Chapter: Other Side Of Hurt

Abhimanyu knocked on Anvi’s door and waited, hoping she would answer, hoping she would say something, anything. When silence continued to press against his ears, unease crept into his chest and he slowly pushed the door open.

What he saw made something inside him tighten painfully.

Anvi lay curled on the bed, earphones plugged in, staring blankly at the ceiling while tears slipped endlessly into her hair. Her breaths were uneven, fragile, as if she was trying too hard not to break aloud. There was a hollowness to her face, the kind that only came after a night spent drowning in regret and self-blame. He didn’t need to ask to know, she hadn’t slept at all.

His eyes fell to her forearm, and his heart sank further. Red marks from a ruler stood out against her skin, angry and undeniable, telling a story she would never say out loud.

He stepped closer, careful, as though even the sound of his presence might shatter her. “Anu…” he called softly.

She didn’t respond.

When he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, she flinched violently, pulling out her earphones as she sat up in panic.
“Bhaiya...” she breathed, her voice carrying a fragile hope that lasted only a heartbeat.

Her eyes searched his face, expecting Arnav, yearning for him, only to fall when she realised it was Abhimanyu standing there instead. The disappointment was subtle, but it hurt all the same.

She hurriedly wiped her tears, straightened her posture, and lowered her gaze to her lap, as if looking at him would expose everything she was trying so desperately to hide. Guilt clung to her in silence, heavy and suffocating, settling into the space between them where words refused to come.

Abhimanyu lowered himself in front of her and gently cupped Anvi’s face, his thumbs brushing away the tears she hadn’t even realised were still falling. The sight of her...so fragile, so utterly broken, made his chest ache in a way words could never explain.

“Anu baccha…” he murmured softly, his voice heavy with a pain he was trying hard to hide.

At his touch, Anvi’s restraint finally shattered. She looked up at him, her eyes filling instantly, her lips trembling as she whispered, almost pleading, “I’m sorry, bhai…”

The way she said it...small, defeated, drowning in guilt, made Abhimanyu’s heart squeeze unbearably. He shook his head at once, unable to bear the weight she was placing on herself. “Nahi, baccha,” he said quietly, before pulling her into his arms.

Anvi didn’t hesitate for even a second. She clutched his waist tightly, burying her face against him as her sobs broke free, raw and bitter. Abhimanyu wrapped one arm around her back, rubbing it slowly in soothing circles, while his other hand cradled the back of her head, holding her close, grounding her against his chest as if trying to shield her from her own thoughts.

“I’m sorry, bhai… I’m really sorry,” she cried, her words tumbling out between broken breaths. “Meri wajah se aapki tabiyat kharab ho gayi… I’m really sorry, bhai… I’m sorry…”

Abhimanyu closed his eyes for a moment, the pain in his throat thickening as he tried to steady his voice.
“Nahi, baccha,” he coaxed softly. “Kya bol rahi hai tu… teri wajah se meri tabiyat kaise kharab hogi..ha? ”

But Anvi only held him tighter, her sobs refusing to stop, as though letting go of her guilt felt impossible. His heart ached even more at her helplessness, and he pulled her closer, pressing her gently against himself.

“Anu baccha… bas kar,” he pleaded, his voice trembling despite his effort to stay calm. “Tabiyat aur kharab ho jaayegi, baccha… please, bas kar, Anu…”

A lump formed in his throat as he held her, feeling her shake in his arms, feeling how deeply she was drowning in blame. He continued murmuring soft reassurances, meaningless words woven with care, while his hand kept moving slowly over her back, steady and protective.

Gradually, her cries softened, not because the guilt had eased, but because she no longer had the strength left to cry. She remained there, clinging to him, empty and exhausted, while Abhimanyu held her just as tightly, silently wishing he could take all that pain away from her.

Abhimanyu slowly eased away from her, careful not to startle her, and reached for the glass of water kept nearby. Holding it close to her lips, he murmured softly, “Aaram se, baccha,” guiding her as she took small sips. She had been crying the entire night; her body was drained, fragile, and the water felt like the first grounding thing in hours.

Anvi drank quietly and then looked up at him again, her breaths still uneven from all the crying. She wasn’t sobbing anymore, but the hiccups refused to leave her, each one betraying how shaken she still was. Suddenly, she brought both her hands up to her ears, her eyes filling again as she whispered, almost begging, “Bhai… I’m really sorry. Meri wajah se aapki tabiyat kharab ho gayi, bhai. Please mujhe maaf kar do… please, bhai… I’m sorry.”

