[Do you know what's special on November 14? It's this amazing alien's birthday. Yay!]

Author's POV:-

"Please shut up Arvind. I beg you!"

Aarav pleaded, again shifting his focus back to his book for the nth time, but nothing seems to penetrate in his thick skull. Having a problematic brother has its cons, just like being a college student.

Haha..sucks.

"As if I am going to listen.", he shrugged "Who told you to play video games on your mobile? You should have studied with me. Now suffer sucker! Hehehehe....", Arvind teased, while blasting his favourite K-pop music.

It's mid of August, the country seems to be preparing for the autumn season (even though it's a month away). The afternoon sun was blaring daggers on the passerbys, reminding them that the summer hasn't receded yet. Aarav and Arvind had a day off from their varsity due to the sudden university committee's meeting.

"Hit you with that ddu-du-ddu-du!", Arvind yelled the lyrics of the currently trending K-pop girl group Blackpink, which he became a fan of - clutching the pair of pink flip-flops while imitating the iconic step.

Talk about hard fanboying.

"Aaaaah Arvind! Please! I have to pass the test or that bald man will complain about my low marks to Pa!", Aarav again cried out, hoping for his brother to obey him and leave him in peace.

When it comes to siblings, we should always remember these two things -

1. Regardless of how you beg, they will never obey you

2. Even if they obey you, it always comes with a price.

Research says...

"Give me your mobile.", Arvind asked, while stretching out his palm - his head still bobbing to the music blasting in the background.

"WHAAAT? NO! NEVER!", Aarav immediately grew defensive over the small gadget as if Arvind had asked him for his life - clutching the device tightly over his chest.

"You are acting so suspicious bro. Are you watching something that we little babies shouldn't watch?", Arvind asked, furrowing his eyebrows while moving towards Aarav who in turn was quickly backing away.

"N-no? Nothing like that!" 'What you gonna do
When I come come through with that that uh uh huh~'

"Then give me your phone. Or I will keep blasting the music and you can very well flunk tomorrow's test.",  Arvind stated, his hand still stretched out to get the phone.

The things we have to undergo as elder siblings...

"Fine- here, have it. Don't change any settings and don't dwell too much into my phone. I have privacy too y'know?"

"Yeah yeah, I know. Now study, Dumbo!", Arvind replied while flicking his head, plopping on the bed with a 'thump' - not forgetting to switch off the music.

.

.

.

"Arvind."

"Hmmm?", he replied while playing the game on his phone.

"Arvind...."

"Yeah say! I am not deaf."

"You won't scold me right?", he asked, facing his brother.

"If you are going say that you again stole my snickers bar, then I won't be angry on you sweet bhai. I will freaking kill you.", he replied with a sickening sweet smile.

"No no. I didn't touch those. Actually. This is something else.", he said.

"What? I don't have all day!", he grumbled, placing the phone on the table.

"I- um... I have a girlfriend!", he quickly blurted.

"Oh congratulations- WAIT WHAT?! GIRLFRIEND??????", he yelled, his eyes opening as wide as saucers.

.

"Spill the tea.", he said, crossing his legs over one another.

"I....Her name is Daksha. She....um...I....actually..-"

"Stop stuttering Aarav. I am not going to chop your head.  Now explain clearly."

"I..okay. I will start again. Her name is Daksha. We met at college a month ago. She proposed me. And....well....I accepted it.", he scratched his head " We are dating for a month now... I wanted to tell this for a long time. Sorry for hiding this. And please......... Don't tell this to pa!"

Arvind remained quiet, not a hint of emotions exhibited on his face. He just sat there, assessing Aarav's every move.

"Arvind... Say something...", he asked, shaking him.

"Well......COMGRATULATTIONS BROOOOOOOOO!"

"Wha-", before he could finish his statement, Arvind lunged forward and hugged the hell out of him. Aarav was sure that one of his ribs might be fractured at his brother's sudden attack. But Arvind didn't mind, he smooched a big kiss on Aarav.

"Ewwwww Arvind. Back off."

