The wind roared outside, and a banshee's cry signaled the impending downpour. However, within the comfortable confines of the modest farmhouse, a different type of tempest raged. Aarvika, an adolescent on the verge of womanhood, dashed through a seemingly infinite field of lavender, her bare feet thumping frantically on the soft ground. Panic fuelled her escape as the cold air whipped past her tear-streaked visage.

The continuous thud of footsteps reverberated behind her, providing a terrifying contrast to the wind symphony. She dared not glance back; the fear of the scenario was imprinted on her whole soul. Faint yells, a frantic combination of male and female voices, penetrated the darkness, spurring her forward.

"Aaru beta, bhaag yaha se!"

(Aaru child, run away from here!)

"Aaru, jaa yaha se! Peeche mat dekhna!"

(Aaru, please go! Don't look back!)

Their pleadings fueled her hasty flight, with each desperate syllable a lash against her anxiety. But her endurance was fading. Her lungs were charred, and her legs were about to give way. She let out a piercing sob of horror and sorrow.

Her foot got snagged on an uneven piece of ground, and she fell face first into the aromatic lavender. The world whirled violently for a time before coming to a horrifying standstill. She tilted her head with a gasp, her heart pounding against her ribs.

A dark figure towered above her, its features obscured by a mask. A gleam of chilly steel flared in the moonlight, indicating a dagger prepared to strike. A savage scream erupted from Aarvika's throat, a desperate appeal for compassion.

"Please… No… Leave me... Let me go..." But the figure remained impassive, the dagger descending in a slow, agonizing arc. Aarvika squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable pain.

Just then, a strong hand clamped over her shoulder, shaking her violently. A gruff voice, laced with urgency, cut through the haze of terror.

//

"Aaru! Aaru, wake up!"

Aarvika's eyes snapped open, blinking away the remnants of the nightmare. Disoriented and trembling, she found herself face-to-face with her eldest brother, Avighna. He sat beside her on the bed, his face etched with concern.

Her room's familiar surroundings—the aged wooden furniture and fading floral wallpaper—returned to her, grounding her in reality. The menacing figure, the long field, and the eerie screams were all reminders of a horrific history she dearly wanted to forget.

Avighna, sensing her distress, cupped her face gently. His voice, though rough, was laced with tenderness. "Aaru kya hua? Phir wahi bura sapna?"

(Aaru, what happened? Again that nightmare?)

Aarvika could not talk. The recollection of the cloaked person and the glitter of the dagger remained too fresh. Tears welled up in her eyes, clouding her view. With a sob, she flung herself into his arms and buried her face in his sweatshirt.

Avighna hugged her close, his muscular arms providing a safe shelter. He did not pry for information, instead expressing his quiet support. She clutched on to him, releasing the cries that had been kept inside her for far too long. The tempest within her calmed down, and she felt comfortable in her brother's arms.

As the wind wailed its melancholy melody outside, an old storm moved through the house. The nightmare may have been a horrific flashback of the past, but in the present day, she had her brother's unshakable love and support, providing a barrier against the darkness.

"That man… knife…" She repeated, each word punctuated by a shaky hiccup. Tears streamed down her face, hot and relentless, her voice choked with sobs that escaped in broken fragments.

Avighna was well aware of the root of her anxiety. This was not the first time Aarvika's nightmare had interrupted her sleep, snatching her tranquility and leaving her frightened. Occasionally, it was a quick meeting, a flash of horror. Other times, like this one, it felt like a never-ending horror film, with every moment imprinted on her mind with horrifying clarity.

He tightened his grip around her, his arms a haven against the storm within her. "Shhhhh…" He murmured, his voice rough with tenderness, "Bas, mera baccha. Chup ho jaa ab." He gently stroked her back, a soothing rhythm against her sobs. It was a futile attempt at first, the tears showing no sign of abating.

(Hush now, my little one. Be quiet now.)

Avighna sighed and rose from the bed, gently scooping her into his arms in Koala style. He hugged her tight, her little form overshadowed by his greater height. He began walking slowly and steadily back and forth across the limits of their shared room. Each stride was marked with a soft touch on her back, a soothing gesture that spoke more than words could.

Subsequently, he started humming a lullaby, a melody passed down through generations that their mother used to sing to them to sleep. The familiar music, laced with strands of love and security, gradually began to work its effect. The wild sobs stopped and were replaced by faint whimpers. Her eyelids drifted closed, and her breath hitched with tiredness.

