Guardian

-:chapter 29:-

Avyansh was walking towards his class when he heard someone calling his name. He turned around to find Arnav standing there, his expression serious but hurt. 

“Avy,” Arnav said, his voice soft but tinged with confusion. “Why are you ignoring me, baccha?” 

Avyansh froze for a moment. Avyansh wanted to say something, to tell Arnav that he didn’t know what was happening either, that he didn’t understand why everything felt so wrong. But he couldn’t find the words. The truth was, nothing made sense. Was Arnav really his brother? Did it even matter? The only person who mattered to him, the one person he couldn't bear to lose, was his Bhaiya.

No matter what Arnav said, or how he felt about this newfound connection, it was his bhaiya who had always been there for him. He couldn’t even imagine a world where Abhimanyu wasn’t the person guiding him.

He remembered the argument he had overheard between Arnav and his Bhaiya earlier-how Arnav had shouted at him, a man he once looked up to. It had bothered him deeply. He couldn’t stand anyone disrespecting his Bhaiya, no matter who it was. 

“Mujhe late ho raha hai class ke liye, sir,” Avyansh finally said, his voice flat. He didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He had to go. 

he turned and walked towards his class, leaving Arnav standing there.Arnav watched him leave, his heart heavy, but he didn’t stop him.

Avyansh settled into his seat beside Rohan and Ayesha. The trio had quickly become inseparable in the few months since Avyansh joined the school. Rohan, ever the athletic one, was busy doodling on the corner of his notebook while Ayesha leaned over his shoulder, teasing him about his terrible art skills. 

“Rohan, is that supposed to be a lion or a potato with a mane?” Ayesha giggled, earning a mock glare from Rohan. 

“It’s a lion, obviously,” Rohan shot back, trying to defend his creation. 

“Looks more like a fluffy cloud with teeth,” Avyansh added, stifling a laugh. 

Rohan threw his pen down in mock defeat. “Why do I even try? You two are impossible.” 

Ayesha smirked. “Because you love us, that’s why.” 

Avyansh chuckled softly, feeling a warmth he hadn’t felt in years. Moments like these reminded him of how much he enjoyed being with them. After all the chaos in his life, their playful banter was a welcome distraction. 

Just then, the door creaked open, and their class teacher, Ms. Verma, walked in. She adjusted her glasses and set her books down on the desk, signaling the students to settle down.

"Good morning, class," she began, her voice calm but commanding. "I have an announcement to make."

The room fell silent, a few whispers here and there as everyone waited in anticipation.

"We’ve planned a class picnic for this weekend," Ms. Verma said with a smile.

The classroom erupted in cheers and whispers of excitement. “Finally!” someone exclaimed from the back. 

“Picnic!” Ayesha gasped, turning to Rohan and Avyansh. “This is going to be amazing!” 

Rohan was equally thrilled.

Avyansh listened quietly, his heart skipping a beat. He had never been on a picnic before. Growing up in the environment he did, outings like this weren’t part of his life. For a brief moment, he hesitated-could he really go? But then, looking at Rohan and Ayesha’s excited faces, he felt a surge of determination.