One of the bodyguards' phones rang who are guarding Khushi and he picked it up knowing it is his boss.

"Did you catch him?" Adam was confident his men wouldn't let the man implement his plan.

He so was right!

The man didn't get the chance to smirk anymore as he was silently kidnapped by Khushi's security men.

Alex, who was the head of security had instructed his men to take him to their personal den, where he'd get the right treatment for trying to mess with Adam's daughter.

"Yes, sir! He's with us and soon will meet his Boss as well," Sam, another bodyguard whose phone rang answered positively.

Adam smirked in peace. What did they think? They'd try to attack his daughter and he would know nothing. He'd be more careful after whatever happened with his daughter. He'd make sure they get the worst punishment possible, unlawfully and lawfully. He had his ways when it comes to protecting his daughter.

The mastermind and the player, both will be in his custody and he'd see how would they even think about his daughter, let alone plan to kill her.

"Good. Make sure you complete the other work I assigned for you," Adam reminds him about his other order. He had his doubts turned on, running from one end to another end when he heard what Payal had to say the day he met her.

His daughter wasn't simply got into an accident while she was going to a medical conference. She was bloody murdered — which failed and Payal knows who did that.

Only if everyone had known Khushi was his daughter, Payal would have contacted him long ago.

Alas, thanks to the secrecy he maintains for her own safety and how can he forget her ex-husband? The same man on whom he instructed his men to keep an eye!

Raizada Mansion,

Delhi

It was seven in the evening and Shantivan, unlike every day had a cheerful Anjali who was giggling and smiling at the arrival of her younger brother, Advay Singh Raizada.

After having enough of chit chats, Anjali opened her mouth, "Advay? Why don't you change and come? I'll arrange dinner for you."

"Sure, Di!" Advay smiled getting up from the sofa and going towards his room. His room was just beside Anjali's room and away from Arnav's room. He walked into his room, it was kept clean, and he went to freshen up. He usually keeps some of his clothes here whenever he visits here for a few days.

After half an hour,

"Where is Shyam Jeeja ji?" Advay inquired, after settling on one of the chairs. Devyani was resting and Manoram was in her room, resting as well, having her mind on the work to blackmail her son — into marrying Natasha.

"He went to Nainital on some casework," Anjali who sat beside her brother and looked after the bowls in which HP had prepared his food replied. Shyam was on another trip for his case, and she said the same.

"Oh. Alright. He didn't call me," he murmured under his breath.

Enjoying without my company? You'll have it from me, Shyam Jha!

Advay thought chewing on his food, slowly.

Anjali smiled at her brother's concern. Arnav doesn't even ask about Shyam anymore and on the other hand, Advay never fails to care about his brother-in-law and help him, "He must be busy!"

Yeah! He must be! Fucking a hot chick! Advay smirks in his mind.

"By the way, how is your girlfriend?" Anjali changes the topic, suddenly remembering about his girlfriend who's loved by their family, expect one.

"She's fine," Advay mutters, faking a blush. Tara is is his girlfriend for a very long time and she had no issues with his affairs until she was satisfied with him and their threesome sessions in the night.

"Tell her to come here sometimes. Nani had already said yes to her, didn't she? We are missing her. She isn't visting these days," Anjali complains to her brother. Tara had stopped coming these days. If their Nani had stopped her from coming here frequently when Advay used to stay, it was only because she hasn't accepted her yet. But a few months ago she did after Advay left the home.

"I'll tell her, Di." He nodded his head. He'd now have to invent another excuse, either to get her here or to fool their family again.

"Thank god Tara isn't a middle-class woman like that Payal or Myra," Anjali exclaimed, sighing in relief.

She couldn't imagine Tara being a gold digger and why would she? She's a rich woman and had some class.

"You know my taste isn't that bad, Di!" Advay sips a little, winking at Anjali.

Anjali laughs at his naughtiness and sighs sadly a few seconds later, "Only if Akash and Arnav had that kind of taste, they'd agree to marry Natasha and Lavanya,"

"No one can be like me, Di! I'm a single piece," Advay doesn't let the chance go to praise himself.

Advay is totally opposite to Arnav. Loud and Talkative, cool and funny, easy and loving.

Everyone is used to seeing the outer layer of the persons that Advay and Arnav are.

If Advay was all of it on the outside, Arnav was all of it from the inside.

If Advay was kind from the outside, Arnav was kind from the inside. If Arnav was a monster from the outside, Advay was a monster from the inside. If Arnav couldn't able to show all of his positivity from the outside, Advay tries his best to show he's the best gentleman on earth. While one uses the devil as his mask to protect himself from devils, another uses an angel to mask the devil inside him, protecting the devil itself.

