through thick and thin

chapter 8

Author's pov:-

After breakfast, the household emptied as everyone headed to their respective destinations. Aarav left for his law firm, while Aaira departed for her company. Aaryan, however, lingered, cherishing the rare opportunity to spend time with Kritika before heading to his own company.

The past few days had been chaotic, and Aaryan was grateful for Kritika's timely arrival. She brought a sense of calm and stability to the tumultuous household. He had been shouldering the burden alone, hiding the added strain of Vikram's return from Aarav and Aaira. But with Kritika by his side, he felt a weight lift.

"These days were unbearable without you, Kriti," Aaryan said, sipping his tea.

Kritika's eyes locked onto his. "That's exactly why you need to start sharing things, Aaryan."

Aaryan furrowed his brow. "I do share things with you."

Kritika's voice took on a gentle reprimand. "No, Aaryan, you don't. I had no idea about Vikram's arrival. You should have told your siblings."

Aaryan chuckled. "Aare, vo flatu me tension lete"

(They would've just worried unnecessarily).

Kritika's expression turned serious. "Vo tension faltu nahi hota, unhe bataina chahiye tha. Kyu nahi bataya? Aaira ko sapna thodi aayega ki vo danger me hai"

(That tension isn't unnecessary. You should have told them. Aaira deserves to know if she's in danger).

"Vo ladki kabhi nahi sunti" Aaryan said.

"Vo sunti hai believe it or not lekin usko bhi utni hi chinta hai jitni tumhe hai. Accha leave it." Kritika replied.

" You know Bade Papa, Vikram, was one of the people I was closest to in childhood," Aaryan said, nostalgia tinged with sadness. "Not just me, but Aarav and Aaira were equally fond of him. Everything was perfect... until he went abroad. And when he returned, everything changed."

Kritika's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What happened, Aaryan?"

Aaryan's expression turned somber. "Bade Papa wasn't the same person anymore. He became distant, selfish, and cruel. He would fight with us, insult our parents... it was like he had no regard for our feelings."

Kritika's gaze locked onto Aaryan's, concern etched on her face. "That must have been devastating."

Aaryan's voice cracked. "It was like losing the person we loved and respected. We couldn't understand what had changed him so drastically."

Past

(Aaryan was 16 and the twins were 12)

Aaryan's board was approaching because of which they had been given preparative leave for 2 months.

Aaryan's pov:-

I walked through the front door alongside Papa, the warm morning sunlight giving way to the cozy familiarity of our home. We had just dropped Aarav and Aaira off at school.

Those two were becoming increasingly mischievous. Today, they'd tried to skip school, reasoning that if I got a two-month preparative leave for my boards, they should too.

Their plan was to miss the school bus, but Mumma and Papa were one step ahead. Mumma firmly told them to get ready, while Papa chuckled, dropping them off instead.

Papa couldn't stop laughing for a good 10 minutes, shaking his head in amusement. "My kids are exactly like me!" he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling.