Aaina was sitting outside the hospital in Ansh's car, happily playing ludo on her phone while Ansh fidgeted beside her like they were waiting for some world-shattering event. Well, that world-shattering event was the DNA result test. Ansh has reached Delhi two days before for some ad shoots and stuff. Well, that was the official ruse. They had done the test as soon as possible and now they had come to collect the results and Anya being so calm was irritating Ansh to the zenith.

"How can you be so calm?" Ansh couldn't help but question her looking totally disgruntled.

Aaina shot him a rude look. She was waiting for him to get his frazzled nerves together for the last thousand or so minutes and this guy has been brooding and muttering like a maniac for the whole ride to the hospital. She had all but given up on him and the moment she started playing ludo to calm her frazzled nerves. 

This guy goes exclaiming loudly startling her so much that she clicked the wrong token. God, it's not fair. She never had much luck in Ludo and she really didn't want to lose this game. But do dear Ansh care about that, no, absolutely not? She is going to murder him brother or no, brother. She is going to murder him if her token gets trodden and walks back to the pavilion. Did he have any freaking idea how hard it is to get the dice to cooperate and get a six? It's not like the dice loves her and listens to the number she wants if it did she wouldn't have been getting just one from the last few minutes or so.

She didn't bother with replying to Ansh. He can go get a panic attack for all she cared for now. She is mad. She deserves to be mad. The past few days hadn't been all warm and sunshiny for her. First, the intel that they know she is alive, second the whole Sisira case and the press conference and media going gaga over the face behind the veil thingy. 

How the hell her beauty is significant to what she does? And her prior decision to not show her face was because she looked really hideous? God, they were being totally ridiculous. Is everything about beauty? If a girl doesn't want to show her face does it mean she is ugly or something?

She doesn't have enough words to say to these peoples. When the question was asked to her in a laughing tone, quite like this "Mam, few people speculated that you had suffered a gruesome injury and such and that's why you always covered your face. Is there any truth to these rumors?"

At that moment, she had felt like throwing her mike at that guy but instead, she replied with a smile querying "does it really seems so"

She had laughed it off along with various questions about Viaan and her. She didn't know whether they got the straight point of steering clear and away from Sisira or not. But their insensitive, prying questions trying to find dirt where there was nothing. Grudgingly increased her respect for Viaan, Ansh, and all dealing with them regularly. She also decided that she won't really mind if Viaan behaves downright rude while answering their questions next time. 

And he can tell them whatever he likes to about their relationship and how it bloomed?

"Are you even listening to me, INAAAA" Ansh screamed right in her ear making her wince and jump a few inches in her seat. God, is this guy trying to make her deaf.

She just nodded her head rubbing her ears. Sure, he was freaking out while she was lost.

"I can't believe it. I might be related to the Oberoi's and that to not even distantly but directly. I might have been the heir of that family too. Can you believe it? I think I'm going to get sick. Why are we doing this again? And why aren't you freaking out? How can you be an ice-block in such situations?" Ansh all but demanded from her being his insufferable self again.

And all she really wanted to do was stuff something in his mouth. So he keeps shut and drag him to the doctor so that they can welly and truly get over all of this. But sadly, she forgot to keep duct tape in her car and she understands where he is coming from. She really does.

She means suddenly knowing that you might belong to the family that had hurt your family many times. Slut-shamed your mother and didn't leave any stone unturned to hurt and demean her. The mother you loved more than your life. The family you grew up hating for everything it did to your mother and didn't help her when she needed most. The family that gave up on old ties and broke every tie with his mother's family when they were down. You grew up hating that family for turning their back on your loving family and suddenly out of now where comes and tells you; "oh! By the way, you're actually the child of your family's arch-enemy. Yeah, the same family you hated all your life besides some chosen members and you're not the son of one of the more likable people."

Yeah, just imagine what kind of reaction any person will give in such a situation?

Ansh's freaking out was valid. She understood it but it was just being too much for her right now. A week hearing the same rants had been just too much even for her and she is sure, she'll murder Ansh if it goes on for a little longer. But taking a calming breath, she decided to reassure and calm for one last time before she drags him to get the results. It'll be best for both of their frazzled nerves.