The words pierced straight through him.

Abhimanyu’s heart twisted painfully as he gently lowered her hands, holding them for a moment to steady her before letting go. “Baccha,” he said softly, “Teri wajah se thodi meri tabiyat kharab hui thi…”

But Anvi shook her head, desperation spilling into her voice. “Aapne bhaiya ko kasam di thi na...Meri wajah se bhaiya ne kasam todd di...isliye aap bimaar padd gye...I'm sorry bhai.”

Abhimanyu’s heart clenched at the sight, seeing her so consumed by self blame. He pressed her closer to him, letting her feel the steady warmth of his chest. Then, softly, gently, he kissed the top of her forehead, lingering for a moment as if to reassure her that everything would be fine. "Anu baccha… Maine Arni se kasam vapas le li thi baccha… Aur meri pehle se hi tabiyat thik nhi thi… Teri isme koi galti nahi hai baccha… You don’t have to feel guilty for that baccha…”

He rubbed her back slowly, letting the warmth of his touch reassure her. Then, trying to ease some of the tension in her chest, he teased lightly, “Aur agar Arni ne kasam todi bhi hoti… toh tujhe kya lagta hai, tera strong Bhai bimaar ho jayega ha?”

She didn’t laugh. Not even a broken chuckle. She was drowning too deeply in her guilt, her small body still trembling against his chest.

Her head remained on his chest, small shivers still running through her, but gradually, the gentle rhythm of his breathing, the soft touch of his hand through her hair, and the warmth of his embrace began to anchor her.

Anvi parted her lips slightly and looked up into Abhimanyu’s eyes, her small, fragile voice barely above a whisper. “Aap thik ho na?” she asked, raising her hand to gently touch his forehead.

Abhimanyu’s lips curved into a soft smile at her concern. His gaze softened as he met hers. “Ha, baccha,” he said, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head again, letting her feel the warmth of his presence, trying to reassure her without words.

Anvi didn’t reply. She simply stayed there, pressed against him, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat slowly calming her breathing. Abhimanyu continued running his fingers through her hair, holding her protectively, silently promising himself that as long as she was in his arms, she wouldn’t have to carry this guilt alone.

The silence between them stretched for a while before Anvi finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Bhaiya mujhse bahut gussa hai na…”

Abhimanyu’s hand stilled for a moment in her hair before resuming its slow, comforting rhythm, a quiet hum escaping him as if urging her to continue.

She hesitated, then the words tumbled out, trembling with fear. “Woh mujhe kabhi maaf nahi karenge na… woh mujhe chhod denge na… papa ki tarah…”

Abhimanyu froze completely.

He straightened at once, and Anvi lifted her head too, her eyes searching his face, glossy with tears and dread. Seeing that fear laid bare shattered something inside him.

He cupped her face with both hands, forcing her to look at him, his voice firm yet achingly gentle. “Nahi, baccha. Yeh sab kya soch rahi hai tu…” His thumbs brushed her cheeks, grounding her. “Woh kabhi tujhe chhod kar nahi jaayega. Tum dono mein uski jaan basti hai. Woh tum dono se kaise door jaa sakta hai… kya soch rahi hai tu, baccha…”

His words began to rush, as though he needed her to believe him immediately.
“Arni bahot jyada darr gya tha baccha...that's why he reacted that way...Aur tu toh janti hai...He always need a cold shower to calm down.” He leaned closer, his tone softening further. “Jaise hi uska gussa thoda bhi kam hoga, woh khud aayega tujhse baat karne. Woh tujhe kabhi nahi chhod sakta, baccha.”

He kissed her forehead gently, lingering there for a moment, and added softly, “Aur woh tum logon ko maaf nahi karega toh phir kise karega…”

Taking her hands in his, Abhimanyu squeezed them reassuringly. “Galti hui hai toh maafi maang, baccha. Jaa, mana usko. Lekin aise ro ro ke, overthinking karke sirf baat aur bigdegi.” A faint warmth entered his voice. “Aur tu toh meri Anu hai...Arni ki Chuki...Tu itni jaldi kaise haar maan jayegi”

He exhaled slowly, steadying both of them. “Tu toh kitni strong hai.... Jaa, jaa kar ladd jaa usse...bol ki bhaiya maaf karo mujhe...galti hui hai daat lo...Lakin jab tak maaf nhi karoge...i won't leave you...."