Angels don't look angelic and devils don't look devilish!

Maybe that is why someone gets easily influenced by the devil and not the angel. Just like how everyone adores Advay and shuns ASR as a true devil. Foolish people would be foolish enough to believe that an angel is a true angel and a devil is a true devil.

Anjali is a true form of such a foolish woman and Advay could only take advantage of that.

"True," Anjali murmurs, caressing his head, to which Advay grinned, eating the rest of his food.

"Anyway, how's Arnav's engagement preparation going on?"

"Decorations will start tomorrow and Lavanya is already on the flight. She'll reach by the morning. We'd go shopping and after two more days, he'd be here. He'll have to get engaged, anyhow. Invitation cards will be out day after tomorrow once Lavanya selects whatever she likes, we'll get them and send them out to everyone. Already talked with the caterers, and they'll come tomorrow for the list. Huff, so much work! And it's only me who's doing it all alone, " Anjali releases a deep breath, completing the list of work she had assigned and complaining to her about the amount of work she did.

"Why don't you stay in RM, Adi?" Anjali patted his shoulders, pouting at him, hoping it'd melt him.

But no. Advay had a reason why he isn't staying in RM and so, he denies, "You know why, Di. I love my privacy and penthouse more."

"This is the only thing I don't like about you," Anjali slaps his arms and turns her face away. If her brother, too, stays here, they'd be a complete family.

"Come on, Di! After marriage, I'm anyway gonna stay here. Let me enjoy my bachelorhood," Advay turned her face toward him and smiled at her. He doesn't his Di to get upset. If she'd be upset with him, there'd be no one to support him when he'd need someone to get his work done.

Anjali takes a few seconds to get back in her mood. Unlike Arnav, Advay has his way with words to pamper her and his behavior of nodding at her every word made him her favorite brother.

"Chotte had called you?"

"Do you think out of all the people in the world, he'd find me to call," Advay chuckles, letting her know Arnav is still pissed with him and whatever lecture she said to Arnav a month ago really didn't matter to him.

"I don't understand when he'll understand the love you have for him," Anjali frowns at his words. A month ago, she clearly told Arnav to mend their brother's relationship and she thought he did when he left his company on Akash, Rohit, Manohar, and Advay.

Arnav had disrespected her words again and this didn't go well with her. She's already angry at him for not informing her about his journey and the way he behaved with Shyam, Advay's words only added more.

"Leave it, Di. He's younger and you know it takes time with him to understand anything," Advay tried to be the kind soul he shows himself to everyone.

Anjali melts at his understanding. Only if Arnav had been that understanding! Alas, he wasn't, he'd ignore Advay and talks related to him totally, not trying to understand Advay who is nowhere at fault.

Arnav is such a fool! And she said it aloud, angry at her other brother, "He's too slow and a fool, I don't know how he had established his business."

"As if you or any from the family had helped him to establish his business, di!"

Before Advay could reply to his sister, they heard the booming voice of Akash who had just entered the hall, coming from the office.

"Well, you can't blame us when he looked slow and silent. It looked like he hadn't had the capability to run any business," Anjali's voice filled up the silence. She was true, when he came back from Harvard, he looked like a zombie. 'O'(Outstanding) grade on the certificate and the behavior of him didn't match. He was all silent and lost in his own thoughts. Not at all looked like a topper as one should, normally.

She could only think if his university had misunderstood his skills and given him the wrong grade.

"As if you know about business to judge him," Akash counters. Anjali was saying as if she know how a businessman should do business. If it was so, why won't she sit in Arnav's place and do the work his brother does with all his sweat and blood?

"Leave it, Di," Advay mumbles from behind and Anjali stops nodding a little. No point in arguing since Arnav was proving to be a great businessman along with Advay. She thought!

"Akash, Mami told me to send you to her room as soon as you're home," Anjali informs him, gesturing him to go to his room.

Akash could only roll his eyes in frustration, "I hope it isn't about yesterday. If it is, I swear I'd leave the house."

He mumbles walking up, tired of the work. With the absence of Arnav, the workload had burdened him and his father along with Aman. Advay was as usual present in the office for a few hours, doing nothing but scrolling through his phone.

"Where's the photo of Natasha, Di?" Advay was impatient to see the photo of Akash's to-be fiance as they saw him disappearing into his room.

"Hmm, wait a minute, I'd show you!" Anjali gets from the chair, excited to show Natasha who's beautiful in and out.

And a minute later, Advay was reminding the photo in his mind after and again.

