Here's the next chapter....

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Chapter: Shivers and Lemonade

The silence of the hospital room was fragile  so still that even the soft hum of the ceiling fan felt loud. Sunlight spilled weakly through the half-drawn blinds, stretching across white sheets and glinting on the metal railings of the bed.

And then a faint sound broke that delicate quiet.

Click.

The door creaked open.

A ward boy stepped in, a clipboard in one hand and a small tray in the other.

That simple sound  that small intrusion shattered the soft cocoon of stillness that had wrapped around them.

Arnav and Avyuktha's silent world cracked open. Aarush, sitting in Arnav's lap, blinked up at the stranger in a white uniform, confused.

"Sir," the ward boy said politely, "Avyuktha Jaisingh ka blood sample lena hai."

The words were routine  ordinary, almost  but the effect was immediate.

Avyuktha's body went still. Her fingers, which had been resting lightly on the bedsheet, twisted into a fist. Her lips parted slightly, the color draining from them. She tried to smile, to hide the tremor in her voice.

"Yeh... zaroori hai kya?" she whispered, "Please rehne dijiye... main bilkul theek hoon."

Her act of composure cracked at the edges. Her lashes fluttered, hands trembling in her lap the fear unmistakable now.

Arnav noticed instantly.

Anvi, reading her sister's silent panic, gently lifted Aarush from Arnav's lap. The little boy pressed his face into her shoulder, sensing the strange tightness in the room though he didn't understand it.

The tray clinked faintly as the ward boy set it down, the glint of a syringe catching the afternoon light.

Avyuktha's throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. Her voice shook when she spoke again, "Please rehne dijiye iski koi zarurat nhi hai...mai bilkul thik hoon..."

Arnav's hand moved instinctively, covering hers. His palm was warm, steady, grounding her as if anchoring her fear.

"Avu...," he said softly, his tone a calm murmur, "Zaruei hai baccha...Bas thoda sa chubbega... jaise chhoti si chiti katati hai na vaise hi....Tu darr mat."

But her grip only tightened, nails digging faint crescents into his hand. Her breathing turned shallow. The faintest tremor ran through her lips.

When the ward boy approached with the cotton swab, she flinched violently, whispering, "Nahi... rehne dijiye, please..."

Tears welled and spilled before she could stop them.

Without a word, Arnav pulled her closer, tucking her against his chest. Her face buried into his shirt, the faint scent of antiseptic mingling with his warmth. He cupped her head gently, shielding her from the sight of the syringe.

The ward boy hesitated, but Arnav gave a small nod, permission to continue.

"Maan," he said quietly.

Maan stepped forward, kneeling beside the bed. "Bas thoda sa, Avu..." he murmured, holding her hand gently, his thumb rubbing small circles on her wrist.

The cold sting of antiseptic hit her skin, and she flinched again, her shoulders shaking. Her breath came in short, uneven bursts, and then, the needle pricked.

A small whimper escaped her lips  fragile, almost childlike.

Four sharp hisses filled the room in unison --Arnav, Maan, Anvi, and even Avyuktha herself. Aarush squeezed his eyes shut as Anvi gently covered them with her hand.

The ward boy couldn't help a faint, knowing smile. It wasn't mockery, it was tenderness. A family's pain mirrored in one heartbeat.

Within seconds, it was over. The needle was withdrawn, cotton pressed.

Avyuktha stayed curled against Arnav, trembling slightly. He stroked her hair slowly, murmuring, "Ho gaya baccha... dekh ho gya," before pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

She stayed still for a moment longer, her breath finally evening out. When she pulled back, her lashes were still wet, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

The ward boy nodded and slipped out quietly, closing the door behind him.

Aarush squirmed gently in Anvi's arms.
"Didi... mujhe jiji ke paas jaana hai," he whispered.

Anvi smiled and placed him on Avyuktha's bed. Aarush climbed onto his knees, his little face full of concern. He reached out and carefully wiped away a lingering tear from her cheek with his tiny fingers.

"Jiji... dard ho raha hai kya?"

Avyuktha shook her head, a soft, trembling smile breaking through. "Nahi, baccha... ab bilkul nahi."

Aarush not convinced asked her again,"Pakka?." Avyuktha,smiled at his concerned and reassured him,"Pakka."

But Aarush only crossed his little arms and sat cross-legged in front of her, lips pushed into a stubborn pout.

Avyuktha smiled at his expression and poked his cheek lightly.
"Gussa hai?" she asked gently.

Still pouting, Aarush gave a serious little nod.

