Chapter: It's Not Your Fault

If her world trembles, I will stand in the storm for her. If her hands shake, I will carry her fear. Every scar she bears, I would wear in her place… and yet it breaks my heart to see her flinch, shrink from my touch. I don’t know how to make her believe that I would never hurt her that all I want is to hold her safe, to let her laugh without worry.

~Arnav

The night in Jaisingh Mansion was calm, the soft yellow lamps throwing a golden hush across the guest room. Avyuktha sat on the edge of the bed, her posture a blend of nervousness and disbelief. Opposite her, Arnav and Abhimanyu occupied the other bed. Aarush, half-asleep, was nestled in Arnav's lap his tiny fingers still clutching Arnav's sleeve. Maan and Anvi sat curled up on the sofa nearby, their eyes darting between everyone, sensing something about to unfold.

Avyuktha's gaze flickered between the two men, her breath caught. "Aap... AJ ho?" she gasped, pointing at Arnav, her eyes comically wide.

Abhimanyu couldn't help but chuckle at her expression, while Arnav, a little flustered, gave a small nod. Embarrassment tinged his features, especially remembering how fondly she had spoken of "AJ" earlier, her admiration for the mysterious mentor she didn't know was him.

But instead of excitement, Avyuktha's brows drew together. Her hand, still midair, slowly dropped. Her gaze fell to the floor, lips pressing into a thin line. The room, which had been warm a moment ago, felt suddenly still.

Everyone's smiles faded...they expected squeals, questions, laughter. But the girl sat quiet, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.

Then came a low, almost whispering murmur, "Ye kaise ho sakta hai... ye AJ sir kaise ho sakte hai..."

Abhimanyu, sensing the weight, tried to lighten the air. "Beta, mai maanta hoon ye shakal se hi bewakoof dikhta hai," he said, deadpan. "Lekin ye hi AJ hai."

Maan and Anvi burst into soft laughter, and Arnav shot Abhimanyu a look that could melt steel. Abhimanyu only smirked in return, utterly unfazed.

"Lekin ye kaise ho sakta hai..." Avyuktha repeated, this time frowning in confusion.

"Haan beta, mujhe samajh aa raha hai," Abhimanyu said dramatically. "Tumhe shock laga hoga....ye...itna nihayati bewakoof dikhne wala aadmi.....professionally itna smart kaise ho sakta hai ? Par ab kya karein...bhagwan ki den hai. Kehte hain na, shakal se badi akal hoti hai!"

That did it....Maan and Anvi laughed out loud, clutching each other, while Arnav glared at them too now. Abhimanyu's smug grin only widened.

"Arey nahi!" Avyuktha blurted, flustered. "Mera matlab vo nahi tha... Sir toh dikhne mein kitne sundar hai..."

The moment the words slipped out, her eyes widened in horror. "Mera matlab....aap bewakoof nahi dikhte!" she stammered, face heating crimson.

Arnav blinked, caught off guard. "Toh tujhe vishwas kyu nahi ho raha ki main AJ hoon?" he asked softly, his tone laced with concern. Her sudden dimming, the cheer that vanished, it pricked something deep in him.

Avyuktha hesitated. "Vo... hospital mein aapne Mr. Jaisingh se chhutti maangi thi... toh mujhe laga aap unke office mein kaam karte ho," she said quietly.

Abhimanyu and Arnav exchanged a stunned glance. Even under medication, weak and recovering, she had noticed that? That small, fleeting moment?

Abhimanyu broke the silence with a chuckle. "Acha toh ye baat hai. Haan beta, ye Mr. Jaisingh ke office mein kaam bhi karta hai, aur AAS Groups ka co-founder bhi hai."

Avyuktha frowned slightly, confusion flickering again. "Lekin kyu...." she stopped mid-sentence, biting her tongue. Her eyes dropped, she looked away, unwilling to ask further.

That hesitation, that subtle withdrawal didn't go unnoticed. Arnav felt something sharp twist in his chest.

Abhimanyu noticed it too. The girl who had been bubbling with laughter minutes ago now seemed unsure, small...as if she had no right to question him.

To break the silence again, Abhimanyu grinned and teased, "Ab AJ ka signature nahi chahiye tujhe?"

