Love Unexpected

CHAPTER 5

**Siya's POV:**

I was woken up by someone picking me up in their arms. When I opened my eyes, I was shocked to see Ashwin and Lakshay standing around me, while Dev Bhai was carrying me. I was about to scream, but he commanded me to stay quiet, and I obeyed. I was still sleepy, having stayed up until one or two in the morning.

They took me to Dev Bhai's room, and Ashwin locked the door behind us. They placed me on the bed, and I lay down in a backward position. Kartik Bhai was already sitting there. He lifted me by my shoulders and placed my hand on a box. The box was so cold that I instinctively pulled my hand away. By now, I was fully awake.

As I took in my surroundings, I realized that there were ice cream packets in a plastic box filled with ice. We were all sitting in a circle around it.

"What is this?" I asked, horrified at the thought of someone catching us.

"Ice cream, to make up for the mistake I made," Kartik Bhai said, holding my hands in his, his face filled with worry. "Hurting you by shouting wasn’t my intention at all. Please, I’m sorry. Don’t stay angry with me. If you don’t talk to me, I’ll be too lonely and feel guilty every time I see you. Can’t you forgive your bhai just this once, please?"

I hugged him tightly, even though he was much bigger than me. His hand on my back felt like a comforting embrace, reminding me of when I was seven years old and my father used to hold me.

"I’m not angry with you. I’m just tired of all the drama that happens here. And you shouldn’t have shouted at me. You could have told me... in a softer tone," I said, breaking down into tears in his arms.

"Shh, bache, it’s alright. I’m sorry, it was all my fault. See, we brought this whole ice cream box just for you. And before it starts melting, let’s eat it, okay? Stop crying now," Kartik Bhai said, patting my back gently.

"Agar mumma aa gayi na, to ice cream bhi jayegi aur hum bhi. Isliye ye rona dhona band karo aur jaldi se ice cream khate hain," Lakshay added, motioning toward the ice cream box.

I wiped my tears and took out a strawberry-flavored cup of ice cream.

"Piu, I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen who even looks good while crying, even when sneezing. Believe me, it melts my heart just like ice cream," Ashwin exclaimed poetically, and we all started laughing.

My throat was sore after eating so much ice cream, especially in February. If I get sick, mumma will kill me for sure. After getting ready, I went downstairs and saw many clothes laid out on the sofas in the living room. Mumma and Taiji were selecting clothes for the wedding. I went down to sit beside Taiji.

"Are you feeling okay now, beta?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

She had always loved me like her own daughter. It might be because I’m the only daughter in this house. She’s a sweet lady who has always taken care of me whenever I visit. I love her like my mother and give her the same respect. However, I can’t live without mumma; that’s the difference between them.

"Hmm," I murmured.

"See, we’ve called the clothes seller here. Choose whatever you like," Mumma said.

"Haan, aakhir tumhare hi bhaiyon ki shaadi hai. Tumhe to sabse alag dikhna hai," Taiji said, smiling warmly.

"Why don’t you two select my clothes? I don’t have a good sense of wedding attire," I remarked.

"Okay, beta, you go and have some fun. After all, it’s been around six years, and you haven’t seen much of the place. Go roam around the city or the house because after the haldi ceremony, you won’t be able to go out. Kartik and Dev can’t leave the house, and we can’t let Ashwin and Lakshay take you out either," Taiji insisted.