Bandhan

In the Warmth of Laughter

Khwahish was storming upstairs, her mind clouded with anger and frustration. Riyansh caught up to her, grabbing her hand firmly. She tried to wrench it away, refusing to look at him, but he tightened his hold, his gaze steady.

"Khwahish." His voice held that familiar authority, a quiet warning that used to make her freeze. This time, though, she wasn't ready to back down so easily. The anger flared in her eyes, and she kept struggling until his stern expression made her pause, though the storm in her hadn't calmed.

"Come with me, princess," he said, his voice softening as he led her to her room, noticing just how upset she really was.

"Kya hua, princess? Gussa hai Bhaiya se?" Riyansh asked, finally realizing he might have been too harsh. He didn't regret slapping her—not entirely—but a hint of guilt crept in for not hearing her side.

"Haan, gussa hoon," Khwahish replied sharply, arms crossed, her gaze defiant. "Nahi hona chahiye kya?"

Reyansh chuckled softly, trying to ease her anger. "Alright, my little rebel, tell your Bhaiya the reason behind this anger," he said, a warm smile tugging at his lips. He adored her fiery side, one he missed when he got too caught up in his emotion,when he didn't know how to solve problem

"Rehne dijiye, Bhaiya," she said, her voice shaking slightly with emotion. "Gin gin ke thak jaayenge. Pehla, aapne mujhe kisi aur ke liye slap kiya. Doosra, bina mujhse pooche Mumbai jaane ki haan kar di. Aur teesra..." Her voice broke a little, and she tried to blink away her tears. "jab se woh strangers aaye hain, aap unke liye humein ignore kar rahe hain. Sad rehte ho, aur hum jaise aapke liye matter hi nahi karte, I could go on, but we'd be here all night," she said, brushing away more tears. She wanted to stay strong, but her emotions got the best of her.

The words hit Riyansh hard, guilt inching its way in. He gently cupped her face, tilting it up so she'd look at him. "I know, princess. Galti ho gayi. I'm sorry. Abse ignore nahi karunga na tujhe, na Aalekh ko. Lekin Mumbai toh jaana padega... Ab maaf nahi karegi apne Bhaiya ko?"

"Wah, toh matlab main kuch bhi karoon toh aap dono milke mujhe punish karte ho," she retorted, her tone , completly innocent though she was still hurt. "Aur jab aap log kuch bhi karte ho, toh bas 'forgive me' pe maamla settle?" ? Just because I'm younger, I have to forgive you?"She pouted, doing her best to look innocent.

Riyansh chuckled, amused by her fiery retort. "Achha, toh kya hai meri punishment?" He could see through her act, knowing she'd come around.

She pretended to think,after a minute she said,"Jyada kuch nahi, bas Bhai ko bol do ke mujhe is bar itna likhne ko na de punishment mein. Phir Mumbai ki packing bhi toh karni hai na... Please Bhaiya, please?" She gave him her best puppy eyes, her face a mix of sweetness and cuteness.

Riyansh chuckled at her dramatic expression, but his tone was firm as he replied, "Nice try, princess. Lekin yeh Alekh ne punishment di hai, aur main uske decisions mein interfere nahi karunga. Tumne galti ki hai, toh uski saza bhi tumhe milegi."

Khwahish's innocent expression vanished, and she pouted, crossing her arms. "Bhaiya, please!" she pleaded, but Riyansh just shook his head, unyielding.

"Sorry, but no shortcuts this time," he said, trying to hide a smirk at her growing frustration. "Alekh tumhe maaf karna chahe toh alag baat hai. Tab tak, punishment toh milegi."

Frustruated by Riyansh Khwahish stomped her foot, refusing to forgive him. "Aapko maafi toh milne se rahi, Bhaiya," she said with a huff, crossing her arms defiantly.

Riyansh raised an eyebrow, amused by her reaponse. "Oh, toh maafi nahi milegi?" His eyes twinkled with mischief as he stepped closer, an idea already forming in his mind. "Fine, I guess I'll have to find another way to change your mind."

Before she could react, Riyansh's fingers moved to her sides, tickling her mercilessly. Khwahish yelped, trying to squirm away, but her laughter escaped despite her efforts. "N-no, Bhaiya! Stop!" she managed to gasp, her voice laced with uncontrollable giggles.being a ticklish it is more hard for her

"Oh, toh forgive bhi nahi karnaa aur stop bhi chahiye?" he teased, refusing to let up. Her laughter grew louder, filling the room with the warmth of their playful moment, as she finally gave in.

"Okay, okay! Fine! I forgive you!" she managed between breaths, her face flushed with laughter.

"Bas, ab tu maan gayi," Riyansh said with a grin, finally stopping but still holding her close.He watched as she caught her breath, her face lighting up with a smile that made him realize just how much he missed these moments. Khwahish looked up, a lingering trace of laughter in her eyes. "Bhaiya, aap bhi na..." she muttered, her voice softened by the warmth of the moment."Arre, main kya?" he replied, ruffling her hair playfully. "Meri chhoti princess ko hasana bhi toh meri responsibility hai."

And as they lay there, the tension dissolved, leaving only the comfort of a bond unbreakable by anything life could throw at them.

On the other side, Chirag was puzzled by Atharv's statement. He couldn't understand what had changed Aahir so drastically; the trace of anger that once defined his brother seemed to have vanished entirely.

Chirag wanted to ask, to understand what had caused this transformation in Aahir, but he didn't have the courage to face the truth just yet. Resolving to keep his questions for later, he decided he would bring it up once they were back in Mumbai. With the rituals scheduled for the day after tomorrow, their return to Mumbai was not far off.

For now, he'd wait—until they were back home, where, perhaps, he could finally confront the questions lingering in his heart.

Just a personal thought—if you ever feel insecure in any relationship, whether it's with a friend, parent, or sibling, try having an honest conversation with them. Sometimes, a good talk can clear away all those insecurities and give you a new perspective, helping you see things in a brighter, clearer light.

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