Hello everyone! First off, I'm so much overwhelmed by the response and love you all gave to this story despite my long absence. My gratitude to Dharshaini_tAisha_Oberoi26 Abhidhi16iGargiSharma104891 prakruthi695 silentwhispers68 Shefalikapoor77 nidhi7636 _Heights_  MahinQuadri and AninditaRoy5
Truly, thank you all...😢❤❤ Second, I know we all are missing Hardik in this story ☹ But, guess what, THE HERO MUST BE BACK 🤔🤗 It's a relatively shorter chapter but I hope you'll like it...

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After all the drama, finally Eshaanvi and Rahul were at the door to Rahul's flat. Eshaanvi tried to twist the knob to unlock the door but Rahul stopped her.

'No. First, close your eyes.' Rahul said to his confused sister.

'Rahul! This is so childish!' she chuckled at her brother.

'Esh, please! I know how much I hurt you and I want to make it up.' Rahul said, hoping everything inside was as per the plan.

'Okay fine!' Esh sighed as her brother twisted the knob of the unlocked door and caught hold of the hands that were still like a baby's tender hands to him.

'Walk with me, little one..' he said with a smile, excitement throbbing his heart.

Eshaanvi smiled being lead inside by her brother. There was an amazing floral smell all over the place and things seemed quite different and dark. One moment, she wanted to open the eyes but then, she didn't want to ruin Rahul's surprise.

'Stop..' Rahul finally signalled as his steps halted at the living room.

'Now, my baby sister may finally open her eyes.' he insisted. Eshaanvi opened her eyes slowly and her jaw hung immediately.

It was a full neon setting with a big white screen in front of her eyes which read THANKS FOR BEING THE BEST BABY SISTER IN THIS WORLD in neon fonts. There was a sudden change as the neon changed to dark and she saw a picture of her as a 8 month old picked up by a little Rahul.

YOU WERE A LITTLE HEAVY FOR ME BUT I MADE SURE YOUR FEET NEVER HIT THE GROUND...the quote read.

'Oh my God Rahul!' Esh exclaimed holding her brother's hand. Rahul smiled.

Then, another picture appeared and it was the day of Eshaanvi's first school. Rahul was tying her hairs into a pony tail while Bhavna laughed beside them.

BHAVU HAD A BET WITH ME THAT I CAN NEVER TIE YOUR HAIR PROPERLY. WHAT DO YOU THINK?..the quote read.

^^^^^^^^^

I was so overwhelmed by this that I could actually feel my emotions gathering within. 'Of course, you are the best hair stylist I can ever have.' I said leaning my head on my brother's shoulder.

There was another after Rahul's debut in the first class cricket. I was trying to fit into his helmet, which was too big for an eleven years old. Rahul was laughing with Dad beside him. Then there was a picture from my eighteenth birthday. Rahul and Bhavna were smearing the cake on my face. The next picture was me hugging Rahul the first time he got to wear the Indian Jersey. There was a picture of us cross-dressing after my graduation. Rahul wore my graduation outfit holding my certificate while, I flaunted the Indian Jersey with a helmet, pads and a bat. I giggled at it. It seemed just like yesterday. The last photo was me, Rahul and Bhavna laying at the lap of mom, all of is being adults. Dad took the pic, telling us how weird this might look. But, right now, this photo and the memories just made me want to hug all four of them together.

I felt Rahul's hand wiping my eyes. I didn't even realize when I started crying.

AND I'M SURE JUST LIKE BEFORE, YOU WOULD JUMP OFF YOUR FEET WHEN I SHOW YOU THE GIFT I GOT FOR YOU...the quote read.

I looked at Rahul confused. 'You didn't have to, Anna..' I whispered through my emotions.

'...but I had to compensate for my ignorance towards you since the day you arrived in Mumbai.' Rahul kissed my head. I smile as there was a sudden sound of the drums rolling and it read HOPE YOU'LL LIKE IT...and suddenly the lights flickered and a strange semi-blurr moving image occurred seemed to occur in of my eyes, partially making my eyes bulge out of the sockets.

