadness.

"It’s alright," Agastya said, trying to soothe her. "Don't worry about it too much. It's just a punishment, nothing to get all worked up about." He reached out, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Let's just go home."

He led the way to his vehicle and assisted her in settling into the front seat. He would sometimes peek across at her as he drove home, promising in silence to be there for her when she was ready to talk. He accepted her quiet for the time being and concentrated on giving her the comfort and room she appeared to require.

》♡《

Even though Aarvika's quiet felt uncomfortable, Agastya decided not to interrupt it. Her reserved manner bothered him on their drive home, and he could not take the thought of what was to come. When they eventually got there, Agastya was taken aback by the unsettling image of Aarvika entering her room without even looking at anybody. She was always the one to welcome people cordially, so this was unusual for her. The customary familial coziness seems to have vanished. Even her elder siblings, Avighna and Aditya, showed no emotion and did not greet her with the customary warmth.

Agastya's confusion reached its peak. He walked over to where Avighna and Aditya were seated on the couch in the living room, their faces etched with concern. "What's going on?" Agastya demanded. "Aarvika's acting so strange, and you two aren't even trying to welcome her back. What's happening?"

Avighna silently raised his iPad, showing CCTV images flashing on the screen. Agastya observed with narrowed eyes as Garv engaged Aarvika in conversation during class. The video then showed Garv escorting her into the amphitheatre and out of the classroom. The blood in Agastya boiled. When he watched this tape, it reaffirmed his suspicions that there was something fishy about the narrative of Aarvika's sentencing. The film ended before exposing what transpired inside the amphitheatre, even though it was now clear why Aarvika was upset. Important information about the incident was still unknown.

"So, she lied to me..." Agastya gritted his teeth. "What happened next? Did he bully her? Hit her? Say anything bad?" He asked urgently. "There's nothing here about what went on in the amphitheatre. You both must know more."

Aditya shook his head slowly. "We don't know what happened inside. All we have is this footage and Aarvika's unusual behavior. Whatever happened, she's clearly troubled, and if she lied to you, then something very serious must have occurred."

Agastya’s frustration was palpable. "So, what do we do now? We need to get to the bottom of this, but how? Aarvika won't talk if we push too hard."

Avighna's voice was steady, though filled with concern. "We need to approach this with care. We can't let our instincts as protectors or our anger take over. If we confront her aggressively, we might only push her further away. We need to offer her comfort and understanding first. It's crucial that she feels safe enough to share what happened."

Aditya nodded in agreement. "We have to show her that we're here to support her, not to interrogate her. Our little sister needs to know that we're on her side and that she can trust us with whatever she’s been through."

Agastya's expression softened as he considered his brothers' advice. The situation was dire, but their approach needed to be gentle. He took a deep breath. "Alright, then. Let's try to reach out to her with patience and care. We'll handle this with the love and tenderness she needs right now."

The brothers looked at each other in relief, knowing that they needed to put Aarvika's emotional health first. They got ready to tackle the task of healing their sister's broken spirit and learning the truth about her unsettling silence together.

》♡《

The moment the three brothers walked into Aarvika's room, they were met with the devastating scene. Suppressing her sobbing, Aarvika hid her face in her pillow while lying face down on the bed. Her normally tidy hair was in a snarl, and her school uniform was disheveled. With every breath she took, her shoulders trembled, and the three siblings' hearts broke seeing her in such agony.

Avighna moved first, his heart breaking to see his sister in agony. He moved slowly toward her, his fingers softly reaching out to stroke her unkempt hair. "Baccha..." In the middle of her chaos, he spoke quietly, his voice like a comforting salve. Aarvika's head twitched up at the reassuring, well-known tone. She looked up at her brothers, her face red from sobbing and smeared with tears. She rushed herself into Avighna's arms without thinking, her screams pouring into his chest.

(Baby...)

Sensing that Aarvika needed more comfort, Aditya moved to stand behind her. Gently and methodically, he ran his fingers through her disheveled hair. "Shh, it's alright, Aaru," He murmured, trying to offer her some solace through his tender ministrations.

Agastya, in the in the meantime, sat down next to her legs. With his hands on her knees, he made slow, purposeful circles with his fingertips. "Take deep breaths, Aaru. We're here for you," He said, his voice steady and reassuring. The gentle pressure he applied to her muscles seemed to provide a bit of relief, easing the tension in her body.

