Chapter: How To Lose Sanity In 30 Minutes

Was around 4 p.m. when Arnav called Maan and Anvi to his study. Now, they stood before him...silent, shoulders slumped, hearts heavy. Even after realizing their mistake, punishment still awaited them, and that felt unbearably unfair.

Arnav leaned against the table, arms crossed, watching them quietly. With every passing second, their pouts deepened, their expressions turning more dejected. Those innocent eyes kept looking up at him...wide, hurt, and questioning, silently accusing him of the injustice he was about to inflict on them.

Arnav let out a slow exhale. “I won’t punish you...”

That was all it took.

Both of them exploded in happiness before he could say another word.

“I KNEW IT!” Maan lunged forward and wrapped Arnav in a bone crushing hug. “Mujhe pata tha aap itne bhi jallad nahi ho jitna dikhte ho!”

Arnav glared down at him, but Maan was too busy celebrating his victory to care. Anvi rushed in next, and suddenly Arnav was trapped between two overexcited humans who were basically jumping on him.

Watching them bounce around like he’d just announced a festival holiday, Arnav couldn’t help it, an amused chuckle slipped out. He immediately cleared his throat, schooling his expression back into seriousness.

“Let. Me. Finish.”

Freeze.

Maan and Anvi stopped mid jump, arms still half-raised, eyes blown wide, like kids caught stealing sweets, staring at him in pure terror.

Maan whined loudly, “Aarghhh… mujhe pata tha ye aadmi jallad hai.”

Anvi nodded along in agreement, her expression mirroring his frustration. Both of them stepped back from the hug, and Maan added in pure annoyance, “Finish what you wanted to FINISH.”

Arnav glared at him.

Maan instantly straightened, the bravado vanishing. “Sorry,” he mumbled under his breath.

Arnav shook his head slowly and said, “I won’t punish you both… you both are a very good team, right?”

Before they could relax, he continued, “Galti galti fittus… bhaiya ko koi kuch nahi batayega,” perfectly mimicking Maan and Anvi.

Both of them froze, staring at him in shock. Their bhaiya knew about their secret slogan.

Arnav went on calmly, “Toh this time, you both will be punishing each other. And don’t try to act smart. The consequences should meet your actions, otherwise I won’t hesitate to give my list of consequences.”

Both of them gulped.

They knew that list all too well, months of torture filled with essays, reading lines, gym, yoga, and endless misery.

Compared to that, they were more than ready to accept his conditions.

Maan squinted thoughtfully, eyes narrowing as if he were a judge delivering a historic verdict. “Hmmm… toh tune kya kya kand kiya,” he said, beginning to count on his fingers. “Battameezi ki, jhooth bola, phirse battameezi…”

He paused, placing a hand on his chin, digging deep into his memory like it was a national archive, while Anvi glared at him so hard it could’ve set him on fire.

Suddenly, Maan snapped out of it. “Yaar tune toh bahot saare kaand kiye hai… main kaise itna yaad rakhu?”

Arnav, watching this circus unfold, commented dryly, “Beta, pen paper de du? Aasani hogi.”

Maan ignored the sarcasm like a professional. “Haan, ye sahi idea diya aapne,” he said seriously, as if Arnav had just solved world hunger.

He grabbed a pen and paper and immediately started scribbling, muttering aloud, “Battameezi ki, jhooth bola, bunk maara, phirse battameezi…”

“Bhaiyu… kya kar rahe ho?” Anvi snapped and snatched the paper away like her life depended on it.

Maan frowned deeply. “Arre tune kaand hi itne saare kiye hai, mujhe list banani pad rahi hai.”

He snatched the paper back and resumed writing with full dedication. “Diwaal kudi...”

“Pagal ho gaye ho kya?” Anvi snapped.

Without missing a beat, Maan wrote again. “Bade bhai ko pagal bola.”

Anvi slapped his arm and whined, “Bhaiyuuuu.”

Maan immediately added another point. “Bade bhai ko maara.”

Maan glanced up at Arnav and said innocently, “Bhaiya… isko ghar se nikaal dete hain.”

