**[15 June 2025, Goldy's Residence]**
It's been two days since Rohit told us he's leaving for the US, marrying a woman named Elena, and cutting us off. The house feels heavy, like a storm's brewing. Rohit's still here, but he's like a ghost—shows up for dinner, says nothing, then hides in his room. His silence hurts more than the bruises I got from last night's casino fight.
I limped through the door, Sonia holding me up like a crutch. My shoulder burned where a guard bit me, my hands were scraped raw, and a big bruise covered my cheek from getting slammed into a table. Sonia looked worried but strong, keeping me steady as we walked in. The living room was dark, with just a small light from a corner lamp. Mom was on the couch, twisting a dishcloth like it was her fears. She looked up and gasped.
"Goldy!" she cried, jumping up. The dishcloth fell. "What happened to you?"
Before I could answer, the stairs creaked. Rohit stood there, half-lit by the lamp. He wore a plain T-shirt, hair messy, eyes empty since he said he's leaving. He looked at me—bruised, bloody, leaning on Sonia—and didn't react. No worry, nothing. He just turned and went back upstairs, his door clicking shut.
Mom's face fell. She rushed over, her hands hovering over my bruises, scared to touch them. "Goldy, what happened? You look like you fought a war!"
Sonia helped me sit on the couch, her voice calm but tight. "He did, Aunty. We got into trouble at a casino. Bad people. He fought to save us."
I tried to shrug it off, but my shoulder screamed. "I'm okay, Mom. Just a rough night."
"Okay?" Mom's voice got loud, full of worry. "You're bleeding! Your face is purple! And you—" She turned to Sonia, upset. "You let him fight? At a casino?"
Sonia frowned but held her ground. "I didn't let him, Aunty. Goldy jumped in to help me. I owed money for Mom's hospital bills. He wouldn't let me face those guys alone." She looked at me, her eyes soft. "He's dumb, but brave."
My chest tightened. I knew Sonia's dad died years ago, leaving her and her mom alone. Her mom's been sick, bedridden for months, and the medical bills were crushing her. That's why she got tangled with those loan sharks. I gave a weak smile. "Heroic dumb, thanks."
Mom knelt by me, gently touching my arm, avoiding the bruises. "Goldy, why didn't you tell me? You could've died! Over debts?" Her voice broke, tears in her eyes. "I can't lose you too. Not after…" She glanced at the stairs where Rohit went.
"I'm not leaving you, Mom," I said. "Sonia needed help. Her mom's sick, and those bills… they're a lot. We won at the casino. Her debt's gone now. I'm just a bit beat up."
Sonia sat on the couch's armrest, her hand on my good shoulder. "He's not joking, Aunty. He fought six guys! I thought he was done, but he kept going. Like a movie hero."
Mom shook her head, angry and scared. "A movie? Goldy, you're not a superhero. You're my son. And you—" She pointed at Sonia, but her voice softened. "Sonia, I know you're struggling with your mom's bills, but you can't pull him into this danger."
Sonia's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "I know, Aunty. I didn't want him there. But he's stubborn. You know that."
I laughed, then winced as my ribs hurt. "Yeah, blame me. Not the guys with brass knuckles."
Mom looked at my bruise, worried. "We need to clean those cuts and get ice. Goldy, why didn't you call me? I could've helped."
I held her hand, squeezing it. "You're helping now, Mom. That's enough."
Sonia stood, brushing her jeans. "I'll get the first aid kit and ice. Stay put, Goldy, or I'll hit you myself."
I raised an eyebrow. "Another flying potato? I'm already down."
She smirked and went to the kitchen. Mom sat beside me, her face full of fear. "Goldy, I saw Rohit just now. He saw you hurt and didn't care. What's wrong with him?"
I swallowed hard, thinking of the system alert about Elena. *Quest: Uncover the Truth.* Something wasn't right with Rohit. "I don't know, Mom," I said quietly. "But I'll find out. He's here a few more days. I'll talk to him."
Mom's eyes were wet, but she nodded. "No more fighting, Goldy. Not with him, not anyone. I can't take it."
Sonia came back with a first aid kit and a bag of frozen peas. "Here," she said, tossing me the peas. "Put this on your face. You look like a squashed mango."
"Thanks," I muttered, pressing the cold bag to my cheek.
Sonia knelt, opening the first aid kit. "Hold still. This'll sting." She dabbed antiseptic on my cuts, and I hissed, trying not to move.
Mom watched, her hands shaking. "Sonia, is he okay? These bruises look bad."
Sonia nodded, cleaning a scrape on my knuckles. "He's tough, Aunty. He took hits and kept fighting. But he needs rest. Maybe a doctor if it gets worse."
I groaned. "No doctors. Just sleep and… toast."
Sonia rolled her eyes. "Always with the toast. I'll make some later if you shut up."
Mom's voice was soft but firm. "No toast until you're cleaned up and resting. Both of you, promise to stay out of trouble. I'm worried about Rohit. I can't worry about you too."
I nodded, the peas numbing my cheek. "I promise, Mom. No fights for now. But I'm not done with Rohit. Something's off."
Sonia paused, holding a cotton swab. "You think it's Elena?"
Mom's head snapped up. "What do you know about her?"
I shrugged, wincing. "Not much. Just that Rohit's not himself. He's… empty.
Mom looked between us, her face torn. "You think she's bad for him? Making him act this way?"
I nodded. "Maybe. He's not the brother I know. I'll talk to him before he leaves."
Sonia finished bandaging my hand and stood. "I'll help. But rest first. You look like a truck hit you."
I grinned weakly. "Felt like it."
Mom stood, her voice firm. "Upstairs, both of you. Goldy, bed. Sonia, guest room. No more trouble tonight."
Sonia smirked. "Yes, Aunty. I'll watch this idiot."
I rolled my eyes but let them help me up.
As Sonia and Mom helped me up the stairs to my room, every step hurt. My bruises throbbed, and the frozen peas were melting, dripping water down my cheek. My shoulder ached from the guard's bite, and my ribs stung, but the system's alert about Rohit kept buzzing in my head. *Confront Rohit. Three days.* I pushed it aside, trying not to trip.
We reached my room, and Sonia helped me sit on the bed. Mom stood nearby, gripping the first aid kit like it could fix everything. The small lamp on my desk gave a soft glow, making the room feel safer than the casino chaos. I leaned back on the pillows, wincing as the peas shifted.
Sonia sat on the bed's edge, her tough look fading as she looked at me. "Stay still, Goldy. You're a mess. I'll tie you down if you move."
I smirked, then groaned as my cheek stung. "Not today, Sonia."
Mom gave me a sharp look. "Goldy, behave." She turned to Sonia, her voice softer. "Sonia, thank you for helping him. But you need to go home. Your mom needs you."
My stomach sank. I'd forgotten about Sonia's mom in all the mess with the casino and Rohit. Her dad died years ago, leaving just her and her mom. Her mom's been sick, stuck in bed for months, and the hospital bills were drowning Sonia. That's why she got mixed up with those loan sharks. I felt awful for keeping her out all night.
"Sonia," I said, sitting up a bit, ignoring the pain. "Is your mom okay without you? you were gone all night."
Sonia's face tightened, but she waved it off. "She's okay, Goldy. I left Lila, our maid, with her. She's watching her tonight. Mom has her medicine, and Lila knows what to do. I called earlier—she's asleep."
Mom frowned, setting the first aid kit on my desk. "Sonia, your mom's really sick. Are you sure Lila can handle it?"
Sonia nodded, but her eyes looked tired. "Yes, Aunty. Lila's good. She'll call if anything's wrong. I'll check on Mom first thing tomorrow."
I felt guilty. "Sonia, You should've told me. I'd have figured out another way."
Sonia flicked my forehead lightly, making me wince. "Ow!"
"Stop feeling bad," she said. "You helped me pay off the debt. Mom's treatments are covered now. You did enough."
Mom's voice was soft but worried. "Sonia, you're a good daughter, but don't carry this alone. And Goldy, no more jumping into fights for her."
I nodded. "I promise, Mom. But Sonia's family too."
Sonia gave a small smile. "Thanks, Goldy. Now rest before I knock you out."
Mom sighed. "You kids are too stubborn. Goldy, rest. Sonia, check on your mom tomorrow. I'm bringing tea later and checking those bandages."
I nodded, the peas cold on my cheek. "Thanks, Mom. No fights for now. But I'm not done with Rohit. Something's wrong with him."
Sonia's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, he saw you all beat up and didn't care. That's not normal. I'll help you talk to him tomorrow, but only if you rest."
"Deal," I said, holding up my sore hand. "My fists need a break."
Mom shook her head but smiled a little. "Good. Now rest." She headed out, her steps heavy with worry.
Sonia stayed a moment, looking at me. "You're crazy, you know that? Fighting for me like that."
I grinned weakly. "You'd do the same for me."
She nodded. "Yeah. But don't make me." She stood. "Sleep, Goldy. We'll deal with Rohit tomorrow."
The system pinged in my head.
> *[SYSTEM ALERT]*
> *Quest Progress: Uncover the Truth*
> *Objective: Investigate Elena and her influence over Rohit.*
> *New Task: Confront Rohit before he leaves (3 days remaining).*
> *Optional Task: Coordinate with Sonia to plan the confrontation.*
> *Reward: +10% Power Sync, Potential Skill Unlock*
> *Failure Consequence: Family ties remain broken, possible escalation of Elena's control*
I glanced at the stairs toward Rohit's room. My hands were sore, but my heart was ready. "Three days," I whispered. "Time to get answers."