Finally, sleep seized her, and a delicate calm settled over her features. Avighna was relieved as he saw her fall asleep. The nightmare's memories may remain, but she is secure for the time being. He gently eased her back onto the bed, wrapping the tattered blanket around her petite figure. He sat alongside her, his arm protectively wrapped around her.

As the wind resumed its melancholy melody outside, Avighna shut his eyes, his heart aching but his spirit strong. He would be her barrier, her guardian contrary to the darkness, a continuous reminder that regardless of what horrors appeared in her nightmares, she was never really alone.

》♡《

The rooster's crow penetrated the morning silence, signaling the start of a new day. Sunlight flooded through the house's windows, sweeping away the shadows from the preceding night's storm. The rain had stopped before daylight, leaving behind a world wiped clean and new.

Avighna was curled on the ancient couch in the living room, a frown over his face. His eyes shifted to the bedroom entrance upstairs, where his sister, Aarvika, slept delicately. The night before had been another torturous fight for her, a violent storm roaring within her head.

Aditya, his younger sibling, shared his anxiety. They had formed a pattern, a quiet agreement to be Aarvika's anchors in the stormy sea of her dreams. He cleared his throat, breaking the long pause.

"How is she?" Aditya asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Avighna sighed, the sound heavy with worry. "It was a bad one," He admitted, his voice rough. "Last night was chilly, and the rain made everything so creepy. She had a full flashback."

He described the night's events—Aarvika's frightened tears, disjointed remarks concerning a guy and a knife, and her trembling body. He still remembered her raw dread.

"Normally, it's just the screams," Avighna continued, his voice tight. "Those awful screams that urge her to run. Sometimes, there's even bedwetting. But nights like last night…" He trailed off, the pain of her suffering evident in his eyes. "The way she woke up, reliving that horror…" He began, then stopped, unable to finish the sentence.

Aditya nodded seriously and softly squeezed Avighna's shoulder to ease his grief. Witnessing their sister's horror was a harrowing experience, a continual reminder of the evil that threatened to engulf their lone tiny spirit.

The click of footsteps on the stairs caught their attention. Agastya arrived, descending down the steps with young Aarvika in his arms. When they arrived in the living room, Agastya positioned her little body on Avighna's lap, which served as a huge cushion for the little one. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She stumbled towards them, her petite, frail frame overwhelmed by the enormity of her suffering.

Avighna wrapped his warm arms around her immediately, engulfing her in a warm embrace. "Hey, Princess," He murmured, his voice soft with affection. "How are you feeling now?"

Aarvika murmured something incoherent into his shoulder while shaking slightly. Aditya joined them, putting his palm on her head in a wordless gesture of reassurance.

"Do you want to eat something, Aaru?" Aditya asked gently. He knew food might not be the solution, but it was a small act of normalcy, a way to anchor her back to the present.

Aarvika nodded nervously, her words barely audible. The brothers exchanged glances, a quiet understanding going between them. They would fight the struggle together, one day at a time. They would serve as her secure haven, her unflinching support, till the tempest inside her calmed.

The aroma of sweet strawberries and fluffy pancakes filled the air, a welcome distraction from the heaviness of the morning. Aditya, ever the optimist, announced, "Guess what, guys? Bhaiya made his world famous strawberry pancakes!"

Aarvika's eyes sparkled, a rare smile breaking through her tear-stained cheeks. "Strawberry pancakes?!" She exclaimed, forgetting her earlier woes for a moment. Agastya, never far behind when it came to food, practically bolted towards the dining table.

Aarvika, still perched on Avighna's lap, swung her legs excitedly. "Can I go, Dadda?" She asked, using the nickname she had given him after their parents' demise.

Avighna chuckled, his heart swelling with a fierce love for his little sister. "Of course, my baby!" He replied, carefully standing up with her nestled in his arms. They walked towards the table, a picture of brotherly affection.

Aditya, who was already seated, served Aarvika and Agastya a substantial quantity of pancakes each. The siblings delved in with enthusiasm, their original concerns temporarily forgotten as they devoured the delicious delight.

Suddenly, a shadow crossed Aarvika's face. Her eyes welled up again, and a small frown formed on her lips. "Dadda… Papa…" She mumbled, her voice thick with emotion. The familiar nicknames, a constant reminder of the void left by their parents, tugged at the brothers' heartstrings.

