Morning breeze slipped through the curtains.
The room looked messy… yet strangely neat this time.
Shina walked upstairs slowly. She rubbed her eyes, still half asleep.
Last night… Ashura, Ruhi…birthday…
She yawned softly.
We didn't celebrate much…
But Ashura's friends came suddenly…
"I just wanted to sleep…" she murmured under her breath.
"They forced me…" she sighed lightly.
She lowered her head, remembering their faces.
"Bhabhi… please wake him up…"
Their tiny, innocent expressions flashed in her mind.
"…I couldn't deny," she whispered.
She stopped in front of Ashura's door.
Her hand slowly lifted.
Knock… knock…
"Ashura… your friends are here…" she called softly.
No reply.
She waited for a moment… then knocked again.
"Ashura… your friends are here…"
Still no response.
She grabbed the doorknob slowly.
The door creaked open.
"…Huh?"
The room was empty.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Where did he go… this early…?"
She looked around, confused.
In a crowded market, Ashura walked slowly.
A hoodie covered his head, hiding his face.
He yawned lightly.
"It's 11:38… and everyone's still sleeping…"
"I'm the only one awake…"
He stopped for a second.
"…Because I have to find a gift for Ruhi…"
Flashback
"You forgot again…" her eyes filled with tears.
Her voice trembled softly.
Present
Ashura's steps slowed.
"I made her cry… on her birthday…"
"I'm really a bad brother…"
He clenched his teeth tightly.
His fists curled slowly.
"No…"
"I'll find the best gift for her…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"The best she could ever have…"
"…Today."
"I promise."
Ashura felt a sudden nudge from behind and turned his head slowly, his eyes narrowing under the shadow of his hoodie as he stared at the figure who had interrupted his quiet moment.
"Ashura… this early in the morning?" the voice came calm and familiar, and after a brief pause, realization flickered in his eyes—"…Oh, Aaron."
In the home, Ruhi sat on the sofa in a curled way, hugging her knees lightly.
She yawned softly. "Where does Ashura go this early…"
"We don't know," Avni replied calmly while sipping her coffee.
From behind, Yash smiled happily. "Avni didi, you shouldn't drink coffee in the morning…"
She glanced at him. "It's fine… I'm used to it."
"It's bad for health…" Reyansh nodded seriously.
"By the way, Ruhi… what's your age now?" Harsh asked quietly.
"Me? Ashura is 17 now… and I'm—" she smiled softly.
"I'm going to be 18," Harsh said calmly.
"Me 17 soon," Yash added, and Reyansh nodded, "Same here…"
"Ohh… Harsh is elder than all of them," Avni chuckled lightly.
"Yeah…" he nodded with a small smile.
From behind, Shina smiled slowly.
"You have to babysit these idiots often…"
Harsh sighed lightly. "Bhabhi… you stole my words."
Yash puffed his cheeks. "We never do anything like that…"
A moment later, the home bell rang softly.
The sound echoed lightly in the quiet house.
Avni stood up slowly.
"Who's there…" she muttered under her breath.
She walked toward the door In The Corridoor Then opened slowly opened it.
"Ohh… Neha…" she smiled, then glanced. "Riya… Ayman… you're here too."
Neha smiled brightly.
"Where's the birthday girl, didi?"
Riya nodded slightly.
"Hmmm… we wanted to see her."
Ayman smiled politely.
"Good morning, didi."
Avni stepped aside gently.
"Come inside… please."
All of them walked inside slowly.
The house felt a little more lively now.
Ruhi stood up instantly.
"Neha… Riya… Ayman… you all!" she smiled happily.
"Happy birthday, my girl!" Neha ran toward her and hugged her tightly.
"Ruhiii…" she hugged back. "Thanks…" she smiled softly.
From behind, Shina stared for a second.
"…Isn't she Riya…?" she muttered under her breath.
Riya froze slightly.
Why is she here…? she glanced nervously at Shina.
From behind, Ayman spoke teasingly.
"Do you know her?"