"Because it can be only positive or negative, it won't change anything. Just a closure for both of us remember," Aaina reassured reminding him again it was just for them. No one will know that they are siblings, not even Viaan and Panchi. This is for them to rest their demons. This is to put all those mean, scornful voices in their brain making up ridiculous scenarios and stories, flaring their imaginations wild to rest. This is for their own mental peace and healing.

Ansh will know a part of his past and realize it didn't matter. It will never define who he is? For he is his own entity and if this was public knowledge people surely would have compared him with SSO and all. But right now, he can be himself. He can be whatever he wants too. He can be like Reyaan and no one will even blink for it will be natural. Reyaan is Ansh's father for the public and it will remain so. 

For her, she'll put a part of her past to rest forever. A part she could never withstand without shuddering in pain or breaking down. It was her turning point. Her breaking point. The point she lost her mother forever. The point that made her guilt, the point that made her own mind accepting the fact that she was the culprit. She was a murderer. She was guilty. She was worthless. She was at blame.

This will help her rewrite all those feelings. She will be able to finally fight herself. She'll get the real closure.

Yes or no, she'll have her closure whether it would be accepting all those blue feelings or rewriting them. Only time and the result will tell.

 If this all turns up to be just false hope, she knows what to do then too. She'll go on like before with the guilt and ghost of pasts. She'll continue living for she has enough reasons to do so now. Reasons who seemed to pipe in her mind when she seemed to be at the brim of giving up when the feelings of cold and unworthiness become too much. They'll be there like the pieces taking place of her broken and lost pieces. The pieces completing her.

"You don't know how important you're to me, Aaina. You're the reason of my smile, the source of my strength, the reason I didn't give up. I don't think I could keep going without the knowledge of you beside me," Viaan's words will always be there as a constant reminder of people who needed her, who depended on her.

"You're my only family left, Ina. I can't lose you too. Be safe for me, always." Ranvi holding onto her crying against his mother's grave showing rare vulnerability and tears. 

"Oye, Ina...we are bonded for life. You won't ever get rid of us," Savvy and Ro acting like proud parents, cheering for her and celebrating her first case and it's win like total loons. 

They were moments, millions of such moments, and little things giving her hope and the energy to go on. The power to let go of grudges and continue loving. Reasons to hold on and appreciate life. She'll be fine if it turns out to be a ridiculous sappy hope-filled decision without any fruit, moping for few days but they guys will make it all fine in the long run.

She'll have the people important to her with her and no piece of paper can change that glancing at Ansh, she finds him coming to a similar conclusion if his set jaw and determined looks are any tell-tale signs. Happy, she decided to go for the final push.

"Are you scared of being my brother, Anshuuuuu??" She dragged his name totally femininely knowing he hated it. He wasn't a girl, it's a girly name-he will whine for hours.

"Terrified," he deadpanned rolling his eyes at her and she couldn't quite help the smile that stretched on her face.

"Let's go," He said determined but the effect was kind of ruined by his huff at her.

"Don't forget the teddy" She reminded him getting out of the car and whatever was Ansh's reply it got muffled behind the enormous white snowy bear looking like teddy bear he was hauling. He was totally hidden behind it. she couldn't help but tease him a little. 

"Make sure your face is well hidden Anshu baby," She said seriously even when Ansh was all but totally hidden under the teddy except his hands nothing was visible.

"Why didn't you stuff me in one of those mickey mouse or Donald duck dummy uniform or something? problem solved" Ansh questioned her back snappily and Aaina couldn't help but grin. He shouldn't have said this, not at all. Now, she couldn't get that image out of her mind neither the impulse to tease him. It wasn't just possible. She never could leave chances like this to tease him.

"Great idea, let's do it next time," She said brightly

"Next time!!!" Ansh squeaked seemingly terrified of what she might do?

Aaina couldn't help but cackle at that sound. Gosh, it's so easy riling him up.

"Geez, I hate you woman," Ansh mumbled darkly

"Same here, baby brother" Aaina teased merrily

"Not your baby brother,"

"Of course, you're Anshu babyyyy"

"I hate you"

"So mature,"

"Didn't hear ya" He yelled whenever she tried to say something as both of them entered the hospital from the back door. The security didn't even stop her or check the hidden Ansh with the giant teddy. Perks of being Aaina Randhawa, the Prime minister's would-be daughter-in-law.

"Oye, Anshu you didn't think about the most important question yet." She called after him when he continued ignoring her teasing.

