Chapter 26

Janvi gazed at the multiples of bags in Naksh's hand, her voice laced with amusement. "You did a lot of shopping, Pihu," she teased, "it seems someone else had an even more eventful day."

Pihu's expression turned annoyed, "Don't rub salt in the wound."

"Why?" Janvi asked.

Pihu's frustration boiled over, and she threw her hands up in exasperation. "Because these bags all belong to this self-obsessed man!" she exclaimed, her voice rising to a scream.

Naksh just grinned, seemingly pleased with himself, as Pihu's annoyed expression deepened.

Janvi's confusion was evident on her face. "What do you mean these bags belong to him?" she asked, her brow furrowed.

Pihu's response was laced with sarcasm. "It means what it sounds like – he was jumping like a frog in the whole mall, buying up everything in sight!"

Janvi and Shivay exchanged a knowing glance, and Shivay's words cut through the air, bursting Pihu's annoyance bubble. "But he doesn't do shopping, Pihu. At least not this much."

And Pihu's expression turned into something ugly. It clicked with her that Naksh was not shopping because he loved it but rather a deliberate attempt to get under her skin. A pang of disappointment struck Pihu's heart, not just because Naksh had manipulated her, but also because she felt she didn't know some basic things about her husband.

The room fell silent, with Pihu's uncharacteristic quietness hanging in the air like a challenge.

Naksh, who is waiting for an angry outburst from his angry bird, feels an unsettled feeling in his heart when he meets with Pihu's silence.

Naksh had always found Pihu's anger adorable, and he often provoked her just to see the spark in her eyes. But this expression on her face, a mixture of disappointment and hurt, was something he couldn't bear. He hated it.

After living with her, he knows this expression - a disappointed one. But why the disappointment? Is she disappointed in Naksh because he lied to her? Or because she found it childish?

Just as Naksh's thoughts began to spiral, Janvi nudged Pihu, snapping her out of her momentary introspection. Pihu's expression transformed her mask of composure firmly back in place.

"You're going to pay for this," she threatened, her glare piercing as she turned to Naksh. Though her words were laced with venom, Naksh felt a slight sense of relief wash over him. At least this was a reaction he was familiar with.

Naksh offered a small, fake smile.

"By the way what do you guys buy?" Pihu asked, shifting her attention to Janvi and Shivay, ignoring Naksh's fake smile for now.

"Nothing. I buy books, and he buries himself in piles of books." Janvi told with sarcasm, and Shivay scrunched his nose.

"Huh?"

"His clumsy ass knock down a whole bookshelf."

"Wow, brother... You don't attract only girls but everything you see. I am quite impressed." Naksh teased him, swung his arm around his shoulder, and missed hitting his face with the shopping bag with an inch.

"It's a mistake because I'm a little clumsy. And I attract everything, but man is not on this list." He said while removing Naksh's hand away from himself with a scoff.

"What is in that bag, Pihu?" Janvi asked, looking at a cute small purple bag in her hand.

"It's BTS merch for Mru. We don't tell her about shopping, so it's a sorry gift for her." Pihu explained.

"Wow. I also brought her favourite coffee and pastry."

"Did brother Aahan know about BTS?" Naksh asked.

Pihu and Janvi exchanged a sly, knowing glance, their faces mirroring each other's mischievous grins. "No", answered Janvi.

Shivay's eyes narrowed, his gaze darting between the two women. "Nothing good can come out when they smile like that,"

Naksh nodded in fervent agreement "Trust me, Brother is cooked today."

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Aahan and Mrunali sat together in comfortable silence, the only sound being the occasional clinking of utensils against their plates as they savoured their meal. Mrunali had been doing most of the talking, sharing her thoughts and stories with Aahan, who listened intently.

Though Aahan hadn't said much, his intermittent humming provided a soothing background melody, indicating that he was engaged and attentive to Mrunali's conversation. The warm and cosy atmosphere surrounding them made their silence feel peaceful and companionable.

The front door opened with a whinny Naksh followed by a laughing Janvi, Shivay and Pihu.

They walked towards the dining where Mrunali and Aahan were eating peacefully.

"So you guys didn't die from starving," Janvi remarked.

Without uttering a word, Pihu gently took the spoon from Mrunali's hand and tasted the food. Naksh, intrigued by Aahan's cooking skills, followed Pihu's lead and snatched a bite from Aahan's plate. Aahan shot Naksh a disapproving glare, which means "Where are your manners?"

Janvi, not one to be left out, joined in on the impromptu food tasting. She even went so far as to feed Shivay, who seemed too dignified to indulge in such shameless behaviour.

Everyone moaned in delight.

"You didn't get rusty after those years, but still, you could do something more iconic as your first Rasoi for my twin," Pihu threw a teasing smirk at Aahan.

