Yearning

My brother

Jahnvi's POV:

It was the little moments that made everything feel perfect. After everything that had happened, after the way Manas had been there for me—moving back to India, helping me with school, dropping me off when I needed—it all just felt so right. I had never had an elder brother, but with Manas, it felt like I’d had him all along.

The other day at school, I was talking to my friend Priya during lunch. We were joking about something when she suddenly asked, “Hey, who was that guy who dropped you off this morning? Your dad?”

I laughed. “No, no! That’s Manas Bhaiya, my cousin.”

Riya raised an eyebrow. “Cousin? You two seemed close. Like, really close.”

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest that I hadn’t realized was there. “Yeah, we are. He’s like a real brother to me. Always looking out for me, helping me with school, you know. He’s everything I ever wanted in a brother.”

Riya looked at me curiously, then smiled. “You’re lucky. I’ve always wanted an older brother too. He seems pretty great.”

I beamed with pride, thinking about how true that was. “Yeah, he is.”

That afternoon, when Manas and I were sitting together, I couldn’t wait to tell him.

“Hey, Bhaiya,” I said, nudging him with my elbow.

“Hmm?” he replied, looking up from his phone.

“So, today at school, Priya asked about you. She saw you drop me off and thought you were my dad.”

He smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Dad? Wow, I’m not that old, am I?”

I laughed. “No! That’s what I told her. I said you were my cousin.”

“Okay,” he said, still grinning. “And?”

“And then she said we seemed really close. So… I told her you were my brother,” I said, feeling a little shy but proud at the same time.

Manas looked at me for a moment, his face softening. “You said I was your brother?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I mean, you are, aren’t you? You’ve been more than just a cousin. You’ve always been there for me like an older brother would.”

His smile grew, and he ruffled my hair. “I’m glad you feel that way, Jahnvi. You’re my little sister, always.”

I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder. It was true. He wasn’t just a cousin to me. He was my brother in every way that mattered.

Next Day,

Manas POV:

I had just finished my night shift and was back home, trying to wind down when I noticed something odd. The sun was setting, and from the window, I could see someone sitting on the terrace. It was Jahnvi. But something was wrong. Her shoulders were shaking, and even from where I was, I could tell she was crying.

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Without thinking, I rushed up the stairs to the terrace. When I opened the door, she didn’t even look up. She was sitting there, hugging her knees, her face buried in her arms.

“Jahnvi,” I said softly, kneeling beside her. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

She sniffed, trying to wipe her tears away, but it was obvious she was struggling to hold it together. “It’s nothing, Bhaiya,” she mumbled, her voice thick with emotion.

I wasn’t having that. “Hey, don’t say that. If you’re crying, it’s not nothing. Talk to me. What happened?”

For a moment, she stayed quiet, as if she didn’t want to open up. But then, slowly, she lifted her head, her eyes red and puffy. It broke my heart to see her like that.

“It’s just… everything,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “The girls in my class, they’re always picking on me. They make fun of me for being too quiet, for studying too much. Today, they told me I don’t belong, that I’ll never fit in.”

She paused, and more tears spilled down her cheeks. “I just feel so lonely, Bhaiya. No matter what I do, they don’t like me. They push me around, say mean things, and… I don’t know how to stop it.”

I felt a wave of anger rise in me. The thought of anyone treating her this way—of her feeling like this—made my blood boil. But I kept my voice gentle. She didn’t need me to get angry. She needed me to listen.

“Jahnvi,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Those girls don’t know who you really are. They’re insecure and taking it out on you because they see how bright and talented you are. They want to bring you down because they can’t stand that you’re better than them.”

She looked up at me, doubt in her eyes. “But I’m not better than them. I’m just... me. And I don’t have any friends. I’m always by myself, and it hurts.”

I moved closer, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. “Listen to me. You are one of the strongest, kindest, and most intelligent people I know. You don’t need their approval. Friends come and go, but you don’t have to change who you are just to fit in with people who don’t appreciate you.”

She sniffed, looking down at her hands. “But it’s hard. I feel like no one understands.”

“I understand,” I said quietly, making sure she heard me. “And I’m always here for you. Whenever you feel like this, whenever you feel alone, you come to me. You’re never truly alone, okay?”

She nodded slowly, though the tears still lingered in her eyes. I couldn’t stand seeing her like this—so vulnerable, so hurt. I wanted to protect her from everything, but I knew I couldn’t fix this with just words. Still, I could be there. That was something.

“Hey,” I said, gently lifting her chin so she’d look at me. “You’re not weak for feeling this way. It’s okay to cry, but don’t let them make you doubt your worth. You’re worth so much more than their opinions.”

She sniffled again but managed a small smile. “Thanks, Bhaiya. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

I smiled back, ruffling her hair just to make her laugh. “Well, you’ll never have to find out. I’m not going anywhere.”

For a while, we just sat there on the terrace, the sky turning orange and pink as the sun dipped lower. I stayed by her side, watching her calm down, knowing that as long as I was there, she wouldn’t have to face this alone.