Abhimnayu softened and said gently "Apni baat rakh, Anu. Aur sach sach sb bata de, baccha.”

After a brief pause, he added quietly, carefully, “Usse dard is baat ka hai ki tune usse jhooth bola. Woh hurt hai.” His fingers tightened around hers just a little. “Tu jaanti hai na Arni ka funda alag hai… galti kar lo, par confess kar do....woh sambhaal lega. Bas jhooth mat bolo usse.”

Anvi nodded slowly, her gaze dropping. She knew it was true. Arnav had always wanted to be that person, the one his children could come to without fear, even when they messed up. He could handle mistakes, anger, even chaos, but lies cut him deeply.

And as Anvi stared at the floor, guilt settled heavier in her chest, because for days now, she had done exactly that, lied to him, again and again.

Abhimanyu sighed softly, the weight of everything pressing down on his chest. It felt as though the air itself had grown heavier around him. After a brief pause, he spoke again, his voice gentle yet tired.

“Ek baat bata, baccha… Arni kal aaya tha na tujhse baat karne?”

Anvi nodded, her gaze dropping instantly. Her voice came out low, rushed, almost trembling, as if the words had been trapped inside her for far too long.

“Haan, bhaiya… aaye the... Papa ne mujhse vo sb bola tha ussi pe baat krne aaye the...Unhone meri wajah se aapki kasam todd di Bhai...Isliye aap bimaar ho gye...Mai aapse baat krne aayi thi Bhai lakin kr nhi paayi...I'm sorry....Phir bhaiya aa gye...Mujhe bahot guilt ho raha tha ki bhaiya ne aapki kasam todd di..I'm really sorry...Aap please unse gussa mat hona na please.”

She spoke fast, too fast...barely stopping to breathe. Every sentence carried blame, every word weighed down by guilt. In her mind, she had already declared herself the reason for everything: the crack between Arnav and Abhimanyu, the broken vow, Abhimanyu’s illness.

Her eyes welled up as the last words left her lips. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him anymore. Her hands rested clenched in her lap, knuckles pale, as if holding onto the punishment she believed she deserved.

Abhimanyu stilled completely.

Not because of shock alone but because of the sheer weight of her overthinking, her self-blame. He exhaled slowly, deeply, as if trying to steady himself before reaching out. Gently, he cupped her face, lifting it just enough to make her look at him.

“Anu baccha... Maine pehle samjhaya na teri wajah se meri tabiyat nhi kharab hui...”

His thumb brushed away the tear that escaped despite her trying so hard to hold it in.

“Aur mai kyu gussa honga arni se.... Vo apni bacchi se baat krne gya tha... Mai usse gussa kyu honga bhala?”

He bent down slightly, lowering himself until they were at eye level, making sure she heard not just his words but the sincerity behind them.

“Anu... It was very wrong on my part in the first place to speak between you and Arni... And I'm really really sorry for that baccha”

Anvi shook her head immediately, panic flashing across her face. Her voice cracked as she spoke, desperate to push the blame back onto herself.

“mai battameezi kr rhi thi bhaiya se.. I deserved that bhai... Bhaiya toh khade hoke sirf sune jaa rhe the... Aap galti nhi hai aap sorry mat bolo... Meri galti thi isliya aapne aisa kiya”

Abhimanyu shook his head firmly, refusing to let her drown herself in guilt any longer.

“Nhi baccha... Mai tujhe daat skta tha... Infact saza bhi de skta tha...waha tak thik tha... But it was not my right to make Arni stop talking to you... I came between you....I came between a father and his child and that was not my right.... And I'm really sorry for that baccha... I'm really really sorry... I only thought for Arni... I just tried to see from his perspective that how hurt he was... But i never listened to your side.. Why you said that or why were you so angry that you lashed out at Arni...or what even happend at college... I lashed out at you without even listening to you”

Abhimanyu’s gaze dropped to his lap, his jaw tightening as guilt crawled over him, slow and merciless. It wrapped around his chest, making every breath feel heavier than the last. For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

Then, in a voice thick with regret, almost breaking, he finally said, "Arni ka dada bante bante mai yhi bhool gya ki mai tera bhi Bhai hoon."