Ignoring her comment instead, he said, "I know what you're up to, Pihu."

"Should I act surprised?" Pihu chuckled at his words because if Aahan couldn't see through her simple trick, then it was a shame on his IQ and their odd friendship.

Mrunali's voice was laced with a hint of jealousy as she complained, "You guys went shopping without me?" Her eyes sparkled with a pouty glint, making her look adorable.

Shivay chuckled and teased, "We did ask you, but you were sleeping like Kumbhakarna. We couldn't wake you up even if we tried!"

Mrunali's pout deepened, her voice taking on a whine. "You should have dragged me along instead of leaving me behind with him."

Janvi intervened; her voice was soft and soothing. "But isn't it lovely that you got to spend some quality time with brother Aahan? And look, you even got to taste his handmade food!"

Pihu added, her voice barely above a whisper, "And who knows, maybe it's a sneak peek into your future life together... with your future hubby cooking for you?"

A faint blush spread across Mrunali's face, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

She stomped her foot, trying to appear indignant, but her eyes sparkled with delight. "You guys know just how to shut me up and distract me!"

"It's okay, Mru. We can go another time. It's not like we do anything special except for your brother burying himself under the books and your Devar jumping like a frog." Janvi tells her to make her mood light.

"And we had a surprise for you," Pihu added, sharing a smirk with Janvi.

"What?" Mrunali asks with a little excitement.

Pihu's eyes sparkled with mischief as she thrust a vibrant purple bag into Mrunali's hands, accompanied by a dramatic "Ta-da!" The room held its breath in anticipation, and then Mrunali's eyes widened as she rummaged through the bag. Her shriek of delight pierced the air, "ARGH, A YOONGI PRINTED BLANKET!"

Mrunali's reaction was immediate and unbridled. She sprang to her feet, the blanket clutched tightly in her arms, and began to bounce up and down like a rubber ball. Her eyes shone with an uncontainable excitement as she enveloped Pihu in a suffocating hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she squealed, her voice muffled against Pihu's shoulder.

Aahan's face, on the other hand, fell into a deep frown, his eyes narrowing in mock disapproval. Pihu, however, beamed with satisfaction, clearly thrilled with Mrunali's over-the-top reaction.

As Mrunali continued to squeeze the life out of Pihu, the latter tapped gently on her arm, laughing. "Twin, I don't want to die so young," Pihu pleaded, her voice laced with amusement.

Mrunali's grip relaxed, and she sheepishly apologized, "Sorry," before releasing Pihu from her vice-like hug. As Pihu regained her breath, Mrunali eagerly began to show off her prized blanket to Janvi, who couldn't help but be impressed by the vibrant Yoongi print.

Meanwhile, Aahan stood by, waiting for someone to ask the obvious question. His eyes darted around the room, expecting someone to inquire about the blanket's origin or the inspiration behind the gift. However, the room remained silent, with everyone seemingly too caught up in Mrunali's excitement to pose the question that Aahan so clearly desired to answer.

"Who is Yoongi?" Aahan asked, his voice low and even.

Aahan's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed intently on the blanket, specifically on the face of Yoongi, the man who seemed to have captured Mrunali's heart. His tone was laced with a hint of irritation, a subtle undercurrent of jealousy that he struggled to conceal.

Pihu and Janvi exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes sparkling with amusement. 'Here we go,' they thought in unison, sensing the drama that was about to unfold.

Naksh, never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, chimed in, his voice dripping with innocence. "A BTS member," he said.

Aahan's gaze snapped to Naksh, "And?"

Naksh's grin was mischievous, his tone playful. "My sister-in-law is whipped for him."

Pihu felt a surge of pride in Naksh for the first time.

Aahan's tone turned petulant, his jealousy simmering just below the surface. "Okay, but why the hell does she need his face on a blanket?" His words were laced with a hint of resentment, a sense of insecurity that he struggled to conceal.

Naksh's response was absentminded, his words tumbling out without thought. "Because he is her dream husband."

Aahan's glare was withering, which said I am gonna rip you in a new one.

Naksh, sensing his mistake, backpedaled hastily. "I...I mean, he is a dream, but you are a real one, brother. A single, authentic piece."

"Hmph!," Pihu scoffed. "Nobody is better than Min Yoongi. He is the best. Right twin?" She adds fuel to a burning volcano. Naksh looked at Pihu in horror, like she really wanted his brother to blast.

"Yeah," Mrunali replied without knowing because her whole mind was caged by a soft blanket.

"See", Pihu said with a smirk, because other than innocence, Mrunali is famous for her clueless and lost Nature.

Aahan's reaction was instantaneous. His eyes flashed with anger, and his fist clenched unintentionally. "Nonsense," he muttered, his voice low and even.