The room started to change into a haven of love and support as the faint sounds of Aarvika's weeping and her brothers' reassuring words filled it. The brothers' consoling actions persisted as the minutes went by, their presence serving as a continual reminder that she was not alone in her agony.

Avighna cradled his little sister while gently wiping away her tears, his countenance a mixture of compassion and worry. Standing nearby, Aditya moved in to silently console her by planting a soft kiss on her forehead. Agastya was using his seasoned ease of hand to calm her stiff muscles.

As the intensity of her cries began to fade, Avighna took a moment to caress her cheek softly with his thumb, his gaze steady and reassuring. "Aaru baccha," He said gently, "We need you to tell us everything. Please, be honest with us."

Aarvika looked up at her brothers, a note of fear in her voice. "Will you hate me if I tell you the truth?"

Agastya shook his head, his tone firm yet kind. "We're your family, Aarvika. If you do something wrong, we'll correct you and help you learn from it. But we could never hate you. We love you no matter what."

Taking a deep breath, Aarvika began to speak, her voice trembling slightly as she recounted her story. "The most popular guy in the school is Garv Mehta. As an eleventh grader, he's kind of the school's national crush. Girls, I included, are crazy over him." She paused, feeling the weight of her brothers' intense stares. The room grew quiet, their silence a tangible presence that made her heart race.

Sensing her hesitation, Aditya patted her gently on the head, his voice encouraging. "It's okay, just continue."

Aarvika nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of anxiety and resolve. "Garv rarely shows interest in women. He only pays attention to those that pique his curiosity. And he saw me, for whatever reason. He escorted me to the amphitheatre and asked me out for a date."

Agastya’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his expression calm. "What happened at the amphitheatre?"

Biting her lip, Aarvika tried to gather her thoughts. She remembered the unclean sensation, and tears sprang back into her eyes. "He... He... touched me..." She closed her eyes firmly and spoke, embarrassed to look her brothers in the eye.

The blood in three of the brothers ran cold. Their faces were as angry as a bull when it saw crimson, and their veins burst in their arms. Aarvika shuddered beneath their stares, but after hearing this horrible admission, they were unable to soften. "Where did he touch you?" Aditya inquired, and his rich baritone sent shivers down her spine.

"He dragged me onto his lap and... put a firm hold on my waist. He ran his other hand over my back and nipped my earlobe. Additionally..." She took a moment to stop, allowing her emotions to flow freely. She lifted her quivering fingers and lightly stroked her stomach. "He touched... here..." The brothers' nerves broke as she moved her palm upward and landed it directly on her breast, adding, "And here..."

Avighna grabbed her into a tight hug the following second, pressing her head hard against his chest. Aarvika sobbed uncontrollably in his arms, terrified and humiliated by her ordeal. "Mujhe maaf kardo, Dadda. Main buri hoon... Main gandi hoon... Par please... Please mujhse nafrat mat karna... Please..." She fisted her small fist into his shirt, sobbing and pleading.

(Forgive me, Dadda... I'm bad... I'm dirty... But please... Please don't hate me... Please...)

Her statements gave the brothers more of a dagger-like thrust wound. "Look at me," With a command, Avighna withdrew from her and cupped her face in his rough palms. Aarvika, however, refrained from meeting his stare out of shame. "Now, don't make me repeat myself, Aaru," This time, she lifted her lids and met his black orbs.

"I'm sorry..." She apologized once again.

"Kis liye? You're not at fault, so why the heck are you apologizing?" He gently stroked her cheeks, wiping away the unending tears that streamed down her face. "You are not to be blamed for everything that occurred, my child. That guy is to be blamed. And never, I repeat, NEVER consider that we are capable of hating you. You're our little kid. We can despise ourselves, but not you."

(For what?)

Aarvika sniffled, tears streaming down her cheeks as she finally whispered, her voice trembling, "Are… aren't you mad at me?" Her eyes darted nervously between them, her guilt etched on her face. "I lied to you... and… I went there willingly. It’s my fault."

After looking at the other two, Avighna let out a long, heavy sigh. He took a seat next to her, putting a firm yet kind arm across her shoulders as he approached her. As though she were still the young child he once carried on his shoulders, he gently rocked her as he drew her into his hug. "Aaru beta," He began softly, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "We're not mad at you for what happened to you. Not even a little."

