Love Me

24

"Ayaan, are you going to the club or some other place like that?" Daksh asked, his tone deceptively calm as he watched his younger brother fixing his watch.

Ayaan froze for a second before forcing a smile. "How did you come to know… Yes, I am. Do I have your permission?" He already knew he couldn’t just walk out without Daksh’s approval.

"Yes," Daksh said softly, "but don’t get drunk. I can’t see my younger brother in that state. And don’t get tangled with some girl either." His voice carried warmth, but also a warning.

Ayaan nodded, though inside his heart was restless. "But I’ve already made payment… If he knew I paid a girl to spend time, he’d kill me," he thought, casting a quick glance at his brother, who was now scrolling through his phone.

"I’m going to sleep. You have keys, right?" Daksh asked casually. Ayaan nodded again and left the house.

Daksh’s steps carried him to Roshni’s room before his own. She was curled under the blanket, asleep. His gaze softened. His eyes fell on her thighs which was still marked red. He lowered himself silently, his palm brushing over them in a gentle caress, as if trying to erase the sting he himself had caused.

"Don't make me do it again please," he murmured. Bending down, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before walking out to his room.

※※※

Roshni stirred, stretching lazily, but her peaceful sleep was broken by loud shouts echoing from downstairs. Blinking in confusion, she rubbed her eyes and slipped out of her room.

"What’s going on?" she whispered, leaning over the railing. The sight below made her heart jolt, Daksh’s hand was raised, his face dark with fury, and Ayaan stood swaying, clearly drunk.

"Stop!" she shouted, running down the stairs. She pushed Daksh back with all her strength. "Daksh, leave him! Are you mad or what?"

Ayaan instantly cling to her, hugging her from behind. "Bhabhi, save me," he mumbled, hiding his face in her neck.

Her breath caught the word bhabhi. Her cheeks flushed, but she quickly glanced at Daksh, then at Deepak, who stood to the side watching with unreadable eyes.

"Roshni, leave him," Daksh said calmly, though his jaw was tight.

"Yes, Roshni, he’s right. Go to your room you have college tomorrow." Deepak’s voice was cold, unusually so. The ever sweet Deepak now spoke like ice.

"No, Daksh. I said you’re not touching him. Don’t even come near unless you’ve calmed down," she declared, standing before Ayaan to shield him.

Her voice trembled, but her eyes didn’t waver. "You’re getting anger issues day by day. Learn to calm down first." Then she turned toward the drunken Ayaan, brushing his hair back. "And you… you’re no better."

"Roshni, leave him here. We’ll handle him. You can go to your room," Deepak tried again, calm and logical.

"Yeah, I just saw how you both were handling him," she shot back sharply. Her eyes blazed as she slipped her arm around Ayaan’s shoulders. "I’m taking him to my room. Don’t you dare step inside."

"Come, Ayaan," she whispered gently, leading him upstairs.

Once reaching in her room, she sat him down on the bed, sighing in frustration.

"If you knew your brother, why did you get drunk? Do you know how hard it is to stop him when he’s like that? He looks so intimidating sometimes…"

"But my bhabhi doesn’t look intimidating. She’s sweet," Ayaan slurred, a silly grin spreading across his face.

Her cheeks heated again at the word bhabhi. She quickly looked away, pretending not to hear. "Why did you drink in the first place?"

"He’s not just angry about that… I… I paid for a girl tonight. For spending time. I was about to make a move with that girl but Deepak Bhaiya found out somehow…" His words tumbled clumsily, heavy with shame and alcohol.

Roshni’s eyes widened. "But why would you do that? It’s so wrong."

"I know…" His eyes glistened as he continued, voice cracking. "But today in the hospital, a baby came in after an accident. We tried everything… but when he reached, he wasn’t breathing. He was so small… so young… and we couldn’t save him." His tears spilled out of his eyes. He wrap his arm around Roshni's waist and pushed his face in his belly.

"I wanted to save him. How can a little kid die like this." Ayaan sobbed out.

Roshni’s heart ached. She cupped his face tenderly, whispering, "That wasn’t the right way, Ayaan. Wait here, I’ll bring lemon water for you."

She tried to leave, but his hand caught hers and dragged it under his head like a pillow.

"No…" he murmured, eyes shutting instantly as sleep took over him.

Roshni sighed, staring at his tear-streaked face. She leaned back against the wall, tiredness washing over her. Her eyes automatically closed but she waken up due to the knock on her room door.

"Come in," she said softly, as the door was already ajar.

Daksh and Deepak entered. Their eyes found her sitting on the floor, hair messy, eyes tired.

"Go sleep in my room comfortably. We’re with him," Daksh said, adjusting Ayaan’s pillow lovingly.

"Yeah, I just saw how you both were handling him," she muttered, her gaze fixed on the floor. "Leave my room. I don’t want either of you here."

"Roshni, don’t be angry, We should’ve waited until morning. We won’t pick up this topic now, but… you also wouldn’t want your younger brother going to such wrong places, right?" Deepak said gently.

She said nothing, but she also didn’t leave.

Daksh’s voice softened unexpectedly. "Roshni, baccha, go to my room. He’s my brother too. I won’t kill him."

Her eyes lifted to his, searching for honesty. Slowly, she nodded, carefully sliding her hand out from under Ayaan’s hold before stepping out.

But she hadn’t taken three steps when Daksh’s arms wrapped around her from behind. She froze.

"Thank you for handling it right and Good night," he whispered near her ear, then let go and returned to the room.

Her heart thudded wildly as she leaned against the wall, clutching at her chest.

Inside, Deepak glanced at Daksh as they adjusted Ayaan’s blanket. "You know, I used to think she wasn’t mature sneaking out, sleeping in class, all her childish behavior. But after tonight… I think I was wrong."

Daksh gave a small smile. "She changes with the situation. She can act like a mature woman, and at the same time like a two-year-old kid. It just depends on the moment."

He ruffled Ayaan’s hair softly, then lay back, his thoughts still lingering on Roshni’s fiery eyes and trembling lips.