He looked back at his list and sighed dramatically. “List badi lambi hai iski… ghar se nikaal dete hain. Vanvaas...do teen saal ka.” He nodded to himself. “Khud sudhar jaayegi.”

That time, Anvi hit him hard and snapped, “BHAIYUUU!”

Without missing a beat, Maan calmly added another point to the list, muttering while writing, “Bade bhai ko… phir se maara.”

Anvi whined loudly, snatched the paper yet again and snapped, “Bhaiyu yaar kya kar rahe ho?”

“Chutki, paper wapas de,” Maan said irritably, already exhausted. “Mujhe list banani hai, phir punish bhi karna hai. Bahot kaam hai mujhe, time waste mat kar. Paper wapas de.”

He stepped forward to grab it, but Anvi dodged him like a pro and bolted.

In seconds, the study turned into a mini race track. They started running in circles around Arnav’s table...shouting, arguing, nearly colliding with chairs.

Arnav leaned against the table, one hand pressing against his forehead, eyes shut, silently praying to God for patience… or earplugs… or both.

“Chutki, paper de!”

“Nahi dungi!”

“Chutki, maine bola paper de mujhe!”

“Maine bhi bola nahi dungi!”

Anvi suddenly started tearing the paper when Maan shouted in panic, “Chutki, agar tune phada toh main chhodunga nahi tujhe!”

“Pehle pakad lo, phir chhodne ki baat karna,” Anvi shot back, sprinting faster.

They kept running, shouting, threatening each other like sworn enemies, while Arnav stood right there, motionless...still praying for patience… and questioning every life decision that led him to this exact moment.

Arnav snapped, “ENOUGH.”

The word hit like a thunderclap.

Both of them flinched mid run and froze instantly, turning toward him with wide eyes, one foot still in the air, bodies tilted like paused cartoon characters.

Arnav closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, summoning every ounce of patience left in him. He strode forward, snatched the crumpled paper straight out of Anvi’s hand, and tore it away from existence.

From the notepad, he pulled out two fresh sheets, handed one to each of them along with a pen, and said, “Go stand in the corner and write the mistakes you think you made… Go. I’ll call you out. Till then, stand there and think about it and write it down.”

Maan and Anvi exchanged a look that clearly said we’re dead, then silently shuffled toward the corner like punished schoolkids...heads bowed, pens dangling uselessly in their hands.

Behind them, Arnav watched, rubbing his temple, finally enjoying the blessed sound of silence… even if he knew it wouldn’t last long.

Both of them went quietly to their corners, pens in hand, and began scribbling diligently from time to time.

After about fifteen minutes, he collected their lists and scanned them carefully. Both sheets were perfect, every single mistake they had made, listed exactly as it had happened.

Arnav handed Maan’s sheet to Anvi and Anvi’s sheet to Maan. “Now sit down and write down the punishment you think should be given,” he instructed.

Both of them obediently sat down, heads bent over the paper, and began writing as told...silent, thoughtful.

They handed their sheets back to Arnav, who picked up Anvi’s punishment list written by Maan and began reading aloud.

“1.) You will write 1000 times ‘I won’t disrespect anyone.’

2.) For sneaking out by jumping off the wall, you will do 100 jumping jacks and 100 skips with the rope for the next two weeks, with ten more added each day.
PS: (I hope iske baad jump karne ke saare shaukh pure ho jayenge)

3.) For bunking classes and dodging the security, a guard will shadow you in college.”

True to form, it was very much Arnav-like, just a few points skipped but enough to make her sweat.

Looking up at Anvi, he added firmly, “And you will study with me for two hours daily from now onwards… Aur college mai jo bhi assignments diye gaye hai, uski list chahiye mujhe. And also, about the mid terms and tests that are going to happen, I want their dates. Aur koi bhi assignment hai, I want it to be completed before the due date. Do you get that?”

Anvi nodded silently, fully aware that Arnav’s version of punishment left no room for negotiation or mercy.

Tough, Anvi glared at her bhaiyu, frustration written all over her face. He wasn’t showing an ounce of mercy, and it burned.

Maan, watching her, shrugged casually. “You deserve that,” he said with a small smirk, clearly enjoying the sight of her glare.