"No…" Riya avoided her gaze quickly.
Her voice came out a bit stiff.
Harsh stood up calmly.
"Girls are here… we should leave."
Avni walked in and spoke gently.
"Harsh, Reyansh, Yash… don't go yet… eat with us today."
"Really?" Yash stared in surprise.
"Didi is offering us food?"
"It's not a big deal…" Avni smiled lightly.
Shina chuckled softly from the side.
"Thank you, didi…" Reyansh smiled.
"We'll stay," Harsh nodded.
Ruhi smiled happily.
"That's good…"
A few minutes later, everyone sat together.
The room slowly filled with chatter.
Shina stared at Riya coldly.
Riya avoided her gaze, pretending not to notice.
Ruhi glanced at them calmly.
"Bhabhi… did something happen?"
Shina shook her head.
"No, Ruhi…" she smiled suddenly.
Riya's inner voice snapped.
That bitch… how fast she changed her expression…
Ayman gently held Ruhi's hand.
"We booked a garden for your birthday party…"
"What…?" Ruhi stared in disbelief.
"Why did you do that…?" she gulped.
"Because it's your birthday," Neha smiled.
"I told my father to book it… so we can enjoy."
"After all… he's the city mayor… it's not a big deal for him."
She shrugged lightly.
"You did all this…" Ruhi sighed softly.
"By the way… thank you…" she blushed, covering her lips.
"My girls…" she smiled warmly.
"It's nothing…" Neha chuckled.
Yash lowered his head and sighed.
"We didn't even do anything yet…"
Harsh closed his book slowly.
"We lost to the girls…" he muttered.
"Huhhh…" Yash gasped.
"It's nothing, boys," Shina smiled calmly.
"Big gardens aren't the best gift…"
"Sometimes… just someone's presence is enough."
"Bhabhi…"
Reyansh smiled with teary eyes. "You're the best bhabhi…"
Shina blushed slightly.
"It's fine…" she bit her lips softly.
Her inner voice sighed.
They always tease me with 'bhabhi'…
Then…
Riya stared for a moment and spoke softly.
"Where's Ashura…?"
Her voice was low but clear.
Reyansh immediately protested.
"You don't have any right to know…"
"Reyansh…" Ruhi glanced at him calmly.
Harsh pinched his cheek. "Stop it, idiot…"
Reyansh leaned closer and whispered in Harsh's ear.
"Don't forget what she did with Ashura… Riya is a bitch…"
"I know…" Harsh nodded slightly.
"But we can't do anything… so stop fighting…"
Yash smiled lightly from the side.
"End all fights right now…"
Riya glanced nervously.
Then suddenly… her expression shifted.
Her voice trembled… almost like she was about to cry.
"Guys… don't you all trust me…?"
She sniffed softly.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
Ruhi quickly held her arm.
"Riya… don't cry…" she looked worried.
"Today is my birthday…" Ruhi said softly.
"Please… don't fight like this…"
Riya lowered her gaze sadly.
"All of you are accusing me…"
"I didn't do anything…"
Her voice broke again.
Ayman puffed her cheeks in anger.
"Don't you dare accuse Riya like that…"
Ruhi nodded gently.
"Please, Shina… boys… leave her alone…"
Everyone slowly calmed down.
"…Okay…" they nodded reluctantly.
"We won't say anything to her…"
The tension didn't disappear… it just went silent.
Avni clapped her hands lightly.
"Boys, girls… come quickly, breakfast is ready…" she smiled.
"Stop fighting…" Shina smiled softly.
"Yeahhh… breakfast by Avni didi!" Yash chuckled excitedly.
"I'm too hungry…" he stood up quickly.
Harsh glanced calmly. "Let's go… birthday girl."
"Okay, brother…" Ruhi nodded teasingly.
Everyone slowly moved toward the kitchen and sat around the table.
Scene Shift…
Ashura and Aaron sat at a small cafeteria table.
Ashura took a bite of his pancake quietly.
"So… you had a fight with Anjali?" he asked casually.
