Annika trudged up the stairs, the weight of the day heavy on her shoulders. She dreaded encountering any family members, especially her father, whose actions had left her emotionally drained.
"Annika didi!" Saahil's voice echoed through the hallway, piercing through Annika's exhaustion.
Turning around, she was greeted by the sight of her youngest sibling running towards her, his eyes alight with excitement.
"Saahil!" Annika's weariness melted away as she scooped him up in a warm embrace.
Despite her fatigue, seeing Saahil's beaming smile brought a sense of joy and comfort that only he could provide.
"Why haven't you gone to bed yet?" she asked brushing a strand of hair from his face.
"I was waiting for you," he replied, his eyes shining with innocence.
Smiling, Annika wiped away the chocolate smudged around his mouth, her heart swelling with love for her mischievous little brother.
"And what were you doing in the pantry?" she inquired playfully.
"This... is... Ask Gauri didi!" Saahil exclaimed, pointing towards the kitchen.
"Ice cream thief!" Annika teased, tickling him until he erupted into giggles, their laughter filling the hallway. They plopped down on the floor beside the couch, leaning against it as they caught their breath.
"I will miss you Saahil." Annika whispered, after a while, her voice barely above a murmur.
"I am here only na, why will you miss me?" He asked turning towards her and looked at her confused.
"Because... I will have to go to Oberoi Mansion."
"Why?" Saahil asked looking at her curious.
Gauri, who had been quietly observing them from the kitchen spoke up as she settled opposite to them. "Shivaay jiju will take her there after the wedding, Saahil," she explained, her tone gentle but filled with understanding.
Saahil turned towards Annika, his eyes searching for confirmation. "Is it true?" he asked.
Annika could only nod, her heart aching as she watched the sadness wash over Saahil's face. She longed to find the right words to comfort him, to reassure him that their bond would remain unbroken.
"Saahil!" Annika called out gently.
"Hmm?" Saahil responded, his gaze still fixed on Annika.
"I will come here on the weekends, and we can spend time together," Annika promised, her voice carrying a note of reassurance.
"But you will not be here every day. And you go to the office on Sunday also," Saahil said, his disappointment evident.
"No, no. I promise I will take a day off, and you can also come there whenever you want," Annika reassured, pulling him into a gentle hug.
"And besides, there's Rudy bhaiya, Om bhaiya, and Jhanvi ma... Sounds exciting, isn't it?" Gauri chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.
"But... okay," Saahil relented, breaking away from the hug, though the shadow of sadness still lingered in his eyes.
"Annika didi! You will live with Shivaay bhaiya?" Saahil asked, his thoughts seeming to drift elsewhere.
"Yes," Annika replied, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"Okay." He said deeply in his thoughts.
"Didi, I'm tired. I have to do an assignment tomorrow. I'll go and sleep," Saahil announced, suddenly changing the subject.
YOU ARE READING
|| THE PURPLE HEARTS ||
FanfictionAnnika Vardhan Trivedi and Shivaay Singh Oberoi find themselves engaged in a marriage of convenience orchestrated by their families at a very tender age. Shivaay had promised to Annika that he would not marry her without her consent. Years passed...