Anvi huffed, shooting him a look that promised she’d get him.

Arnav added softly, “And for your impulsiveness, Anvi… you’ll join yoga sessions for a month with Baba once he returns, okay?”

Anvi’s lips trembled as she whimpered, “Bhaiya, please na… yoga nahi, please na bhaiya… Uncle bahot strict hai, bhaiya, please na… Rehem khao apni bacchi pe, please na bhaiya.”

Arnav exhaled gently, then motioned her closer. “Idhar aa…”

She slid onto the couch beside him, leaning against his chest. He wrapped an arm around her, holding her close enough that she could feel the steady beat of his heart. His other hand came up to run slowly through her hair, brushing strands from her face.

“Chutki… you will join yoga sessions with Baba, baccha,” he said softly.

Anvi whimpered again, but Arnav’s fingers continued tracing delicate patterns through her hair, soothing her without words. He leaned down, placing a soft kiss on the crown of her head. “Baccha… it’s for your own good... Do you know why the situation messed up....because you let your emotions get controlled by others, chutki.”

His voice stayed low and steady as he guided her gently. “That Prateeksha… she wanted a response from you. She was poking you to get a reaction… and she succeeded. Tujhe usne ukasaya… You punched her and nearly got rusticated....She got home happily… You came home, you fought with me, you didn’t mean to say anything to me, but you still said that and then those same words hurt you even more, drowned you in guilt, and broke you from inside.
...All of this… because you let other people’s words control you, baccha.”

He leaned closer, pressing another soft kiss on her temple. His hand cupped her cheek briefly before returning to run gently through her hair. She hummed softly, the warmth and care sinking into her as she acknowledged how she had let others control her reactions.

Arnav smiled faintly, still holding her close, and added, “Aur mai bhi chalunga… I will also join the yoga session with you… Because I made some impulsive actions too… and I should also correct them.”

Anvi exhaled, leaning into him, and whispered, “Thik hai.”

Arnav held her there for a long moment, letting her rest against him, brushing her hair and occasionally pressing tiny, reassuring kisses to her forehead and temple. Every small touch, every quiet gesture, was a silent way of making her understand that she was safe, loved, and guided.

Arnav spoke quietly, almost hesitantly. “Chutki… ek baat bataun, baccha?”

Anvi hummed softly, still leaning into him, her head resting against his chest.
“I don’t like your new friends.”

That made her sit up straight. She looked at him, surprised, a little defensive instinctively rising in her eyes. Arnav noticed it immediately.

Arnav cupped her cheek gently, thumb brushing away the faint worry on her face. “I’m not telling you to break friendship with them, princess… it’s your call,” he said softly. “Friends are the chosen family, and I won’t interfere in that. I’m just telling you my feelings about them.”

Anvi looked at him, confused yet attentive. “Lekin… kyun pasand nahi hai?” she asked quietly.

Arnav exhaled, not irritated, just thoughtful.  “Ek baat bata,” he said calmly. “Ye Apoorva logon se teri dosti kitne din se hui hai?”

“Around ten twelve days,” Anvi replied after a pause.

Arnav nodded slowly. “In ten days,” he said gently, “You bunked your college for 7 days and had two says off...weekends.”

He looked at her not accusing, not angry, just concerned.“I think you got my point baccha.”

The words settled quietly between them.

Arnav continued, his voice calm yet heavy with meaning. “Tere college mai merit basis pe admission hote hai... And you know ki back seat admission bhi hote hai waha pe… Paiso ke damm pe”

He paused, his hand still resting gently on her head. “But it was my princess who decided that she will at any cost get full scholarship and prove herself worthy to attend that college… isn’t it?”

Anvi nodded slowly, her eyes lowering as the memory of her determination surfaced.

Arnav went on, trying to make her realise, not by blaming her, but by reminding her of who she truly was.
“Tujhe pata hai… mai aaram se tera admission issi college mai karwa deta…”

His voice softened further. “But still you choose the hard way… Raat din mehnat karke…”

His fingers tightened slightly around her hand, pride evident in his tone. “You earned that seat, chutki...My princess proved that she deserved that college.”

The words hit Anvi straight in the heart.
She leaned into him again, feeling the weight of his trust, his pride, and his quiet fear, realising how far she had drifted from the girl who once fought so hard for her dreams.

Arnav held her a little tighter, his thumb brushing slow, calming circles against her arm. His voice was gentle,  “I’m not saying that you stop enjoying your college days and focus entirely on your studies…”

He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Lekin baccha… this… this is not enjoyment, baccha… it’s self destruction.”

Anvi’s eyes lowered. The word self destruction sat heavy in her chest.

He lifted her face slightly, making sure she was listening...not forcing, just guiding. “College enjoy karna hai… itne saare functions, programs, fests, competitions, talent shows...na jaane kya kya hota hai,” He said softly. “Participate in that… enjoy that… indulge in your hobbies, explore new things… do whatever you want to do… Isme mazza hai.”

His fingers slid gently through her hair again, affectionate, protective.
“Lekin ye college ki diwaar kood ke kisi mall ya club mein roz roz jaake… kaunsa mazza aata hai, baccha?”

Anvi swallowed. She didn’t have an answer.

Maan, who had been quiet till now, spoke up, his tone softer than usual, almost brotherly.

“Chutki, you know… tune abhi abhi college join kiya hai na,” he said calmly, “Tujhe dheere-dheere khud samajh aa jaayega.”

He looked at her seriously.
“Most of your friends are not friends with Anvi… they are friends with Anvi Jaisingh.”

Anvi’s fingers curled slightly into Arnav’s shirt.

“The girl who comes in different car and goes in different car with different drivers,” Maan continued. “They stay close to you and pretend to be your friend. But when you’ll need them… or when you no longer give them what they want… they’ll disappear like they didn’t even exist.”

His voice dropped a little, honest and real. “Tujhe khud hi samajh aa jaayega… ye sab maine bhi dekha hai na… isliye bata raha hoon.”

Maan gave a small, rueful smile.
“First year mein aadhe se zyada batch meri dost thi… and now I have literally two three friends. Most of them were there with me because I was the rich boy who would pay up for everything...”

Arnav added softly, “Exactly… real friends are those chutki who push you towards becoming better.... Abhi toh bahot mazza aata hai thrilling lagta hai lakin Yhi 2 3 saal baad you'll regret having them as your friends.. Because they drowned themselves and pushed you along.”

His fingers slid gently through her hair again...affectionate, protective. “You’ve seen me and Yash, right?”

Anvi nodded.

“You’ve seen how we mock each other, throw insults, pull each other’s legs,” he said with a faint smile. “But at the same time, we push each other towards betterment.”

Then, a little more serious, Arnav continued, “Bachpan se mera best friend hai woh... Lekin jab bhi usse lagta tha ki main kuch galat kar raha hoon, woh mujhse ladd jaata tha... Aur agar maine nahi suni…” he chuckled softly, “toh bina soche samjhe dada se chugli kar deta tha.”

“I hated him for that sometimes,” he admitted honestly. “Lagta tha hamesha meri complain kar deta hai... I always ended up being punished because of him... Par aaj samajh aata hai… he loved me too much to see me suffer because of my own wrong choices.... Dost aise hi hote hain, Chutki.”

Anvi finally let the words settle into her chest.

After a pause, Arnav asked gently, “Keshav aur Sam ke saath tu mazze nahi karti?”

Anvi replied softly, “Karti hoon.”

Arnav nodded. “Maine kabhi tujhe mana kiya unke saath time spend karne se?”

She shook her head.

“Isliye nahi kiya,” he said calmly,“Kyunki main unhe jaanta hoon. They’re your best friends. They care about you and jab zarurat padti hai, they even snitch on you. Not to hurt you, but because they care... You have fun with them but they won't ever let you drown in the name of fun... They won't interfere when you are serious about your life and trying to push yourself... They'll support you...take care of you... Because they love you”

Arnav leaned down and kissed the top of her head, saying nothing more, letting the words sink in.

He knew this was the age where opinions were easily shaped by the people around you. And at this moment, he needed to teach her the difference between friends who feel sweet but are like snakes… and the ones who truly care, even when it hurts.