"Sorry na, baccha," Avyuktha said softly, leaning forward. "Dobara nahi hoga... please maan jaa."

Aarush's eyes suddenly shimmered. He looked up at her, his voice breaking,
"Main bahut darr gaya tha..."

That was all it took. Avyuktha immediately gathered him into her arms, hissing slightly as the IV line stretched, but she didn't care.....right now, Aarush was all that mattered.

Maan instinctively stepped forward to adjust the IV drip, but Arnav raised a hand, silently stopping him. He knew they needed this, the unspoken fear between them had to melt away.

Aarush's small body trembled in her arms as he sobbed,
"Jiji... mujhe laga aap bhi chali jaogi mujhe chhod ke..."

Avyuktha cradled his head against her shoulder, her voice breaking,
"Nahi baccha... kabhi nahi. Main kahin nahi jaungi."

But Aarush wasn't ready to believe it. His cries grew softer, desperate.
"Jiji... main koi shararat nahi karunga, aapki saari baat manunga. Bas please... mujhe chhod ke mat jaana."

Everyone in the room froze, eyes glistening, throats tight. Hearing such words from such a small child shattered something inside them.

Avyuktha's own tears spilled as she whispered,
"Main tujhe kabhi nahi chhod ke jaungi, Aaru... kabhi bhi nahi."

Aarush hiccupped, breaking the hug slightly to look at her, eyes huge and wet. "Main sachchi... badmaashi nahi karunga," he promised, pinching his throat solemnly.

Avyuktha shook her head through tears, smiling weakly. "Tu badmaashi nahi karega toh kaun karega, hmm? Maine bola na, Aaru ... main kahin nahi jaungi. Chal, ab chup ho jaa... kitna royega baccha. Shant ho ja."

She pulled him into a side hug, his small frame melting into her chest as she rubbed his back slowly with one arm. Maan quietly adjusted the IV line, careful not to disturb them.

Still, Aarush's sobs wouldn't stop. His whole body shook against her as she murmured,
"Aaru... bas, baccha. Kitna royega? Please shant ho jaa... please..."

Her voice cracked, helpless and trembling.

Seeing that he wasn't calming down, Arnav finally stepped closer. He met Avyuktha's eyes, silently asking for permission. She nodded weakly, her face etched with exhaustion and worry.

Arnav gently placed a hand on Aarush's head.
"Aaru..." he said softly, his voice like a whisper of wind.

He carefully lifted the boy from Avyuktha's arms, settling him against his chest, one hand supporting his small back, the other rubbing soothing circles to calm him.

"Aaru, shant ho ja bacche," Arnav murmured, his voice so low it was almost a hum.

Aarush hiccuped, clutching his shirt tightly. "Bhaiya... aap mujhe chhod ke nahi jaoge na?"

A sharp pang ran through Arnav's chest. His throat tightened as he whispered,
"Nahi baccha, kabhi nahi. Maine bola na.... hum sab hamesha saath rahenge."

But Aarush's next words cut even deeper. Between sobs, he said,
"Bhaiya... papa phir se chale gaye... aap please mat jaana..."

Arnav's breath hitched. He pressed a long, trembling kiss to Aarush's head.
"Nahi baccha... main kabhi nahi jaunga. Kabhi bhi nahi. Promise."
He kissed his forehead again and again, whispering,
"Ab shant ho jaa, baccha... tabiyat kharab ho jayegi teri."

Gradually, the little boy's sobs softened into small hiccups. His grip on Arnav's shirt loosened, and his breathing began to even out.

Anvi quietly stepped out of the room and returned a few minutes later, carrying a glass of cold lemonade. She had already spoken to Pari outside about what needed to be done for Avyuktha.

As she entered, she saw Maan sitting quietly in a chair, scrolling absently through his phone. On the bed, Arnav sat with Aarush nestled safely between him and Avyuktha, who looked pale but calm.

Anvi walked up softly. "Avu, yeh le... nimbu paani hai. Isse pet dard mein aaram milega."

Arnav immediately rubbed his forehead he'd completely forgotten about that amidst the chaos.

"Chutki," he sighed, grateful, "tujhe kaise pata?"

Anvi smiled faintly. "Maine Pari didi se poocha tha aate waqt."

Avyuktha accepted the glass silently and took a sip, her stomach still twisting in pain. She glanced at Aarush, who sat quietly now--- too quiet, his usual spark dimmed.

Gently, she nudged him. "Aaru... nimbu paani piyega?"

He nodded faintly, and she offered him her glass.