Mrunali's expression changed in an instant. Her eyes clouded over, and her face fell, her hurt expression plastered on her face. "Did you call my choice nonsense?" she asked.

Aahan's anger dissipated, replaced by a sense of panic. He stuttered, "I mean... No..." His eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape from the situation.

Naksh, again, chimed in, "He means yes." Aahan's glare was withering, and Naksh quickly mumbled a sorry before hiding behind Shivay, cursing his own mouth.

Aahan tried to calm Mrunali down, his voice placating. "I mean, your choice is not bad, little one." However, his words only seemed to make things worse.

Mrunali's eyebrows shot up, her expression incredulous. "Not bad?" she repeated, her voice laced with disdain.

Aahan stuttered, "I... Mean... Like I don't mean that..." His words trailed off, and he looked like a fish out of water, struggling to express himself.

Pihu and Janvi bit their lower lip to control their laughter, their eyes shining with amusement. They knew that Aahan's weakness in expressing himself would only add to the comedy of the situation.

Just as Mrunali was about to unleash her full fury, Janvi intervened with a clever distraction. "Kuch jala?" (Did something burn?) she asked, her eyes scanning the room with a mock-serious expression.

Pihu, always ready to play along, began to sniff the air, her face scrunched up in concentration. "Kuch jada hi jal raha hai," (Something is burning badly) she declared, her voice dripping with drama.

Janvi added fuel to the fire, "Hein na, Bhai, kuch rakh k bhul gye kya?" (Brother, did you forget to turn off the stove or something?)

Mrunali, completely taken in by the charade, looked around the room in confusion, trying to sniff out the source of the supposed burning smell.

Meanwhile, Naksh, still hiding behind Shivay, couldn't resist taking another jab at Aahan. "Dil deke, jealousy chupana bhul gye,"

Aahan's glare was deadly, his eyes blazing with anger. "I'm gonna kill this piece of shit," he muttered, his fists clenched.

Mrunali, still clueless, turned to Pihu for an explanation. Pihu whispered in her ear, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Nothing, just your man is jealous of this blanket."

Mrunali's face turned bright red as she realized the whole situation. Pihu winked at her, and Mrunali's blush deepened, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Before the drama could continue, A ringtone rang into the room. Janvi's eyes widened as she retrieved her phone, her brow furrowing in confusion at the unknown number flashing on the screen.

She hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice cautious. "Hello?"

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on Janvi as she listened to the voice on the other end of the line. At first, her expression was neutral, but as the seconds ticked by, her face began to transform.

Her eyes widened in shock, her skin turning a pale shade of white. Her body started to shiver, her hands trembling as she clutched the phone.

The voice on the phone was inaudible to the others, but its impact on Janvi was evident. She looked like she had been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. Her eyes locked onto Pihu's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

A single tear rolled down Janvi's cheek, her eyes welling up with a deep sadness. The phone slipped from her fingers, falling to the floor with a soft thud. Janvi's gaze never wavered from Pihu's.

Shivay was calm and collected as he picked up the phone and put it on speaker. The room was already heavy with tension, but the words that came next were like a sledgehammer to the gut.

"Hello, Miss Janvi. Are you listening? This call is from the police station. Your brother's dead body was found under the bridge."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, a cruel joke that no one wanted to believe. The happy atmosphere that had filled the room just moments before was extinguished in an instant, replaced by a deafening silence.

Janvi's face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears as she stumbled backwards as if the words had physically pushed her away. Mrunali rushed to her side, wrapping her arms around Janvi's waist and holding her upright.

A small, almost inaudible "We're coming" escaped Shivay's lips, a promise to the unknown voice on the other end of the line that they would be there, that they would face whatever was waiting for them.

The room was frozen in time; the only sound was the heavy breathing of the people around them. The words on the phone had changed everything, casting a dark shadow over their lives, a shadow that would take a long time to lift.

Shivay's face contorted in concern, he took a step forward, "Janvi?" he whispered, his voice trembling with worry.

Janvi's lips parted, but no words came out. She looked like she was drowning in a sea of emotions, unable to find a lifeline. The horror in her eyes was palpable, a reflection of the turmoil that was brewing inside her.

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Janvi stepped out of the car, stumbling with the support of Mrunali, whose face looked like she would cry any moment.

And onto the familiar yet unwelcome driveway, a mix of emotions swirling within her. The phone call from the police still echoed in her mind, its words a harsh reminder of the tragedy that had befallen her family.

Her elder brother, Avan, was found dead under a bridge, bitten by a snake. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

As she gazed up at the house, memories came flooding back. The walls, once a witness to her tears, blood and screams, now stood as a haunting reminder of the past she had tried to escape.