'My gift!' I exclaimed recognizing the jerk immediately.

'Oh Shit!' I heard a sudden scream from my room and the picture was gone and the lights were back.

'What's going on?' I asked looking at Rahul who was muttering something to himself.

'Harry!' Rahul shouted now.

Ugh!

In a moment, the jerk ran here. 'Sorry bro...I don't know how the angle of the projector titled towards me at the last moment..!' Hardik tried to convince Rahul.

'But, how? Harry, I warned you that there shouldn't be any problem in the projector..!' Rahul was now annoyed.

'I know. It was all aimed towards the gifts. But then, my phone was about to ring and I had look off to. disconnected the call and boom...' Hardik explained.

And I had no freaking clue what the two were talking about. I sat down at the sofa, shaking my head.

This is called, all's bad that ends bad!

'But, come on! You can still surprise her my taking her to the room!' Hardik suggested.

Oh! It's still a surprise, eh?

'No thanks!' I stopped them. 'Whatever gift you have, let it be in my room.' I yawned in boredom. 'I'll look at it myself.'

'I already saw what you showed me as a gift.' I glared at Rahul, standing up. 'Move.' I softly pushed Pandya, who was in my path and starting walking off to my room, craving for a nap.

'Did she just push me for no reason? Come on dude, your sister...'

'Not now Harry, we've just patched up after a fight..'

'But...'

I ignored the conversation and closed the door, reaching my room. As I looked at my bed, my eyes were awe-struck seeing the wrapped boxes on my bed.

Were these the ones Rahul meant to show on the screen instead of Hardik's creepy face?

I saw the projector on the table and Rahul's laptop, still opened like anything.

I can't believe Rahul vested this responsibility to the most irresponsible guy in this planet.

I smiled as I thought how much Rahul planned in the span if few hours to make it up to me. I can't wait to unwrap the gifts after finishing my shower.

^^^^

I was wonderstruck as I unboxed the gifts, one by one.

Rahul got me so many things, starting from a cute pink teddy bear resembling my first toy to my favorite chocolates. He also knew my taste in books. But, this Valentino handbag was too expensive! He didn't need to buy that! But, most importantly..I was in tears of joy as I saw the ludo board amongst all the gifts. I'm a born ludo-lover. And I always carry my own potable board with me. Somehow, I missed it this time. Thankfully, I had left my old board the last time I came here. It was torn at some places and few tokens were missing as well. I was really sad that I had to satisfying myself with online ludo with strangers. That's no fun.

But, I guess my brother could read my mind like I never thought. I love this so much. I have to go give Rahul a tight hug for this one.

Without wasting a second, I rushed with the ludo board to find my brother.

'Rahul!' I looked for him and realized him and Hardik were having some talk in the kitchen.

These two! Kitchen! Seriously!!

'Anna...Nānu tumbā santōṣavāgiddēne.. I'm so so so happy!' I bear-hugged Rahul from behind.

Rahul smiled. 'Hey! Hey! Ēnāyitu..? What happened? My little sister seem so joyous!' Rahul turned to face me.

'One rare occasion, I tell you.' Hardik said taking a bite of the apple in his hand.

I threw him a death glare. 'Can I please talk to my brother in peace?' I said in annoyance.

Hardik folded his hands with a clap. 'As you wish, tweety..' he said excusing himself from the counter-area but went a few feet away to the filter with a bottle in his hand.

Ugh! Let's ignore him like he's invisible.

'Now, tell me..did my sister like the gifts?' Rahul asked ruffling my hair.

I smiled shyly. ' I loved them. But....you didn't have to buy that hand bag, you know.' I said looking down. 'It seems too expensive!'

Rahul smiled, pinching my cheeks and making me look up at him. 'I know. But, the value of this bag is nothing as compared to my sister.' he said. I hugged him childishly.

'...love you, Anna ..for everything and most of all, I  can't thank you enough for the ludo board. You know, even though it might have cost the least, by this one went closest to my heart. Thank you so much..' I said expressing my emotions.

'Uhh..Ludo board...? Esh, I don't und..'