"Just because you have a girlfriend doesn't mean I can't kiss you eediot. But, I am so happy for you. You've finally grown. I am so proud of my daughtah!", he fake cried, trying to be as dramatic as possible.

"Aww thanks. I actually didn't expect this reaction. I thought you'd be angry or something."

"Why would be angry? I am happy for you. And make sure the girl is the right person okay? If she breaks your heart, I will break her teeth!", he replied to which they both laughed.

"And know what moron?", he grinned - the grin that gave wrong vibes "Since you didn't tell me this, get ready for World War III. HAHAHHAAHAHA!", and that was the cue, for their usual fight.

"Yah! How many times should I tell you to not call me a moron?! You are a buffalo. A big fat buffalo!"

.

.

.

Throwing the pillow with all the strength that was left in his body, Aarav plopped down on the bed - heaving out the biggest breath that he could gather. A short while later, the bed beside him dunked making him known of the presence of his brother.

"You moron.", he whispered "Who told you to beat the hell out of me?" He complained while rolling on his back, groaning when his aching body did a little action.

"Cause I have the right to Dumbo. But you know what?"

"What?"

"I am happy for you. Though I am upset that you got to have a girlfriend first. Now that I have beaten the hell out of you, I am satisfied. Hope this serves as a lesson to not hide things from me.", he giggled.

"You are Satan's descendant. May the Gods from heaven protect this world from you and restore peace. And may the world be reminded of the sacrifice I made! "

"Shut up.", Aarav grumbled "You are overreacting! I didn't even touch you."

"Of course! You didn't even touch me! And all the body ache is because of?", he asked, jolting up from the bed - which he immediately regretted.

"Your sarcasm makes me wanna puke."

"Well, your face makes me wanna puke."

"Your whole existence makes me wanna puke."

"The idea of you puking makes me wanna puke."

Sometimes.....don't mess with your siblings.

~•~•~

"Bhai, can I please turn off the A/c and open the windows? I hate the smell of the car freshener. Pleaseeeeeeeeee!", she begged, her puppy eyes making their appearance.

As the buildings meet the peach-coated sky, the evening came elegantly, as a welcome lull in a fine opera - its dusky gown reminding the citizens of the achievements of the day that warms the soul and fills it with a sense of pride.

Vijay had picked up Artika from the school as it had become their daily routine for the past two weeks. They hadn't grown close as Artika had expected, but instead of giving one-word answers, he had started to give one-sentence answers.

But hey! That's an improvement!

One thing that she had found out about Vijay was that the man was extremely patient and never got ticked off. Not even if he was surrounded by a group of obnoxious people or if he was kept in a room full of snakes - the man was always calm as a sage. Except when he was stuck in traffic.

But...

Today was different. He was different. He seemed extremely closed off today - not that he wasn't closed off the other days. That one cold glare that he had been shooting the windshield is enough to crack it open. He seemed to space out often.

"Bhai....", Artika shook "Can I turn off the A/c????"

"HUh? Uh yeah... Sure. Do what you want.", he said before concentrating on the road.

Silently turning off the buttons, Artika sat obediently in her seat while playing with her bag straps - rolling and unrolling them like she used to do. A fragile pout played on her lips as she had no idea how to initiate a conversation with a stone in the form of a human. Bored out her wits, she decided to look out the window, the scenery which never failed to interest her.

Yeah.....ice cream shops never fail to interest us!

" ICE CREAAAAAAAMMMM!!", she screeched while jutting her head and hands - as if she was ready to jump out of the car if needed. If only you allowed her, she would've taken a jump. That was her sincerity and dedication to ice cream.

"Artika don't put your head out while driving! How many times should I say it?"

"But- the ice cream shop....we passed by it again......", she sulked, crossing her hands over her chest.

"I've been asking for it for a long time...You aren't buying me oneeeee.", she whined. "You so mean!"

"I am not mean. Your mom told me not to buy ice creams. She specifically told me that there is an ice cream shop on the way home and you would ask for one. She doesn't want you to catch a cold."