The only word in his mind was — Hot!

London,

Evening,

Khushi's day had gone well. Arnav, on the hand, was only too happy to bid bye to Lavanya who had suddenly appeared in the morning, wanting to go to India on the first available flight. In the relief of getting off her clingy nature, he didn't deny her and let her go. She wasn't needed on the trip anyway.

Although he did get doubt on her sudden departure, he warded off his thoughts, not wanting to indulge himself in finding out about her extra cheerfulness. He'd see what it is after going back to India.

The final time he'd visit if all of his plans become successful!

It was evening and another busy day he had. Khushi, as promised, had come to his hotel to take him to meet her gang.

They were now in the car as Khushi drove to the place and half an hour later, they pulled into the parking lot, locking the car as they got out.

He looked at the place and found everything in green — plants, trees, shrubs; all kinds of different flower plants surrounding a small two-storey house. Bodyguards secured the small wooden house and it had CCTV cameras.

"This is our hang-out place. We have a small restaurant near this," Khushi informed as she pulled him with her inside the house, all smiling and showing him a small restaurant near the house.

"Beautiful house," he murmured, smiling a little, looking at a giggling Khushi as she pushed open the door.

They were people in the hall already as they entered and suddenly stopped their conversation. All of their concentration is on them now. Arnav didn't like the attention and fumbled in his steps sensing many people's gaze on him.

That was only until he heard a voice.

"Bhai?"

Arnav recognized the voice and he stood frozen, slowly looking up at the person to whom the voice he heard belonged.

Myra widened her eyes looking at the monster. She was shivering in her place. Ziya who was just beside sensed the change in her and walked towards her, rubbing her shivering palms. Myra hid behind Ziya not wanting to look at the devil, a devil who had given her nightmares enough for life as if she hadn't had it already!

"Dhruv?" Arnav gulped down the pain he felt at witnessing his brother, all in a good condition, after two years. It had been two years since Dhruv left RM, two years since he saw his brother, and if he could count, more than two years since he was busy in Bangalore with his newly launched business.

"Bhai?" Dhruv's eyes were moist and his voice croaked as he whispered for his brother.

"I don't want to see that monster," Myra mumbled loud enough for everyone to hear.

Every one of them frowned at snd understood Arnav might be the reason behind her depression. She'd call no one monster except two people.

"Myra, calm down." Dhruv walked towards his pregnant wife and caressed her head taking his in his arms, giving her his warmth.

Khushi stood beside Arnav, looking at his face which had no change when he was being called a monster.

As if he's used to hearing the same from everyone every now and then.

Why and who'd call him like that?

Dhruv sent his wife all cold in fear and he decided to clear it off, "He's not Advay, Myra. He's Arnav Bhai."

Myra looks up at him, and still had the fear that he's not Advay but Arnav.

"They are twins while Akash and I are non-identical twins," he repeated his words after a long time. He had told her about his family a long ago when they were college sweethearts. Hoping she'd not see Arnav's face and remember Advay.

It's one of the reasons why he feared contacting his brother, Arnav after he left India.

For, his wife was already suffering from depression, and Advay's and Shyam's episodes made it worse. If she were to see a face exactly like Advay's, it wouldn't do good to her.

He cupped her cheek and made her look into his eyes, "Look into his eyes, Myra!"

Myra, gulping down, looks at Arnav who had walked up to them till then, standing behind Khushi as she dragged him.

"Do you see what you saw in Advay's?" Myra took a few minutes to look into Arnav's eyes and observed his eyebrows. His eyes didn't show lust neither his left eyebrow was perfect!

"Arnav Bhai has a slight mark on his left eyebrow!"

Myra was going through his family photos on his phone during the lunch break when she asked him how does he recognize Arnav and Advay.

"He's not Advya, calm down!" Dhruv sensed her getting relaxed in his arms. It will take some time to get used to the face.

Arnav didn't know what he should do, he isn't good with words and emotions, so, all he could do was hide a little behind Khushi every time she gave him a space to move forward.

"Are you guys brothers? Like real brothers?" Arjen croaked, completely diverting their attention toward him.

"Cousin brothers," Dhruv answered, releasing Myra from his arms who was completely lost in another world.

They understood who he was talking about, Arnav is probably the one brother he used to talk about frequently. He never mentioned his name, Arnav was just Bhai to him. Neither they bothered to ask on Dhruv's demand and Myra's condition.

"I was searching for you and Myra for a long time. And you're here all these years?" Arnav whispered breaking the silence. There was an accusation in his voice, all filled with hurt.