The words hung in the air, not as an excuse, but as a confession. A painful realization spoken out loud for the first time.

His voice softened, broke almost, the weight of his realization finally surfacing.

Abhimanyu then did something that made Anvi’s breath hitch. He held both her hands, bowing his head slightly, a gesture heavy with remorse.

“Please ho sake toh apne Bhai ko maaf kr dena baccha... I'm sorry”

Anvi shook her head again, this time unable to speak. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly, as if letting go would cause everything to fall apart again.

Abhimanyu hugged her back instantly, pulling her close. His eyes slid shut as the guilt clawed at his chest too. After listening to Pari, he had finally understood, how much damage his anger had caused, how deeply he had crossed lines he never meant to.

In that moment, both of them held each other, not as the strong protector and the guilty child but as two hearts burdened by regret, trying to heal the fractures they never intended to create.

They stayed in each other’s arms for a while, neither of them in a hurry to let go. When Abhimanyu finally pulled back, it was slowly, as if he didn’t want the comfort of the moment to shatter.

He could see it clearly now. Anvi wasn’t just guilty, she was drowning in regret. Regret for every harsh word she had thrown at Arnav, for the pain she knew she had caused. Abhimanyu knew Arnav too. He knew Arnav always listened first, always tried to understand before anger took over... That's why when someone messes up they reach out to Arnav first even his brother Keshav reaches out to him first. That was why the lie unsettled him so deeply

But,

Why did she feel the need to lie to him?
What fear had pushed her to hide the truth from someone who would have heard her out?

His voice softened further as he spoke, careful not to scare her.

“Ek baat puchu sach sach batayegi?”

Anvi nodded slowly, her eyes still lowered. It was a small gesture, almost fragile but it carried the weight of her willingness to finally speak the truth. Her fingers twisted nervously in the fabric of her tshirt as she took a quiet breath, bracing herself for whatever would come next.

He hummed thoughtfully, his fingers still moving through her hair, before asking, a little more firmly this time, “Kal Arni...Usne tujhse jo bhi poocha tha, Anu… tune usse sach sach jawab diya tha?”

There was a reason for the firmness in his tone. He needed her to understand that every lie was only tangling the situation further, and somewhere deep down, he also needed to know why she had felt the need to lie at all.

Anvi’s gaze dropped to her lap, and after a moment, she shook her head slowly. “Nahi…”

Abhimanyu exhaled, long and controlled.
“Phir kyun jhooth bola tha, baccha? Tu jaanti hai na usse jhooth bilkul pasand nahi.”

Anvi hesitated, then spoke quietly. “Unhone poocha tha college mein kis baat pe ladai hui thi…”

She looked up, something raw flashing in her eyes. “Uss din… bhaiya ko leke hi meri fight ho gayi thi. Woh Prateeksha bhaiya ke baare mein bakwaas baatein bol rahi thi…” Her voice rose, anger bleeding through. “That's why I punched her to shut her fucking mouth.”

Before she could finish, Abhimanyu’s hand lightly but firmly tapped the back of her head. “Language,” he said sternly.

Anvi winced, rubbing her head, and muttered a quick, sheepish, “Sorry.”

Abhimanyu asked softly, almost carefully, “Toh tune yeh baat Arni ko kyun nahi batayi, baccha?”

Anvi looked up, her eyes still damp. “Unhe Prateeksha ki baaton ka bura lagta… isliye.”

Abhimanyu closed his eyes and shook his head slowly, a tired breath leaving him as he muttered, “Arre pagli…”

He clicked his tongue, then drew out her name in sheer exasperation. “Anuuuu…” His voice softened immediately after. “Baccha ye bata... tere bhaiya ko kisi stranger ki baato ka bura lagega ki vo uske baare mai kya opinion rakhti hai ya phir apni bacchi ke juth ke bolne pe jyada bura lagega”

Anvi froze.

The words settled deep, heavy and unavoidable. In that moment, realisation dawned on her with painful clarity,  that in trying to protect Arnav’s feelings, she had ended up hurting him far more by lying. What she had thought was care had turned into hurt, and the weight of that truth pressed down on her chest, leaving her silent, ashamed, and aching with regret.

Abhimanyu asked quietly, his tone careful, “Phir uske baad kya hua tha... Why did you sneak out Anu even after when Arni came and talked to you?”

Anvi’s shoulders slumped. She stared down at her hands, her voice barely above a whisper as the truth finally spilled out.

“Bhaiya ne phir padhai ke baare mai pucha aur maine phirse jhoth bol diya... Bhaiya ko already pata tha ki maine bunk mara hai aur jab maine jhooth bola... He went out without saying anything further... Mujhe bahot guilt ho raha tha Bhai ki maine unse phirse jhuth bola, sbka dil dukhaya... Meri wajah se bhaiya ne aapki kasam todi... Pari di bhi mujhse bahot naraz thi... Mujhe bahot ajeeb sa lag raha tha... I just needed something anything to distract myself isliye... ”

Her words trailed off, unfinished, just like the courage she had left.

Anvi’s gaze dropped further, shame weighing heavy on her chest. In a small, broken voice, she added,

“I’m sorry.”

The apology wasn’t just for the lie, it was for the chaos she believed she had created around everyone she loved.

Anvi's eyes welled up again, and Abhimanyu immediately wiped it away, his thumb gentle against her cheek as he said, “Nhi baccha ab rona nhi... Please rone nhi... Teri tabiyat kharab ho jayegi baccha.. Shhh”

He didn’t say anything further, knowing that even one more word might make her break down again. Seeing the fragile look on her face, he quietly reached for the ointment Arnav had given earlier and began applying it carefully to Anvi’s arm, his touch slow and mindful as he spoke, “Tujhe pata hai... Ye tere bhaiya ne hi bheja hai”

Anvi stilled instantly, her eyes widening as she looked up at him. “Bhaiya ne bheja hai?”

Abhimanyu hummed in response, a small smile forming on his lips as he said, “He won't ever leave you Anu...jaan basti hai tum dono mai uski... He just need a bit time to cool down”

He finished applying the ointment on one arm and then glanced at her, a playful softness entering his expression as he asked, “Shart lagayegi?”

Anvi blinked, slightly confused. “Kaisi sharat?”

Abhimanyu smiled a little wider and replied, “Your bhaiya would come and check on you within half an hour”

He looked at her expectantly.
“Lagayegi sharat?”

Anvi nodded, her voice sounding a little lighter now, almost hopeful. “Thik hai laga li sharat... Lakin meri bet ye hai ki Bhaiya aayenge”

There was a faint cheerfulness in her tone, because deep down she knew, Arnav had never stayed away from them for long, not even after scolding or punishing. The doubt she had been drowning in earlier slowly eased, and after knowing that the ointment had come from him, she was certain her Bhaiya would forgive her. This time, she decided, she would apologise properly and tell him everything, no lies anymore.

Abhimanyu chuckled softly, pulled out a 500 rupee note, and handed it to her.
“Tb toh tu pehle hi jeet gyi”

Anvi took it with a small smile.

Abhimanyu added thoughtfully, “Jaha tak mai usko janta hoon he must be taking shower on the coldest setting right now....”

Anvi smiled knowingly and said, “Haa... Unka gussa thanda krna hai toh thande paani mai bss khada kr do...”

Then, half joking, she added, “Bhai mujhe toh lagta hai na.... Jab bhaiya gusse mai hote hone aur unpe aise cold paani padta hoga toh chuss chuss awaz krta hoga jaise garam tawa krta hai”

Abhimanyu laughed at that and replied,
“Ho skta hai...”

He glanced at her other arm and said gently, “Laa dusra hath de uspe bhi laga du”

Anvi shook her head stubbornly and said, “Nhi....Dusra hath pe vo aake lagayenge tb hi lagaaungi... Nhi toh hone do pain... Mujhe nhi lagwana”

Abhimanyu let out a helpless exhale and said, “Thik hai”

Abhimanyu looked at her quietly for a moment before asking, his voice soft with concern, “Tu raat bhar soyi nhi baccha”

Anvi shook her head slowly and said, “Bhaiya aaye hi nhi....”

The sadness in her voice was unmistakable. Arnav had always come back to them, always. No matter how harsh the scolding or how strict the punishment, he never left without returning, never let the distance last. But today, he hadn’t.

That absence gnawed at her chest, feeding a fear she had carried for years. The same old wound, the one left behind when her father walked away, reopened silently, whispering that maybe this time too, she would be left behind.

Her fear only deepened after she heard Arnav’s words to Abhimanyu. Words about them not caring enough. About him being nothing more than a temporary guardian in their lives. Each sentence felt like a blade twisting in her heart.

She loved him so, so much. And knowing that she had pushed him to say those things, that her words had hurt him this deeply, made her chest ache unbearably.

The thought that he might step back from her now, that he might finally create the distance she had always been terrified of, sent her fear spiralling out of control.

Abhimanyu understood instantly. He sighed gently and said, “So gyaa tha bachha vo... He was dizzy in the morning his bp was very high... Exhaution must have taken a troll over him baccha he slept... Lakin iska mtlb ye nhi hai baccha he won't come to you or won't forgive you.”

He pulled Anvi into a gentle hug, and she rested her head against his chest. Abhimanyu began running his fingers through her hair again, slow and protective, as he continued, “Ho skta hai late se aaye baccha... Lakin he'll definitely come to you... No matter how much you have messed up... Uska toh din hi tumlogo se shuru hota hai... You both are the centre of his universe and he'll always keep revolving around you baccha... even if you mess up. ”

His voice stayed calm as he went on, almost smiling to himself, “Office mai bhi din bhar chutki ne khana khaya hoga ya nhi, maan ne khaaya hoga ya nhi... Pata nhi sirf thoda sa khaya ya ache se khaya ya nhi... Chutki ko naye wale headphone chahiye the... Usko white wala model nhi... Off-white wala model chahiye... Maan ko grey t-shirts chahiye, farak nhi padta uske pass kitne kapde hai..mere bacche ko chahiye... Toh dilaunga bsss....Chutki aur Maan ko gaming zone jaana hai... Meeting raat mai ho jayegi abhi unko leke jaana hai... Chutki ye chutki vo din bhar bss tum dono ke naam ki mala japta hai...”

He glanced down at her and asked softly,
“Tujhe shi mai lagta hai vo tumlog ko chor dega”

Anvi shook her head against his chest and whispered, “Nhi... Sorry”

She was sorry, for thinking her bhaiya would leave her, for doubting him, for everything. As Abhimanyu spoke, her own words echoed painfully in her mind, get a life of your own. Arnav’s entire life revolved around them, and in her anger, she had thrown that truth back at him. The guilt felt crushing.

Abhimanyu slowly began to get up, and her racing thoughts finally came to a halt as he said, “Tere bhaiyu ko bhi ointment laga du... Arni bhi aata hi hoga...”

Abhimanyu shook his head in disappointment and said, “Pehle cold shower lega phir pure din cheekte firega... Kya karu mai tere Bhaiya ka”

Anvi let out a small chuckle, the sound soft and brief, as if she hadn’t expected herself to laugh.

Abhimanyu continued, half grumbling, half worried, “Ek toh pehle hi bp badha hai upar se bukhaar kr lega”

Anvi hummed sadly, her smile fading almost as soon as it appeared.

Noticing the shift instantly, Abhimanyu leaned forward, concern rushing back into his eyes. “Areee tu sad kyu ho rhi hai.... Mai hoon na.... Bina namak ka soup pila pila ke saara bp normal kr dunga uska ache se... Pehle dawai skip krta hai phir bimaar padd jaata hai... Mai bhi bataunga ache se tere bhaiya ko”

He exaggerated his words on purpose, his tone dramatic enough to lighten the heaviness in the room.

Anvi couldn’t help but chuckle again, this time a little more freely.

Abhimanyu’s gaze softened at the sight of her smile. He bent down, pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, and got up from the bed to move towards Maan's room.

Before leaving, he cupped Anvi’s face gently and said, “Anu.. Bss usse sb cheez sach sach bata dena baccha... Use usse jyada kuch nhi chahiye... Just tell him everything... Tell him your side of the chaos and also listen to his side too... Things have been stretched far more than necessary baccha... Talk to him honestly baccha... Tell him eveything...”

Anvi nodded quietly. She knew now, lying had only made everything worse.

Abhimanyu kissed her forehead again softly and then left the room, leaving behind a girl filled with guilt, resolve, and a fragile but growing hope that her bhaiya would come.

∆∆∆

Meanwhile, exactly as Abhimanyu had predicted, Arnav stood beneath the coldest stream of water. The icy spray hit his skin mercilessly, making his body shiver violently, his muscles tightening in protest, yet somewhere beneath that physical shock, his mind began to quiet. The anger that had burned relentlessly since the night before slowly loosened its grip, replaced by something far heavies.

