44. A phone Call

Author's POV

Today was Abhinav's last exam, and he needed to move out of the hostel since it was his final year. Ishika was on her way from school to Abhinav's exam center, planning to pick him up and help him move into Malhotra Mansion for the time being.

She was using the car that Sahil had personally arranged for her, along with a driver, to ensure her safety and convenience. When she reached the exam center, there was still an hour left for Abhinav's exam to finish. While waiting, she thought about how to convince her brother to stay with her at the mansion. The main reason was that she didn't want to live alone after the incident at Aditi's home. Moreover, it had been a long time since she had lived with her brother, and she missed him.

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As soon as Abhinav walked out of the exam hall, Ishika waved at him with a bright smile. He looked exhausted but relieved that his exams were finally over.

"Di, what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised to see her waiting.

"I came to pick you up, of course!" she said cheerfully. "And to help you move out of the hostel. You're coming to stay at Malhotra Mansion with me."

Abhinav's expression changed instantly. "Di, you know I don't want to stay there. Especially not in his house," he said, his voice laced with irritation.

Ishika, being the elder sister, expected this reaction. She sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Bhai, I don't want to stay alone," she admitted softly. "After everything that happened at Aditi's place, I just... I don't feel safe. And I miss living with you. It's been so long."

Abhinav looked at his sister, noticing the vulnerability in her eyes. No matter how much he despised Sahil, he couldn't ignore Ishika's plea. With a reluctant sigh, he ran a hand through his hair.

"Fine," he muttered. "But only for you, Di. And don't expect me to be civil with him."

"Don't worry," she added. "Sahil isn't even there. He left on a business trip, so you won't have to see him."

Abhinav let out a small sigh, his resistance softening just a little. "That does make things easier," he admitted, though his tone still carried reluctance.

Ishika smiled, sensing his hesitation but choosing not to push further. "Good. Now, let's get your stuff packed. The driver is waiting, and I don't want to be stuck in traffic."

***

Together, they made their way to his hostel. As they walked, Abhinav glanced at her, noticing how much she had matured over the years. He had always been protective of his elder sister, but now, seeing the worry in her eyes, he realized she was the one looking out for him this time.

"So," he started as they reached his room, "you really don't want to stay alone, huh?"

Ishika hesitated for a moment before nodding. "It's not just that, Abhi. I... I miss having you around."

Abhinav paused mid-step. He wasn't one to express emotions easily, but hearing her say that struck a chord. Despite his annoyance with Sahil, he couldn't deny that staying with his sister would be better than being apart.

With a sigh, he picked up his suitcase. "Alright, let's go before I change my mind, Di."

Ishika grinned. "That's the spirit!"

As they left the hostel, she felt a sense of relief. At least for now, she wouldn't have to worry about him. And as much as Abhinav complained, deep down, she knew he wanted to stay with her too.

Besides, she had been looking for good houses where they could live together. She had saved enough money from her own income for this purpose. She hadn't used Sahil's money for it-she wanted to buy the house entirely on her own, without relying on anyone else.

She only asked Sahil for an allowance to cover the expenses of attending unnecessary parties and gatherings with wealthy socialites. She refused to waste her hard-earned money on such things.

***

When they arrived at the mansion, the butler was surprised to see a young man standing next to Ishika-someone he had never seen before.

"He's my little brother," she introduced.

"Oh! Hello, sir," the butler greeted hastily before hurrying off to arrange something for them to eat.

Abhinav gave a curt nod in reply, his gaze sweeping over the mansion before turning to Ishika. "Which room do you stay in, Di?"

She frowned. "Why?"

"Show it to me."

Ishika blinked, confused by his sudden request.

His expression darkened. "Has he been mistreating you? Do you live upstairs or in the basement?" His voice carried a sharp edge when she didn't answer immediately.

The butler hesitated, wanting to speak in Sahil's defense, but Abhinav shot him a warning glance that kept him silent. Without another word, the butler quietly left.

