Rivan was driving towards Seasha's home, his mind unusually silent. The sun dipped low, casting a soft orange hue across the lonely street.
As he turned the corner near her house, he spotted someone sitting near the wall, bruised, arms wrapped around his knees.
It was Divit....
Rivan stopped the car immediately and jumped out. He walked over, eyes narrowing as he took in the boy's bloodied face.
"Divit?" he crouched in front of him.
"What happened?"
Divit looked up slowly, lips swollen, one cheek red and scraped.
"Some boys beat me," he said softly.
Rivan's jaw clenched. "Why?"
"They said... they wanted to see my sister. Said bad things about her. Said they'll... touch her. I didn't let them. I shouted. So they beat me up."
Rivan's body went still. His eyes darkened.
How dare they?
He looked straight into Divit's eyes. "You did the right thing. Never let anyone go near her. Never."
Divit looked confused and scared....
Rivan held his shoulders, firm but calm.
"Listen to me, Divit. I'll tell you something. A story."
Divit blinked at him...
Rivan crouched next to Divit, his voice low and calm.
"You like animals, Divit?"
The boy blinked and nodded slowly. Rivan smiled faintly, his tone oddly gentle.
"There was once a little fox," he began.
"The fox had a single rabbit. Not a normal rabbit.... a special one. The rabbit couldn't run fast. Couldn't fight. It was soft and weak. But the fox loved it."
Divit watched him silently.
"One day..... the other animals saw the rabbit. They laughed. Mocked it. Some even wanted to eat it. Do you know what the fox did?"
Divit shook his head.
"He didn't bark. He didn't growl. He waited. Then, when the animals turned their backs... he tore their throats open."
Rivan's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice turning colder.
"He didn't warn them. He didn't forgive them. He ended them. Because the rabbit was his. And no one... no one touches what's his."
He leaned in a little closer, his smile soft but chilling.
"That's how you protect what's yours, Divit. Not by crying, Not by talking.... You strike. You make them scared to even look at her again."
Rivan held his hand and walked him to their home.
Seasha was pacing outside, her eyes filled with panic. The moment she saw them, she ran straight to Divit.
"Divit!" she gasped.
"What happened?!"
She didn't even notice Rivan at first, all she could see were the bruises on her brother's face.
Rivan stood silent, watching her.
"I found him nearby," he said calmly.
"Some kids bullied him. I brought him home."
Seasha nodded quickly, leading her brother inside. She cleaned his wounds, kissed his forehead, and held him until he fell asleep.
