Chapter: When the Heart Breaths.

"Her walls... the ones she built so carefully, so high... they're cracking, little by little.
I see it in the way she laughs, the way she moves, unguarded, fearless for a moment.
And for a second, I forget everything else...her joy, so pure, so reckless, is enough to make my chest leap.
She doesn't know how much light she carries, how alive she looks when she lets go.
And I... I just sit quietly, letting it fill me, grateful for this glimpse of her unshielded soul."

~Arnav

The clock ticked softly in Jaisingh Mansion's guest room, a lonely sound in a space still heavy with the scent of antiseptic and sleepless grief. The world outside moved on, unaware, its faint hum dimmed by thick walls and heavier hearts. Inside, time felt slowed, each breath deliberate, fragile.

Maan entered first, Aarush curled against his chest. The little boy's fingers clutched his shirt, his curls pressed to Maan's neck. Gently, Maan laid him beside Avyuktha, who stirred at the movement, her lashes fluttering open just as Aarush wriggled forward. As if some invisible thread connected them, he clambered over her, his small arms circling her waist in an unsteady hug.

Startled, Avyuktha blinked, confusion clouding the fog of half-sleep before melting into something softer. Maan's hand came to steady her, guiding her carefully back onto the pillow as she shifted, her body still frail, spirit still finding its way back.

Anvi entered quietly, the faint aroma of coffee preceding her. She set the cup beside Arnav, her hand brushing his arm in silent comfort before stepping back.

Arnav's gaze lingered on Avyuktha for a heartbeat too long, the shadows beneath his eyes betraying the storm that refused to leave his chest.

Then, the door opened.

And just like that, the thin thread holding him upright snapped.

"Mannu..." The whisper escaped him before he could stop it... small, cracked, raw.

Abhimanyu stood in the doorway, his presence steady, calm, almost grounding... like a wall that had never learned to fall. And Arnav, the one who carried everyone else's weight, suddenly couldn't bear his own.

He rose, a tremor running through him, and crossed the room in two uneven steps. The next moment, his arms were around Abhimanyu... clinging, desperate  as if the act alone could stop the ache bleeding through his chest. His fingers fisted in the fabric of Abhimanyu's coat, trembling slightly.

For a heartbeat, Abhimanyu stilled and then his hand rose, resting firm and gentle against Arnav's back. He didn't speak at first. He didn't need to. His touch said enough - I'm here. You're not alone.

Then, quietly, almost a murmur against the side of Arnav's head - "Arni... sab theek ho jayega, samjha?"

The words should've sounded empty by now....how many times had he heard them today? But from Abhimanyu, they carried weight. Not a promise, but a vow.

Arnav nodded faintly, the movement barely there. His throat worked as if to speak, but no sound came. He didn't cry. He couldn't. His body had forgotten how to break. But his hold tightened, and for once, he let himself lean ...just for a moment, into the only person who had always seen him beyond the armour.

And in that fragile stillness, surrounded by the quiet hum of the night and the soft breathing of those he loved, the unspoken truth lingered between them that strength didn't always mean standing tall. Sometimes, it was found in the arms that kept you from falling.

The silence that followed Arnav and Abhimanyu's hug was warm, full, and fragile until it shattered with a single, startled gasp.

"Ohhh... my... God!"

Every head turned in unison.

Avyuktha sat bolt upright in bed, cross-legged like a little monk mid-panic, her hair a wild halo around her face, both palms slapped over her mouth. Her eyes were so wide they could've swallowed the room whole.

Maan blinked, halfway between concern and confusion. "Avu?"

But Avyuktha wasn't listening. She rubbed her eyes furiously with both fists, muttering, "Nahi... nahi, yeh sapna hai..." then paused, squinted dramatically, and shrieked louder, "OH MY GOD!"

Arnav's head snapped toward her, alarmed. "Avu, kya hua baccha?"

She didn't even look at him. Her hand shook violently as she pointed toward Abhimanyu like she'd just spotted a ghost in designer form.

"Vo... vo... aap... Abhimanyu Rathore ho na?! AAS Groups ke co-founder???"

The room froze.

Abhimanyu blinked, a little taken aback by the volume, then smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Uh... haan... main hi hoon."