Ishika opened her mouth to explain, but before she could, Abhinav stepped forward, fully prepared to carry her to every room if that's what it took to get the truth.

Just as he was about to move, the phone on the coffee table rang.

Abhinav picked it up. "Hello?"

A brief silence. Then, a man's voice thundered through the receiver. "Who are you? Ishika?!"

Abhinav didn't flinch. Instead, he raised his voice even louder. "What are you yelling for?"

Ishika took a deep breath, knowing full well that only Abhinav had the nerve to shout back at him.

There was a pause on the other end. Then, realization hit.

"Abhinav, it's you."

Abhinav scoffed. "No, I'm a ghost haunting your phone. Boo!"

"Why are you answering the phone?!"

"Because I have hands," Abhinav deadpanned. "And because I felt like it. Any more questions, or should I start charging you for this conversation?"

Sahil groaned in frustration. "Abhinav, put Ishika on the phone!"

Abhinav smirked. "Oh, so now you want to talk to her? A second ago, you were just yelling into the void."

Before Abhinav could throw another sarcastic remark, Ishika quickly snatched the phone from his hand.

"Sahil, don't mind him," she said, forcing a light chuckle. "He's just joking around with you."

Sahil exhaled, and to her surprise, his voice was calmer. "For a second, I thought there was an intruder. But if it's Abhinav, then I guess there's nothing to worry about."

Hearing the relief in his tone, Ishika blinked. He had actually been worried?

Meanwhile, Abhinav was still hovering nearby, looking at her expectantly. She covered the phone with her hand and turned to him. "Go upstairs. Find my room yourself and get fresh. I'll ask the butler to prepare something for you to eat."

Abhinav pouted. "You're kicking me out of the conversation?"

"Yes," she said firmly.

With a dramatic sigh, he sauntered off, muttering, "Bossy as ever."

Rolling her eyes, Ishika returned to the call.

Sahil's voice came through again. "Did you bring him home?"

"Is that not allowed?" she asked cautiously.

"No, it's up to you," he replied smoothly.

Ishika felt an unexpected wave of relief at his response. She had braced herself for resistance, but there was none.

Then, to her further surprise, he asked, "How are you doing?"

She raised an eyebrow. Now he wanted to check on her? During all his previous business trips, he had never called just to ask how she was. Amused but unwilling to make a big deal out of it, she simply answered, "I'm fine."

"Good," he said.

She hesitated for a second before asking, "Is your work finished?"

"I'm in the middle of it," he replied.

A beat of silence stretched between them.

Then, despite herself, despite the stubborn walls she had built, she couldn't resist asking, "So when will you come?"

There was a long pause.

Ishika held her breath, scolding herself for even asking. She knew deep down that she missed him, but she didn't want to say it. She still didn't trust him-not completely.

But now, she had put the question out there.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready to hear the answer.

On the other end, Sahil remained silent for a moment, as if debating his answer.

Ishika bit her lip, regretting asking. Why did I even say that? She wasn't supposed to care.

Finally, he spoke. "It depends."

She frowned. "On what?"

"On how much you want me to come back," he said lightly, though there was an edge to his voice, as if he were testing her reaction.

Ishika scoffed, masking the unease stirring inside her. "That's your work, not my decision."

"I know," he admitted. "But you asked."

Her grip on the phone tightened. He had caught that, hadn't he? She had let her guard slip, even for just a second.

"I was just curious," she said, keeping her tone indifferent.

"Of course," Sahil replied, amusement laced in his voice.

Ishika exhaled, choosing to change the subject before he dragged this further. "Anyway, you should focus on your work. Don't waste time on unnecessary conversations."

"So is this unnecessary?"

"Yes."

He chuckled, as if he could see right through her. "Alright, I'll let you go, then."

"Good."

Just as she was about to hang up, he added, "Take care, Ishika."

Her fingers hovered over the screen. She hesitated, feeling something unfamiliar tug at her chest.

"You too," she mumbled before quickly ending the call.