Aaron nodded, his cheeks puffed slightly. "Yeahhh…"
He kept eating without looking up.
"Thanks for the food… I was really hungry…"
Ashura grabbed his glass and drank some water.
"It's fine… I was hungry too…"
He leaned back slightly.
"So… why did the fight start?"
Aaron hesitated for a second.
"…It's a long story…"
"I'll explain in short…" he said nervously.
His expression changed slightly.
Ashura chuckled lightly.
"What… you ate Zara's favorite cake?"
"The one she saved to eat later?"
"And then she complained to Anjali?"
Aaron puffed his cheeks.
"Yeahhh… and now Mom will give me Testcube…"
Ashura laughed a little.
"That's dangerous, Aaron…"
"Hehe…" Aaron forced a small laugh.
"Tell me… how do I get out of this?"
Ashura glanced at him, confused.
"I don't know… I've never been in that situation."
Aaron sighed deeply.
"Really? You have three sisters…"
"Don't you ever eat their food?"
His tone was half disbelief, half pain.
Ashura lowered his gaze to the table.
"Hmmm…"
"I never have to ask…"
"They always give everything to me…"
"That's why… it was never about stealing…"
His voice softened.
"Even yesterday…"
He slowly showed his wrist.
"My sister gave me this…
Smart watch on his wrist Then He Mutters on my birthday…"
"And me…"
"I didn't give her anything…"
Ashura sighed, frustrated.
"I'm really a bad brother…"
His voice dropped quietly.
Aaron stared at him for a moment.
Then he smiled softly. "Your sister… really loves you."
"Yeahhh…" Ashura nodded slowly.
His eyes lowered for a second.
"Can you help me choose a gift for her?"
His voice was calm… but serious.
Aaron glanced at him quietly.
Then he nodded. "Sure… I'm free today anyway…"
"I can't go home…" he chuckled lightly.
There was a hidden reason behind that smile.
Ashura nodded.
"It's fine… you can stay with me today."
"I'll treat you too…" he added casually.
A small smirk appeared on his face.
Aaron smiled.
"Okay then…"
"Let's begin…"
His eyes lit up slightly.
"…the gift hunt."
Inside the car, Rivaan drove calmly.
The road stretched ahead in silence.
"Rishabh… don't sleep like that on the seat," he spoke seriously.
Rishabh yawned. "Sorry, dad… I'm tired…"
"I know last night's work was heavy…"
"But you can rest at home."
Rishabh smiled lightly.
"My stress disappears when I see my wife…"
Rivaan chuckled softly.
"You really love her…"
"Yeahhh…" he nodded.
Rivaan mutters coldly.
"Today is Ruhi's birthday…"
Rishabh paused for a second.
"…Really?"
Rishabh suddenly realized.
"That means… today is Ashura's birthday too…?"
"Huhhh…" Rivaan sighed.
"…Yeah… his too…"
"Dad…" Rishabh spoke softly.
"Why do you mistreat him…?"
Rivaan stared ahead for a moment.
Then avoided his gaze.
"…The weather is cold today…"
He changed the topic.
Rishabh sighed quietly.
He avoided it again…
Maybe… Ashura was right…
His thoughts grew heavy.
Flashback
"My father hates me… you know…" Ashura yelled.
"It's not like that…" Rishabh tried to convince him.
"It is true!"
His voice echoed with pain.
Present
Rishabh looked outside silently.
He acts like he cares…
But deep inside…
…he wants him gone.
Inside a jewelry shop, Ashura stood quietly.
He was checking necklaces one by one.
"How does this look…?" he asked nervously.
His eyes held a bit of hope.
Aaron stared at it… then slowly shook his head.
"Ashura… your choice is literally the worst."
Ashura froze.
His heart shattered instantly.
"Ahhhhh…"
He dropped to his knees dramatically.
"You're right…" he muttered.
"I have no taste…"
Aaron showed no mercy.
"Yeahhh… you're the worst chooser."
An invisible arrow pierced Ashura's heart.