Silence followed.

Anvi leaned back into Arnav’s chest, this time not resisting, not questioning.
For the first time, she wasn’t feeling controlled or judged.

She was feeling protected by experience, by love, and by people who cared enough to tell her the truth.

Maan whined, “Ab meri bhi punishment bata do yaar… subh se suspense bana ke rakha hai.”

Arnav chuckled softly, reaching for the paper on the desk. He glanced at Maan with mock seriousness.

“1.)No bike rides for a month for sneaking out,
2.) And for involving Anvi in your sneakouts… you have to write 1000 times, ‘I won’t emotionally manipulate my sister into my plans and won't risk my safety.”

Maan’s eyes widened, and he groaned dramatically.

Arnav’s lips curved into a small smile as he continued, “3.)And then, every day, you’ll have to give your innocent sister chocolate, flowers, or any small surprise gift of your choice for a week.”

He chuckled again, glancing up at Maan, who looked simultaneously exasperated and resigned.

“And that’s your punishment,” Arnav said, a faint sparkle of amusement in his eyes, enjoying every moment of this sibling reckoning.

Maan shook his head, muttering under his breath, while Anvi laughed, secretly pleased at her brother getting a taste of his own medicine.

Arnav added, “And for lying to me, you’ll wash two cars daily for a week. And for teaching her how to ride a bike, even after I refused, you will be on dish duty too for two weeks. And… you will write an essay of about 2000 words on ‘Risks of sneaking out.’”

Maan didn’t even bother sitting up. He just rested his forehead on the table, utterly defeated. A soft, long sigh escaped him, a mixture of disbelief and resignation.

Arnav glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Anvi peeked at him from the side, trying not to giggle at how thoroughly her brother had been outmaneuvered in their little sibling game.

Maan, however, stayed where he was, silent and tragic, the weight of chocolate-giving, car-washing, dish-scrubbing, and 2000 words looming over him like an ominous cloud.

Arnav straightened, his expression suddenly turning dramatic, almost theatrical. He lifted his hands slightly, as if addressing a court.

“Prabhu log…” he began, clearly done but still very much in control.

“Tum dono ko parties mein jaana hai… raat mein solo trips pe jaana hai… mujhe bata ke jao.”

Maan slowly lifted his head from the table, Anvi straightened too.

“If I feel the party is safe...no drinking, no clubbing types of parties...mai khud chhod ke aaunga,” Arnav continued, voice firm but reassuring. “Subah, dopahar, shaam, raat… jab bhi ho.”

Then his gaze shifted sharply to Maan.

“Aur tujhe agar raat mein sunsaan raahon pe ghoomne jaana hai… tell me. I’ll at least check your whereabouts... I won't stop you... But atleast check on you.”

There was a brief pause....dangerous, heavy.

“Lekin abse,” he added slowly, “Koi jhooth bolke gaya na… toh mai bata raha hoon… dande se maarunga.”

The threat was clear.
The tone left no scope for negotiation.

Maan swallowed and nodded immediately. Anvi nodded too, equally quick, equally serious.

Arnav warned again, his tone serious “Mai sach bol raha hoon… abse jhooth bola toh pehle marunga, phir baat karunga.”

Maan immediately surrendered. “Thik thik,” he said quickly, getting up from his seat. He walked over and sat beside Arnav, snuggling into him without a second thought, all drama gone, replaced by comfort.

Anvi who was leaning against him scooted even closer.

Arnav looked at them for a moment, two grown kids who still fit so naturally into the space beside him. His arms came around them instinctively, holding them close, grounding them where they felt safest.

He pressed a soft peck on Maan’s forehead. Then another on Anvi’s.

In that moment, they didn’t feel controlled or scared...they felt protected, loved, and understood.

And that…was exactly what Arnav had wanted all along.

Arnav spoke gently, breaking the moment.
“Achha… ek baat batao.”

Both of them pulled back slightly and looked at him.

Arnav hesitated for a second before continuing, his voice calm yet thoughtful.
“Avu aur Aaru ke liye permanent room ready krwana hai…. I know you both accepted them… but still i wanted to ask you…”

He paused, searching their faces.
“Are you guys okay if their rooms are next to our rooms.?”

It mattered to him...deeply. Even though everything felt settled, the situation was still sensitive, He didn’t rush the words His eyes stayed on their faces, quietly searching, not for permission, but for reassurance. He already knew the answer, yet asking mattered to him and didn’t want to take a single decision without their comfort and consent. His children’s peace meant everything to him.

Anvi immediately shook her head with a soft smile. “Nhi bhaiya koi problem nhi hai… jab hum teeno sath mai rehte hai… toh unke room kyu alag jagah pe honge.”

Maan nodded in agreement. “Haan bhaiya, humein koi problem nahi hai.”

Relief flickered across Arnav’s face. His lips curved into a soft smile, the kind that reached his eyes and stayed there. “Thik hai…” he said quietly. “You’ll have to shift to the room downstairs for 2 days… rooms ka renovation karwana hoga… Its just a matter of two days…”

Then, like always, he added with gentle concern, “Tumlog ke koi tests ya assignment ki date ho toh mujhe bata dena… I’ll make sure you wont get disturbed okay?”

Anvi and Maan nodded, their smiles softer now. They could feel it, the way he thought ten steps ahead, the way he tried to cushion even temporary inconvenience. It wasn’t obligation; it was love in action.

Without a word, they moved closer together and hugged Arnav, holding him just a little longer. “I love you bhaiya,” they said softly.

Arnav smiled, warmth settling deep in his chest. “I love you too,” he replied, pressing a tender kiss on both their foreheads, as if sealing a promise of always being there.

The warmth had barely finished settling when Maan pulled back, his face scrunching up in deep offence, brows furrowed, lips pouting as though the universe itself had wronged him.
“Aapne usse pehle kiss kyu diya... Mai bada hoon pehle mujhe kyu nhi diya.”

Arnav instantly knew, this was it. The calm had officially expired. He shut his eyes, already bracing himself for what was about to follow. He could practically hear his remaining brain cells preparing to flee.

Anvi, on the other hand, reacted instantly, her expression shifting into pure, unapologetic mischief. “He loves me more that's why.”

She shrugged casually, a grin spreading across her face so wide that it practically sent out visible fumes of irritation from Maan’s ears.

Maan straightened at once, clearly scandalized, and shot a look at Arnav as if demanding justice. “Aap batao isse... Mujhse jyada pyaar krte ho.”

Anvi didn’t miss a beat. Her grin only widened as she leaned in, enjoying every second of it. “Muh se toh rishwat deke bhi bulwaya jaa skta hai bhaiyu... Its about gestures... Gestures show that he loves me more.”

She reached out and patted Maan’s head lovingly, far too lovingly..“Koi baat nhi... Zindagi mai sbko har chez nhi milti... Jaise aapko bhaiya ka pyaar nhi mila... I became his favorite as soon as i was born... Koi baat nhi... Hota hai hota hai..”

That was the final straw.

Maan swatted her hand away immediately and turned back to Arnav, complaining like a deeply wronged little child, clutching at his sleeve. “Bhaiya dekho chidha rhi hai... Aap bolo na... You love me more.”

Arnav took a slow breath, choosing his words carefully, already knowing there was no safe answer. “I love you both equally...Mere liye you all are the same.”

Anvi chimed in instantly, clearly unimpressed. “And that's the biggest myth.”

Maan nodded along seriously. “Haa.”

They both stared at Arnav in complete agreement, silently judging him.

Arnav just stood there, staring back at them, fully aware that the affection he’d offered barely a minute ago had somehow turned into a full scale sibling war and that next time, affection might require a warning label.

All he had done was hug them.
One hug.
Two kisses.
Perfectly equal. Perfectly balanced. Scientifically fair.

And yet, here he was.

Maan was still clutching his sleeve like Arnav might physically run away if released, eyes glossy with emotional injustice, while Anvi stood with her arms folded, chin lifted, radiating the calm superiority of someone who knew she had already won without trying.

Why did I kiss them, Arnav wondered grimly.
Why not just nod? Smile? A respectful handshake?

