★★★CHAPTER 6★★★

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Her thoughts... her situation... it angers me beyond words.

How can a child this small carry such heavy guilt? How can she think she is the reason her brothers were scolded?

No child should think like this.

No child should feel like this.

Yet here she is, quietly punishing herself for crimes she never committed.

I feel my fists clench at my sides. Every instinct in me wants to storm out, to hunt down every monster who scarred her, to erase their existence from this world.

But then I catch sight of her small figure, curled up on the bed, clutching the blanket as though it's the only shield she has left.

And I force myself to breathe.

I cannot lash out—not in front of her.

She doesn't need fire. She needs warmth.

She doesn't need fear. She needs love.

She needs to understand what a family really is, what it means to be held instead of hurt.

So I soften my steps and enter.

"Pari..." I call her name gently, letting every ounce of love I feel bleed into my voice.

Her head snaps up instantly, eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.

"Baba—you're here. I... I was just going downstairs for breakfast," she stammers, panic rising in her voice.

She gets up quickly, already moving toward the bathroom as if escape is her only safety.

"Kartiki. Wait."

The firmness in my voice makes her stop mid-step.

Her small shoulders tighten, her head bows. It's as if she's already bracing herself for scolding.

I take a breath and lower my tone.

"Pari bacha, idhar aao... Baba ke paas." (Pari, child, come here... come to Baba.)

Hesitation flickers in her eyes, but slowly, she walks toward me.

Her steps are tiny, almost reluctant, like every inch forward costs her courage.

When she finally reaches, I pat the bed beside me.

She sits down silently, her little hands gripping each other nervously.

I kneel in front of her, bringing myself down to her level.

My large hands gently cover her small ones—so fragile, yet carrying so much.

"Kartiki... why do you think it's your fault they were scolded?"

My voice is calm, steady, though inside I'm burning.

Her lips part, and her voice comes out broken, trembling.

"But Baba... wasn't it because of me? If I had been stronger... I wouldn't have cried, or flinched, or screamed."

Her words slice through me, innocence tangled with guilt.

I can't let her drown in this.

I gently lift her chin, forcing her tear-filled eyes to meet mine.

"Kartiki, listen to me carefully. We are all shaped by our pasts, carrying our own baggage. Yours... sadly, is filled with scars, nightmares, things no one—no one—should ever go through.

But that does not make you weak.

The way you flinch at raised voices, the way fear grips you—that is not weakness, Pari.

That is someone else's cruelty, forced upon you.

Something you never chose. That may have made you a victim once... but more than that, it makes you a survivor.

A survivor who still folds her hands before God.
A survivor who still dreams of tomorrow.
A survivor who has seen the ugliest sides of humanity, yet still carries a heart so pure it melts even mine.

So no, you are not weak.

Tu toh meri bahadur beti hai na. (You are my brave daughter, aren't you?)"

Her eyes blur with tears until they spill freely, and before I can say more, she throws herself into my arms.

Her tiny hands clutch the back of my shirt, her face burying into the crook of my neck as if she has finally found her safe place.

Her muffled whisper reaches me, trembling but carrying a soft smile.
"Ji Baba." (Yes, Baba.)

I hold her tight, my own throat thick.

For years, the world had known me as stone-hearted, ruthless, unshaken. Yet here I am—undone by a child's tears and smile.

When she finally calms, I pull back, keeping my palms cupping her cheeks.

"Your brothers were scolded because it was their mistake. And as for them hating you... Pari, hating you is the only thing impossible for us. Do you understand?"

She nods, and this time it isn't forced.

A genuine smile glows on her face, bright and unburdened.

"Good," I murmur, kissing her forehead.

"Now go get ready before those monkeys come up and create chaos."

She giggles softly at the word monkeys and scurries off.

When she returns, her hair is damp, her skin fresh from a wash, but she's wearing the same clothes.

I notice.

My heart tugs. But I say nothing. Right now, the light in her smile is worth more than any fabric she wears.

And together, we walk downstairs toward the kitchen, side by side.

As soon as we stepped into the dining room, my feet froze.

The sight before me felt unreal.
The long, polished dining table stretched endlessly, covered edge to edge with dishes.

Bowls brimming with curries, dosas rolled like scrolls, platters of sweets glistening like treasure, fruits carved into delicate shapes, breads stacked high—it was like something out of a grand wedding.

The aroma hit me all at once, rich and dizzying, like home and festival and luxury all mixed into one.

The words slipped out before I could stop them.
"Kiski shaadi hai?"

The brothers' laughter filled the room instantly.

"See, Bhaiya!"

Jeevansh leaned back smugly, pointing his spoon like a lawyer presenting evidence.

"I told you we should've added ten–fifteen more dishes."

I stared at him, half amused, half stunned. "Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously," he said, puffing up with mock pride.

"Today's occasion is bigger than any marriage."

I blinked, still confused, my eyes darting towards Baba. "Baba... what is today?"

Baba's brows rose, as though I had just asked the silliest question. "You don't know?" His tone carried disbelief, but beneath it was warmth, and when he spoke again, his voice softened in a way that made my chest ache.
"Today, we are celebrating my Pari's arrival."

"Love today is your very first day in our house" Virendra bhai added

" your true welcome. For my bunny." soon Vedansh bhai added

Pari. Bunny. Love.❤️
The words struck deeper than I expected.

So casual from them, yet wrapped in so much love.

My throat tightened instantly, the sting of tears pressing at my eyes.

For a moment, it didn't feel like I was new here at all.

It felt as if I had always belonged at this table, that my past had been nothing but a cruel nightmare, and now—finally awake—I was home.

But before the feeling could settle fully, Jeevansh's voice cut in, playful as ever.

"Yeh kya hai, Bhai? Aap log toh iska nickname bhi rakh liya? Ab mujhe bhi kuch soochna padega."

"What's this, brother? You guys already gave her a nickname? Now even I'll have to come up with one."

"Dramebazz" Virendra muttered, rolling his eyes.

Vedansh chuckled. "Come, let's eat before the food cools."

"Not possible," Jeevansh teased. "With Virendra Bhaiya here, one sharp glare can heat it all again."

"Should I heat you up instead?" Virendra asked smoothly, eyes narrowing at Jeevansh. "Wasn't taking away your electronics for-

Jeevansh nearly jumped in his seat. "W-what are you even saying, bhai? Let's... let's just eat!" His fake laugh only earned him more chuckles around the table.

The atmosphere relaxed again as everyone began taking their seats. I was still standing there, overwhelmed, when Jeevansh suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh!"

Everyone looked at him.

But as soon as his eyes caught Virendra Bhaiya's sharp glare, his volume dropped.
"I mean... oh my God, I forgot to tell you about the test."

"Test?" My voice cracked, dread instantly tightening my chest.

Vedansh's calm tone came to my rescue.

"Don't panic, Kartiki. It's nothing. Just do what this fool says."

Virendra's silence spoke louder than words—his face screamed I'm done with this nonsense.

Jeevansh's grin widened.

"So, the test is simple. You just have to pick five of your favorite dishes from all this."

At first it sounded easy, but my stomach twisted.

My eyes darted helplessly over the table.

So many dishes I couldn't even name.

My voice came out so faint it was almost a whisper.
"But... I hardly know any of them."

"Exactly why your brothers are here," Baba said warmly.

"They'll explain everything."

Vedansh leaned forward, his smile proud.

"Today, we're your waiters."

"Done!" Jeevansh declared before I could even open my mouth to protest.

"And after that, you'll name your five favorites."

And so began my trial by food.

Each of them fed me as if it was their life's mission.

Vedansh Bhai, ever the doctor, carefully chose healthy dishes, yet somehow each one was mouthwatering.