She had left this place years ago, fleeing the abuse and neglect that had ruined her childhood. The memories still lingered, but she had built a new life, one filled with love and support from her friends.

Pihu, Naksh, Mrunali, Aahan, and Shivay stood beside her, their sombre faces a testament to the gravity of the situation. They had accompanied her on this difficult journey, offering a shoulder to lean on and a comforting presence.

"Are you comfortable to go back there?" Naksh asked in a soft tone, pointing at the house in front of them.

Janvi's eyes seemed to glaze over, her mind retreating to a place where the pain was too much to bear.

She nodded her head, a small, almost imperceptible movement as if she was acknowledging the inevitable.

Her face was a mask of anguish, tears streaming down her cheeks like a relentless river.

But despite the overwhelming grief, she remained silent, her voice trapped in her throat.

"I'm so sorry, Janvi," Pihu whispered, her voice barely audible.

Janvi nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "Me too," she whispered back.

As they made their way into the house, Janvi's parents emerged from the shadows, their faces etched with a mix of grief and guilt. Janvi's mother had her eyes sunken and her skin pale while she was crying hysterically.

Janvi's eyes locked onto her parents; their gaze reminded her of her father's ruthless whip and her mother's heart-wrenching taunts. A shiver went down her spine.

She had thought she was prepared to face them, but the reality was far more than pleasing thoughts.

The tremble in Janvi's body didn't go unnoticed by her friends. Shivay clenched his fist to control his anger. Mrunali tightened her grip around Janvi to act in protection while the other three gave a deadly glare to her parents.

"Where's Avan?" Janvi asked collecting her courage.

Her father, glaring at her, mumbled, "The police are still investigating. They'll bring the body here soon." His voice is so calm like he is giving news of the weathercast instead of his dead son.

Janvi fist clenched in anger.

As they entered the house, Janvi was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The same old furniture, the same old walls, the same old memories. It was as if time had stood still, waiting for her return. It makes her vomit.

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Mrunali and Aahan excused themselves to help with the funeral preparations, while Shivay and Naksh hung back, their eyes fixed on Janvi.

Pihu, sensing Janvi's unease, took her hand in hers. "We're here for you, Janvi. We'll get through this together."

Janvi smiled weakly, her eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you, Pihu. Just being here with you guys makes me feel a little better."

After a few hours, the Police came with the body of Avan and told everyone that it was an accident and his bad luck.

As the funeral procession arrived, Janvi felt a sense of numbness wash over her. She went through the motions, performing the rituals and accepting condolences from the mourners.

Janvi's mother wailed, her body shaking with uncontrollable sobs. She cried a river of tears, mourning the loss of her son, her voice echoing through the room like a lamentation. Her words were a desperate plea to the heavens, begging God to take her too, to end her suffering and reunite her with her beloved child.

Janvi watched, her heart heavy with sorrow, as her mother's world crumbled around her. She knew why her mother was crying, why she was begging to be taken too. It was because today, they had lost their son, their child, their shining light. And Janvi, their daughter, had been lost to them long ago, her childhood innocence and joy brutally extinguished by their own hands.

The realization hit Janvi like a ton of bricks. Her parents were not just mourning the loss of their son; they were also confronting the fact that they were now childless parents. The daughter they had once had, the little girl who had once laughed and played, was gone, lost to the traumas of her past. And now, with their son's passing, they were left with nothing, no one to hold, no one to love, no one to care for them in their old age.

As Janvi looked at her parents, she felt a pang of sorrow, not for them, but for the little girl she once was, the little girl who had been lost, forgotten, and abandoned.

She felt sorry for the life she could have had, the childhood she could have enjoyed, and the love and support she could have received.

But most of all, she felt sorry for the fact that her parents would never get to experience the joy of having a loving, caring child, a child who would be there for them, support them, and love them unconditionally.

She walked towards her mother and sat beside her. Shivay wants to follow but is stopped by Pihu. They watched Janvi talking to her mother. Nobody knows what they talk but her mother was now begging her.

But ignoring her, she stood beside Avan's lifeless body, she whispered to him, "You're free now." And left the hall, followed by her friends.

The car ride home is silent. Mrunali's eyes are scanning Janvi and Shivay. There is something off. Her brother is quite distant from Janvi today which is unusual. But she thought maybe he wanted to give her space.

As they reached home, they met with Sidharth, who was sitting there elegantly. His eyes roamed at them and stopped at Janvi, " Sorry for your loss."

Janvi didn't say anything; just silently sat on the couch. Tears are still flowing through her eyes.

Everything was quiet until Aahan's voice pierced through the room,

"Enough for those fake tears, Janvi. I thought you already ran out of eye drops."

──── ❝ TO BE CONTINUED❞ ─────

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