"What?" He asked grumpily

"On whose side you'll be in Vi and my wedding?" 

"What made you think I'll attend the wedding in the first place?" Ansh snorted

"If you missed my wedding na Mr. Shivaansh Reyaan Kundra. I'll tie you upside down from the fan and then switch it on." Anya threatened him conversationally.

"Really, like that time when you placed a frog on my face while I was sleeping?" Ansh questioned her back still shuddering remembering that incident.

"You put purple die in my shampoo. My hair was purple on my farewell party," Aaina stretched the importance of the matter, and if Ansh's face wasn't hidden behind the teddy. They would have been having a heated glare match right now on the prospect of which prank was acceptable and why?

But sadly, it was quite hard with Ansh being hidden behind a teddy. You can't glare at a fluffy cute looking teddy with enough hate, not at all. 

"And if you really need to know then I'll be on my Vi baby's side," Ansh said offhandedly after a few minutes of silent walking

"He is my Vi baby,"

"Naah, he was my first," Ansh protested

"No, Nah, Nah not happening," 

Aaina and Ansh bickered back and forth to the lab for the sake of bickering only and to not let the anxiety get better of them. The bickering was a productive work according to them and the right thing to waste their energies on. Ansh waited outside as Aaina collected the results and came back to him.

"So what?" He asked her anxiously 

"Well, I always knew there was a legitimate reason I hated you so much. You're my brother. It's my right to tease and trouble you,"

"Geez, Marvelous. So, I'm your brother." Ansh looked like he has just swallowed a ton of lemons.

"Yups, all the rights of troubling you got reserved be me," Aaina grinned

"Why do I feel so privileged hearing this?" Ansh asked all sarcastically

"You should," Aaina beamed and Ansh exhaled softly letting his lips stretch in a smile.

Aaina's words ringing true in his mind. Just a closure. Nothing changed. They'll still bicker, prank and fight like frenemies goal. They are still the same just aware of a forgotten past and who they were supposed to be, now. They didn't need to be that person, just know.

"So, let's go and meet my baby niece. My hands are kind of paining holding this obnoxious teddy, now" Ansh said letting Aaina know she succeeded. He was fine and feeling lighter than before. His heart wasn't about to burst anytime soon.

"Why do you even go to the gym?" Aaina ridiculed him again.

Ansh sighed. Here, they begin again.

They were in the lift going to the top floor where Sisira's ward was situated, secure and isolated with guards. Only, allowing the people approved on the visitor's list. 

"Why do these things happen Ina? Why isn't there a superhero intervening? Saving people, especially children. Why do bad things happen? Why?" Ansh couldn't help but question Aaina. Why was their suffering?

"Maybe because the asur we read about never were truly bygones. They stayed. They were people letting their evil side rule and hence lost the right of being called human. Just like these people now, they let their evils win. They kill their own soul first and then ravages on other's souls. Not caring about the other's pain and yet, when tables turn, when they're the one at the path of demise. They are like snakes. Dangerous even after death. The poison still intact. Their venom flowing through veins of other enchanted by their lifestyles. Power, luxury, and fear. The cycle never ends. The fight between what's right and what's easy continues," Aaina said somberly.

"What do you mean by the fight between what's right and what's easy?" Ansh questioned her taken by her words and how greatly she felt about them.

"Well, maybe an example from the side I'm connected to might help. When a new young officer is posted in a new station which is known for its corruption. He has two choices do the right thing or the easy thing. The right thing would be upheld his vows and protect the people. Bring justice and do his duty. But the easy thing will go with the flow. Do what his predecessors did, take money, turn blind eye to the powerful crime lords. Shake hands with them and have a safe and secure stay at the station with no risk at him and his family. Most of the people around us take the easy path. They give in, think about their family, their life, and forgo their morals. And all these easy choices lead to cases like Sisira and you. IF every people out there would have been doing their duties rightly. If they were true to themselves then the criminals would have been afraid. They would have been scared for the majority would have been right. Alas, it's the opposite, WE are not honest to ourselves neither dedicated to our work," Aaina finished and then blushed ever so slightly realizing she ranted.

"Sorry, I got carried away" She apologized coloring

"It's fine. I asked and I wouldn't have listened if I didn't want too though You seem rather attached with officers and all," Ansh teased trying to disperse the sudden seriousness around them.

"Well considering all my friends are from this field. Yeah, I'm." 