Baba and Bhaiyyu brought forward South Indian and classic Indian foods, explaining each detail like I was tasting history.

And Jeevansh... oh, Jeevansh drowned me in desserts.

Gulab jamuns dripping syrup, jalebis, chocolate-dipped strawberries, brownies, ice creams—every sweet known to mankind landed on my plate.

Laughter filled the air. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't counting minutes, or watching every move in fear. I was just... living.

Until a burning sensation shot across my tongue.
"Garam hai!" I yelped, clutching my mouth.("It's hot!!")

Chaos broke out instantly.

Vedansh Bhai thrust a glass of water into my hands. I gulped it down, though the sting lingered.
"Kya tha yeh?" I asked, still wincing. (What was this?)

"Sorry, sorryi! I-I forgot in the rush—" Jeevansh's voice tumbled out in panic, guilt written across his face as everyone's glares pinned him in place.

"It's okay, Bhai," I reassured softly.

"You didn't mean to. But waise... itna garam kya tha?" (What was this hot?)

His eyes lit up like a child's.

"Sizzling brownie! You eat it hot so the ice cream melts with the chocolate. Heaven, absolute heaven!"

His face looked so blissful it was hard not to laugh.

Virendra's voice cut in, sharp and flat.

"Heaven ke toh bohot chakkar laga liye hain tumne. Ek dafa hell ka bhi ho jaye toh chalega?"😏

(You have visited heaven often, what about hell for once?)

"No, Bhai! I was only explaining it to Kartiki," Jeevansh said quickly, hands raised.😅

Vedansh, sensing the tension, leaned towards me.

"Alright, Bunny. Enough of this. Tell us—which ones did you like best?"

I hesitated, overwhelmed. "I... I liked all of them."

"Nope. That won't work. Only five," Jeevansh insisted firmly.

So after a long pause, I listed them slowly.

"Gulab jamun with ice cream... strawberries with chocolate fountain... Mysore masala dosa... cheese chilli grilled sandwich... and...

chocolate brownie. Even though I didn't taste it, your description made it sound delicious."

"Perfect." Vedansh clapped softly.

"Passed with flying colors."

My heart swelled at his smile.

I smiled back—only for it to falter a second later at Jeevansh's next words.

"And you know... your and Rudransh Bhai's choices match perfectly."

The table's noise dimmed for me in an instant.

My breath caught, my smile dying on my lips.

Rudransh Bhai.
His name always did that to me—like a quiet wound tearing open inside.

Jeevansh didn't notice, of course.

To him, it was casual, even light-hearted. But for me, the weight of it pressed heavy on my chest.

He should've been here.

Laughing with them, teasing them, making his choices known.

Not me.

I wasn't supposed to take his place at this table.

I forced myself to smile, lowering my gaze so they wouldn't see the storm brewing in my eyes.

I nodded absently, letting their laughter wash over me, though every laugh only reminded me of the one voice missing.

No one seemed to notice—except Virendra.

His gaze lingered on me longer than it should have, sharp but silent.

He caught the way my fingers tightened around the spoon, the way my shoulders stiffened for just a breath before I masked it.

He didn't say anything, not even a word of comfort.

But in the quiet exchange, I felt it—his awareness, his unspoken promise that he saw more than I wanted anyone to see.

Then Baba's voice cut through gently, saving me from drowning in my thoughts.

"Pari, today I'll be going to the office."

"Why?" The word slipped out before I could stop it, too quick, too desperate.

My cheeks heated as I fumbled to correct myself. "I-I mean... I was just asking..."

Baba's smile was soft, almost knowing.

"I understand, Pari. But don't worry. Virendra is here. And I'll only be gone three or four hours."

Relief spread inside me, small but real. "Ji, Baba,"

I whispered. A part of me didn't even try to hide it anymore—the safety I felt knowing Bhaiyyu would be around.

I turned to him with a tiny smile, and he returned it, wordless but steady.