The moments he had been trying to suppress surged forward one by one, crashing into him without mercy.

Anvi’s trembling voice.
Maan’s wide, frightened eyes.
The way both of them had looked at him, not defiant, not careless but scared.

The fury he had clung to so desperately began to dissolve, and in its place rose fear, guilt, and a hurt that no longer felt righteous. Viren’s venomous words echoed faintly now, stripped of their power, while his own reactions stood stark and unforgiving in his mind. His control, which he had always taken pride in, lay shattered at his feet.

Clarity settled in, cruel and unavoidable.

He had done this before.

He had heard fragments instead of the whole truth, let his health deteriorate under stress, and then expected maturity from a child who had already been stretched beyond her limits. His chest tightened painfully as the realization fully dawned, he was still weak, still exhausted, still unwell, and yet he had demanded composure and rationality from his teenage daughter after one of the harshest days of her life.

Guilt crawled through him, slow and suffocating.

He had hurt them.

Not by anger alone, but by withdrawing. By shutting himself down. By choosing silence when they needed reassurance the most. By letting someone else come between him and his children. The weight of it crushed his chest as he cursed himself...for falling asleep, for choosing rest over them, for not walking into their rooms when he should have known better, for letting another decide in his place, for striking not as punishment but as fear twisted into fury, for crossing that fragile line where discipline turns into rage.

They must have been waiting.

Waiting for him to come. Waiting to be held. Waiting to be told they were still safe with him.

And while they waited, he had taken care of himself.

That thought sliced through him sharper than the cold water ever could.

Every word he had thrown at them the night before came rushing back, rebounding against his conscience with brutal force. The disappointment in his tone, the distance in his gaze, the way he had spoken as though expecting adulthood from a girl who was still learning how to navigate pain. His stomach twisted as the questions spiraled relentlessly... how could he have done that, how could he have expected Anvi to think rationally after everything that had unfolded, how could he forget that she was still a child who reacted with emotion because that was all she had known?

He cursed himself again, harsher this time, because this mistake was his to own.

They had messed up, yes but so had he.

And unlike them, he was supposed to know better.

With a sharp breath, Arnav turned off the shower. The silence that followed felt deafening. He dressed quickly, movements urgent now, no hesitation left in him. The anger that once fueled him had been completely replaced by resolve... raw, desperate, and unwavering.

He needed them.

And more importantly, they needed him.

This wasn’t about pride anymore, or control, or teaching lessons. This was about repair. About reaching his children before the damage settled too deep, before fear convinced them they were alone. Whatever it took, however long it took, he would correct this, starting now.

Without wasting another second, Arnav headed straight for Anvi’s room, heart pounding with a singular purpose.

He would fix this.
At any cost.

___________________________________________

Thank you so much for reading.

I honestly tried my best to do justice to the characters, and I don’t know if I fully succeeded but this chapter has lived in my head for the longest time. I struggled a lot with how the conversation should unfold, so in the end, I stopped overthinking and simply wrote from my heart, focusing on what felt most important and real.

Arnav’s character is deeply inspired by my own father. He is someone who can handle anything except lies. If I failed and confessed honestly, he would ask me what happened and help me study harder. But if I lied… my hands would turn red. Even then, I always knew he would need some time to cool off and that he would come back to me once his anger settled. What I understood even as a child was that he felt more guilty for hitting me than I ever did. He would pamper me afterward, quietly making up for it in his own way.

I also want to say this clearly Arnav is only 25. He is trying to fill shoes that are far too big for him. He is learning to be a parent for the first time, while carrying responsibilities he never asked for. Please try to understand him a little too. What matters most is that he realises his mistake and that he is willing to do anything to make things right.

As for Abhimanyu, he knows Arnav better than anyone. He has been by his side since childhood. He knows that after ranting, after letting everything spill out, Arnav will take a cold shower, breathe, and calm down. That is why he didn’t stop him in that moment. He let him vent, because he knew clarity would follow. And that is also why Abhimanyu moved toward Anvi instead...softly reassuring her, without words, that Arnav would come… he just needed a little time.

Thank you for staying with the story and these characters. Your patience and understanding mean more than you know

Comment away tell me everything you felt while reading this chapter. I’d love to know how you see these characters, what emotions they stirred, and how you interpret their actions. Your version of them matters just as much to me.