'Rahul, did you tell her to remain sober in front of Krunal and his wife when they arrive?' Hardik's loud-mouth broke the lovely sibling moment.

I frowned looking at Hardik. Yeah, he did tell me something like that in the morning. But, what does he mean by staying sober?

'Excuse me, Hardik!' I glared at him moving forward.

'Gosh! Esh...relax!' Rahul pulled me back. 'And Harry...please man, she's already had a bad day!' he pleaded to the shameless guy staying at our place and now shamelessly inviting his family like it's his own house. Why can't he actually stay at their place?

'Okay man...I got it. No issues.' Hardik raised up his hands dramatically to surrender. 'Now, look if the chickpeas are boiled enough. We don't have much time!'

'Chickpeas!' I turned to face Rahul. 'What's going on, Rahul?'

'Uh..' Rahul hesitated a little, 'Actually, Krunal and Pankhuri are coming to visit us and me and you know, Krunal always taunts us on how the two of us are far away from a domestic life and down the 'K' of kitchen. So, we decided to surprise them with our home-made food.' he said.

My eyes widened. So, that's what these two were doing in the kitchen.

I looked at the microwave where they had the chickpeas boiling.

'How long have these been in?' I asked.

'Half an hour, may be.' Hardik shrugged. 'Those must be done by now.'

'No. Those must have been done at least ten minutes ago.' I corrected. 'Who knows how you set the mode and temperature?' I said adjusting the wave and opening the door only to see a bowl filled with dry chickpeas, about to get roasted if placed for long.

'And what were you two intending to make?' I asked the two master chefs.

"Chhole Masala.." the two said at the same time, making me want to smash their faces on the microwave.

'And don't you know that you have to soak the peas overnight and add water and salt with it at least before getting that into the woven?' I was getting angry now. 'Haven't you seen mom doing it?' I asked Rahul, who looked down awkwardly.

'Come on! Moms make it and we love it.  We never thought we would need to learn that. That's for the girls....' Hardik said and immediately regretted as he saw me walking at him with gritted teeth and vegetable knife in my hand.

'Woah! Tweety bird, I didn't mean that.' he backed his steps.

'Bloody male chauvinist! You misogynistic a-hole?' I played with the knife walking to him.

Yes, I have the plans today.

'Eshaanvi, that's really sharp. I apologize. I agree, I suck at various things including cooking.' he said fearfully. 'Rahul, control your crazy sister, man..woaaahhh...'

I couldn't take it anymore. 'You little pig....!' I took the knife to stab him but Rahul caught me from behind.

'Esh, control your anger. You know how Harry is. He doesn't know when to say what. Leave him.' he said holding my hands tight as I threw a death glare to Hardik, who now moved his palm-shield off his face.

I threw the knife off. 'Fine. Last chance.' I said breathing hard.

I saw Hardik sighing in relief. 'Can't believe the vegetarian butcher spared me..' he muttered shamelessly checking on his face just to annoy me.

'Harry, please...for god sake..' Rahul said in an equally annoyed tone. 'We don't have much time to waste. If you two continue...'

'Leave.' I said in a straight nonchalant voice.

"Huh"?' both the boys looked at me surprised.

'Both of you..leave.' I showed them the way out.

'But, Esh, we...' Rahul tried to explain but I cut him off.

'I saw what you tried and I'm glad the kitchen isn't on fire, already. Now, let me handle the rest. Leave.' I said knowing the better.

'But, we challenged Krunal that..' the jerk tried to say now but as I looked sharply, he stopped.

'I'll think about something. Leave the kitchen to me and let peace prevail.' I said.

Rahul and Hardik looked at each other confused but then they gave each other some secret-signal and the both nodded.

'Fine. Just call me if you need help.' Rahul said patting my shoulder.

'Yeah, we're just a scream away, tweety..' Hardik said flexing his neck.

My expressions changed and I saw Rahul, immediately get hold of Hardik's arm. 'Let's go now. Esh is an amazing cook. She'll think of something better.' Rahul took the trash can out of the kitchen..

I sighed as they left.

Now, let me think what can I manage in this time...

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