He sighed internally.

No matter what he said, it would be used against him. Equality was a lie. Neutrality was betrayal. Silence would be interpreted as confession.

Next time, he promised himself,
I will show affection in written format. Signed. Dated. With witnesses.

Maan sniffed slightly, still offended. Anvi’s lips twitched, clearly holding back another comment that would definitely push things further.

Arnav straightened, resigned to his fate.

Anvi’s lips slowly curled upward, that familiar, dangerous smirk settling on her face. She straightened her posture, confidence radiating off her like she had already won a battle that hadn’t even fully begun yet. Turning slightly toward Arnav, she spoke with absolute certainty, as if the truth was already decided.

“Tell him bhaiya you love me more... I am your princess... Your chutki... ”

Maan stiffened instantly. His eyes widened, shoulders squaring as though he’d just been challenged to a duel. There was no way he was letting that slide. He stepped forward at once, voice firm, offended pride wrapped neatly around every word.

“Tell her bhaiya you love ME more... I'm your maan... You little maani”

Anvi didn’t even look surprised. If anything, she looked amused. She tilted her head, unimpressed, and waved him off dismissively.

“Oh hello... Little maani... He loves me more”

Maan scoffed loudly, pointing straight at himself like the evidence was self-explanatory. His voice rose in volume, determination burning bright.

“He love ME more”

Anvi shot back immediately, not missing a beat, her confidence completely unshaken.

“He loves me more”

“Nah... He loves me more”

“No”

“Yes”

“No”

“Are yes bhaiyu... Don't be jealous... You are still his sixth favourite”

The room froze.

Maan gasped “SIXTH”

Arnav, standing between them, stared straight ahead, completely motionless.

Inside his head, alarms were blaring.

Sixth.
There are only four of them.
WHEN DID THE OTHER TWO HAPPEN.

Maan was still standing there in shock, eyes wide, expression frozen somewhere between heartbreak and personal betrayal.

Anvi, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered.

In fact, she looked… patient.

She sighed softly, as if she were about to explain something extremely obvious to someone who was being unnecessarily slow.

“Hmm.. Sixth... Dekho.. Pehle mai phir Bhai phir Avu Aaru and Pari di on the 3rd position and then you.... So basically fourth but if we are ranking precisely then sixth....Don't worry I think Keshav is on the 7th... You are not the last one”

She even nodded slightly at the end, satisfied, as if she’d just solved a complicated equation and simplified it for everyone else.

Maan stared at her.

Blankly.

Maan slowly turned toward Arnav, eyes wide and shining with fragile hope, as if even now, especially now he believed bhaiya would say something. Anything. One word. One correction. One sentence that would fix the irreversible damage that had just been done to his dignity, his rank, and possibly his soul.

Arnav opened his mouth.

Then closed it.

Because his brain, traitor that it was, offered absolutely nothing useful. No reassurance. No clarification. Not even a harmless joke. Just static. Complete mental shutdown.

The silence stretched.

And that was enough.

Maan’s shoulders droppe, disappointment settled in properly. He looked away from Arnav and turned slightly to the other side, staring down at his lap, fingers curling into the fabric of his clothes. His posture folded in on itself, small and utterly dejected, like someone who had lost an argument, a position, and a little bit of faith all at once.

The room felt different now.

Anvi noticed it too. Her smirk faltered just a fraction. Arnav, meanwhile, felt guilt hit him square in the chest.

Great, he thought grimly. Now I’ve emotionally abandoned the sixth favourite.

Maan was still staring down at his lap, unmoving, as if he’d decided the safest place in the world was right there, away from rankings, favourites, and emotional damage.

Arnav watched him for a moment. The slumped shoulders. The way his fingers worried at the fabric. The quiet that had replaced all the noise.

He sighed softly, the edge in him melting away, and leaned closer, his voice gentler now, warm with familiarity and care.

“Maan... Chidha rhi hai tujhe baccha vo aur tu chidd raha hai... I love you baccha... Aur ye ranking ki kya bakwass hai... Mera koi favourite nhi hai... I love you all equally... Chal dekh idhar meri taraf”

The words settled slowly.