"'I am not mean~ Your mom told me not buy ice cream-'", she imitated which came out extremely worse "Since when did you start listening to my mom?"

"She told me and I was doing it. I already have to take responsibility for two brats at home. And now you are an addition. I don't want more dramas in my head. Now shut up and sit quietly.", he reprimanded, which only made her sulk more.

"It isn't like it's gonna cost your whole fortune.", she mumbled, still brooding over her lost opportunity. To her, ice cream was heaven, her first love and also her last love.

That's why I say, find someone who looks at you the way Artika looks at her ice cream.

"Sure- and don't pull that stunt again. Or I will myself push you out."

'Eediot!'

.

.

.

"Why are you even wearing a full sleeve? Like- do you wanna look like a gentleman? Puh-lease no! It's humid! And you're having a full-sleeved shirt, at least fold it up to your elbows." Artika chattered, showing her deep dislike for full hand.

"....."

"What happened? Just now you were scolding me. Now cat got your tongue?"

"No one got my tongue. Folding my sleeves or not is none of your concern. Just for heaven's sake don't talk."

"But-"

"Shut up."

"Thank you!"

"This girl....always getting on my nerves."

.

"If you want, I can pull up your sleeves! You are busy driving!", Artika offered to which he declined with a curt 'no'.

"I don't like being touched."

But being the stubborn brat she is, she tried reaching for his cuffs, "At least let me reach it to your forearm-"

"WHAT THE FUC- ARTIKA! I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH ME!", He shouted while suddenly slamming the brakes. The car jerked making them both stumble forward before returning to the same place. She clutched her bag at the sudden shock, horror spreading throughout her body.

"Why don't you listen to me huh? I asked you to do one simple thing, keep quiet. Can't you do that? Why are being such a headache?", flinching at his angry voice, she turned to see his raging face.

"Sorry, bha-"

"Sorry? Your sorry can go to trash- look, I am already having a bad day and you are only making it worse. So just shut your fucking mouth and leave me in peace!"

"But-", she couldn't talk any further as loud honks echoed from behind.

"Shit!", he cursed before starting the engine again, roaring it to life. Pushing the accelerator, he began steering the wheel - to take them to their destination.

Artika wasn't sure how to start a conversation, especially after the reaction Vijay gave. She didn't mean to do that. And she didn't expect such an enormous reaction too. She was being a stubborn brat, but why did he have to react like a chemical?

The speed at which he went made the cold air slap her face. Her chest rose up and down, her eyes almost tearing up at what had happened. Guilt rose up her throat which only made her feel nauseous. Sure, he had scolded her for talking a lot, but this one made her feel bad. Really bad. Rubbing her now red nose she turned to see Vijay - whose sole focus was only on the road.

"Bhai...I am sorry. I won't repeat this again.."

Silence.....

She figured he didn't want to talk about it anymore, so she kept quiet. She let out a deep breath as the memory kept replaying in her head. Clasping her palms together, she silently prayed that his anger would die down.

.

.

.

.

But beneath those angry eyes, she failed to notice the scared child. The boy who was thought to fight. The boy was starved of the love he craved. The attention he wanted. The boy who wished someone noticed what he was going through.....

~•~•~

"What happened to our shipment, Mr Gupta?", the old man asked to which his assistant replied.

"They have reached the coast, yesterday Boss, we received the signal.", while pouring the French wine in the crystal glass.

Swirling the wine in perfect harmony, he took a sip before letting out a deep sigh. The firm texture of wine swept down his mouth, leaving a pleasant feeling behind.

"Where is the lady I asked to meet with?", he questioned after a minute.

"She is waiting outside Boss, should I let her in?"

"Yes please..", he replied. His assistant walked out of the room, the door creating a low thud in the process. A minute later, he came in with a woman who seemed to be in her 20s but her face denied it. She seemed like a teenager, her doe eyes giving off an innocent look. But looks can be deceiving.