He clutched his chest in pain.
"You hurt me…"
His voice was filled with fake suffering.
Aaron sighed, shaking his head.
"You don't even know what girls like…"
He stepped closer with a small smile.
"Let me teach you…"
Ashura and Aaron walked side by side.
The market noise faded around them.
"Tell me about your sister…"
Aaron spoke calmly.
"Ruhi…" Ashura paused for a second.
"She's cute… beautiful… small nose… big shiny eyes…"
"I asked her nature…"
Aaron cut him off and glared slightly.
"Ah… sorry…" Ashura looked nervous.
He scratched his head awkwardly.
"It's fine…" Aaron nodded.
"Now tell me properly."
"She's kind… loving…"
"She cries over small things…"
"But sometimes…"
"She gets angry… like a tsundere devil…"
Ashura smiled faintly.
"She loves me a lot…"
"That's all I know…"
He shrugged lightly.
Aaron stared at him for a moment.
Then a small smile appeared.
"Come… let me show you something…"
He suddenly grabbed Ashura's hand.
"Let's go."
He pulled him forward quickly.
Ashura blinked in surprise.
"…Okay…" he followed hesitantly.
Aaron suddenly handed Ashura a necklace.
A simple golden one… shining softly.
Aaron stared at it for a moment.
"She'll love this… I'm sure," he smiled.
"Are you sure…?" Ashura looked at it carefully.
His eyes held doubt for a second.
"Yeahhh…" Aaron patted his shoulder.
"Let's go and give it to her."
"Okay…" Ashura nodded.
A small smile appeared on his face.
He took out his phone casually.
His eyes froze instantly.
"…It's already 4:56…"
"We've been roaming for hours…"
Aaron chuckled lightly.
"Hehe… brother time makes you lose track…"
"Yeahhh…" Ashura smiled faintly.
Then he checked his call logs.
Ruhi — 89 missed calls
Yash — 67 missed calls
Avni — 12 missed calls
Shina — 97 missed calls
Harsh — 2 missed calls
Ashura stared silently.
"…Was my phone on silent?"
He checked… then sighed.
"…Yeahhh…"
His expression turned slightly serious.
Aaron glanced at him.
"Your family really misses you…"
"Yeahhh…" Ashura nodded quietly.
Something in his eyes changed
At home, Nyra washed her face.
"Where did Ashura go…?" she muttered sleepily.
"Idiot!" Avni yelled from behind.
"You literally woke up at 4:37…"
Nyra yawned loudly.
"Last night… I had work…"
"Sorry…" she smiled lazily.
She wiped her face slowly.
Everyone sat around the table.
The atmosphere felt uneasy.
Ruhi stared at her phone.
"Where is that idiot…" she puffed her cheeks.
"Shina, call him again…"
"He's not receiving…"
She tapped her leg in frustration.
Her patience was running out.
Harsh spoke coldly.
"We should wait… or kill him…"
Avni sighed deeply.
"Ashura always gives tension…"
"Yeahhh…" Ruhi nodded slowly.
Her eyes softened a bit.
Ayman gently held her hand.
"Don't worry, Ruhi… he'll come…"
"Yeahhh…" Reyansh smiled.
"I know…" Ruhi nodded.
"…But I want to cut the cake with him…"
Her voice dropped softly.
On a quiet, silent street…
Ashura and Aaron walked calmly side by side.
Ashura smiled lightly.
"Thanks, Aaron… I couldn't choose anything without you…"
Aaron nodded.
"It's fine… you gave me breakfast… this is my return…"
Ashura chuckled softly.
The moment felt peaceful.
Then…
Four black cars suddenly stopped in front of them.
Ashura froze for a second.
His eyes narrowed slowly.
Something is wrong…
His inner voice warned him.
A door opened.
A cold voice echoed through the street.
"Ashura Rivaan…"
"…Surrender."
Aaron turned back instantly.
His expression changed.
The calm air… turned heavy.
Something dangerous had arrived.
Chapter 16 Ended