Arnav sighed, half-smiling. "Avyuktha, yeh Abhimanyu hai. Mera dost. Aur-"

But before he could finish, Avyuktha's entire system seemed to crash. Her jaw dropped so wide it could fit a planet, and she just... stared. Unblinking. Cross legged. Frozen solid like a miniature statue of disbelief.

Abhimanyu looked helplessly amused. Arnav gave him an exasperated smile before both moved closer to the bed, crouching in front of her.

"Avu..." Arnav coaxed gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Avyuktha gasped as if the touch yanked her back to life and instantly began flailing her arm toward Aarush, her voice hitting new decibel heights.

"Aaruuuuu! Uthhhh! Aaruuu uthhhhhh! Vo... vo dekhhh!"

Aarush stirred, rubbing his tiny fists against his eyes, hair sticking up like a baby bird. "Jiji... kya hua...?" he mumbled sleepily.

Still squinting, he glanced at Abhimanyu and then, completely serious, whispered, "Jiji... main galti se aapke sapne mein aa gaya... Sorry."

Before anyone could react, he flopped back down, face half-buried in the pillow.

"Nahi!" Avyuktha squealed, shaking him furiously. "Nahi, ye sapna nahi hai! Dekh, vo... real hai!"

Aarush groaned, muffling his voice. "Jiji... utho... aap neend mein ho... aur mujhe sone do..."

Avyuktha froze mid-shake, her face scrunching in confusion. "Hain!? ...Kahi... main hi toh sapne mein nahi hoon?"

She gave herself a sharp pinch on the arm. "Aouchhh!" Then gasped dramatically, clutching her pinched spot. "Nahi! Ye sapna nahi hai!"

Maan had both hands over his mouth, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Arnav just dropped his head into his palm. Abhimanyu's lips twitched helplessly as he tried not to laugh... utterly charmed, utterly doomed.

Avyuktha, meanwhile, squinted at him again with awe and terror mixed, then slowly, very slowly, raised one trembling finger toward him like she was approaching some divine being.

Abhimanyu bit back a grin and, playing along, extended his own finger toward her.

And then...

Tap. (👉👈)

Both froze.

Avyuktha's mouth fell open, her eyes widening even more (if humanly possible). She turned sharply toward Aarush, her expression pure panic and excitement.

"AAARUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! Uthhhhh! Dekh naaaaaa! Abhimanyu Rathoreeeeee!"

That was it. The dam broke.

Maan burst out laughing so hard he had to lean against the wall. Anvi buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking. Arnav groaned dramatically. "Bacche... mere kaan..."

Abhimanyu was laughing too now...a full, open laugh that reached his eyes, the kind that melted the heavy air that had lingered in the room all day. He looked at Avyuktha with utter disbelief and a kind of fond amusement.... like he couldn't decide if he was in an interview, a dream, or a cartoon.

Aarush finally peeked out from under the blanket, blinking blearily at the scene...his sister gaping, Abhimanyu smiling, their fingers still joined like this 👉👈.

He squinted, utterly serious. "Jiji..." he whispered gravely, "Main phirse aapke sapne mein aa gaya... Sorry."

Before anyone could react, he yawned and disappeared back under the blanket.

The entire room dissolved into laughter. Even Arnav - poor, exhausted Arnav...had to hide his grin behind his hand.

Avyuktha, however, looked horrified. "Nahiiiiii! Uthhh Aaruuuu!" she cried, shaking him again. "Yeh sapna nahi hai!"

Then she paused, frowned, tilted her head thoughtfully like a detective deep in investigation. "Ya... sacchi mai ye sapna hi hai?"

She pinched her cheek again hard. "Aah!"

Her face scrunched. "Nahi! Nahi... teen baar confirm kar liya ab toh!" she declared with the solemnity of a scientist.

Her expression was an adorable mess of pain, disbelief, and joy. Maan was now doubled over, clutching his stomach, while Abhimanyu wiped tears of laughter from his eyes.

And in that laughter...bright, contagious, alive, the heaviness that had clouded the day finally lifted, replaced by something warmer. Something like home.

Abhimanyu was still recovering from the shock of meeting a fangirl when Avyuktha suddenly straightened, her hair bouncing, eyes glowing like tiny fairy lights.

