5 years later 

Currently I was talking to my baby sister on a video call. Even though I wasn't there for her, I was glad that finally she gave me some good news that my ears were desperate to hear. 

“So when will you come back?” 

“I dunno chutki. I'll have to get done with my work before I can ask for a lea-” 

“Don't you dare to give me your lame excuses! It's your sister's marriage. Please come back as soon as you can.” 

She was giving me her puppy eyes. I had it in me to ignore such cutesy eyes but if I ignored them this time, she would do something impulsive and regret it later on. After all, she was my sister. Also, this event was very special to her. 

“Okay, I'll be there within a week.” 

Her eyes shone with excitement. 

“Really?!! Thank you so much bhai. I love you so much!!!” 

I laughed at her excitement. We talked a bit more about her past relationship, mom and dad, and some other responsibilities when eventually I hung up. 

Standing on my rental apartment's corridor, I took out a cigarette as I slid my phone into the pocket. I lit up the cigarette and went down the memory lane. 

I hated that house. The house in which I was the third sibling. The only person who was worth being adored was my little sister and was finally ready to get married. After the incident 5 years ago, I made the decision to leave that house for good in blind rage. But I have visited my parents a few times— 3 times to be exact. 

The auspicious event would be organised 2 months from now. I could go back a week ago when her marriage would take place but I knew my family very well. They would turn the happy moment into a great tragedy. I had two older brothers but they were unreliable. I'd have to look after all the preparations with dad. So without any ado, I called my boss to discuss my payment and leave. 

________

“Bhaiyaaaaaaa!” 
(Elder brother)

A demon looking girl came running to me and jumped on me. Thank God, she was as light as a feather, otherwise my ass would have been kissing the floor right now. 

“How are you, my chutki?” I hugged her back and twirled her around. I put her down when mom and dad came out. I bowed down and touched their feet. 

“Accha kiya ki bataye samay se pehle vapas aa gye,” Dad genuinely looked happy though there was no smile or grin on his tanned face. 
(It's good that you came back earlier than you said.)

Mom told me to freshen up and helped me get my bags inside the house. I saw my eldest brother in the hall with her 1 and half year old daughter. When our eyes met, we nodded our heads acknowledging each other's presence. 

I went to my room which apparently became my second brother's room as well after I left. The room was organised which meant he still wasn't back. As I plopped down on the bed, all the tiredness came rushing in my body and I started to feel pain everywhere. I planned on taking a bath first but screw it. Sleeping was more important. After all, I had to travel for almost two days straight since I am not rich enough to take the flying vehicle. 

It was already night time when I woke up. The kitchen was right beside my room. I could smell the aroma of freshly cooked rotis and sabji. My tummy started to growl which reminded me of the fact that I hadn't eaten anything since I sat on the train last night. And the journey took 6 hours for your information. I went to the bathroom which was right across from my room outside the hall. After cleaning up myself, I went to the kitchen. 

Chutki was serving food on plates, with her there was my niece, my mother and…. That girl. To see her after a long time, in real life, face to face made me light headed. I didn't expect her to be here!

She was smiling at me, I responded with a smile as well. 

“When did you get here, Abhay bhaiya?” 

Fuck that last word!! 

"Don't call him that, Anu beta. He can be much more than being your bhaiya." My mother giggled outside the kitchen.

“Today.” I replied, concealing my hatred for that word and religiously ignoring my mother's comment. 

She hummed. Oh God, her humming is such a sweet tune. What a bummer that it lasted for only 2 seconds. 

“Aren't you gonna eat?” I asked that girl when in reality I should be eating her- 

WAIT WHAT?!!!!

“Nope. I already ate.” She said oh so sweetly. Why was I being a simp in my head??? 

“Chutki, didn't you serve dinner for me?"

“Well, I tried to wake you up but it was no use so…” Chutki smiled sheepishly. 

“It's ok,” I moved to get my own plate and started serving myself. I took 4 rotis and sat across from her. She was busy playing with my niece. I cleared my throat and took out one roti from my plate. 

“Anu,” She looked at me. “Here.” 

I tried giving her the roti but she kept rejecting it. And with each rejection, she kept calling me bhaiya. Very well, if she wanted to play like that….

“Won't you obey your bhaiya's command?” She paused after that. 

She looked dead in my eyes and said no as if she was challenging me. Putting down the roti, I stood up from my place, went to her and started tickling her. The sound of her laughter filled the room; my niece enjoying the sweet torture I was giving her. 

She was pleading to me but I had no intentions to stop. She looked way too good under me, pleading to me. The evil laughter echoing in my head. Don’t take it seriously though. 

“ALRIGHT, I'LL DO AS YOU SAY!!!” 

That's when I stopped. She was breathing heavily, trying to catch her breath. She looked at me angrily (in an amusing way) and kicked me several times. But at the end, she sat beside me and ate the roti I gave her. 

This was just the beginning of her being obedient to me. 

And I giggled at that thought.