Viren, Arnav, Anvi, and Abhimaan started walking toward their car when Arnav's phone began to ring. He glanced at the screen and immediately picked it up.

Voice: "Arni, kaha ho tum?"

Arnav: "Abhi Sitara mein hoon... bas Sehgal Nivas jaane wale hain hum log. Maan bhi saath mein hai."

Voice: "Acha... Arni suno, pehle Maan aur Anvi se thodi baat kar lena. Aur kuch kha lo sab, tum logon ne ab tak kuch khaya nahi hoga. Aur tum apni medicine bhi bhool gaye hoge, hai na?"

Arnav's steps slowed. He sighed softly, freezing like a deer caught in headlights. When he didn't reply, the voice on the other end turned stern.

Voice: "Arnav, tumne phir se apni medicine skip ki na?"

Arnav: (guiltily) "Sorry..."

The voice softened again, gentle yet firm.
Voice: "Chalo Arni, pehle thoda sa kuch kha lo, dawai le lo, tab jao. Sirf das minute lagenge. Tumhe strong rehna hoga, Arnav. Tum khud bimar ho jaoge toh baaki sabko kaise sambhaloge? Aur ussi time Maan aur Anvi se bhi baat kar lena, okay?"

Arnav: "Thik hai."
He ended the call quietly, staring at his phone for a moment before turning to Maan.

Arnav: "Maan, pehle kuch kha lete hain, phir chalte hain."

Maan nodded immediately.
Maan: "Haan bhaiya, yahi bagal mein ek dhaba hai, acha hai. Hum log roz wahi se kha rahe the, wahi chalte hain."

Everyone agreed and began walking in that direction, except Viren, who stopped near the car.

Viren: "Main gaadi mein baithta hoon... mujhe bhookh nahi hai."

Arnav, Anvi, and Maan exchanged a quiet look but didn't say anything. They simply nodded and continued walking toward the dhaba, the air heavy with unspoken emotions.

As they approached the small dhaba, the faint smoke of the stove curled in the air, the smell of frying parathas mixing with the morning chill.

Arnav's steps faltered when his gaze landed on a small figure sitting on the ground near the stall.

"Ye... ye yahan kya kar raha hai akele?" Arnav whispered, his eyes fixed on Aarush, who sat with his little knees tucked, staring silently ahead. "Aur... iski behen kahan hai?"

Without waiting for an answer,

He started moving forward, as if pulled by an invisible force, Arnav, Maan, and Anvi moved toward Aarush. None of them knew why, but their hearts were dragging them forward.

When they reached him, their eyes followed the boy's gaze-

And their breaths caught.

Just a few steps away, Avyukta, still wrapped in fresh bandages, knelt on the ground beside a pile of utensils, scrubbing them with trembling hands. Her face was pale, her lips pressed together in stubborn silence, pain flashing across her features-but still she worked.

Maan's brow furrowed, his fists curling. His voice, rough and edged, rang out before he could stop himself:

"Tum ye kya kar rahi ho?!"

The sudden sharpness made Aarush flinch, clutching his knees tighter.

But Arnav's eyes had already moved to the dhaba owner lounging lazily on a chair nearby. In two strides, he was in front of the man, fisting his collar and yanking him up roughly. His voice thundered, raw with fury.

"Bacchi se kaam karvate hue sharam nahi aati? Dikh raha hai na use chot lagi hai? Sharam nahi aati tujhe!"

The dhaba owner stumbled, panic flooding his face. "Arre, sahab! Main ne zabardasti nahi karvaya! Ye khud aayi thi... haath jod ke kaha-kuch kaam ke badle ek glass doodh de dijiye. Mera bhai bhooka hai..."

The words hit like a stone in silence.

Arnav's grip loosened. He shoved the man back, disgust flashing in his eyes, then turned, kneeling down in front of Avyukta. She had paused, her little hands still wet and trembling, fear flickering in her eyes-but her chin lifted, masking every emotion.

"Beta..." Arnav's voice softened, heavy with pain. He extended a hand towards her. "Chhodo ye sab. Chalo... main khila deta hoon. Aao mere saath."

Avyukta stiffened. Her jaw set, her pride unyielding. She shook her head slowly.

"Iski... koi zarurat nahi hai, sir. Aapse paise nahi le sakti main. Aapne already meri bahot help ki hai. Please... maaf kijiye. Lekin main aapse aur kuch nahi le sakti."

Her words struck Arnav like a blow-so small, so fragile, yet holding a dignity fiercer than many grown men.

But he couldn't give in.

"Beta, chot lagi hai tumko. Ghav abhi taaze hain. Aise bartan dho kar aur dard hoga. Please... chalo, main khila deta hoon."

She bit her inner lip, her eyes hard. "Nahi, sir. Main aapse paise nahi le sakti. Sirf thode hi bartan dhone hain. Aap chinta mat kariye. Mujhe dard nahi ho raha."

Her voice trembled, betraying the truth her body couldn't hide.

Arnav studied her for a long moment, then-without a word-picked up a spare scrub from the ground, dipped it in water, and set to work beside her.

The sound of metal clattering echoed as Anvi and Maan gaped.

"Aap ye kya kar rahe hain?!" they asked in unison, stunned.

Arnav looked up briefly, his face calm, almost casual.

"Bartan dho raha hoon," he said nonchalantly, scrubbing harder.

Avyukta's eyes widened. She quickly reached forward, her small hand catching his wrist.

"Aap ye sab kyu kar rahe hain, sir?" she asked, her voice breaking with both confusion and fear.

Arnav only shrugged, brushing her off gently. Despite her protests, he continued helping her, each stroke of his hand against the utensils.

Maan frowned, stepping forward.
And said "Bhaiya, kya kar rahe ho? Chhodo isse!"