"Sir! Mujhe aapka kaam bohottt pasand hai!" she blurted out in one breath, her voice going squeaky with excitement. "Mainne aapke... aur AJ sir ke... saare interviews dekhe hain! Matlab jitne YouTube pe milte hain... sab! Ek bhi miss nahi kiya!"

She spoke so fast that even Aarush, half-buried under the blanket, mumbled, "Phir shuru ho gayi..." before rolling to the other side like an old man tired of life.

Abhimanyu blinked, amused. "Saare interviews?"

"Haan, saare!" she nodded furiously, her ponytail bouncing. "Aur mujhe sabse zyada pasand aaya tha jab aapne bola tha... uhhh... haan! 'Business intuition tabhi kaam karti hai jab data support karta hai!'" she said, mimicking his deep baritone voice with exaggerated seriousness, then giggled. "Sir, woh line toh maine likh ke chipka di thi apne notebook ke upar! Matlab... aap log deal itna soch ke karte ho na, oh my god!"

Arnav bit the inside of his cheek, hiding a smile, while Abhimanyu chuckled, shaking his head.

But Avyuktha had only just begun.

"Phir jab aapne UK merger kiya tha na... woh jisme... umm..." she snapped her fingers rapidly, eyes darting around as if looking for the word, "Haan! Convertible bonds! Sir that was sooo smart! Matlab control bhi mil gaya aur risk bhi kam!"

Abhimanyu raised his eyebrows, genuinely impressed. "Tumhe pata hai convertible bonds kya hote hain?"

Avyuktha blinked, twiddling her fingers shyly. "Thoda thoda..." she admitted, grinning sheepishly. "Maine Parth bhai ke laptop pe padha tha chupke. Kabhi kabhi samajh nahi aata, par interest bohot hai."

Abhimanyu tilted his head, his smile widening. "Aur tumhari umar kya hai, madam analyst?"

"Eigarah... soon-to-be barah!" she declared proudly, chest puffed out, her grin stretching ear to ear. "Aapko pata hai mujhe business mein bohot interest hai!"

Abhimanyu laughed softly. "Achha? Aur yeh interest kahan se aaya?"

Without a second of hesitation, she pointed straight at him. "Aapse!" she said with dramatic flair. "Aur AJ sir se bhi! Jab mujhe pata chala na ke aap dono ne twenty-one aur nineteen mein company start ki thi, toh maine socha... agar aap dono kar sakte ho, toh main bhi kar sakti hoon!"

Her hand shot up midair like she was accepting an award, eyes shining with determination. Arnav leaned back slightly, his chest tightening with a mix of laughter and tenderness....she was so full of life, it almost hurt to watch.

Abhimanyu grinned, his eyes soft with disbelief.

"Sir mujhe lagta hai aap dono business world ke Ram-Lakshman ho!" Avyuktha suddenly exclaimed, hopping slightly in excitement, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her shirt. 

Abhimanyu blinked, slightly taken aback, then a small smile curved his lips. He leaned back against the chair, arms crossed loosely, eyes amused. "Ram-Lakshman, hmm? Yeh pehli baar suna maine," he said, his tone soft, like he was savoring the novelty of her observation.

Arnav, sitting on the edge of the bed, raised an eyebrow, lips twitching as if holding back a smirk. "Aur yeh decide kisne kiya ke kaun Ram hai aur kaun Lakshman?"

Avyuktha turned to him immediately, eyes wide and round as if he'd asked the world's most obvious question. She bounced slightly on her heels. "Areee obviously Ram Abhimanyu sir aur Lakshman AJ sir!"

Arnav chuckled, shaking his head. "Acha... lekin aisa kyu?"

Avyuktha clasped her hands in front of her chest, leaning forward as if revealing the greatest secret. Her eyes darted between the two men. "Firstly... Abhimanyu sir bade hai AJ sir... second, Abhimanyu sir always takes calm decisions aur AJ sir always take fierce, quick decisions, ekdm chote bhai ki tarah....." She paused, gesturing vaguely "Thirdly, Abhimanyu sir is so protective of AJ sir... oh my god."

She flopped dramatically into the bed, hands thrown wide, her voice bubbling over with excitement. "Aapko pata hai ek interview mai kisi reporter ne AJ sir ke baare mai bakwass kari thi... next moment Abhimanyu sir ne usko nani yaad dila daali... Mujhe toh lag raha tha kahi vo reporter darr ke maare... susu na kar de!" She burst into a small, delighted laugh, hiding her face briefly in her hands before peeking up with wide, mischievous eyes.

Abhimanyu's lips curved into a quiet chuckle. He shook his head, the corners of his eyes crinkling in soft amusement. "Tum toh poori analyst nikli."

"Of course!" Avyuktha said proudly, puffing out her chest and placing her hands on her hips."Aap aur AJ sir sacchi mai ekdm Ram-Lakshman jaisey hai... aur mere hero bhi." She spread her hands toward them as if presenting a trophy, then suddenly pointed at Abhimanyu with a grin. "Main hero hoon?"

"Haan! Aap toh sabke hero ho!" she said without hesitation, her voice ringing with pure conviction. She leaned back, folding her arms, nodding seriously like a judge giving a final verdict. "Aap hi toh AAS Groups ka face ho! Itne saare interviews, speeches... mujhe sab yaad hai! Jab aapne bola tha, 'Leadership sirf decision lene se nahi, zimmedari nibhaane se hoti hai...'"

 "Aur AJ sir bhi mere hero hain! Matlab unke baare mein zyada kuch milta nahi hai online... koi photo bhi nahi! But jitna bhi likha hota hai na... bas... genius vibes! Sir, unhone jo London merger mein decision liya tha na... woh toh next-level tha! Koi aur hota toh dar jaata!" She leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees, eyes bright, voice low but intense with admiration.

Abhimanyu blinked, momentarily silent, then laughed softly, the sound warm and quiet. Avyuktha's eyes sparkled like she had won some invisible contest, bouncing slightly in her seat. "Lakin AJ sir... unka style... unka sochna... Sb ekdm different hai!"

"AJ sir thoda secretive hain," she continued, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret. "Kisi ko pata hi nahi kaun hain, par unka kaam hi sab bolta hai! Mujhe lagta hai na... unke aur aapke beech ek perfect jodi hai, jaise ek sochta hai aur dusra karta hai. Ram-Lakshman jaisi!"

Arnav leaned back slightly, arms folded loosely, watching her with the faintest smirk tugging at his lips, while Abhimanyu's gaze softened, his shoulders relaxing, clearly touched by the innocent sincerity of her words. Avyuktha, oblivious to the subtle tension of admiration around her, simply glowed, full of life and earnest excitement.

Arnav's breath caught for a second...quiet, unnoticed... before a faint smile curved his lips. He looked down, eyes softening as she kept speaking, completely oblivious to who sat just a few feet away.

"Jiji..." Aarush groaned, half asleep, "aap phir sapne mein shuru ho gayi yaarrrr..."

Avyuktha swatted his arm without even looking. "Chup kar! Main Abhimanyu sir se baat kar rahi hoon!"

Aarush groaned again, dramatically rolling to the other side.

Arnav chuckled helplessly, burying his face in his hand. Abhimanyu was watching the whole exchange with open amusement, eyes full of warmth.

He finally said, smiling gently, "Tumhare andar toh CEO banne ke full chances hain."

Avyuktha blinked, her jaw dropping. "Sachiii?"

Abhimanyu nodded, amused but serious. "Bilkul. Jo sawal tum pooch rahi ho na, wo log MBA ke baad bhi nahi poochte. Agar tumne yeh curiosity kabhi chhodi nahi, toh tum ek din bohot badi businesswoman banogi plus tumhari observation skills bhi bahot kamal ki hai."

Her entire face lit up like Diwali. She sat straighter, her dimples deepening. "Haaa! Pehle mai AAS Groups join karke experience lungi, phir apni company kholungi!" she said, her voice trembling with joy and dreams too big for her small frame.

Abhimanyu laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Main wait karunga tumhara," he said softly.

For a moment, everything went still.

Avyuktha's chatter faded into background hum - words about deals, stocks, future plans - and all Arnav could do was watch.

