Tujhko Jo Paaya.

Chapter 13: The New Arrival 😶‍🌫️

That morning, as I slowly came to, the house seemed to hum with a soft murmur of voices-low, familiar, but one of them distinctly unfamiliar. I lay there a moment, listening. Ahan was speaking, his tone calm yet slightly amused, something I hadn't heard in a while.

Curiosity piqued, I slid out of bed, wrapped myself in my shawl, and crept toward the kitchen, where the voices grew clearer. Ahan was in the middle of a sentence, his voice more relaxed than I'd heard in ages.

"...Manchester went well, then?" Ahan's tone held a rare warmth, almost as if he were speaking to someone he genuinely enjoyed being around.

The other voice laughed lightly. "You know me-I handled it with my usual flair." There was a pause. "But enough about me. You tell me how life is for you, bhai! lovely home it is, last time i was here it wasn't properly arranged. Finally settling down, are we?"

Ahan chuckled, a sound so unusual that it stopped me in my tracks. "Let's not get too excited, Rudra. Things are...complicated."

"Complicated?" Rudra's voice sounded genuinely surprised, maybe even a bit disbelieving. "Come on, bhai, you finally got hitched. Aren't you supposed to be happier?"

Ahan hesitated, and a shadow crossed his face as he replied, "Happiness doesn't come that easily. Not for me, at least."

I didn't want to hear any more. I quickly composed myself, cleared my throat, and entered the dining room. Both men turned, and Ahan's expression softened slightly.

"Ah, Samira," Ahan said, his voice formal, as he gestured toward Rudra. "This is my cousin, Rudra. He's been handling some of our business in Manchester."

Rudra set down his cup of tea and stood, a mischievous grin lighting up his face as he extended a hand to me. "So, this is the elusive Samira. Our buabhi, i see...I've heard so much about you from everyone in the Chaudhury mansion,nyou such a charm people there are missing you guys a lot.." His eyes sparkled with warmth, his handshake firm yet friendly, but then his might might have caught some."Can i hug you, ofcause with due permission?"
I nooded, and he warmly side hugged me. His hug has a security, a protective, secure, and brotherly feeling. "

Ahan watched us for a moment before nodding curtly. "I'll leave you both to get acquainted. I have some work to attend to." And without another word, he retreated to his study, leaving the two of us standing awkwardly in the kitchen.

Rudra turned back to me with a charming, almost mischievous smile. "So, I hope I didn't scare you. I know my sudden appearance might have been a shock."

I laughed, feeling my own initial shyness melting away under his warmth. "Not scared, but...yes, surprised. Ahan hadn't mentioned you would be visiting."

He shrugged, his tone light. "Ah, Ahan isn't exactly the sharing type, as you might've noticed." He flashed a knowing grin that made me laugh. "So, tell me, Samira, how's it been? Adjusting to the Chaudhury household?"

There was something refreshing about him, this easygoing energy that filled the room. "Well," I began cautiously, "it's...been an adjustment, definitely. But I'm managing. It's nice to meet more of the family, though. Your Chaudhury's are the kidest people on Earth i have ever come across. You're a bit different from Ahan."

He burst out laughing. "Oh, trust me, you don't need to tell me that. Ahan has always been the serious one, even as a kid." He raised his cup to me, a playful glint in his eyes. "Meanwhile, I'm the family troublemaker. Someone has to keep things lively, right?"

I found myself smiling back, completely at ease around him. "So, Manchester...is that where you're usually based?"

He nodded, a twinkle in his eye. "Manchester's home, I'm all over. But india is love. And Business is business. Though, you'll be happy to know that Ahan's trusted me with the more 'daring' investments." He winked. "I think he secretly enjoys watching me crash and burn, but hey, that keeps life exciting."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You make it sound like you're an undercover daredevil."

"Oh, only on weekends," he replied with a grin. "Weekdays are strictly for causing minor chaos in the business world."

As we continued talking, I felt a long-lost, comforting feeling bubbling up-one I hadn't felt in ages. He had this playful charm that reminded me of me and Arjun but the kind of teasing , affectionate bond here I something I've never shared with my own cousins when I was younger.

"Actually, do you like bikes?" he asked suddenly, his eyes lighting up.

"Bikes?" I blinked, taken off guard. "I can't say I've spent much time around them."

"Oh, we'll have to fix that, then," he declared, sounding scandalized. "Ahan may be serious, but I've got a reputation to uphold. I'll take you on a ride around Delhi. Fast, thrilling, and with just a dash of danger."

"Danger?" I raised an eyebrow, amused. "You do realize Ahan would probably lose his mind if he found out."

He smirked, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Even better. like a bit of sibling rivalry to keep things interesting."

I laughed, feeling that rare warmth settle in my heart. Here, with Rudra, I could almost feel the pieces of myself coming back together, like he was the little brother I'd always wanted. Playful, fearless, and just the right amount of reckless. And in his presence, I could be that carefree person, if only for a little while.