HeartStrings Entwined:A Tale of BrotherHood✅

Chapter Five: The Heart' Betrays

The days passed in a blur after that conversation, and life became a fragile balance of moments spent between hospital visits and running the business. Aarav, true to his word, began preparing for his heart surgery, while Vivaan took on most of the workload at the company, trying to keep everything afloat.

The weight of everything hung over them, like a shadow they couldn’t quite shake off. They rarely spoke about Meera, both of them tiptoeing around the topic as if mentioning her name would shatter the fragile peace they’d managed to maintain.

One evening, Vivaan found himself sitting by Aarav’s hospital bed. Aarav had been admitted the night before for pre-surgery monitoring, and tomorrow was the big day—the surgery that could either save his life or change it forever.

The room was quiet, the steady beep of the heart monitor the only sound. Aarav lay back against the pillows, eyes closed, his face pale but peaceful. Vivaan watched him, his mind racing with everything that could go wrong, every fear he’d been trying to bury for weeks.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Aarav’s voice broke the silence, his eyes flickering open. “I’m not dead yet.”

Vivaan smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Just making sure you’re still breathing.”

Aarav smirked weakly, shifting slightly in bed. “You’ll know when I’m not. The heart monitor will give you a heads-up.”

Vivaan let out a nervous laugh, running a hand through his hair. “Nice to know you’re still cracking jokes.”

“Gotta keep the mood light,” Aarav replied, his tone softer now. He turned his head to look at Vivaan. “You holding up okay?”

Vivaan blinked in surprise. “You’re asking me if *I’m* okay?”

Aarav nodded. “Yeah. You’ve been running yourself into the ground these last few weeks. I know you’re worried.”

Vivaan shrugged, trying to play it off. “I’m fine. Just focused on getting through tomorrow.”

Aarav studied him for a moment, then sighed. “Vivaan… you don’t have to hide it. I know this is hard for you too.”

Vivaan’s shoulders sagged, the weight of it all pressing down on him. “It is,” he admitted quietly. “But I’m not the one lying in a hospital bed, about to undergo a major surgery.”

“True,” Aarav said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “But this isn’t just about me, Vivaan. I know you’re carrying a lot. The business, the family… Meera.”

The mention of her name made Vivaan’s heart clench. He hadn’t seen Meera in days. Not since they’d had that brief, painful conversation about Aarav’s surgery. She had been torn—worried for Aarav, but the tension between the three of them was palpable. She had stayed away, giving the brothers space to work through things.

“I don’t know what to do about her,” Vivaan confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I love her, Aarav. But I can’t come between you two.”

Aarav’s eyes softened. “I don’t want you to come between us either. But Vivaan, love isn’t something you can control. If she has feelings for you, you can’t ignore that.”

Vivaan shook his head. “It doesn’t feel right.”

Aarav sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Maybe it’s not about what feels right, but about what’s true. I can’t pretend like I’ve been the best partner for her. I’ve been distant, caught up in work… I left her behind without realizing it.”

Vivaan frowned, his heart aching at the thought of the emotional distance that had grown between Aarav and Meera. “But you still love her.”

“I do,” Aarav admitted, his voice quiet. “But sometimes love isn’t enough to fix everything.”

A heavy silence settled over the room, both brothers lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Aarav spoke again, his voice softer now. “Vivaan, if something happens tomorrow… I need you to promise me something.”

Vivaan’s chest tightened. “Don’t talk like that, Aarav. You’re going to be fine.”

“I know,” Aarav replied, though there was a weariness in his eyes. “But just in case… promise me you’ll take care of her. Of Meera.”

Vivaan swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Aarav—”

“I’m serious,” Aarav interrupted, his gaze locking with Vivaan’s. “I need to know that she’ll be okay. That you’ll be there for her if I’m not.”

Vivaan’s heart ached, the weight of the promise crashing down on him. But he couldn’t refuse. Not now. Not when his brother was lying there, vulnerable and exposed in a way Vivaan had never seen before.

“I promise,” Vivaan whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Aarav nodded, closing his eyes again. “Good.”

The silence that followed was heavy, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The weight of unspoken words and the gravity of tomorrow hung between them, but for now, they found comfort in each other’s presence.

As the night deepened, Vivaan sat by Aarav’s side, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, praying that tomorrow would bring them the miracle they both so desperately needed.

But in the back of his mind, he couldn’t shake the feeling that no matter what happened, things between them would never be the same again.