—

"Natasha! Dekh abhi bhul jaati na tu, aur fir pure raste chid chid karti!" Ishaan said as he sat at the backseat of the car. His hands had his sister's Air Pods when Natasha grabbed it quickly. 

(Natasha! Look, you're forgetting again, and then you'll be bothering me the whole way!)

"Kitni thankless hai na vaise tu? Main tere liye Air Pods laya, and still you didn't say thank you bhaiya!" Ishaan spoke, making a pout.

(You're such a thankless being! I took you these Air Pods and you even didn't thank me!)

Natasha slightly chuckled at his antics, as she remembered all those years he didn't budged to make a call to them. He didn't even check back home. Why is he being so soft? Her eyes narrowed when she busied herself with things.

Others were also looking at Ishaan with the same sight, the sight on questioning, if he was this fine with everything so why'd he ghosted himself from the family? Was it something deeper than they thought it to be?

ISHAAN SHOOK OFF HIS THOUGHTS, SIMPLY REGESTERING ONE THING IN HIS MIND| SECRETS ARE NEVER MEANT TO BE REVEALED, "NEVER"

He tried to act cool, his nervousness being at the peak. Ishaan's attempted nonchalance faltered as he fidgeted with his phone. Viraj's gaze lingered on him, sensing something amiss.

"Ishaan, what happened bacha? Are you okay?" Viraj asked, when all the siblings gazed at him.

"Haan bhai! Vo actually I wanted some coffee!" He spoke, trying to reduce the palpable tension of the environment. "It's all okay!"

_

"I think we should stop now! It's long since we've been driving!" Abhimanyu spoke when Viraj interrupted.

"What? Why? Let's reach village, uske baad so jaana apne apne kamro mein!" Viraj interrupted when Abhimanyu frowned at him.

("What? Why? Let's reach the village, and then we'll go to our respective rooms to sleep!")

"Bhaiya, village is still at the distance of 3 hours! I want to stop" Natasha agreed with Abhimanyu's statement.

"Haan, pata nahi vaha itni jaldi jaake karna bhi kya hai, let's stay here for sometime!" Abhimanyu said

(I don't get what will you do even if we get on time there!)

"Ladki ka chakkar hai babu bhaiya, ladki ka chakkar!" Ishaan spoke mischievously when Viraj looked here and there.

(It's a matter of a girl!)

"Is this a way to speak to your elder brother?" Viraj said angrily, when the siblings started searching for a place to stop at.

As they searched, they found a family restaurant nearby. The siblings stretched themselves up as they went outside, the siblings found a cozy corner as all of them sat down.

"I'll order pav bhaji" Viraj said as he looked at the menu when Abhimanyu and Adhivik added at the same time "I'll have sambhar rice"

The twins looked away, sighing while the other siblings chuckles at them.

"Kitne bhi bade ho jaye, pata nahi choices kab alag hongi humari" Abhimanyu said as he looked away.

(No matter how much we grow up, our choices remain alike!)

"Acha hai na!" Adhivik said as he looked at him.

(It's good only!)

"Not for me" Abhimanyu said.

-

As they ordered, Ishaan excused himself to take a call. His eyes scanned the surrounding, ensuring no one was listening.

"Haan, main samajh gaya," Ishaan said into the phone, his voice hushed. (Yes, I understand)

Viraj noticed Ishaan's sudden departure and watched him from afar, curiosity piqued.

Natasha, oblivious to the tension, engaged in a lively conversation with Adhivik and Abhimanyu.

"Kya baat hai, bhaiya? Aapko lagta hai Ishaan ko kuch hai?" Natasha asked, her brow furrowed.

(What's going on? Do you think Ishaan has something on his mind?)

Abhimanyu shrugged. "Pata nahi, par vo thoda strange behave kar raha hai."

(I don't know, but he's behaving strangely)

Adhivik nodded in agreement. "Haan mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai, kuch chupa raha hai Ishaan"

Ishaan returned, his expression composed.

"Kya hua?" Viraj asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Kuch nahi," Ishaan replied, forcing a smile.

The siblings exchanged skeptical glances.

As they finished their meal and prepared to leave, Natasha approached Ishaan.

"Ishaan, kuch hai kya?" Natasha asked softly.

Ishaan's mask slipped for a moment, revealing a flicker of unease.

"Kuch nahi, Natasha," Ishaan whispered, his eyes darting around.

Natasha's gaze lingered, sensing the unspoken truth.

The family departed, their questions and concerns lingering like the evening mist.

As they drove away, Natasha's thoughts lingered on Ishaan's evasive behavior.

"Natasha, kya hai?" Abhimanyu asked softly, noticing her concern.

"Kuch nahi," Natasha replied, her eyes fixed on Ishaan.

Abhimanyu's gaze followed hers.

Ishaan's unease grew, sensing their scrutiny.

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the hum of the engine.

Suddenly, Ishaan's phone buzzed.

He hesitated before answering.

"Haan?" Ishaan said, his voice low.

The conversation was brief, but Ishaan's expression darkened.

"Kya hua?" Viraj asked, his brow furrowed.

"Kuch nahi," Ishaan repeated, his voice strained.

Natasha's eyes narrowed.

She knew Ishaan was hiding something.

The village loomed ahead, its lights twinkling like stars.

As they entered, the air thickened with unspoken secrets.

Tbc!