"Police, Intelligence, Army, and law. Dosti or dushmani dono bhari prti hai, huh" Ansh chuckled

"Absolutely, There's a price to be paid for both," Aaina admitted. 

"Aren't you afraid Ina? Your cover is blown. Everyone knows who and where you are? Tej..." Ansh didn't complete his statement looking at Aaina's smile.

"People don't generally attack the predator on top of the food chain directly, Ansh. Being Aaina Randhawa is my biggest shield. I've contacts and power and they generally have to think a lot before going after someone like me. Things like this don't get lost in wind. A common girl murder will be in news for about a second maybe it'll be easy to bury and forget. People won't pay attention. Big names, Big Trp, and more the mention. And let's not forget the Z++ security being part of the PM's family," Aaina winked at the end, ending the matter on a light note.

She was aware of the seriousness of the whole thing. No need to drag innocent people in it. IT's her war and she'll finish it and finish it with blood. A price needs to be paid for all the blood loss before. For her young alive aunt Natasha and brave Shekhar uncle the people who lost their lives defending her. The people who were slaughtered in front of her. Her Ranveer Uncle who died bravely defending his pregnant wife her Priyanka Auntie and for her Ranvii whose mother was snatched away from him at birth. Her Ranvi who never got to know his parents' love. Ranvi whose whole life has been dedicated to vengeance and revenge.

A price needs to be paid for it all and she can't let her family know what kind of monster she becomes in the dark. 

"We are here. Let's go. Anshu, let me enter first. Even though she has been interacting with the boys on the video call. I don't know how she'll react to male presence. So lemme go and warn her first,"

Ansh nodded at her and stood with the guards at the door. Handing the teddy to one of them as he chatted with them. Well, actually complained to them about Aaina. Rolling her eyes at Ansh, She entered the ward. Sisira brightened up like a lightning bulb watching her and Aaina felt the remaining of dark feelings evaporate from her being. She greeted the girl happily and asked if Ansh's entry is allowed in little Sisira's kingdom quite dramatically.

God, all the overdramatic people in her life have been rubbing on her.

Getting the little girl's thoughtful permission. Ansh was invited (bellowed) inside the room with the giant teddy which was given to Sisira.

"Poonam auntie said you had nightmares. So, here we brought you Mr. Snowy your loyal-royal knight he'll protect you and drive those scary nightmares away when we aren't here,"

"Yups, until the mean doc lady allows you to come home with us," Ansh said beamingly while making a face at mean doc lady.

"Ansh if you're scared of docs doesn't mean everyone is," Aaina retorted sweetly

"I'm not scared of docs," Ansh spoke indignantly

"Yeah, it's an injection you're really afraid of,"

"And people are afraid of you," Ansh rebuked

"They're not, I'm not scary am I, Ira," Aaina asked Ira with a pout and Ira nodded in negative wrapping her both arms around Aaina's hand in an "I support you," gesture.

"See, I'm a fluff ball," Aaina goaded

"You're mistaken that's Ranvii, you're a chudail" Ansh declared

"And that fluff ball can kill you with a spoon in more than hundred ways," Aaina grumbled 

"Still you're a chudail," Ansh decided childishly

"You big baby," Aaina accused taking a cushion pillow to hit Ansh.

Ansh yelped and hid behind baby Sisira begging "Save me, my little hero" using Sisira as a human shield every time Aaina tried to hit Ansh and to Sisira's credit, she didn't move away from Ansh neither did she broke into a panic attack. She seemed to be liking this banter between the grown-ups.

"Gotcha," Aaina announced victoriously as she hit Ansh on the head stretching over Sisira.

"OUCH" Ansh rubbed his head making a comical expression, Aaina laughed and soon startling both of them Sisira's small giggles echoed in the room. 

For the first time, since she had been brought to the hospital any volunteered sound escaped the girl's lips and Aaina decided it was the sweetest form of melody. There wasn't anything more happiness-inducing than a child's giggles. It can make the darkest of days seem light. 

And as Aaina and Ansh shared a triumph look over the still giggling baby.

Aaina knew what were her priorities in life.

~to be continued~

Hello, everyone here is the next chapter.

A happy, light chapter between all the gloomy stuff. 

What do you think of the Aaina and Ansh bond?

Don't forget to vote and comment.

And we will meet Viaan and the gang in the next chapter.