Dhruv never wanted to hurt his brother and yet he had to. He had no choice. He reasons, taking a deep breath, "After whatever happened in Shantivan, I didn't want my wife there. We got here with the help of Arjen Bhai and settled in Sweden."

"You could have at least contacted me, Dhruv," Arnav gulped down the pain and didn't let moisture surface his eyes, he searched for Dhruv everywhere and with the proof he got, he was told Dhruv was in Tamil Nadu. He searched for him in the state but he didn't find his brother.

He wanted to know why he got his reservation tickets to Tamil Nadu if he was traveling to Sweden. Or he was in TN for some time and went to Sweden? He'd ask after hearing him out.

"Myra was in depression after that, Bhai. And I never wanted to increase it more. You know how she is. Shyam had plotted it so well that I had to leave Shantivan," Dhruv croaked, hurt, trying hard not to remember the nightmare of his and his wife's life.

"Do I not know your relationship with Myra? I'd have fought for you if you'd told me all of that. I don't even know what exactly has happened. I just got your tickets for Tamil Nadu. When I searched for you, I didn't find you there, ever!" Arnav complained. He'd have done something if his brother would have told him. But Dhruv just didn't avoid telling him, he also disappeared from the surface of the earth. All this while he was searching for him and he's in one corner of Sweden, with no contact with him!

"I know, Bhai. But I was a mess then, there were so many thoughts running through my head. Myra's trauma, family's betrayal, Advay's and Shyam's advances, their behavior, all of it messed my head and you were busy with the company you opened recently then. I didn't want to disturb you when I reached Shantivan. After whatever happened, I'm not sure if they're keeping tabs on you. What if they do? They could have traced us, and Myra would have to face them again. I didn't want it and exactly that would have happened if you'd fought for us. And Bhai, your face matches Advay, and I was also afraid then that she will have panic attacks again. If I'd contacted you, you'd have fought for us for sure. But I just couldn't. There were so many risks," Dhruv came near his brother and hugged him tightly, mumbling a sorry at the end of the speech.

Arnav didn't poke him more. He saw the reaction of Myra at seeing him. Dhruv was right! But still, that didn't lessen the hurt and the anxiety he felt the two years. He nonetheless, hugged his brother back after a long time.

"Fine. I get it. Leave all of that. Tell me how are you and Myra?" Arnav released his brother from the hug. He couldn't show his emotions just like that, even with Dhruv it takes a lot of time. What others lacked and Dhruv had was the patience to understand him and his turmoil.

"We're doing great, Bhai, and you're going to become a Chacha!" Dhruv was excited to deliver the news to his brother. Arnav was confused at first and a few seconds later, his bulb glow and he was shocked, "Uhh? What?"

"Chacha, bhai. You're going to be an uncle," Dhruv repeated his words, smoothening the coat of his brother and Arnav slowly came out of the stupor he was in, registering the happy news in mind, "Woah. Congratulations!"

He hugged his brother in happiness again. Myra who was standing quite all the by now had registered in her mind that she is safe and the man is not Advay but Arnav.

"I'm sorry I thought you were Advay," Myra mumbled when they detached from the hug.

Arnav slightly smiled at the young girl, "It's okay, no issues, Myra! You don't need to fear me. I'm not like Advay, you're safe with me."

Myra smiled. If it was two years ago she'd not have been like this.  She'd have gone into her shell, again! Treatment had made her better! Arnav was a little relieved he was no mare scaring her.

"I'm sorry for calling you monster. I-" she was awkward but was cut off by Arnav who denied her from saying more, "It's fine. I get it that is for Advay!"

He shrugged it off, understanding her condition.

"Okay, guys. Come one, let's sit and enjoy our evening while the long-lost brothers can have some private conversations, hmm?" Arjen broke the shell and everyone nodded at him, agreeing.

The brothers needed a private conversation if they wanted to and everyone's attention is on Dhruv and Arnav.

Dhruv shrugged, walking towards his brother, and taking him to the balcony, after making sure his wife is fine.

They needed the conversation!

Balcony,

Although it was evening, the sun was a little late in dawning today and they welcome the light the sun bestowed on them, settling themselves on the sofas there.

They talked about everything and anything except the Raizadas and what happened in Shantivan. Dhruv was more talkative while Arnav responded in monosyllables. That's how he's and Dhruv understands that. They sat in silence after Dhruv shared about his profession and Arnav about his success and struggles in Business. A few more minutes passed and before Dhruv could open his mouth, Arnav started the words that were nagging him, "Dhruv, don't you want your share of respect and position in Shantivan? You know, I have the resources to show them the truth and give your respect back, especially to Myra. She needed that justice and that will only happen when they regret it. We'll complain to the police with every proof. You both need justice, don't you think?"