She shook her head, her tears soaking into his shirt. "But… I lied to you! I didn't tell you the truth. And if I hadn't gone there… if I hadn't…" Her voice broke, and she couldn't bring herself to finish.

Avighna tightened his hold on her, his heart breaking at the guilt she carried. "Yes, we're upset," He admitted, his voice calm but firm, "But not for the reason you think. We're mad because you felt like you couldn't come to us. Because you thought you had to face all of this alone. Not for lying, not for going there… but because we failed to show you that we'd always be here, no matter what."

Aarvika pulled back slightly, looking up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. "No, Dadda. Don't say that, please. It's my fault," She insisted. "I was so stupid… I didn't see it coming…"

Avighna shook his head, his expression softening as he cupped her face gently in his hands. "No, Aaru. It's not your fault," He said, his voice breaking slightly as he spoke. "If it's anyone's fault, it's ours. We raised you in a bubble, with so much love and care that we never prepared you for the cruelty of the world. We protected you so much that we didn't teach you how to protect yourself."

Aditya, who had been silent until now, knelt beside them and placed a hand on Aarvika's knee. "Bhaiya's right," He said quietly but firmly. "You trusted him because you have a kind heart, not because you were stupid. And if he took advantage of that, the blame lies with him, not you."

Aarvika's lips quivered as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "But I feel so guilty…"

Agastya pressed a kiss to the top of her head and spoke gently, "You have nothing to feel guilty about. All we want is for you to be safe, to know that you can come to us no matter what happens. No lies, no hiding, okay?"

Aarvika nodded, her cries gradually ceasing as she buried her face in his chest once more. Knowing that her brothers weren't upset with her but were still her steadfast pillars of support made her feel lighter for a brief time in several days.

Aarvika saw the house as a place of warmth and care, but it also hummed with a quiet resolve. Her three brothers decided to spoil her excessively, showing her affection in all they did.

After he fumbled in an apron, Avighna insisted on creating her favorite treats, which she munched with a little smile. Always the mediator, Aditya sat next to her and diverted her attention with tales from her favorite books, each one more hilarious than the previous, only to watch the edges of her lips lift. Agastya, the youngest of the three, made sure she had all she needed by discreetly setting a cup of hot, boiling chocolate by her side.

Like a porcelain doll, they fussed over her, joked, and laughed with her. They spoke softly, moved gently, and smiled without faltering. Aarvika experienced the sensation of being encased in an unbreakable cocoon of love. However, she failed to notice the fire that was smoldering behind their well-maintained facades.

However, she was blind to the heat that was seething behind their meticulously manicured exteriors.

In their own unique ways, each brother bore the burden of her suffering. When Aarvika wasn't looking, the memory of the abuse she had experienced would make Avighna's jaw tighten and his hands ball into fists. Even though Aditya's eyes were warm when he was around her, they darkened with silence whenever he thought of her tear-streaked persona. The most impetuous of the three, Agastya hardly held back from rushing out of the home, his heart aching for revenge for each instant of terror and suffering she had endured.

However, they never display it. They were aware that Aarvika needed tranquility, not the weight of their rage. Their furious inclinations were suppressed by their kind words and smiles, which concealed their blazing intent. They lowered their voices and swallowed the fires that threatened to burst forth every time Aarvika looked at them with those large, sorrowful eyes, telling her that everything was alright even if their emotions begged for something else.

The brothers let the meticulously crafted masks fall off by nighttime, when Aarvika eventually fell asleep, curled up on the bed with her head resting on Aditya's shoulder. With his hands clenched so firmly that his knuckles became white, Avighna stood and paced the living room. "She will be compensated for every tear she shed." His voice was low and poisonous as he spoke.

Aditya replied in a forceful voice, his normally composed manner broken, "He believed he could harm her and then walk away. He is unaware of what's coming."

Agastya leaned closer, his voice a hoarse whisper, his eyes gleaming with lethal purpose, "He'll regret ever coming into contact with our family. We'll make sure he regrets it, no matter what."

With their anger now a common fire that blazed more fiercely and brightly, the three made a secret commitment to one another. They would protect their baby sister from the brutality of their schemes and ensure that she received the affection and security she was due. But beyond these gates, they would let all of their rage out and make sure the sister they loved got justice.

•┈┈┈••✦••┈┈┈•

~THANKS FOR READING~