Love Me

26

As per Daksh's instructions, everyone was gathered in his room.

Roshni and Ayaan sat together on the couch. She was bent over her notebook, pen moving quickly, while Ayaan lounged beside her, staring blankly at the pages.

"Hey, help me find the answer to this question," Roshni said, sliding her phone and question sheet into his hands.

"Aren't you supposed to write the answers on your own?" he muttered quietly.

"And aren't you supposed to help me? Daksh told you to help me, right? And who writes answers on their own? Everyone copies. Now find it for me," she whispered conspiratorially.

Ayaan sighed but began searching. After a moment, he handed the phone back. Roshni's eyes lit up when she saw the answer. She instinctively leaned forward to hug him, but he moved back, gently pushing her hand aside.

"No hug," he said firmly.

"No hug?" she repeated in disbelief.

"Yes. No hug. First do your work," he replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Their little drama played out under Daksh's watchful eyes. His chest tightened. He could still hear his own words from earlier, harsh and cutting, ringing in his ears. Guilt settled heavy.

"Why did I say that? No wonder this idiot is behaving like this. And his cheeks... still so red. Should I give him ice?" Daksh thought then finally decided.

Standing up, Daksh left the room quietly. Neither of them noticed Roshni still scribbling in her notebook, Ayaan peering over her shoulder. Daksh closed the door behind him and walked to the kitchen. He pulled out two bowls, filled them with ice cream, and grabbed two ice packs.

"Ayaan, why are you so upset? It's already happened, hasn't it? Even I get punished a lot of time, do you ever see me sitting with such a long face? No, right? So smile," Roshni urged, flashing him a playful grin and gesturing for him to copy her.

"I'm not upset. Do your work, Roshni," Ayaan said softly, pinching her nose.

"But you seem lost... and you won't even hug me," she pouted, spreading her arms wide.

"Roshni, do your work. My head is hurting. Finish it, then you'll get your hug," he replied, leaning back and shutting his eyes.

"Here," Daksh's voice broke the moment. He handed them the ice cream bowls. Roshni accepted hers eagerly, but Ayaan turned away, closing his eyes again.

"Ayaan, take it, okay? At least eat one or two spoons. If you don't like it, we'll order something else." Daksh touched the spoon lightly to his lips.

"Bhaiya, I'm not hungry," Ayaan murmured, shifting his face away.

Roshni huffed. "I'm going to eat mine while watching TV downstairs!" she declared, skipping out with her bowl intentionally.

Daksh sighed and sat closer to Ayaan. "Ayaan, why are you sleeping now? Open your mouth. I ordered this just for you." He nudged him gently.

"My head hurts. And I'm not hungry either."

"You don't have to be hungry to eat ice cream," Daksh said lightly. As soon as Ayaan opened his mouth to protest, Daksh slipped a spoonful in.

"How is it?" he asked, a hopeful smile tugging at his lips.

"Good," Ayaan mumbled, still facing away.

"Look at me and eat it," Daksh said, turning his brother's face toward him.

"I don't want to eat... can't you understand?" Ayaan's voice cracked, heavy with tears.

Daksh frowned, his tone softening. "I even ordered biryani for you... what a waste of food," he joked weakly.

Ayaan suddenly threw his arms around Daksh, trembling. His voice broke. "I never... in all these years... saw Roshni in any other way. I swear."

Daksh's heart squeezed. He patted his back firmly. "I know. I was angry then. Don't take it to heart."

"I'm sorry... I'll never go to any such place again. I don't have bad intentions towards any girl. I never had. I never will," Ayaan whispered, clinging tighter.

"Okay, okay. Stop crying. If you ever feel sad, if something happens in the future come home. Don't run off to places like that. Understand?"

Ayaan nodded but didn't let go. "Don't slap me again. Your one slap is enough. Roshni was right, your hands are made of iron it hurts like hell." He pulled back slightly, wiping his wet face.

Daksh almost smiled at the honesty. "I'm sorry. I won't slap your face again until you make a big mess okay."

That made Ayaan chuckle. He grabbed the ice cream bowl. "Do you take me as Roshni? Ordering good food so my mood changes?" he teased, taking a bite.

"No. But good food can fix anything," Daksh said, finally relieved. He stood, nodding toward the door. "Come. Let's go downstairs. My jaan is waiting."

"My bhabhi is the best. At least she tried to save me. You two are not my brothers anymore," Ayaan teased, walking with him.

"Idiot. Take the ice pack with you. Your cheeks are red as fire. It must be hurting right?" Daksh reminded.

Ayaan pressed the ice to his face as they went down. Roshni was on the couch, happily licking her ice cream while watching TV.

"Don't eat so much, you'll catch a cold," Ayaan scolded.

"Whatever. I have a personal doctor, so why worry?" she retorted cheekily. Then, spreading her arms, she added, "Now will you hug me? Or are you still angry?"

Ayaan hugged her warmly. "I'll only hug you. You're the best. Everyone else here is just a relative of Hitler."

"Enough!" Daksh rolled his eyes. "And what are you even watching? Your movie taste is the worst. Let me put on a horror one." He snatched the remote.

"No horror! I want to watch this only," Roshni argued, trying to snatch it back.

In the end, she lost. Forced to endure the horror movie, she yelped, jumped, and hid behind Daksh every few minutes until exhaustion pulled her into sleep against his shoulder.

With surprising gentleness, Daksh shifted her so she lay comfortably across his lap.

"We will have to wake her for dinner," Ayaan whispered.

"Later," Daksh said quietly, brushing a soft strand of hair from her face. His voice softened. "Madam worried about you too much. Let her rest."