Then he turned sharply toward Avyuktha, his tone laced with irritation and frustration. "Aur tum, utho wahan se aur chalo hum logon ke saath."

His voice was firm - almost angry.
Anvi joined in, matching his tone.
Said. "Haan bhaiya, uthiye aap."

But Arnav knew Avyuktha wouldn't go. Her pride would never let her walk away like that. So instead, he turned toward Maan and Anvi, his eyes steady and his voice firm.

Arnav: "Stand there and finger on your lips."

Maan and Anvi stared at him in disbelief.
Both (in unison): "What?"

Arnav's gaze hardened and said "Do I have to repeat myself?" - each word pressed with quiet authority.

Hearing that tone, both Maan and Anvi immediately straightened up and obediently placed their fingers on their lips.

To their surprise, little Aarush - who had been quietly sitting nearby - also stood up and put his finger on his lips too.

Neither Arnav nor Avyuktha noticed him; both were busy washing the utensils side by side.

When they finally finished cleaning, Arnav turned - and the sight before him made him smile. His "three monkeys" stood in a line, fingers still on their lips, pouting.

He bent down to Aarush's level, his eyes soft with amusement. "Arey, maine tumse thodi kaha tha! Tum toh ache bachchon ki tarah shanti se baithe the. Maine toh in dono bandaron ko bola tha."

Aarush's cheeks flushed as he mumbled shyly, said"Mujhe laga aapne sabko bola..."

Arnav chuckled at his innocence, and even Avyuktha couldn't help a small smile at the adorable exchange.

Then Arnav looked back - Maan and Anvi were still standing there, glaring at him with puffed cheeks and fingers on their lips. He couldn't hold back his laughter.

Walking over, he gently lowered their hands.

Both of them kept glaring, but he only smiled - that warm, teasing smile of his - and pulled them into a hug.

Arnav: "Acha sorry... ab muh mat phulao dono. Pareshan kar rahe the, isliye daanta tha."

Their pouts melted instantly. They hugged him back tightly, seeking the comfort and warmth that only their brother could give - the kind that soothed every storm inside.

A few steps away, Avyuktha and Aarush watched silently. A soft smile touched their lips.

Avyuktha's heart stirred. This man... she thought. He had nothing to do with her - yet he had stayed back to help, washed utensils with her, and cared for everyone around him so effortlessly. His heart was... beautiful.

He reminded her of someone she had once known - someone she hadn't seen in years but whose warmth she could still feel, faint but unforgotten.

Quietly, she turned toward the dhaba owner, trying to hide the faint ache and admiration in her chest.

"Saab... ek glass doodh dijiye. Sab ho gaya."

The owner hesitated, then went into the kitchen and returned with a steel glass-not full, only three-fourths.

Avyukta's eyes flickered, but she said nothing. She accepted it, then discreetly poured in water from a nearby jug, filling it to the brim.

Arnav, Maan, and Anvi watched silently, their throats tightening as she carried it back to Aarush.

"Lo, Aru..." she murmured, handing it to him. "Piyo."

Aarush drank greedily, his little hands clutching the glass. But halfway through, he paused. He looked at his sister with teary eyes and pushed the glass towards her.

"Jiji... baaki aap pi lo. Aapne bhi toh kuch nahi khaya..."

Avyukta smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Nahi, Aru. Mujhe bhookh nahi hai. Tu pee ja."

But Aarush pouted, his voice trembling. "Nahi jiji... aap bhi piyo."

For a moment, her expression softened-then she turned stern, her voice firm and commanding.

"Aaru. Zidd mat karo. Pura piyo."

Jiji...

Then Avyuktha sternly said, "Aru.. "

Aarush blinked at the sharpness, then silently obeyed, finishing the glass in one go.

And as his sister stroked his hair, hiding her empty stomach behind that small proud smile, the three Jaisinghs watching her felt something crack deep inside their chests.

Arnav bent down to Avyukta's level again, his voice softer this time.

Arnav: "Beta... abhi kuch khaa lo. Hum sab saath mein khate hain. Tumne subh se kuch nahi khaya hoga, na?"

Avyukta lowered her gaze, wiping her damp hands on her dupatta. Her lips curved in a faint smile that did not reach her eyes.

Avyukta: "Nahi sir... zarurat nahi hai. Aap sab log thak gaye honge, aap khaa lijiye. Mujhe bhookh nahi hai."

Before Arnav could insist, Aarush tugged at his sister's hand, his little eyes pleading.

Aarush: "Jiji... please na... aap bhi kha lo. Mujhe accha nahi lagta aap bina khaye rah jaati ho."

Avyukta's heart clenched, but her dignity stood tall. She cupped Aarush's cheek gently and shook her head.

Avyukta: "Nahi Aaru... tune khaaya na, bas itna hi mere liye kaafi hai. Chal, ghar chalte hain... der ho rahi hai."

Holding his small hand firmly, she turned away from the dhaba, her slight frame silhouetted against the setting sun. Each step looked painful, yet steady - as though sheer willpower was carrying her forward.

Behind her, silence swallowed the table. Arnav, Anvi, and Abhimaan just sat there, unable to lift a morsel to their mouths. The air was thick, their chests heavy with emotions they couldn't name. Even hunger had fled.

Finally, they each ordered just a cup of tea. The hot liquid scalded their throats, but it matched the burn inside their hearts.

But right now Arnav had more things on his plate. He slowly stared conversing with Maan and Anvi and made them undertand that it's not the children's fault its was their father's fault and asked them to behave properly with the kids as they are just boring the weight of the sins they had nothing to do with.

Once done, they quietly rose, got into the car, and drove back toward Sehgal Niwas - carrying with them the haunting image of a young girl's pride, her pain, and her silent endurance.