Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 38 - Brothers

They made their way back to Shantivan in silence, Akash lost in his thoughts, Khushi, thankfully having given up trying to convince him, and Arnav unable to say a word.

It was a subdued group that the Raizada family greeted in Shantivan.

"Hello hi bye bye! Arnav bitwa! Akash, you didn't tell us you were coming!" Mamiji, who was the first to see them, said. "What happens? Why do you all look so serious? Is something wrong?"

"Chotay! Khushiji!" Di said, coming down the staircase to greet them. "You didn't tell us you were coming!" She frowned when she saw their faces. "What's wrong?"

Khushi recovered first. "We thought we would give you a surprise!" she said. "Arnav-ji is completely fine now, but the doctor has told him to rest a bit." Di scrutinized their faces closely. "Did something happen? Is Chotay okay?"

"Nothing is wrong, Di. We still don't know who's behind this, that's all," Arnav said, finally finding his voice. "Where's Nani?" He couldn't bring himself to mention Payal's name in front of Akash.

Nani, Mamaji, and Payal joined them soon, and there was such a fuss as the whole family escorted Arnav to his room that he had to put thoughts about Akash away for now.

Even Hari Prakash seemed to be hovering, following him with a glass of juice that Arnav nearly knocked over with his elbow.

"Enough!" Arnav bellowed, finally snapping. "I am perfectly fine. I know everyone is worried, but unless you all want to camp out in my room, you should all go. I want to catch up with work. I'll join everyone for lunch."

His family gave him baleful looks as they filed out, even Hari Prakash. The nerve!

Finally, only Khushi was left, standing by the door wringing her dupatta.

"You better tell Buaji and Uncle-Aunty we are back home," Arnav said to her. "And stop worrying, Khushi. I'll handle Akash, Payal, everything. Trust me."

"Jijaji has never been angry at you before like this," Khushi said.

"He's my brother, Khushi. I'll deal with him." And then, when she still had that frown, he went to her. "I promise, everything will be okay."

He pulled her into his arms and embraced her. "Now, I really have to catch up with work. I have to speak to Aman. Please don't be anxious. When you're unhappy I can't focus on anything else." He kissed her on her forehead.

She gave him a wan smile and went away to phone her family.

Arnav settled down on his recliner and called Aman.

There was still no progress on the investigation. They hadn't yet found the man who attacked Arnav—the private detectives had never seen Shyam speak to a man like that, and the police had not found him either.

"Sir, the police want to speak to you. I told them what you said, but they want to talk to you directly. I held them off until you were better. But I think you should meet them now. They've been helpful."

Arnav suppressed a wave of discomfort. "Did they speak to my family already?"

"Yes, sir. There's an officer in charge of your case. He has already met the entire family—he was there since the day of the attack."

"I'll meet him at the farmhouse," Arnav said. He let Aman go after finding out everything he had missed at work and passing instructions to arrange meetings.

"Hari Prakash!" he called after he was done. "Go ask Akash to come see me."

"Okay, Bhaiya. Do you want anything? Juice, water, tea? Or something to eat?"