He had seen her quiet. He had seen her scared. He had seen the way she flinched when someone raised their voice, the way her small body seemed to shrink into itself as if trying to vanish. He had seen her selflessness, far beyond what any child her age should know. He had seen how she clung to Aarush, as if he were the only anchor keeping her afloat in a world that often felt too cruel. She had carried burdens too heavy for her years, constructing invisible walls no child should ever be forced to build.

And yet, now... watching her ramble on, her words tumbling over one another in a chaotic, joyous rhythm, her hands painting invisible pictures in the air, her laughter spilling unguarded and bright... it was like witnessing sunlight seep into a locked, dusty room. Each giggle, each unrestrained expression was a crack in the walls she had built, a tiny fracture letting life back in.

His Avyuktha...fragile, fierce, guilt-ridden, brave was laughing again. Not the careful, measured laughter that tiptoed around adults' moods. Not the polite, cautious smiles that masked fear. But real laughter, messy and alive, bubbling up from a place that had been quiet for far too long.

And for Arnav, that simple, unguarded joy felt like a miracle. A fragile, trembling miracle, the kind you dare not touch for fear of breaking it. So he sat quietly, almost holding his breath, letting her light fill the room, letting Abhimanyu's amused chuckles layer over hers. He let himself absorb it, feeling it settle over him like a soft, warm weight in his chest.

It wasn't loud, boisterous joy. It was tender. It was healing. It was the kind of joy that whispered promises that maybe, just maybe, she could let go of some of her burdens. That maybe, finally, she could be twelve again without the weight of the world pressing down on her small shoulders.

And in that moment, he felt it in his bones: the quiet miracle of her laughter, the slow, steady reclaiming of a childhood stolen too early, and the fragile hope that one day, she might believe she was allowed to shine...wholly, freely, without guilt.

And then, as if struck by a sudden lightening, Avyuktha gasped.

"Arey ek minute!" she exclaimed, and starts getting off the bed.

Arnav frowned, half-alarmed. "Kya hua

Arnav, steadied her. "Baccha, kahaan ja rahi hai? Bed pe baith jao."

Her excitement at meeting her idol swept away all hesitation, reluctance, and even the fatigue that had been weighing on her. She barely felt anything in that moment, only the thrill bubbling inside her. "Bag chahiye!" she insisted.

Maan smiled indulgently, walked to the corner, and picked up her small, torn school bag. When he handed it to her, Abhimanyu's eyes softened instantly at the sight of the worn fabric the uneven stitching, the faded cartoon patch. Arnav's heart clenched too. Their eyes met, silently sharing that same sting of helplessness.

"Mujhe aapko dikhana tha, sir .... mujhe ek business idea aaya tha pichle week, vo maine likha hai notebook me!"

Abhimanyu's eyebrows shot up, exchanging a look with Arnav half in disbelief, half in delight.

Maan muttered under his breath, trying not to laugh, "Bas...ab yeh presentation bhi degi abhi."

Avyuktha pulled out a slightly crumpled notebook, its cover covered in doodles stars, rupee symbols, and even a small, lopsided "AAS" logo she had drawn herself. She flipped through the pages rapidly, muttering, "Ek sec... ek sec... haan mil gaya!"

She looked up proudly at Abhimanyu.

"Sir dekhiye, yeh mera plan hai! Name hai 'Chhoti Si Soch - Bade Sapne Private Limited!'" she announced, chest puffed up.

Abhimanyu nearly choked on his laughter. "Company ka naam bhi soch liya?"

Avyuktha nodded seriously. "Of course!....Branding important hota hai sir.....Aapke interview me aapne bola tha....'brand builds trust before product.'"

Abhimanyu blinked, genuinely impressed, a small laugh escaping him. "Wow... tum toh... sach mein plan bana ke chal rahi ho."

Arnav, still watching silently from the side, couldn't help the quiet admiration spreading across his expression. That slow, soft smile reached his eyes, betraying a mix of pride and amazement.

For a fleeting second, his gaze met Abhimanyu's and in that silent exchange, there was unspoken acknowledgment: both of them recognizing the girl's sharp mind, her maturity, and the spark that set her apart.

Abhimanyu shook his head slightly, still smiling. "Seriously... I can see why she's going to be a very, very capable businesswoman one day."