Avyuktha managed a weak smile. "Chahiye... par..."

Before she could finish, Arnav quietly took her notebook, borrowed Abhimanyu's pen, and signed it - A.J.

He handed it back gently.

"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Another pang. The same ache returned heavy, wordless.

Does she hate me, or am I just invisible to her no matter how hard I try?
He wondered.

Masking his expression, Arnav straightened and turned toward Maan and Anvi. "Maan, Chutki, tum dono jao dinner kar lo. Aarush ko bhi dinner kara do. Aur Avyuktha ke liye soup bhej dena."

Then, glancing at Abhimanyu, "Mannu, coffee piyega na?"

"Haan, bilkul," Abhimanyu said, rising from his seat.

Arnav nodded once. "Maan, mere aur Mannu ke liye do coffee bhej dena, soup ke saath."

Maan and Anvi stood, and carefully took a drowsy Aarush from Arnav's lap. The little boy, half-asleep, mumbled with a sleepy pout, "Jiji ne maara mujhe..." earning a tiny smile from everyone as he was carried away.

Just then, Abhimanyu's phone rang. "Excuse me," he said, stepping out to the balcony, leaving Avyuktha and Arnav alone in the quiet, awkward room.

Silence hung heavy in the room. The faint hum of the night lamp was the only sound between them. Arnav sat with his gaze lowered, fingers fidgeting against his knee, while Avyuktha sat a little distance away her heartbeat loud in her ears, the air thick with unspoken words.

Then, suddenly, Arnav coughed. Once, twice-then harder, until it turned into a choke.

Startled, Avyuktha sprang up. She grabbed the water jug, poured a glass in trembling haste, and rushed to him. Holding the glass to his lips with one hand, she rubbed his back gently with the other.

"Bhaiya, aaram se... dheere pijiye," she scolded softly.

The word slipped out before she could stop it.

And then...it froze them both.

Arnav stopped midway, his fingers tightening around the glass. Avyuktha's eyes widened in panic.

"S-sorry," she stammered, stepping back, her voice trembling. "Galti se bol diya... I'm sorry."

Arnav looked at her, confused for a moment, then noticed the fear flickering in her eyes...the same fear she had for the world, not for him.

His chest clenched.

"Avu..." his voice came out low, rough. "Tu darr kyun rahi hai, baccha?"

She looked down, voice breaking. "I'm sorry... mere muh se galti se nikal gaya."

He shook his head slowly, disbelief and pain mixing in his chest. "Baccha, mai bhaiya hi hoon na tumhara. Toh bhaiya bula na mujhe..."

The end of his sentence broke apart, his voice faltering as he looked away, blinking rapidly. His chest ached. He had tried...every smile, every gesture, every effort...to make her feel that she belonged, that she was home. And still, she was scared. Still, she couldn't believe it.

He couldn't stop it anymore...the rawness, the ache. His next words came out barely above a whisper, cracked and trembling.

"Tu mujhse itni nafrat karti hai, Avu? Ki mujhe bhaiya bhi nahi bulayegi?"

Her breath hitched..the disbelief, the vulnerability in his tone slicing through her.

When the tear rolled down his cheek, it stunned her. Arnav... crying.

Her own eyes flooded instantly. She reached forward, her small hand trembling as it brushed his cheek, wiping the tear away.

"Nahi... mai nafrat nahi karti aapse," she whispered, her voice trembling like glass. She pinched her throat gently, her lips quivering. "Sacchi."

Arnav's lashes fluttered, his eyes gleaming with a sheen of heartbreak. "Phir kyu mujhe bhaiya nahi bulati, Avu?"

Her throat worked, the words choking her. "Mujhe laga... aapko bura lagega."

He frowned faintly, the pain tightening in his chest. "Mujhe kyu bura lagega, baccha?"

When she didn't respond, he moved closer, his movements careful, almost reverent. They both sat cross-legged now, facing each other. His fingers reached for her trembling hands, wrapping them gently in his. His thumbs drew slow, soft circles against her knuckles, grounding her, asking without words for her to speak.

"Bata na, baccha..." he murmured, voice low, thick with concern. "Tujhe aisa kyu lagta hai ki mujhe bura lagega bhaiya bulane pe?"