Avighna and Aditya exchanged worried looks, quietly inquiring each other about what had caused her rapid shift. Just then, Agastya spoke out, his eyes gleaming with mischief and his grin unusually charming.

"Oye, Lilliput!" He said, his voice dripping with exaggerated concern. "If you want, you can have some of mine too!" He theatrically pushed his plate towards her, his earlier devouring of pancakes momentarily forgotten.

(Hey, tiny!)

This surprising gesture from their typically rough-and-tumble younger sibling triggered an alert for both Avighna and Aditya. Agastya, bless his heart, wasn't known for his display of affection. While he loved Aarvika dearly, he expressed it in nonverbal ways, such as a safeguarding wing around her shoulder after a horrible dream or a quiet stance against bullies at school. Public demonstrations of emotion were just not his thing.

Avighna's face furrowed in confusion, and Aditya cast a taunting glare at Agastya. "What's gotten into you, little man?" He interrogated. "Trying to steal Aaru's heart with pancakes?"

Agastya, caught red-handed, puffed up his chest in a mock display of defiance. "Nah, nothing like that," He mumbled, a slight blush creeping up his neck. "Just… trying to be a good brother, you know?"

Aarvika, ignorant of her brothers' nonverbal conversation, merely stared back and forth, a touch of bewilderment in her eyes.

Avighna, ever the peacemaker, patted Agastya's shoulder affectionately. "We all know how much you love your sister, champ," He said with a sarcastic smile. "No need to put on an act."

Despite the humorous interaction, an undercurrent of anxiety persisted. They were aware that Agastya's out-of-character actions had most certainly caused Aarvika some distress.

Avighna's stern glare towards Agastya softened as he turned back to Aarvika. A concerned crease formed on his forehead. "What happened, Princess?" He asked gently. "Did he trouble you again?"

Aarvika, her lower lip trembling slightly, nodded. Tears welled up in her eyes as she recounted her tale. "He snuck into my room while I was sleeping," She sniffled, "And put ice cubes down my back! It was so cold, Dadda, it woke me right up!"

Agastya, realizing the gravity of the situation, stammered in his defense. "Oye... it was just a little prank, Lilliput... What's the big deal?"

"A prank?" Aarvika shrieked, her voice laced with frustration. "It's the last day of my vacation, Bhaiya! Tomorrow, I have to wake up early for school! This was the only chance I had to sleep late, and you ruined it!"

Fresh tears flowed down her cheeks, her aggravation escalating into a toddler-like tantrum. Avighna and Aditya exchanged glances, the fun taunting replaced by a hard glitter in their eyes as they stared at Agastya. The message was clear—His prank had crossed the line!

Avighna rose up, sighing, his face a headgear of fury. He marched towards Agastya, who retreated somewhat beneath his elder brother's piercing glare. Avighna reached out and wrapped his fingers tightly around Agastya's ear, twisting it subtly but aggressively.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Agastya yelped in pain. "Accha, accha, samajh gaya main, ho gayi galti mujhse!" He cried, squirming under Avighna's grip.

(Okay, okay, I get it, I messed up!)

Aditya, on the other end of the table, pulled Aarvika into a comforting hug. "Look, Angel," He said soothingly, "See how Bhaiya is punishing that brat? He'll learn his lesson this time."

Agastya, rubbing his sore ear, mumbled a string of apologies. Avighna, releasing his hold, surveyed his younger brother with a stern expression. "Pancakes are off the menu for you today, Agni." He declared. "You'll have salad, spinach curry, and a tall glass of neem juice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!"

Agastya's face contorted in disgust. He opened his mouth to protest, but Avighna held up a hand, silencing him. "No arguments!" Avighna said firmly. "You knew better than to mess with Aaru's sleep, especially on her last day of vacation."

Opposite the table, Aarvika poked out her tongue at Agastya, a triumphant smile on her lips. Despite the persisting tears on her cheekbones, a gleam of satisfaction appeared in her eyes.

Agastya sighed in defeat. He realized there was no getting out of this sentence. He shot a pleading look at Aditya, but his brother shrugged and smiled sympathetically.

As the morning sun shone through the window, the air bristled with a mixture of love, pampering, relief, and a hint of sibling rivalry. The tempest had passed for the time being, leaving behind a fresh feeling of compassion. The breakfast table, which was typically a site of laughter and lively banter, now contained a silent lesson—even the best-intentioned pranks may have unexpected repercussions!

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~THANKS FOR READING~