For a moment, Arnav just looked at her this fragile, stubborn girl who would rather bear pain than accept help.

He didn't know whether to scold her or just wrap her in his arms until she finally learned that it was okay to choose herself once in a while.

Why couldn't she, for once, think of her own comfort? Why did every little thing have to become a test of endurance for her?

A long, weary sigh escaped him. He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the tightness building there, and finally said softly,

"Avu, tu ye wala pi le. Main Aaru ke liye dusra le aata hoon. Tujhe pet mein dard ho raha hai na, baccha?"He stood to leave, but Aarush immediately grabbed his shirt. "Mujhe nahi peena... aap mat jao."

His voice was small, trembling, full of the same fear.

Then he turned toward Avyuktha. "Jiji, aap pi lo... mujhe nahi peena."

Arnav exhaled softly, understanding the root of it ....the same ache of losing, again and again.
He sat back down beside them. "Theek hai. Avu, tu ye wala pi le. Chutki," he turned to Anvi, "do aur glass le aao... Avu ke liye aur Aaru ke liye.... Tum dono bhi pe lena." He said while looking at Maan and Anvi.

Anvi nodded, then turned to Maan. "Bhaiyu, aap le aao. Main Avu ko fresh hone mein help karti hoon."

Avyuktha hesitated. "Main khud chal jaungi..."

But Anvi shook her head firmly. "Mujhe pata hai tu khud kar legi, par mujhe help karne ka mann hai. Chal."

She slipped her arm around Avyuktha's shoulders and gently guided her to the washroom, while Maan left to get the lemonades, leaving behind Arnav and Aarush, wrapped in that fragile, healing silence.

As the room fell quiet, only Arnav and Aarush remained.

Aarush sat silently for a while, his small fingers fidgeting with the bedsheet. Then, in a low, hesitant voice, he whispered,
"Bhaiya..."

Arnav looked up. "Hmm?"

Aarush lifted his eyes, glistening with uncertainty.
"Aap... please Jiji ko punish mat karna... please."

Arnav frowned, confused. He reached out, cupping Aarush's tiny face.
"Punish? Main punish kyu karunga, baccha?"

Aarush's lower lip trembled. "Jiji dobara hospital nahi aayengi... please aap punish mat karna..."

Before Arnav could say anything, tears slipped down Aarush's cheeks. Arnav's heart twisted. He immediately scooped him into his arms, holding him close.
"Shhh... ro kyu raha hai, baccha? Aur main Avu ko punish kyu karunga?"

Aarush looked up with wet lashes and said between small sobs,
"Mami... Jiji ko punish karti thi... bimar hone par..."

Arnav froze. His breath hitched. The words burned through him like fire.

Aarush's voice shook again, pleading,
"Aap please unhe punish mat karna..."

Arnav quickly wiped the boy's tears, his own jaw tightening with restrained fury. He pressed Aarush's head against his chest and whispered, his voice steady but laced with emotion,
"Nahi baccha... koi punish nahi karega Avu ko. Kabhi nahi."

He held him closer, heart aching at the thought of what those children had endured. Inside, a silent storm raged ...his mind burning with images of Prerna. He swore to himself, right then and there, that the woman would pay for every scar she'd left on Avyuktha and Aarush.... every wound, every tear.

But on the outside, he stayed calm, his voice soft, his touch tender because the little boy in his arms needed peace, not anger.

After a while, Aarush's tears began to slow. He sniffled and looked up, eyes red and watery.
"Aap pakka... Jiji ko punish nahi karoge na?"

Arnav brushed a thumb over his cheek. "Haan baccha. Bilkul nahi."

Aarush blinked, then suddenly hugged him tightly. "Aap bahut ache ho..."

Arnav let out a sad, faint smile and wrapped his arms around him, resting his chin atop the boy's head. "Tu bhi," he whispered.

Just then, the door opened. Anvi and Avyuktha stepped in from the washroom, and Maan followed behind, holding four paper cups of lemonade in his hands. He passed them out to Anvi, Avyuktha, Arnav, and Aarush before sitting on the bench, scrolling absently through his phone.

Arnav frowned. "Tu apne liye nahi laya?"

Maan shrugged without looking up. "Mera mann nahi tha."

Arnav stood and went over to him, raising an eyebrow. "Aise kaise mann nahi tha? Tujhe toh kitna pasand hai. Ye le pee isse."

Maan shook his head stubbornly. "Nahi bhaiya, aap piyo. Mujhe mann nahi."

Arnav sighed, but his tone turned playfully firm. "Do minute mein khatam ho jaana chahiye."