Something broke inside her at the tenderness in his tone. His touch...warm, protective, undeserved and it undid her. She looked at him, and tears welled again, blurring her vision.

Her chest heaved once before she spoke, her voice so faint it trembled against the air. "Aapko pata toh hai..."

Arnav shook his head. "Nahi, baccha. Mujhe nahi pata."

His hand cupped her cheek gently, his thumb brushing away the tear that slid down. "Bata na, baccha... tujhe aisa kyu lagta hai?"

She blinked rapidly, breath hitching. And then the words spilled out...quiet, broken, soaked in guilt.

"Kyuki... mai aapki sagi behen nahi na hoon." Her eyes lowered, her shoulders trembling. "Aapko mujhe dekh ke hamesha yaad aata hoga na... ki Mr. Jaisingh ne badi maa ko dhokha diya tha... meri wajah se."

For a heartbeat, Arnav just stared....disbelief freezing him in place. He couldn't breathe. Meri wajah se?

Avyuktha's voice shook harder now, her tears falling faster. "Mujhe pata hai aap mujhse nafrat karte ho. I'm really sorry... aap please hume yahan se bhej do. Aapne already bahut kuch saha hai meri wajah se. Mai aapko aur nahi pareshan karna chahti. Aap mujhe orphanage bhej do, please..."

The words were daggers. He felt something inside him snap. His hand clenched over her fingers before he could think, his tone sharp, trembling with anger born of pain.

"Abhi ek thappad lagaunga agar bakwaas ki toh, Avu."

She flinched....a soft gasp, eyes wide, tears streaking down her cheeks.

Arnav took a shuddering breath, forcing calm back into his voice.

"Pehli baat," he said, firm but softer now, "mai tujhse nafrat nahi karta."

She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off ...his voice breaking slightly, yet unyielding. "Nahi. Pehle meri baat sun. Pehli baat....mai tujhse nafrat nahi karta. Aur na hi tujhpe taras khaata hoon, ye baat ache se samajh le, Avu."

Her lips quivered, a fragile tremor that betrayed everything she was trying to hold back. Her throat bobbed with a silent sob, her lashes trembling under the weight of unshed tears.

He leaned forward, his movements slow, careful, as if afraid she might shatter if he touched her too suddenly. His hands rose to her face, large palms cradling her cheeks with aching gentleness. The warmth of his skin met the cold dampness of her tears, and for a second, she closed her eyes...breathing in the safety she'd forgotten existed.

His thumbs brushed the edges of her jaw, tracing the faint tremble there. The pads of his fingers pressed softly into her temples, grounding her, steadying her. His breath fanned against her skin when he spoke...low, rough, heavy with all the words he'd kept buried.

It wasn't just a voice anymore. It was a prayer...trembling, breaking, but wrapped in a tenderness that could rebuild her world.

"Avu... mai tujhe kabhi nafrat nahi kar sakta, baccha." His eyes glistened. "Tujhe pata hai... jab hum pehli baar mile the Sitara mein, jab mujhe ye bhi nahi pata tha ki tu meri behen hai..." His breath hitched, his jaw trembling. "Tab hi mai tujhse pyaar karne laga tha, baccha."

Her eyes widened, heart thudding painfully in her chest.

"Jab maine tujhe dekha tha na..." his voice shook, low and uneven. He reached out quietly, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Ek chhoti si bacchi... apni har takleef...har dard ko daba ke ek aur chhote bacche ka khayal rakh rahi thi."

His thumb brushed lightly over the back of her hand, tracing small, trembling circles, maybe to calm her, maybe to stop his own breath from breaking apart.
“Itni khudgarz duniya mein...” his voice cracked, barely a whisper, “vo chhoti bacchi… jisne subah se kuch nahi khaya tha, lekin jab kisi ne usse khilane ki koshish ki, usne mana kar diya.”

His eyes flickered, a raw ache glistening in them. “Usse itni chot lagi thi… phir bhi apne se pehle apne bhai ko rakha.” His grip on her hand tightened unconsciously, as if holding onto that memory hurt.
“Itne dard, itni taqleef mein bhi... vo chhoti si bacchi kaam karti rahi… sirf isliye taaki apne bhai ke liye doodh khareed sake.”