As she placed the phone down, she exhaled deeply.

Why did that conversation feel... different?

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Before she could dwell on it, Abhinav strolled back into the room, now looking fresher but with his usual sharp gaze intact. He folded his arms, leaning against the doorway.

"So? What did he say?" His tone was laced with clear disapproval.

"Nothing important," Ishika replied, but her voice lacked conviction.

Abhinav scoffed. "Right. And yet, you look like you've just run a mental marathon. Let me guess-he fed you some nonsense, and you actually listened?"

Ishika shot him a glare. "Can you not start?"

"I wasn't starting. I was just pointing out the obvious," Abhinav said, grabbing a plate. He took a bite, chewing aggressively as if punishing the food. "I still don't get why you even entertain his calls. It's not like he deserves it."

Ishika exhaled, tired of the same argument. "Abhi-"

"No, seriously," he continued, setting his plate down with an unnecessary thud. "If it were up to me, I'd block his number, his existence, and-actually, do you think I can hack his phone and make all his calls go straight to voicemail?"

Ishika rolled her eyes. "Eat your food, Abhinav."

He huffed but obeyed, stabbing his fork into the dish with unnecessary force. Then, with his mouth half full, he mumbled, "So... when is that guy coming back?"

Ishika grabbed a cushion and launched it at him.

"Oi!" He barely dodged, holding up his plate as a shield. "What?! I need to know how many days of peace I have left before his return ruins my mood!"

She exhaled, rubbing her temples. "You're impossible."

"And you have bad taste in men," he countered. "Seriously, Di, of all people in this world-why him?"

Ishika ignored him, turning away before he could see the conflict flickering in her eyes.

She wanted to say it wasn't like that. That Sahil's return shouldn't matter to her.

But deep down, she knew she wasn't so sure anymore.

And that realization unsettled her more than Abhinav's words ever could.

After some time, Abhinav spoke again, but this time, more seriously.

"Di," he said.

Ishika hummed in response.

There was something he wanted to tell her, but he held back-he didn't want to scare her or make her worry.

Back when he was in the hospital, with nothing else to do, he had spent his time researching Sahil. In the process, he had discovered some unusual things about him. However, he had chosen to remain silent, knowing that she still lived with Sahil and that he wasn't in a position to support her. At that time, he was still a student, dependent on others, and had no means to help her if things went wrong.

But now, everything had changed. He had completed his studies, secured a job at a major MNC, and was finally capable of standing on his own feet. If his sister decided to divorce Sahil, he could live with her and support her in any way she needed. This time, he wouldn't have to stay silent.

Noticing the change in her brother's expression-the way his face tensed as if he were caught in an internal conflict-Ishika frowned.

"Abhi, is there something you want to say?" she asked.

Abhinav snapped out of his daze at her question.

"Yes," he said firmly. "Sahil is not a good man. I can tell just by looking at him. Find a way to get out of this marriage-fast. As soon as I join my company, you're leaving with me."

Ishika raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"I need a maid. You'll do," he said with a smirk.

"Get out of here!" she scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Abhinav chuckled, but the humor didn't linger. His expression turned serious once more, his gaze darkening.

"Seriously, Di," he said, his tone low. "He's not good for you."

Ishika let out a deep sigh and said, "Abhi, I know. We don't have a good relationship, but that doesn't mean he's a bad person. Just because two people are incompatible doesn't make one of them at fault. We can't label people like that."

Abhinav looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze away. His jaw clenched before he spoke again.

"What if I know something about him that makes him... suspicious?" he said slowly. "Besides, if someone treats you badly, in my eyes, that already makes them a bad person."

Ishika narrowed her eyes, confused by his cryptic words.

"Abhi, just tell me clearly what's bothering you. I want to know."

Abhinav exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair.

"I read something about him on the internet," he admitted. "Something... not good. I've found out that he has connections with some bad people."

Ishika frowned, her stomach twisting uneasily.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

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End of the chapter.

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