The Sibling Saga

11) Fever

Karan's phone buzzed, the notification lighting up his screen. He swallowed hard as he read the message:

"In my study, in 15 minutes."

Karan hesitated for a moment as he read the message, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew Veer's tone meant trouble. Despite being 24, the authority Veer carried always made him feel like a teenager . He took a deep breath, fixed his posture, and headed to Veer's study, mentally preparing himself for the confrontation.

Veer sat at his desk, reviewing some documents, his expression unreadable.

"Ji bhaiyu aapne bulaya?" Karan asked cautiously, standing rigidly a few feet away.

Veer gestured to the chair in front of him. "Baitho." and Karan obeyed him

"What were you thinking, Karan?" Veer began, his voice calm but laced with disappointment. "I told you not to intervene with Aarav, didn't I?"

"I was just trying to help," Karan replied, his tone defensive.

"Bahot bade ho gaye ho na tum? Mere words ki importance khatam ho gayi hai tumhare liye?" Veer said sternly

Karan flinched but quickly responded, "Nahi Bhaiya, aisa nahi hai. Maine bas-"

"Bas kya Karan? You think I'm a fool? No one is better than you isn't it?" Veer interrupted, his voice rising.

"Aisi baat nahi hai bhaiyu, Aap hamesha lenient ho jaate ho" he said slowly

"Lenient?" Veer's voice rose slightly, anger creeping into his tone. " You think woh tumhare maarne se sudhrega? Karan, tumhara yeh approach usse aur zyada stubborn bana sakta hai? Uska focus galti sudharne par nahi, punishment se bachne ka hoga." He said

"Sorry bhaiyu, I didn't mean to make you feel like this" he said bowing his head down, his eyes mixed with guilt and respect

"Why are you even sorry? According to you, you are right. Your ways are always superior infact we are fools isn't it? Hume toh kuch aata hi nahi hai" his words were laced with sarcasm.

Karan felt very bad. He never wanted to make Veer feel this way. He was just too furious and his brain didn't got time to process
"Bhaiyu aisi baate na kare. You are superior for me. I was too furious bhaiyu, my ears just didn't believe what he did. I didn't meant to hurt you."

Veer left a small sigh
"Strict hone ka matlab yeh nahi hota ki tum usse dara do ya bas apne emotions uspar nikal do. Tum uske bade bhai ho Karan, I understand your concern. But You need to explain them the consequences of their action" he said keeping his hands on karan's shoulders and he nodded.

"Sorry" Karan said holding his hands and looking down

"Hmm, 30 situps now" Veer said folding his arms and Karan's eyes widened.

"Han? Mein bacha nahi hu bhaiyu" He said looking at him shocked.

"Then stop whining like a child Karu. Start now and each time you say sorry" Veer said firmly leaving now rooms for argument. Karan left with no choice obeyed him and started with his punishment.
~~

Anvi was searching for Aarav, she saw him on the terrace and went near him. Aarav looked at her and then shifted her glance elsewhere.

"Acha sorry" she said holding her ears. Aarav's heart melted right there but he managed to make a poker face

"Mujhe koi aapka bhanda nahi phodna tha. Mein khud phas gyi" She said and explained him the whole story.

"Jo hona tha hogya, meri pitayi honi thi, hogyi" he said and shrugged off. It wasn't Anvi's mistake so he just let it be.