Avighna and Aditya stepped into the dining room, their looks hard and determined. Agastya, who had been squirming uneasily in his chair, gasped as they came to a stop in front of him, arms crossed over their chests. A tray holding ten glasses of dismal green liquid sat reproachfully on the table.

"Drink up!" Avighna commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Agastya's eyes widened in horror. "Ten glasses? Come on, guys, that's way too much! One was enough punishment!"

Aditya shook his head firmly. "Not this time, Agni! You had your warnings, and you chose to ignore them."

Agastya whispered an apology. "I'm sorry, I really am. I didn't mean to scare Lilliput."

Avighna slammed his fist on the table, startling Agastya. "Didn't mean to? You almost made her throw up with your reckless driving! It's about your sister's safety!"

Agastya retreated from his brother's ferocious look. He knew he merited the reprimand. He let his vanity and competition get the best of him, putting Aarvika in danger. With a disappointed groan, he started gathering up the glasses one by one.

"Ugh, this is disgusting!" He muttered, grimacing at the sight of the bitter concoction.

As he drank the first tumbler, a scowl formed on his face. His stomach rumbled, threatening to rebel. "Don't even think about throwing up, Agni," Avighna's voice, albeit lower this time, included a sense of caution. "The punishment will be ten times worse if you do."

Agastya gulped hard, the stinging taste of neem juice on his tongue. He pushed himself to drink another glass, then another, each one a monument to his regret and a reminder of his error of judgment.

The situation lasted in tense silence, punctuated only by the tapping of glass against wood and Agastya's reflexive gags. By the time he drank the final glass, his face was pale and his stomach was churning, but he kept his head up, determined to face the repercussions of his actions.

Avighna and Aditya looked at him with a mixture of despair and reluctant respect. They may have been reprehensible, but it was due to their intense affection for their sister.

"Alright, that's enough for today," Avighna finally said, his voice regaining its usual calmness. "Go get some fresh air, and think about how you could have handled things differently."

Agastya nodded numbly and walked out of the dining room, the bitter taste of neem juice remaining on his tongue. He realized that a mere apology would not suffice. He needed to regain their faith and, more crucially, show Aarvika that he would never jeopardize her safety again. The punishment may have been severe, but the lesson learned was much tougher. He promised himself to be a better brother, more responsible, and someone his siblings could always rely on.

》♡《

The warm light from the kitchen lamp lit Avighna's face as he neatly sliced vegetables. The repetitive clinking of his knife resonated throughout the home, providing a familiar soundtrack for their evenings. He was the eldest brother, earning the informal moniker of MasterChef in the Verma home.

Dinners just weren't perfect without his cooking magic, which their adoring maid gladly accepted despite her own gourmet abilities. Aditya was working on his laptop in the living room, the quiet hum of the computer contrasting with the rhythmic commotion from the kitchen. Arched up on the sofa, Aarvika worked intently on her last homework, a determined frown pinching her forehead as she faced a particularly difficult arithmetic issue.

Suddenly, an apostle appeared in front of her, casting an eerie glow over her work. Aarvika looked up, surprised, to discover Agastya standing in front of her, wearing a huge, surprisingly pleasant smile. For a time, she was silent. Genuine grins from her younger brother were uncommon, occurring primarily when he was planning something.

"Hey, Lilliput," He said, his voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness. "Just wanted to check on my favorite little sister. How's homework going?"

Aarvika raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "Why the sudden act of brotherly concern, Bhaiya? Spill it."

Agastya puffed out his chest theatrically. "Well, you see," He began, launching into a dramatic monologue, "As your elder brother, it is my sacred duty to ensure your well-being, to protect you from harm, and to shower you with unconditional love!"

His excessively theatrical remark caught the ears of the other two brothers. Avighna cocked an eyebrow, a glint of humor in his eyes as he stirred a pot of boiling sauce with his spoon. Aditya grinned knowingly as his attention shifted away from his laptop screen.

"Alright, alright, Romeo," Avighna chuckled, setting down his spoon and wiping his hands on a dishtowel. "Care to share the real reason behind this sudden burst of affection?"

Agastya, his dramatic facade crumbling slightly, cleared his throat. "Accha, accha," He admitted. "The neem juice punishment made me realize how much I messed up. I want to prove that I can be a worthy brother, someone you can rely on."

(Okay, okay,)

Aditya leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Aur yeh mahaan lakshya aap kaise praapt karenge, Shreemaan?" He asked, his tone filled with playful mockery as he used pure Hindi.

(And how exactly do you plan on achieving this noble goal, Your Highness?)

Agastya grinned, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Remember, tomorrow's Aarvika's monthly vaccination day?" The brothers nodded. "I'll pick her up on the way back home."

Aarvika's eyes dilated in terror. School reopening day also brought the dreaded vaccine day, which she always dreaded. With her brothers leaving her off but letting her go home alone, she had mastered the art of hiding and missing the whole thing. But Agastya's news put a kink in her carefully orchestrated strategy.

She jumped to her feet, her protests spilling out in a flurry. "No way, Bhaiya! I can come back home myself! You know I can't leave my friends. We walk together. You don't have to pick me up!"

Avighna and Aditya exchanged a knowing glance. Aarvika's feigned innocence was as transparent as a window pane.

"Uh-uh, Aaru," Aditya said firmly. "It's just one day. You come home with Agni. No arguments!"

Aarvika sank back into the sofa, her shoulders bowing in defeat. Her lips formed a disappointed pout as she stared at Agastya, who smiled smugly like a conqueror. The battle of estate plans had been won, but the campaign against vaccination was far from over. Aarvika's eyes had a wicked gleam that hinted at a future revolt. Agastya, blind to the scheme building in his sister's mind, rejoiced in his short success, fully unaware of the havoc his surprise act of brotherly love had caused.

》♡《

The weekend was coming to a close, casting an extended veil over the Verma home as the school week approached. But, before realism set in, the Verma siblings—Avighna, Aditya, Agastya, and their younger sister Aarvika—were eager to squeeze in one more hurrah. Curated pandemonium prevailed rampantly in the living room, a reflection of their continuous K-drama marathon preparations. Tonight's special meal included Korean Kimchi Fried Rice for Avighna, Tteokbokki for Aditya, and Ramyeon for Agastya and Aarvika.

Avighna, the eldest and self-proclaimed movie buff, wrestled with the projector screen. It billowed stubbornly in his hands, refusing to cooperate. "Ugh, this thing is like a stubborn toddler!" He grumbled, finally managing to secure it on the wall.

Aditya, sprawled on the sofa with a laptop balanced on his stomach, scrolled through the seemingly endless options on their streaming service. "Action, comedy, romance… what are we in the mood for tonight?" He mused, his voice laced with playful indecision.

Aarvika, a ball of barely contained energy, bounced around the room, her tiny footsteps drumming a rapid rhythm on the hardwood floor. "Supernatural theme! Tail Of The Nine-tailed!" She chanted, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Agastya, the resident cynic, emerged from the kitchen, a bowl of popcorn held aloft like a trophy. "Seriously, Aaru? You literally watched this more than 20 times!"

Aarvika, unfazed by his pessimism, stuck out her tongue. "But Papa promised I could pick anything!" She declared, appealing to Aditya with wide, innocent eyes.

Aditya chuckled, a mischievous glint in his own eyes. "That doesn't mean I'm okay with watching the same thing repeatedly." He thought for sometime and then suggested, "How about Queen Of Tears?"

"Sochna bhi mat, Adi." Avighna snorted. "You finished the whole drama twice. Once during your work without us, and then with us without skipping a single scene. You still turn on any random episode just to watch the female lead."

(Don't even think, Adi.)

Aditya, caught red-handed, grinned sheepishly. "Alright, alright, you got me. Now can we watch Lovely Runner? It just released few days ago."

A mock gasp escaped Aarvika's lips. "Okay, but I'm in a mood to watch something with action and horror. Like zombie apocalypse?"

Agastya shuddered dramatically. "Oh yes, we still didn't watch All Of Us Are Dead."

The playful banter continued as Aditya sifted through the options, finally landing on the drama All Of Us Are Dead. The synopsis promised a hilarious space adventure filled with quirky characters and over-the-top action sequences.

"Alright, everyone, gather round!" Aditya announced, a triumphant smile on his face. "I hope it doesn't make Agni wet his pants!"

"Bhaiya yaar!" Agastya scoffed, but a hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes. He plopped down next to Avighna on the floor, setting the popcorn bowl on the coffee table within easy reach. Aarvika wasted no time, scrambling onto the sofa and claiming the prime spot right in the middle.

(Oh brother!)

Avighna turned down the lights, converting the living room into a rudimentary movie theater. A crackling of expectation replaced the audience's silence as the opening titles played. The drama began with a bang—literally. The scene begins with a group of youngsters bullying an innocent, and gradually, the victim is shown to be transformed into a zombie!

From that point forward, the living room became an overabundance of sounds. Aarvika screamed with joy. Aditya smiled at the smart speech, stopping the drama to rewind, especially the amusing passages. Even Agastya was lured by the narrative; his initial mistrust was replaced by hesitant enjoyment.

The drama continued, highlighting the drama's actors. The corresponding food items started to diminish quickly, victims of their zealous eating. During a particularly violent pursuit sequence, Aarvika became thoroughly engaged in the scene.

"Come on, Suhyeok! Kiss Namra!" She yelled, her voice filled with urgency. "She likes you back!"

Avighna ruffled her hair affectionately. "Tu aaj kal kuch zyada bado waali baatein nahi bol rahi?"

(Don't you think you're talking too much like an adult these days?)

As the climax approached, the tension in the room thickened. The zombie virus spread from the initial victim to the school infirmary nurse and, one by one, to most of the students at the school.

Suddenly, the drama screeched to a halt. The Netflix screen flickered, displaying a message in bold red letters—Error. Streaming Service Unavailable. Please Try Again Later.

A collective groan erupted from the siblings.  Aarvika's face crumpled in disappointment. "No! Right when they were about to dodge the bites!"

The living room devolved into a cacophony of complaints. Even Agastya, who had seemed to be unconcerned throughout the majority of the play, couldn't keep his irritation at bay. The Verma family considered losing connection in the middle of K-drama to be the ultimate viewing sin.

"Ugh, this is the worst!" Aditya grumbled, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Just when the real action started!"

Avighna, ever the resourceful one, sprang into action. "Don't worry, guys," He said, a determined glint in his eyes. "We're not letting a little technical glitch ruin our K-drama night. We have a backup plan, right?"

Aarvika's eyes widened with a flicker of hope. "The emergency DVD collection?" She asked, her voice laced with excitement.

Avighna winked. "Exactly. We can continue the drama tomorrow. Now grab some blankets and pillows, and let's make ourselves comfortable. We're going old school tonight!"

He slipped into a tiny room adjacent to the living room and emerged seconds later with a stack of dusty DVDs in his arms. Nestled amid Hollywood classics and childhood favorites was a collection of superhero films—Avighna's secret stash, kept safe for crises like these.

With fresh zeal, they converted the living room into a massive fortress. Pillows were heaped high on the sofa, with blankets draped over the coffee table and chairs to create a warm cave. Avighna inserted the first DVD into the player, a sentimental rush racing through him as the familiar emblem of their youth animation company flashed across the screen.

They selected a classic film, a superhero narrative they had seen numerous times as children. Despite its age, the narrative had a timeless charm, with vivid animation and a basic premise that could still fascinate. Aarvika laughed at the slapstick hilarity, her previous disappointment forgotten.

As the film continued, a sense of community permeated the room. Memories of previous movie evenings emerged, their youthful laughter reverberating across the room like unseen ghosts. Aditya and Avighna exchanged playful nudges at especially corny phrases, their voices laced with fake contempt despite their amusement. Even Agastya couldn't avoid being carried away by nostalgia. He found himself singing along to the stupid theme tune, a smile forming at the corners of his lips.

The film concluded with a joyful win for the heroes, eliciting a sense of shared satisfaction among the audience. As the credits played, a happy stillness fell over them, speaking volumes about their relationship.

"That was actually pretty good," Agastya finally admitted, his voice laced with a hint of surprise. "I almost forgot how much fun these old movies can be."

Avighna grinned. "See? Sometimes, a little old-school entertainment is all you need."

Aarvika snuggled closer to Aditya, a content sigh escaping her lips. "Can we do this again next weekend?" She asked, her eyes filled with sleepiness.

"Of course, Angel," Aditya promised, pulling her close. "Movie marathons are a Verma family tradition, remember?"

As they fell asleep, the soothing hum of the projector cooling down acted as a lullaby. The night may have ended with a technical fault, but it had unintentionally exposed another layer of their bond, one based on shared childhood memories and the simple delight of spending time together. The Verma siblings, snuggled together under the gentle light of the television screen, were a tribute to the continuing strength of family and the charm of a good movie, whether streamed or pulled directly from a dusty DVD collection.

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~THANKS FOR READING~