"No need of anything, Bhai. I'm happy here with my wife and so is she. No need for toxicity in our life anymore. Not even the complaints about them with the police. I don't want to complicate it. Myra is fine now," Dhruv denied, not wanting to wake up the sleeping nightmares. He knows Shyam and Advay had narrated the same incident to Arnav as well. But he's also sure Arnav can never misunderstand Myra. Although they never met, the calls they used to make and talk were more than enough for his brother to know Myra could never seduce men. Period.

Arnav tried again and Dhruv denied him for the second and third times. Arnav sighed, not wanting to force him. What could he do if Dhruv isn't willing? He can understand his situation but the ones who had some crime, do they need to be free and live like they are no criminals? He'd be able to punish Advay and Shyam only when Dhruv is willing and would let him know what happened in Shativan. He was sure of one thing, though! Whatever Shyam and Advay said about what happened that day, was a lie. They have narrated the opposite!

"Why don't you leave the home as well, Bhai?"

"I'll soon after I am done with Shyam and Advay," Arnav couldn't show his back to the criminals staying in his home, living off his money. If Dhruv can't fight Shyam and Advay, he'll; respecting Dhruv's opinion.

"I guessed you'd know Shyam and Advay are cheaters if you heard the same story they've formed!" Dhruv whispered, sitting beside his brother.

Arnav remembered the day when he came back home from Banglore and his sister informed him about what Myra did. "After I heard from Di that Myra tried to trap Advay and Shyam, I didn't believe it. I know you always talked about Myra and whenever I talked to Myra, she was too respectful. I know your choice. How can I believe she tried something so awful? Especially when she has gone through what I've gone through once?"

Arnav's voice was a mere whisper in the end as he tried to block the images and pressed his head which started aching. He was feeling heavy in the head and chest. It always happens when he remembers the flashes. It became normal now. It's just that it isn't normal for doctors or others. If he'd think more about it, he's sure he'd have an anxiety attack.

"Bhai," Dhruv pressed his hands in concern. Arnav looked like he'd faint anytime.

"I'm fine!" Arnav managed to say caressing his chest. He took a few deep breaths in composing himself.

His body was all cold and he stood up, walking to the rail breathing in air. It was difficult and it took him a whole five minutes in composing himself. His head didn't stop hurting and neither his heart was normal.

"Bhai, shift here. Toxicity will only make your situation worse." Dhruv walked up to his brother pointing out his condition.

Arnav simply denied, "Shyam and Advay! I tried to investigate them but my sources were not enough. I've just started the company and had no finance. But luckily I saw Shyam with another woman. And a year later when I had resources to investigate him, I did and Anjali Di didn't believe me. She trusted her husband and I never interfered again. Advay turned out to be a playboy and his girlfriend had no issues!"

"If she didn't believe you, that's her loss, Bhai. You don't need to care about Advay as well. Leave them and settle here. We'll be nearer," Dhruv tried to convince his brother. He didn't want him in the toxicity. He could only wonder how he managed to live all these years in Shnativan, a house that held no peace.

"I'm planning to settle in London after I give your rights back and throw Shyam out. But looks like I don't need to do the first one anymore but th-" he was cut off by Dhruv.

"Not even the second one, Bhai!"

"There's a need, Dhruv. He can't live on my money. I'm planning something and after that whatever happens I don't care. Everything will happen according to my plan. Shyam will pay and Advay too!" Arnav had a plan in his mind already and the first step is already implemented. He'd wait for the results and no one would save Advay and Shyam from him.

"So, until then you'll have to bear that toxicity?" Dhruv raises his brow.

Arnav nods, rubbing his palms, "What happened exactly that day?"

"Not today, Bhai. Today should be a happy day." Dhruv denies him, "Let's go and have some hot herbal tea. I'll make it for you. Good for the heaviness in your head. Come."

Is it a Happy Day?

Dhruv doesn't wait for his brother's approval and drags him to the hall, and making sure he sat beside Khushi, he made his way towards Kitchen ignoring the calls from the gang. Khushi, on the other hand, got busy introducing Arnav to James who had no luck talking to him let alone bidding him a hi. 

To be continued..,

Let me know what you think about the update. 

Akash and Dhruv are non-identical twins! 

P.S. I was diagnosed with Blood Infection almost three weeks ago and sometimes, its symptoms are not giving me the energy to write! My typing speed had reduced drastically. Spare me for giving updates late. 

Regards,

polymath_land

17/01/2023