The sound of her heels clicking against the granite floor echoed across the room. The coat dangled off her shoulder, giving her the bossy vibes. As she neared the chair, she tossed the coat on the table before taking a seat. Crossing her legs over one another, she spoke, "Hello Sir, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too Reena. Long time no see?"

"Ah yes. The task you sent me on, took me too long. That shithead was so hard to seduce. But this is Reena we are talking about, she never fails!", she boasted, clapping her hands on her knees.

"Yes yes! And that's why you are one of my favourite employees!"

"Thanks, Sir. So? You called me. Anything important?", she asked, immediately switching to a serious posture.

"Yes. I need your help Reena.", the man said while standing up from his seat. Reaching to his cupboard, he pulled out a black folder. Tucking it in his arms he closed the cupboard before taking his seat.

"Here. Read this.", he said, placing the file on the table. "This is your new target - Aarav Malhotra."

"Hmm.......interesting. A target from the Malhotra family?", she smirked while taking the folder. Running her eyes over the page, she switched to the next page - her hands running over the smooth texture of the paper.

"I will do a quick briefing. Aarav Malhotra, 18 years old, is a student of MACs and an aspiring fashion designer. He has a twin - Arvind. And the rest is known. All I want you to do is get close to him, make him fall for you, and get all of his family details."

"He seems like a kid. Such an easy task. You could've at least assigned me to seduce the great Abhimanyu Malhotra or at least Vikram Malhotra. Why this kid??", she whined, throwing the file on the table.

"It isn't easy Reena. You can make him fall for you, but making him open up about his family is going to be very difficult.", he told, placing his hands on the table "They were taught like that. You can never get a single piece of information. That is his bastard father's rule. Also, anything related to the Malhotras is always confidential. That asshole has his hands on everything."

"But...I don't understand one thing. Why do you need information about his family?", she asked, resting her head on the chair.

"Huff...Reena... Reena. There is a saying...even the strongest enemy has a weakness. Deepak Malhotra is a strong opponent, but- he does have a weakness. A loophole to be precise."

"And you are saying that the loophole is Aarav Malhotra?"

"Exactly! I love how you catch onto things soon. Aarav Malhotra is his weakness and our pawn in this game. We have to know what's going on in the Malhotra household before we take any steps.", he explained, leaning his back on the table.

"And won't he tell anyone about being in a relationship?"

"He won't Reena. His father has set conditions for dating. So when he breaks those, do you think he would tell someone about that? He is such a scaredy-cat."

"Oooh I see!", she replied with a sly smile "This is gonna be interesting."

"I have tried many tricks, but everything had been futile. But I am sure this will succeed. Also.....I have a hunch that Deepak Malhotra is hiding something big from this world."

"And how are you concluding that?"

"As I said, it's my hunch. And trust me, my hunch is never wrong.", he smirked.

"Ooooooh confident much! But I won't break it, Sir."

"I know you won't. That's why I have you here.", he replied, before opening a drawer. Taking out some documents, he placed them on the table - pushing them towards Reena's direction. "These are your identification documents. I have enrolled you into Aarav's college with this identity. And you start by next week."

"And what am I this time?", she grinned, excitement bubbling on her insides.

"Your name is Daksha."

~•~•~

Go home, stress eat, take a nap and rethink life's decision was Artika's plan. After what happened in the car, she really wanted to sleep and maybe cry. But here she is, carrying a cup of hot chocolate to the study to meet her 'favourite' brother - with a wide grin plastered on her face.

Her 'favourite' brother? That is none other than Vijay himself. It all took a blackcurrant ice cream and a 'sorry for shouting at you' to change her mind. That's how Vijay was promoted from the 'most stoopid, eediot, stone-hearted, nonsense' brother to the 'most favourite' brother.

The power an ice cream holds...

But before she could even register what had happened and jump on him like a monkey and thank him for the ice cream, he was nowhere in sight. That's why she decided to make a cup of hot chocolate as a way of apologising for what happened and also as a thank you.

'Artika...I told you not to fill it to the brim! And yet you did! How am I gonna carry this? Why did they have a build a castle in the name of house?????', she grumbled in her head - trying to carefully handle the cup.

'I could've at least bought a tray with me.......', she whined.

.

.

.

"The study is very close. Let's get there in time. Woohoooo~", she muttered to herself while giving a first bump in the air.

Just as she was about to knock on the door, she heard muffled voices from behind the door. The voices of people arguing closely could be made out. 'Who would it be?', she thought.

She was now conflicted - whether to open the door or not. If she opens, she could intrude a very serious conversation cause the study was rarely closed and when it was closed, it means either Abhi or Vikram were inside and that they didn't want to be disturbed. If she doesn't open the door, then her hot chocolate would become cold chocolate.

'But my chocolate.......', she pouted like a puppy.

Staring hard at the door, she concluded to just open the door a bit and perhaps eavesdrop on the conversation.

'It isn't like they are talking about country affairs or something'

Nodding to herself, she touched the doorknob with her sweaty palms - her throat suddenly went dry with the idea of what she was going to do.

'Maybe I should just get some water in the kitchen.'

'No Artika! Don't be a chicken.'

With that thought, she noiselessly swivelled the knob and opened the Mahogany door as subtly as possible. We don't wanna get caught, do we? She opened the door to a very small extent where she could clearly see what's going on inside without making herself known. The insiders weren't aware of the little eavesdropper as they were very engrossed in the argument.

"Look Vikram, you can't blame me on everything for heaven's sake! I am done with your shit!", Vijay yelled, his arms flying in the air.

"Don't with my shit? Huh!", Vikram scoffed "I am done with your shit for years!", he yelled back.

"Look Vikram! We had had this conversation before. And the topic we were arguing about and what had happened a long back doesn't even relate or make any sense! Are you even in your right mind?"

"I am sane Vijay,  and thank you for worrying about me! But remember one thing......even if God says you didn't do, I will never believe you.", he gritted his teeth while towering over him.

"What the fuck Vikram? How the fuck am I responsible for an incident when I was barely 6??", he again yelled - angry, hot tears escaping from his eyes.

"Shut up Vijay and don't you dare yell at me. For what had happened I will keep blaming you and you only. I will make you regret each and every minute of your existence Vijay."

"Why don't you understand Vikram....", he cried, shoulders slumping in defeat "I am not the fucking reason...."

"You know what? Cry. Keeping crying as much as you want. You disgust me.",  he spat before heading towards. Artika the whole time was paralysed with what was happening. She didn't know what to do. She had never seen Vijay in such a weak state.

'Oh shit- he is coming!', she yelled as she scrambled towards the nearest wall. A blob of hot chocolate fell on her shirt making her hiss. 'Idiot chocolate!', she cursed.

"And one more thing Vijay-", Vikram turned to face his brother who was kneeling on the floor, his hand clutching the black mass of raven hair "-stay away from that girl. You are nothing but bad luck. Let her live.", he warned before finally opening the door, stepping out of the tensed room. He was too occupied in his thoughts that he forgot to notice that the door was slightly opened.

After the footsteps faded away, Artika slowly made her way towards the entrance of the study. Vijay didn't notice her staring at him, as he plopped on the floor - his whimpers bouncing of the walls.

All Artika wanted to do was to hug him and tell him it's alright and that she was there for him. But knowing him, she knew he hated when anyone sees his vulnerable state.

'What happened bhai?'

______________________________________

Author's Section

Huff, After three months - here is the update. I am extremely sorry for taking so long. As I started, I had my personal problems and today I decided to give a grand comeback.

Why?

Cause it is my birthday

*claps like a seal*

My schedule is busy and I will try to make some time for the update.  I will try not to delay.

(I am procrastinator)

Anyways, hope you all enjoyed this chappie.

And also, thank you all for reading a voting my previous chapter. We are close to 5k guys. Woohooooooooo.

Love y'all once again and sorry if I am not able to reply:)

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Updated:- 14/11/2021
Word count:- 4000 - 4100

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