Maan slowly lifted his head, eyes narrowing just a little as suspicion crept in. He raised an eyebrow, clearly not ready to let this go so easily.

“So you love me.”

“Yes.”

His eyes sharpened immediately.
“More than her.”

“Equally.”

Maan turned away at once, folding his arms and whining dramatically, his voice thick with disbelief. “Bhaiyaa ye konsi baat hui... No one can love two people equally”

Anvi immediately backed him up, nodding seriously. “Haa... ”

Arnav let out a slow breath, rubbing his forehead like a man reaching the very end of his patience. Then he straightened, his tone calm but deliberate. “Ye batao... Tum dono... Aaru aur Avu mai se kise jyada pyaar krte ho”

The effect was instant.

Both of them froze mid breath, expressions blank, mouths slightly open.

Arnav raised an eyebrow, not letting them escape. “Tell me... Tell me... ”

He turned to Anvi first, voice steady, almost clinical. “Do you love Avu more because she is a girl and you can go to spa with her or style each other and have more fun together and love Aaru less because he is much younger than you ?”

Then he turned to Maan, eyes sharp but gentle underneath. “Or do you prefer Aaru more because Avu has a lot of emotional trauma with her and will need more patience and understanding than Aaru”

Both of them gasped at once, horrified by the implication.

“Nhi bhaiya aisa nhi hai”

“We love both of them equally”

“Haa bhaiya... Aur Avu has trauma toh kya hua... We will help her... We will there for her”

“Haa lakin iska mtlb ye bhi nhi hai ki we will neglect Aaru.”

“Haa... We will be there for both of them because we love them equally”

" Jaisi zarurat hogi vaise behave karenge"

"Haa if Avu needs us more we might give more time to her but if Aaru needs us more we will give him more time... But it's not like we love the other one any lesser

Arnav watched them quietly as they spoke over each other, passion and sincerity tumbling out without hesitation. A soft smile tugged at his lips, pride and affection filling his chest.

And then, with pure love, he reached out and whacked both of their heads lightly.

“Gadhero... When you both can't choose between them or rank them... How can I?”

Both of them pouted instantly, rubbing their heads, but the message had clearly landed.

Arnav exhaled again, calmer now, his voice steady and warm.

“I love you all equally... Bss.. Jisko meri zarurat hogi vo mujhe hamesha apne pass payega... Ho skta hai kabhi kabhi i focus more on one of you... Because you need me more... Lakin iska mtlb ye nhi hai that I love the others less... Samjhe? ”

Both of them nodded.

Maan shrugged casually, glancing at Anvi. “Mujhe toh pata tha... Isse hi nhi smjh aata... Beakal jo hai”

Anvi shot him a look and smirked.
“Ha ha isliye aap besahara abala nara ki tarah waha baithe the na... Bhaiya se ruth ke? ”

Arnav froze mid breath.

“Enough... Don't start it again”

Both of them immediately smiled sheepishly, guilt forgotten, affection winning. They stepped forward together and hugged him tightly.

This time, Arnav gently pulled back, raised both hands, kissed two fingers of each hand, and placed them on their foreheads, kissing them both at the exact same time.

Perfectly equal.

And just like that, the tension dissolved, laughter filling the room, warm and familiar, leaving behind nothing but love and chaos, exactly the way it always was with them.

___________________________________________

Thanks for reading

About this chapter… I’m not really sure if I stretched things a little or overdid some parts. I was just very much in the mood to write, and whatever came to my mind, I let it flow onto the page. I hope it didn’t feel boring or fall short of your expectations.

I’d genuinely love to know what you felt about their punishment. I wanted it to be simple and real because sometimes the quiet understanding hurts more than strict words.

And that little banter about “aap kisko zyada pyaar karte ho?” I think every sibling in the world has had this fight at least once. I’ve always had the same arguments with my brother, and in the end my mother would always say exactly what Arnav did.

“Mujhe ya uss kutte ko?” never really gets a straight answer, does it? Parents just smile, dodge the question, and somehow love everyone the same anyway.

I hope this chapter felt warm and familiar, like a small moment from a normal family. Thank you for being here and reading it with so much patience