"Bhaiya," Maan groaned, "aapke liye laya hoon yaar... aap hi pee lo. Mujhe nahi peena."

Arnav crossed his arms. "Do minute. Otherwise go and stand in the corner facing the wall."

Maan huffed. "Bhaiya, aap bade bhai hone ka fayda utha rahe ho! Maine bola na, nahi peena!"

"Abhimaan," Arnav said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Maan exhaled dramatically and gulped the lemonade in one go. Arnav smirked in victory and returned to Avyuktha's bed, ignoring Maan's death glare that followed him.

Sitting beside Aarush again, Arnav noticed Avyuktha holding her glass out toward him.
"Sir..." she whispered softly.

Arnav looked at her.

"Vo... mujhe aur nahi chahiye. Aap please pee lijiye," she said, extending the glass.

Arnav frowned. "Avu, pet mein dard hai na, baccha? Pee le, aaram milega."

But Avyuktha shook her head stubbornly. "Maine abhi just piya. Aap lijiye."

Arnav sighed, his tone turning gentle but firm. "Avu..."

Avyuktha shook her head weakly, a silent refusal.

Arnav mirrored her, matching her stubbornness with the same quiet resolve.

Anvi watched the two of them and couldn't help the small sigh that escaped her lips. She knew that look, neither of them would give in easily.

It had taken her only a few moments after meeting Avyuktha to understand this about her. The same girl who had resisted their help at the dhaba, who had refused treatment at the school with that same unbending will and now, here she was again, just as stubborn.

And Arnav... well, he was no less.

Watching the two of them silently challenge each other over a glass of lemonade, Anvi could only think — they really are cut from the same cloth.

Before the small standoff could continue, Anvi finally snapped, throwing her hands up.
"Bas! Dono ek number ke ziddi hain!"

Both Arnav and Avyuktha looked at her with identical expressions--- lips pressed into little pouts, brows furrowed in the same stubborn line. Their green eyes, wide and expressive, mirrored each other perfectly, glinting with the same mix of defiance and reluctant amusement.

It was almost uncanny-- every subtle tilt of the head, every twitch of the lips, every narrowed glance at Anvi matched as if they were reflections of one another. Even their tiny gestures synced perfectly: both blinked at the same moment and puffed their cheeks ever so slightly, a silent, playful mimicry that made Anvi pause in exasperation, caught between frustration and quiet amusement at how identical they looked.

Anvi rolled her eyes. "Avu, tu ye le," she said, handing her own lemonade to her sister, "aur bhaiya, aap ye wala pi lijiye. Main apne liye dusra le aati hoon....."

Then, with mock irritation, she added,
"Ab lemonade ke peeche World War 3 mat shuru kariyega, please..."

She went out muttering under her breath, "Ladd toh aise rahe hain jaise duniya ka last neembu paani ho."

Her voice faded down the corridor, but the words lingered and both Arnav and Avyuktha froze mid-pout.

Then, almost at the same second, they turned to look at each other guilty, awkward, and ridiculously in sync.

Without a word, they lifted their cups and drank, lips puckering in perfect unison like two scolded kids trying to prove they were absolutely not sulking.

Arnav cleared his throat and pretended to find something fascinating about the glass. Avyuktha kept her gaze fixed on the wall, though the corner of her mouth twitched, betraying the smile she was trying to hide.

From the bench, Maan chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"Unbelievable," he said with a grin,"Copy-paste hain dono."

A faint laugh slipped out of Avyuktha then-- small, uncertain, but real. Arnav looked up at the sound, surprise flickering in his eyes before the faintest smile touched his lips.

Just then Anvi walked back in, eyebrows raised. "Oh, toh peene lag gaye? Wah, miracle ho gaya kya?"

Maan grinned. "Daat jo padd gyi dono ko."

Arnav narrowed his eyes, a teasing edge curling his voice. "Tu zyada nahi bolne laga hai aaj kal?"

Maan chuckled sheepishly. Arnav turned the same mock glare toward Anvi.

Anvi blinked innocently. "Mujhe mat dekho, maine toh sirf neembu paani lene gyi thi," she said, shrugging before walking over to sit beside Aarush.

She took a dramatic sip of her lemonade, clearly done with their antics, while Aarush looked between them all in quiet amusement.

For a beat, no one spoke and then Maan's chuckles broke the silence. Arnav rolled his eyes, trying not to smile, but failed miserably.

And just like that, the room that had felt so heavy all day was filled with the sound of soft laughter — light, real, and comforting, like sunshine after rain.

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