He swallowed hard, the words catching in his throat. “Maine dekha tha usse… itne dard mein bhi vo apne chote bhai ka haath thaame, akele khadi thi... par dari nahi.”

He exhaled shakily, eyes softening as he cupped her cheek, his touch featherlight, reverent. "Tujhe pata hai uss din kya hua tha mujhe?" His lips quirked in a faint, broken smile. "Mujhe tujhse pyaar ho gaya tha, Avu."

His eyes softened painfully, the weight of years sitting heavy in them. "Us din maine bas itna socha tha..." he began, voice trembling as his thumb brushed away a tear slipping down her cheek, "...ki teri saari takleef main door kar dunga."

He paused, his breath hitching as he looked at her....really looked at her...the fragility, the innocence, the guilt she carried like a wound. His fingers moved instinctively, tucking her hair behind her ear again, his touch barely there, trembling. "Par us waqt mera koi haq nahi tha," he whispered, his throat tightening, "Aaj hai, Avu."

His hands moved to her shoulders, steadying her, his thumbs pressing gently as though to remind her she wasn't alone anymore. "Aaj mera haq hai," he said, his voice breaking softly, "kyunki tu meri behen hai."

He exhaled shakily, his lips quivering as he tried to go on. "Tu mujhe bhaiya maane ya na maane..." His words fractured mid-sentence, a tear finally escaping despite his efforts to blink it away. His hand came up again, cupping her face...his thumb tracing the trail of her tears, his palm trembling against her cheek.

"Mai tujhe dil se apni behen maanta hoon," he breathed, raw and earnest, his forehead almost touching hers. "Mujhe saga-sautela nahi pata..." his voice dropped to a whisper, breaking completely, "mujhe bas itna pata hai ki tu aur Aarush mere bhai-behen ho..."

He swallowed hard, his breath uneven, his eyes shimmering with love and pain. "Aur mai tum dono se bhi utna hi pyaar karta hoon jitna Maan aur Anvi se karta hoon baccha. "

By the time the last word left his lips, his voice was barely a whisper...but his touch, his trembling hands on her face, said everything that words never could.By the time he finished, his tears had broken free. Avyuktha sat frozen, her heart a mess of emotions - love, disbelief, pain. Her lips trembled violently.

"Lekin meri wajah se aapko itna suffer karna pada..." she whispered, guilt spilling out like poison.

Arnav exhaled sharply, his chest tight with frustration and helpless love. "Avu," he said warningly, his voice trembling, "ek baar aur ye bakwaas boli na toh sacchi mein murga bana dunga tujhe."

Her breath hitched, and he softened again, sighing as he brushed his thumb across her cheek.

"Teri kya galti thi, hmm?.....Bata?"

She opened her mouth....but no words came out. Her throat locked up.

Arnav's voice dropped lower, steadier. "Teri koi galti nahi thi, baccha." He leaned closer, voice breaking softly. "Tune decide kiya tha kya, ki tujhe Mr. Jaisingh ke ghar paida hona hai?"

She shook her head.

“Toh phir galti teri kaisi hui?” His voice trembled, the anger in it softening, melting into grief. He ran a hand through his hair, fingers clutching as if trying to hold himself together. His other hand reached out instinctively, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, lingering for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

“It’s not your fault, baccha…” His thumb hovered over her cheek, then traced a gentle line along her jaw, as if reassuring her through touch what his words could not fully carry. “Mr. Jaisingh made choices… that led to suffering, baccha…” He exhaled shakily, shoulders sagging, voice catching. “Unke faislo ki wajah se tune hum sab se jyada suffer kiya, Avu… You were the victim here, and not the culprit, baccha.”

His hands fell to rest over hers, holding them as if letting her feel the weight of his words, his grief, his protective love. His eyes searched hers, desperate for her to believe him, even if just a little.

Her sobs grew louder now, body trembling as she clutched at his hands. "Mujhe laga... meri wajah se-"

"Nahi," Arnav said firmly, cupping her face again. His eyes were fierce, glassy, voice breaking on each word. "It was not your fault, Avu."

Her lips quivered, tears spilling harder. He said it again, softer this time....almost like a prayer.

"It was not your fault."

.....

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