Arnav nodded slightly, his chest tightening with a mix of pride and something protective.

Avyuktha being oblivious to their silent exchange again started rummaging through with full determination, muttering, "Kahaan gaya... kahaan gaya..." and finally pulled out a slightly bent paperback - "AAS Group: The Foundation Story."

"Yeh!" she said proudly, clutching it like treasure. Then, with her brightest grin, she held it out toward Abhimanyu.

"Aap please... ispe autograph denge na?" she said in one breath, her smile so cheeky that Abhimanyu couldn't help but laugh.

"Pencil se?" he teased, noticing the tiny half-broken pencil she was holding out.

"Pen nahi hai mere paas..." she said quickly, almost apologetically then turned to Anvi, pleading, "Didi, ek pen de do na pleaseeee."

That single "Didi" hit Anvi like a wave soft, real, unguarded. It wasn't just a word; it was warmth taking shape, trust finding a voice. There was no hesitation this time, no careful distance, just love, simple and pure. And in that moment, Anvi felt her heart still, her breath hitch because for the first time, Avyuktha had let her in, not out of need, but out of affection.

Before she could respond, Abhimanyu smiled. "Are ruk, mere paas hai pen." He took one from his coat pocket, signed the book, and handed it back.

Avyuktha hugged it tight against her chest, like she was holding pure gold.

Then she turned again, still bubbling with excitement.

"Aaruuu uthhhh!" she said, shaking her brother again. "Dekh Abhimanyu Sir hai! Uthhh na!...Unhone meri book pe sign bhi kiyaaa...Uthhh na kitna sona hai tujhe"

Aarush groaned, pulling the blanket over his face. "Aapko sharam nahi aati Jiji... neend mein logon ko utha rahi ho..." he muttered.

And then,

Thwack!

Avyuktha hit hum hard on the back.

Aarush yelped, "Bhaiyaaaa dekho na! Jiji maar rahi hai!" He immediately dove into Arnav's lap for protection.

Arnav chuckled, rubbing his back. "Arre shant, shant dono..."

But Avyuktha wasn't done. "Dekhh na, Aaru! ABHIMANYUUU SIRR hai! Sach mein! AAS Group wale!" she said, beaming from ear to ear, eyes sparkling like a kid who'd just met her superhero.

Abhimanyu was laughing hard now, his shoulders shaking. Even Maan and Anvi couldn't stop giggling, watching Avyuktha hop in excitement while Aarush pouted miserably.

Aarush grumbled, "Mujhe nahi dekhna!...". He continued looking up from Arnav's lap complaining to him and pouting angrily, making him look even more cuter, "Bhaiyaaaaa.....Jiji din bhar AAS-AAS karti rehti hai... bore kar deti hai mujhe!"

Everyone laughed again except Avyuktha, who gasped as if he'd just insulted God.

"Chup kar!" she said sternly, wagging her finger and giving Aarush a death glare. Then turned back to Abhimanyu, the sparkle returning instantly.

"Sir! Aap yeh book le jaiye na aur please AJ Sir ka autograph bhi karwa dijiye! Mujhe pata hai vo outsiders se nahi milte, par aap toh unke dost ho na?" she said, eyes big and pleading.

Everyone just stared...jaws open.

Abhimanyu blinked, then laughed so hard he had to hold his stomach. "Tu khud mil le na, baccha, AJ se."

Avyuktha froze mid-expression. "Main? AJ sir se?? Sach mein?"

"Haan," Abhimanyu nodded casually, "lekin ek shart hai."

"Shart?" she said instantly, eyes lighting up. "Boliye! Boliye!"

"Tu mujhe sir kehke nahi bulayegi."

Avyuktha blinked. "Toh kya bulau?"

"Jo chahe," he said, still grinning.

Avyuktha hesitated, excitement bubbling faster than she could control. Finally, in a small, hesitant voice, she said, "Uncle?" She raised her eyebrows shyly, innocent and ridiculously cute.

The effect was instantaneous.

Arnav doubled over, clutching his stomach, laughing uncontrollably. Tears sprang to his eyes, and his shoulders shook violently with each burst. Maan and Anvi tried to stifle themselves, pressing hands over their mouths, but their shoulders heaved, betraying their efforts.

