ENIGMA

Defiance 2

As Advik turned to leave, Inaya's voice rang out in defiance, each word dripping with rebellion. "You have no right to tell me who to love and who not to! I might not be an adult, but I love him, and that's it! You can’t stop me—and if all you can do is beat me, then fine. I’ll tolerate it."

Advik stopped, his shoulders tensing as the last remnants of his patience snapped. Slowly, he turned back, his gaze colder than she’d ever seen. There was no trace of the brother who’d protected her, no hint of softness left. His voice was as calm as it was terrifying. “Pack your bags, Inaya. You’re done here. Tomorrow, you’ll receive your termination letter from school.”

Inaya’s face went pale, the full weight of his words hitting her like a blow. She opened her mouth to protest, but Advik’s expression was resolute, leaving no room for argument. He turned to Ruhani, his voice equally firm. “You pack as well. We’re leaving Mumbai. Inaya is coming with us.”

Inaya’s eyes widened, horror dawning in her expression. “What… what do you mean, we’re leaving Mumbai? Bhaiyya, where are we going?”

Advik’s gaze was steely, his tone filled with an unmistakable threat. “If it comes to that, we’ll leave India entirely. Don’t think for a moment you understand what I’m capable of, Inaya. I don’t need to lay a hand on you to change your life. I could ruin him—the boy, his family, everyone you think you care about—or make sure he never utters your name again. And believe me, I would do it without hesitation.”

She staggered back, the reality of his words settling in with a chilling clarity. Advik gave her one last, unforgiving look before turning on his heel and leaving the room, leaving her to grapple with the full weight of what she had just unleashed.

Before leaving, Advik turned sharply back to Inaya. Without a word, he reached out and took her phone, his grip firm, his tone unyielding. “You’ve lost this privilege,” he said coldly. Inaya’s face crumpled as he pulled the device from her hands, the last connection to the life she thought she could hold onto.

She sank to the floor, her strength leaving her in waves, feeling utterly defeated. As Advik strode out, Ruhani instinctively followed, hoping to calm him. But just outside the room, Advik stopped, his expression softened just enough for her to see a glimmer of the brother who still cared deeply.

"Go back to her, Ruhi," he said quietly, a hint of sorrow in his voice. "Whatever she said… however much she’s hurt me… she’s still my sister. I know it’s hard for her, but this is necessary.”

Ruhani nodded, understanding the weight of his words. Advik walked away, leaving her to step gently back into the room, where Inaya sat, broken. She knelt down beside her, wrapping her arms around her, holding her tightly as Inaya’s tears fell silently.

Inaya’s sobs echoed through the room as she buried her face in her hands, trembling with frustration and regret. Ruhani sat beside her, rubbing gentle circles on her back, her voice soft but firm.

"Ini, listen to me," Ruhani murmured. "You know you shouldn’t have spoken to your Bhaiyya like that. It wasn’t just defiance; it was disrespect. He’s only looking out for you."

Inaya shook her head, but the tears kept coming, her breaths ragged. "But he doesn't understand… he never listens to me!"

Ruhani sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind Inaya's ear. "Ini, sometimes he may seem harsh, but he cares. You went too far this time, though. What you said…it was hurtful, and it crossed a line. He deserves an apology."

Inaya’s voice wavered as she sniffed, her eyes red from crying. "I just…I just wanted him to hear me for once. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful."