ADHVAIT'S POV

I was lying on the bed, thinking about today. The day was just… a lot. It was heartbreaking to see her like that. Her tears, her panic attacks — they broke something in me. I wanted to pull her into my arms and never let anyone hurt her again. Her mother is a witch. How can someone hate their own daughter like that? Honestly, I wanted to choke that woman when she was gasping for air. Maybe that’s why my ma was always so protective of her. She’s been going through this shit since she was a kid.

When she was trembling in my arms, trying to breathe, I made a promise to myself right then — I’m going to take care of her from now on. And I’ll make sure that witch stays the hell away from her and Avinash. I’m not leaving my best friend in that goddamn house.

Avinash is usually so strong, but today... It broke me to see him helpless and shattered. I’ve never seen him cry, and today his tears just wouldn’t stop. I was barely holding mine back too. She was in pieces, and even now she’s hiding all that pain behind a smile like nothing happened. No one deserves this. No one fucking deserves to go through this.

My thoughts were interrupted by knocks on my door.

"Come in," I said, sitting up straight.

"You’re still awake?" Di asked softly as she stepped into my room.

"Sunu was deeply hurt. I wanted to kill that mother- in- law of mine for breaking her beyond imagination" she said.

“Sunu was shattered," she said.

"I swear, I wanted to kill that mother-in-law of mine. The way she broke her — it’s beyond anything I’ve ever imagined.” her voice heavy with anger.

"I just hummed. The image of her gasping for air, trembling in my arms, hit me all over again — and I felt that same helpless rage rising in my chest.

"Honestly… every time I look at Sunu, something in me aches," she said, placing a pillow on her lap and hugging it tight. "My motherly instincts just take over. I want to wrap her in my arms and keep her hidden from the world — from all the pain she’s been keeping inside her.”

"It broke me today," I said, closing my eyes. "Her tears, her pain… it shattered my heart. I wanted to take her far away from that woman.”

Di moved closer and gently placed her hand on my shoulder. "Adi," she said softly, “You need to calm down. Don’t let this pain push you into something impulsive.”

"I know, di, I fucking know I have no right to interfere in her life—yet I can't help it. She's broken beyond repair, and yet she smiles like the happiest person. She's keeping it all inside, and it breaks me again and again."

I said, I was feeling utterly helpless — and I hated it. I wanted to do everything in my power to protect her from all the hate that’s been thrown at her.

‘I know, bhai… but now's not the time," she said, her voice firm— and damn it, she was right.

Now is not the fucking time. We’ve got a plan to execute — and emotions can wait.

"I know, di. Relax," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "I won’t do anything stupid — not yet. First, we finish what we started.”

“So… when are you going back?" I asked, trying to lighten the tension, raising my eyebrows with mock innocence.

"Tomorrow morning, duffus," she shot back, throwing me a side-eye.

"Check on Avinash, okay?" I said, voice low now. "He may not show it, but he’s broken too. Worse, maybe. And he won’t say a word.”

"I know, bhai. Don’t worry — I won’t leave your husband alone tomorrow," she said, flashing me an amused smile.

"Don’t be so amused. I’m only saying that because I need his help with the plan," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," she said, one brow raised as she mimicked my earlier tone.

“So, when are you both going for your honeymoon?” I asked, a slow, teasing smile creeping onto my face.

“After four days,” Di said, rolling her eyes.

I already knew that — and I also knew the place they were headed. The surprise was just for her, of course.

“I seeeee,” I said, locking eyes with her, letting the teasing linger a moment longer.

“Hatt pagal,” she snapped, smacking my shoulder hard enough to sting. I just laughed, unfazed.

(SHUT UP, IDIOT)

“Acha chalo, niklo ab. Meko sone do, yaar Dii. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day,” I said, yawning deliberately in her face, pushing her buttons like only I could.

(Okay now go away di. Let me sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a long day)

“Kutte, jaa nikal — but don’t forget, you’ve got to drop me at Avi’s place tomorrow morning. I don’t want to disturb him; I’m sure he’ll be up till 4 or 5,” she said, standing up. I nodded without a word, motioning for her to leave.

(Idiot, get lost)

“Ass,” she muttered under her breath as she walked out.

I chuckled softly, the quiet of the room swallowing me as I finally closed my eyes.

But sleep won't come easy tonight.

SUNAINA'S POV

FUCK MY NECK

“Oww, oww, fuck, fuck, fuck,” I muttered, wincing as I adjusted my sprained neck, blinking against the haze around me.

“Huh? Living room?” I muttered, confused, then looked down to see myself almost being used as a pillow by my brother. His head was resting on mine, his hands were crushing me, and his legs were sprawled across mine. He had basically turned me into his hugging pillow.

“FUCKING HELL, BHAIYA! GET UP!” I screamed right into his ear.

He jolted, eyes wide, almost falling.“Huh? Who died?”

“No one — but I swear, I’m going to kill you with my bare hands today! OWW!” I yelled, clutching my neck as I accidentally twisted it the wrong way.

"subah subah kyu kukkar ki seti ki tarah baj rahi hai, and what are you doing in my room" he asked, clearly confused.

( Why are you shouting like a cooker’s whistle?)

"ankh khol kr dekho ye living room hai, bhaiya and seti ki tarah mai isiliye fat rahi hu kyuki aapne mujhe apna pillow smjh rkha hai. khud toh confortably so gye yaha mere kamar, meri gardan sab dukh ra hai... mummyyyyy " I practically shouted in his face, pain stabbing through my back with every word.

(Open your damn eyes and see, this is not your room and I'm shouting like a whistle because you've treated me like your pillow. You were sleeping so comfortably and my back, my neck, everything pains…mummaaaa)

“Oh,” he said slowly, like the reality was finally sinking in.

“Sorry, bacha,” he muttered, but there was zero remorse in his voice or eyes.

"apni  sorry ka omelet bnakr kha jana breakfast mei abhi idhar aao aur uthne mei help kro meri so that I can go to my room and have a relaxing shower"I said, stretching out my arms desperately.

(Take your sorry, make an omelet with it, and have it for your breakfast. For now, come here and help me get up so I can go to my room and have a relaxing shower.)

He rolled his eyes, but without warning, yanked me up with such force that my neck and back screamed in protest.

"maine aapko jaan se maar dena hai " I screamed, holding my neck with my right hand and my back with my left hand.

(I'll kill you.)

“Sorry, sorry,” he said, laughing nervously as if that would save him.

“Jao… yaha se chale jao, warna isse pehle main ye vase se aapka sir phod doon,” I warned, holding up the flower vase like a weapon. Without another word, he bolted for his room.

(Go…Just leave, before I smash this vase on your head. Just… go)

“Idiot… stupid… kutte… kamine,” I muttered, my voice thick with frustration.

Somehow, I made it to my room and let the hot water wash over me — a much-needed escape from the chaos.

I dressed quickly — today was important. Office hunting. New beginnings.

With one last deep breath, I headed downstairs for breakfast, sure that bhabhi must be back by now

“Bhabhiiiiiiiiiiiii!” I squealed, running to her and pulling her into a tight hug.

“Hey Sunu, missed me?” she said with a soft chuckle, hugging me back and ruffling my hair like nothing else mattered.

“I missed you so damn much! And seriously, leash your husband before you leave next time — or I swear, the next time, I’ll kill that annoying rat myself,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Bhaiya, who was shamelessly hogging his toast. He just rolled his eyes like he didn’t care.

“What happened?” she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

I spilled everything. By the end, Bhabhi was glaring daggers at Bhaiya.

Hah! Finally, I have bhabhi by my side.

“How could you, Avi?” she scolded him fiercely, while he just shot me a venomous look — and I smirked right back, refusing to back down.

“Sunu, tell me, kaha pain ho raha hai?” Bhabhi’s voice softened as she looked at me, genuine concern shining through.

(Where does it hurt?)

“Don’t worry, Bhabhi. I took a warm shower. I feel a lot better now,” I reassured her, though the ache still lingered beneath the surface.

“Okay, if you say so. But don’t forget to spray some pain reliever,” she warned, not fully convinced.

“Yes, I promise,” I said.

“Come on, sit down and have breakfast now,” she said — and that’s when I caught sight of her brother- Adhvait Mehra, sitting quietly there too.