Abhimanyu's expression immediately turned annoyed. He whacked Arnav hard. "Jyada hasi aa rahi hai!"

But even as he scolded, something softened in him. Watching Arnav laugh like that....raw, unrestrained, utterly gleeful filled him with a warmth he hadn't expected. A quiet contentment, the kind you feel when someone you care about is completely happy. He looked away for a second, pretending to glare, but a small, satisfied smile threatened the corner of his lips.

And Arnav,

He froze like an obedient boy, lips pressed tight though his eyes still shimmered with mischief. His cheeks flushed as he fought back a laugh, torn between amusement and self-preservation, because the last thing he wanted was another whack from Abhimanyu in front of his younger ones.

Abhimanyu turned to Avyuktha, raising an eyebrow. "Mai uncle dikhta hoon?"

Avyuktha nodded slowly, then shook her head, unsure.

Abhimanyu, raising his eyebrow higher, repeated, "Mai tumhe uncle dikhta hoon?"

This time, Avyuktha shook her head immediately, almost nervously.

Arnav grinned broadly "See? Young people hear and understand at once!" He leaned closer to Avyuktha, teasingly "Avu, tu isse uncle hi bulana abse!"

Maan and Anvi collapsed into giggles again, shaking their shoulders, trying desperately to stay quiet.

Abhimanyu's face turned horrified. "Nhi betaaa... I am sweet 27!"

Avyuktha muttered under her breath, "Usse sweet nhi bolte..."

Arnav overheard and erupted into fresh laughter, red-faced, tears rolling down his cheeks, shoulders shaking as he clutched his stomach.

Abhimanyu grabbed his ears and twisted them gently. "Jyada nahi hasi aa rahi hai aaj tujhe!"

Arnav hissed dramatically. "Aah... are nahi, mai mazaak kar raha tha!"

Abhimanyu, mock stern, said, "Jyada mazaak nahi sujh raha hai tujhe."

Arnav gave his best doe-eyed look. "Mannu lag rhi hai... chorr naa... bacche hai yaha."

Abhimanyu finally let go.

Arnav pouted with exaggerated drama, rubbing his ears as though Abhimanyu had nearly torn them off. "Uncle kahi ke..." he muttered, shooting him a glare and looking every bit the scolded kid caught in mischief.

Abhimanyu turned sharply, mock anger blazing in his eyes. "Kya bola?"

Arnav, eyes twinkling with mischief, grinned. "You need a hearing machine, Mannu."

Abhimanyu raised his hand to whack him, but Arnav jumped up quickly, hands raised in mock innocence. "Areeee... I mean, you should consider using a hearing machine. Just concerned for you, Mannu," he said, tilting his head cutely, eyes sparkling.

Abhimanyu glared, still in mock anger. "Hearing machine? Tujhe lagta hai mujhe hearing machine chahiye?"

Arnav instantly clasped his hands together, grin spreading wide, the kind that reached his eyes and made him look more like a mischievous child than a grown man. "See? I told you! Young people can hear and understand at once!" he chirped, eyes twinkling with playful innocence. "Mannu, I surely believe you need a hearing machine!"

Abhimanyu got up and took long strides toward him. Arnav tried to run, but Abhimanyu caught his ears and twisted them mercilessly. "Haa, ab bol! Kya bol raha tha?"

Arnav hissed. "Are... mai... mai toh kuch nahi bol raha tha, Mannu!"

Abhimanyu twisted his ears more, smirk in his eyes. "Acha? Mujhe toh kuch hearing machine karke sunai diya!"

Arnav, still wincing, shot back innocently, "Yeah, you should definitely try that... mere bina bole, tujhe sunai de raha hai... you should get yourself the hearing machine!"

Abhimanyu whacked him hard. "Chup kar!"

Then Abhimanyu glared at him, eyes sharp as daggers. "One more word, and you'll find yourself glaring at a wall in the corner."

Arnav instantly wilted, lips curling into a pout, eyes wideand said "Mannnu yaar... bacche hain yaha pe... thodi toh meri izzat ka khayal rakh!" he whined, voice dipping into that childish tone only younger siblings could master.

Abhimanyu merely raised an eyebrow, and that was enough. Arnav froze mid-pout, lips pressed tight, looking like a scolded little brother....trying and failing to look innocent while everyone around tried not to laugh.

With the "ordeal" finally over, Abhimanyu sat down in front of Avyuktha, calm again...though that unmistakable air of authority still lingered around him. Arnav followed, plopping beside him on the bed with a pout, rubbing his arm where one of Abhimanyu's whacks had landed. His cheeks were still pink, a mix of laughter and defeat, like a kid caught red-handed.

Across the room, Maan and Anvi were already giggling, barely able to contain themselves. It wasn't surprise...it was familiarity. They'd seen it so many time, their composed, commanding bhaiya reduced to a sulking mess under Abhimanyu's glare. The same Arnav who could terrify them into eating or studying with a single look.....would sit obediently quiet, eyes down, waiting for Abhimanyu's next word like a scolded child.

To them, it was oddly beautiful, the way the cycle folded in on itself. Abhimanyu's discipline, his care, his sharpness laced with protectiveness... it was the same tone Arnav used with them. When Arnav didn't cared for himself, Abhimanyu was relentless...his scolding sharp, his punishments stricter than necessary, but his eyes always soft in the end. And Arnav followed every word, the way Maan and Anvi followed his.

Watching them now, Maan and Anvi understood something without needing it explained that Abhimanyu was to Arnav what Arnav was to them. A shield. A voice that guided even when it hurt. A love so deep it showed up as anger.

It was a strange sort of symmetry, the protector becoming the protected, the disciplinarian turning into the one being disciplined. And as Maan and Anvi giggled softly, watching Arnav sulk while Abhimanyu pretended not to notice, they couldn't help but smile. Because this was their family's unspoken rhythm that the lion roaring for everyone else, but turning tame before the one who taught him how to roar.

To Maan and Anvi, it wasn't weakness... it was warmth. A quiet reminder that even the strongest hearts need someone who can scold them back into peace.

Whereas,

Avyuktha's eyes widened. One look from Abhimanyu and Arnav's calm, composed, steady presence, the man who carried entire worlds on his shoulders..vanished. Suddenly, he was teasing, whining, grinning, pouting, mock-defiant, and completely obedient all at once. He obeyed Abhimanyu without argument, got his ears twisted, groaned, pouted, and even tried to justify himself like a mischievous child.

Avyuktha's jaw dropped. She blinked. She had seen Arnav as a protector, a guardian, the man who never faltered, never complained, never wavered. And now... this? A boy under Abhimanyu's quiet authority, grinning through scolding, mischief sparkling in his eyes?

It hit her... this was respect, yes,but it was earned differently. Abhimanyu had a presence that demanded obedience without fear. Arnav respected him not out of caution, but because he chose to, and it made her understand why Maan said that day Abhi Bhai meant more to Arnav than Viren. The silent weight of trust, of bond, of authority... it was palpable.

And in that moment, as the three of them laughed and teased each other, Avyuktha's heart swelled with something she couldn't name. Amusement, awe, relief, and warmth all twisted together.

Now Avyuktha began racing her mind on the thing that mattered the most now, meeting her idol, meeting AJ sir, Her lips pursed in exaggerated concentration. "Aapko Bhai chalega?"

"Bilkul chalega," Abhimanyu said, smiling sweetly.

"Perfect! Toh kab milwayenge aap AJ se?" she said quickly, pouting like a little negotiator. "Maine shart maan li, ab aap bhi maano!"

Everyone burst into laughter again.

But then as laughter died down Avyuktha's face changed. Her brain started ticking.

"Ek sec...Ek sec....wait wait wait wait...." she said, eyes narrowing. "Aap aur AJ sir....aur .....aur abhi Bhai ne Sir ko hug kiya aur phir vo sb aur ....aur...... Sir ka naam Arnav Jaisingh hai... matlab..."

Her voice trailed off as realization hit. She gasped dramatically, pointing at Arnav.

"Aap AJ sir ho!?"

___________________________________________

Finally abhimanyu is here....i think younall got a glimpse of what he means to arnav 

And also tell me what do you think how would avyuktha react knowing the truth about Aj..?

Comment on their bond....

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