Broken Souls

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 28

एक हसरत थी कि कभी
वो भी हमे मनाये,
पर ये कम्बखत दिल कभी
उनसे रूठा ही नहीं..

~Aviraaj S. Rathore

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3rd Person's POV

Aarayna's excitement was palpable as the convoy of cars stopped in the middle of the field. She stepped out without waiting for anyone to open the door for her. Despite her stoic expression, she couldn't help but take in a deep breath of the fresh air. The fields brought back memories of her dream, but she quickly pushed them aside to focus on her surroundings. Everything seemed unchanged, except for the defense system she had meticulously designed for them.

As she reminisced, her gaze shifted towards the front, where the magnificent house she adored during her teenage years stood. And there, she caught sight of a man dressed in a pristine white kurta, his beard meticulously groomed, standing with his hands behind his back. His eyes were filled with a yearning that only she could perceive, for to others, he remained the most dreaded figure in this place - her Veer Ji. Without hesitation, she sprinted towards him, just as she had done countless times in the past, finding solace and strength in his embrace.

As she embraced the burly man, her grip was so strong that it caused him to stumble. However, he reciprocated the hug with equal intensity. It had been years since they had laid eyes on each other, and the new members of the gang were taken aback to witness their boss embracing a woman who wasn't his wife or mother. Despite their surprise, they remained silent, understanding that she must hold a special place in his heart. Those who were aware of their relationship couldn't help but feel moved as they witnessed the reunion of the brother and sister, and the presence of their beloved Sherni.

The man embraced her tightly, feeling as though he had regained his purpose in life. Aarayna, wearing heels that matched his height, buried her head in his neck just like she used to do when they were kids. She knew he cherished this gesture, and she also wanted to shield herself from the world, feeling vulnerable. Despite her fears, she knew that these were her people, her pind.

Their moment was interrupted when Aarayna glanced up from the curve of his neck and caught sight of her older brother gazing at her with a sense of vulnerability. She despised the fact that she couldn't visit him, attend his wedding, or witness the start of his family, and she hated she had to do this on purpose, the profession she is in has gifted her many enemies the one who constantly searches for her one weakness.

"Kithe si tu kudiye, prah di yaad ni ondi tainu? "

(Translation: Where were you girl, didn't you miss your brother? )

Veer Ji's voice trembled with a surge of emotions, causing Aarayna's heart to tighten. She couldn't help but feel responsible for the pain she had caused him. Despite the passing years and her early maturity, she couldn't escape the vulnerability of a young girl. Memories of her bruised and broken self at the age of ten flooded her mind as she stood before him. Back then, he had been a thirteen-year-old boy, still navigating the complexities of leading their gang. They had embraced her as a sister they never had, and perhaps that was the foundation of her strength today. Meeting his gaze, she whispered softly,

"Aii si Veer Ji par tusi ta jaande ho maine ni aa sakdi si, apni pehn nu maaf kar sakdo ho? "

(Translation: I missed you brother, but you know I couldn't come, can you forgive your sister? )