Fated To Love You

Chapter 86

Abhishek let out a deep sigh, his expression softening as he pulled Siddharth into another hug, this time holding him firmly. His hand gently patted Siddharth's back in slow, comforting strokes, letting him cry out all the pain he had been bottling up.

"Bas... Siddharth, bas," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth. "Itna mat soch... galtiyan sabse hoti hain. Tujhse bhi hui hai, par iska matlab ye nahi ki tu khud ko itna dukh de."

Siddharth clung to his brother for a moment longer before finally pulling back, sniffling as he wiped his face. His eyes were still red, his breath uneven, but there was a slight relief in his posture—like he had been carrying something unbearably heavy, and now, at least, someone was helping him hold it.

Abhishek cupped the back of Siddharth's head and gave it a light pat before speaking again, this time in a firmer tone.

"Ab ek baat bata," he said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Assignment kyun nahi kiya tha? Yeh koi naya tareeka hai punishment lene ka?"

Siddharth looked down, guilt creeping onto his face again, but this time, it wasn't the same painful regret—it was a quiet confession waiting to come out. He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Main... main dara hua tha, Dada," he admitted, stealing a quick glance at Abhishek before lowering his gaze again. "Ruhi pehle se hi pareshaan thi, class mein dhyaan nahi laga pa rahi thi... aur mujhe dar tha ki vo apna assignment phir se nahi kar paayegi." His fingers twisted together as he spoke, his voice laced with sincerity.

Abhishek raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

Siddharth let out a shaky breath. "Mujhe pata tha ki agar usne submit nahi kiya to use punishment milegi... aur main nahi chahta tha ki use phir se punishment mile." He looked up at Abhishek with earnest eyes, as if silently pleading him to understand. "Isliye... maine uska assignment likh diya aur uske naam se submit kar diya."

Abhishek stared at him for a second, then clicked his tongue in frustration. "Shabaash," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Bada hero ban raha tha, hai na?" He folded his arms, his expression a mix of irritation and fond exasperation.

Siddharth frowned, confused. "Kya?"

Abhishek sighed. "Ye nahi socha tune ki agar Ruhi ne bhi apna assignment complete kar liya aur submit kar diya to kya hoga? Dono ke naam ka assignment hone ka kya matlab hota?"

Siddharth blinked, realization slowly sinking in.

"Aur agar na bhi kiya hota..." Abhishek continued, his voice gaining intensity, "to tujhe nahi pata Sumedh kaisa hai? Uska gussa bhool gaya tu?" He tapped Siddharth's forehead lightly, as if scolding his stupidity. "Ye nahi aaya dimaag mein ki use to handwriting pta hi hogi?"

Siddharth swallowed, looking down. "Mujhe laga... shayad..."

"Gadha," Abhishek muttered, rolling his eyes. But there was no real anger in his voice—just the exasperation of an elder brother who cared too much.

Siddharth's breath hitched as he looked up at Abhishek, his face still wet with tears, eyes widening slightly in realization. His throat went dry.

"Ab batayega tujhe vo ache se," Abhishek said, his tone laced with finality. He crossed his arms and raised a brow, watching Siddharth squirm under his gaze. "Ab tak 'bhai bhai' karke bachta raha tha tu... ab saari 'bhainess' nikalega vo."

Siddharth swallowed hard. Sumedh was already furious. And now, after this—after the notebook mess, after daring to grab his hand in front of Ruhi—there was no way Sumedh would let this slide.