Soon after, Baba and Vedansh Bhai left for work, their footsteps fading, the house settling into a quieter hum.

But inside me, the echoes of Rudransh's name still lingered—reminding me that no matter how much warmth surrounded me, a shadow would always sit at this table too.

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After Baba and Vedansh Bhai left for work, I thought the morning would finally calm down.

But calm was never something Jeevansh allowed to exist for too long.

"Kartikiii!" his sing-song voice echoed through the corridor.

Before I could react, he appeared dramatically, arms spread like an actor on stage.

"Welcome, my lady, to your royal tour of the Rajas' Bhool-Bhulaiya!"

"Bhool-bhulaiya?" I repeated, blinking.

He grinned.

"Yes. You think it's a mansion, but once you step inside these hallways, you'll either find treasure... or lose your way forever."

I laughed nervously. "Then maybe I shouldn't follow you."

"Arrey, don't worry. I'm the only guide who knows the shortcuts. Even Virendra Bhai gets lost sometimes. And Baba? He just glares at the walls till they tell him the way out."

The entrance hall itself could have swallowed my old home whole—gleaming marble floors polished to a mirror shine, chandeliers glittering like frozen fireworks, and ancestral portraits whose eyes seemed to follow me wherever I moved.

"Creepy, isn't it?" Jeevansh whispered suddenly in my ear, making me jump.

He laughed at my glare. "Don't worry, they only get out of their frames after midnight."

"Bhai!" I swatted his arm, half laughing, half uneasy.

We passed through a library next—shelves stretching all the way to the ceiling, ladders rolling across, dust dancing in the golden shafts of sunlight.

"This," Jeevansh declared with mock seriousness,

"is Vedansh Bhai's temple. He spends more time here than anywhere else. If he had to choose between saving us and saving these books, I think we'd all be doomed."

I giggled softly, though the image of kind Vedansh abandoning them for books was impossible.

We moved along endless corridors until I realized the house had no single mood—one hallway was lined with stern portraits, another with carved wooden panels, the next opening into a conservatory full of sunlight and flowers.

"Perfect spot to sneak desserts without anyone noticing," Jeevansh said, casually plucking a strawberry from a bowl left on a side table.

I raised my brow. "Do you always think about food?"

"Of course. Food, pranks, and..." He stopped, then grinned. "Never mind."

I gave him a look. He just winked.

We finally climbed the grand staircase.

The first door Jeevansh pointed at had a sleek, polished finish.

"This is Virendra Bhai's. Rule number one: never enter without permission. His room is as scary as his glare—everything spotless, all black and grey, not a single cushion out of place. I'm convinced he irons his socks."😂

I giggled. The thought of strict Virendra ironing socks was too much.

Next came a warm-colored room with books stacked on a desk near the window.

"Vedansh Bhai's den. He's the only one who won't bite your head off if you enter. But don't touch his stethoscope collection. He'll turn into full doctor mode and you'll never escape."

Jeevansh stopped at the messiest door. Posters peeked out, clothes were thrown on a chair, and the faint smell of chocolate hung in the air.

"And this," he announced proudly, throwing it open, "is my kingdom. Organized chaos. Genius thrives here."

"Chaos is right," I said, wrinkling my nose.

"Exactly! See? You understand me already." He winked, clearly proud.

At the end of the hallway, one door was heavier, darker.

Even without being told, I felt a pull towards it. My feet slowed, my chest tightened.

"That's Rudransh Bhai's," Jeevansh said, his voice quieter than usual. "Locked most of the time. Nobody goes in. Nobody asks. If you ever see it open... just keep walking, okay?"

Something in his tone made me uneasy. The door seemed to carry weight, as if it guarded not just space but secrets. My fingers itched to touch the handle, but I kept them curled at my side.

"Bhai... what's inside?" I whispered.

He shrugged too quickly. "Memories. Or monsters. Maybe both." Then, flashing his usual grin, he tugged me away. "Come on, don't look at it for too long—it might stare back."

But I couldn't help one last glance. Even locked, Rudransh's presence seemed to seep out of the wood, silent yet overwhelming.

"Now," Jeevansh said, his mischievous spark returning, "time for the basement."

I froze. "Basement?"

He leaned closer, eyes twinkling. "Every bhool-bhulaiya has its dark corners. This one's off-limits. Guards are always there. Even I don't go unless Baba sends me."

"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself.

He tilted his head. "Rumor says it holds files. Weapons. Maybe even things that can't be named." His tone was light, but his eyes weren't.

My heart raced. "And you're telling me all this why?"

"Because you're family now." He ruffled my hair with brotherly affection. "But don't worry. Whatever secrets this house keeps, Baba's already decided—you'll only ever see the warm parts. The safe ones."

Now we again reached the living rom.

"Bhaiyya, ye pura ghumte ghumte mujhe toh chakkar aane lage. How would I ever remember it?" (Brother, after roaming so much, I'm starting to feel dizzy. How will I ever remember all this?)

I whined dramatically, pressing the back of my hand to my forehead as if I would faint at any moment.

Jeevansh looked at me for a second, then his lips curved into a mischievous smile.

I could almost see the spark in his eyes—like a bulb had just lit up.
"I have an idea, let's play a game." he declared, straightening his collar proudly.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What game, Bhai?"

"Hide and Seek!" he said grandly, as though he had just invented the game.

I blinked at him. "Seriously?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" he replied, keeping the straightest face possible.

I sighed, realizing he was dead serious. "Fine, what are the rules?"

He rubbed his hands together dramatically. "Listen carefully.

No basement.

No going inside the peoples rooms who are not her ie.- Baba's, Rudransh Bhai's, or Vedansh Bhai's rooms, and their studys.

Other than that, everywhere else is fair game.

The seeker counts till 100 before starting.

And while counting eyes resting on the wall and hands on the ear

If the seeker fails to find the hider for too long, the hider has to tag the seeker. And as punishment... the seeker remains seeker again!"

He folded his arms with the air of someone announcing royal law.

"Understood?"

"Yes, Bhai... but what if I get lost in this Bhool Bhuliya you call a mansion?"

I asked, my eyes flicking nervously at the endless corridors.

For a second, it really felt like the walls would swallow me whole.

Jeevansh's playful face softened. He placed a hand gently on my shoulder.
"Don't worry. If you can't find your way, just ask one of the staff. Someone will always be there to guide you."

Something about the way he said it made me relax.

Maybe for the first time, I felt a little safe in this maze-like mansion.

"Fine, Bhaiya," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"Good! Now since I'm the genius who came up with the idea, I'll be the seeker first," he said proudly.

I giggled. "Or maybe you just want the easier role?"

He gasped dramatically. "Excuse me? Do you doubt my legendary hiding skills? Pari, let me warn you—if you underestimate me, you will regret it."

I shook my head, still smiling. "Okay then, start counting."

"Fine. But don't think you'll win just because you're small and quick." He winked and covered his eyes with his palms. "One... two... three..."

His voice echoed through the vast corridor as he counted loudly. I tiptoed away, my heart racing with excitement.

As I ran past the long corridors, trying to find a perfect hiding spot, I couldn't help but think—maybe this is what being part of a family feels like. Silly games. Laughter. Safety.

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As I wandered through the endless corridors, searching for the perfect hiding spot, my ears caught Jeevansh's voice echoing faintly in the distance:

"...ninety-eight, ninety-nine, one hundred! Ready or not, here I come!"

My pulse quickened, heart pounding like a drum. The vast mansion suddenly felt like a maze, every hallway leading to more identical doors. I darted left, then right, panic rising when every corner seemed too exposed. What if I couldn't find a place in time? What if he caught me this easily?

In a rush of desperation, I shoved open the nearest door, slipped inside, and slammed it shut with a dull thump. Pressing my back against the wood, I let out a shaky sigh of relief, clutching my chest.

But it lasted only a moment—

"Who dares—?"

My pen stilled mid-word. I had been buried in crucial meeting files when the sharp sound of a door being flung open and shut broke the silence. Nobody entered my room without knocking. Nobody disturbed me during work hours.

Anger surged, my voice cold as steel.
"Who dares—?"

But the rest of the sentence died on my lips.

There, pressed against the wall, was a small, trembling figure. Kartiki.

Her wide eyes locked onto mine, and instantly, her face shifted into sheer panic—like a child caught red-handed, expecting punishment. Her fear hit me harder than her intrusion.

I exhaled slowly, forcing the anger to drain from my tone.
"Love... what are you doing here? Do you need anything?"

Even softened, my voice made her flinch. She stammered, words tumbling over one another. "Woh... main... [Uh... I...]"

I pushed back from my chair and walked toward her. She shrank instinctively, and I halted a step before bending down, kneeling until our eyes met. My tone gentled further, a softness I rarely allowed myself to show.
"Calm down, Love. I'm not going to scold you. Tell me what happened."

Her lips trembled before she finally whispered the truth—the hide-and-seek, Jeevansh counting, her desperate run.

"So... that's it?" I asked quietly. She nodded.

I leaned back slightly, thinking, then allowed a smirk to curve my lips.
"Then here's what we'll do. You hide under my desk. Jeevansh won't dare step foot in here. And even if he does... I'll make sure he doesn't find you."

Her panic melted into relief, and suddenly she was smiling wide—like a child being promised candy. She crouched low, slipping beneath the heavy oak desk. I adjusted my chair carefully, ensuring my legs gave her space. For the first time in a long while, my study felt warmer, less suffocating.

Moments later, a knock sounded at the door.

Jeevansh's POV

This was ridiculous. I had scoured the kitchen, the dining hall, the garden, even the entire theatre room top to bottom. And still—the little bunny had vanished.

I stopped in the corridor, scratching my head. I had told her not to enter Rudransh Bhai's, Vedansh Bhai's, or Baba's rooms. But I never mentioned Virendra Bhai's.

A cold shiver ran through me. Would she really? Did she not know how terrifying Virendra Bhai was when disturbed? If she had gone in there unknowingly... then she had walked into the lion's den. And I, poor me, would now have to follow.

Steeling myself, I knocked. Because to enter Virendra Bhai's study without knocking was nothing short of suicide.

"Come in," came his sharp reply, irritation heavy.

I winced, slipping inside. His glare could slice steel. If Bhai lashed out, I was done for.

"Bhaiyya... is Kartiki here? She's nowhere else," I blurted, praying for mercy.

His eyes flickered—something subtle, almost too fast to catch. His reply was immediate, clipped. "No. And is that why you're disturbing me during work hours?"

I gulped. But then... I noticed it. That flicker. That softness in his eyes—something I hadn't seen in years. And in that moment, I knew. He was hiding her.

A grin tugged at my lips. "Bhaiya, this is cheating. If you're hiding her, I have every right to check the room!"

I strode toward the desk before he could stop me. Virendra abruptly rose, his chair scraping back. In the motion, his leg brushed against something soft beneath the desk.

"Ow..." came a muffled squeak.

For a heartbeat, the silence was deafening. Virendra froze. His eyes narrowed dangerously, but it was too late.

I lunged forward with a triumphant laugh.
"Caught you, Kartiki!"

My cheeks burned as Jeevansh's laughing face appeared, crouched to pull me out from under the desk. My hair was a mess, my heartbeat loud enough to echo in my ears.

"Bhai! Not fair!" I tried protesting, but it only made Jeevansh grin wider.

Virendra's gaze lingered on me, unreadable. For a fleeting second, I thought I saw amusement hidden beneath his stern mask—but only for me. He didn't scold. He didn't lash out. He just... let me stay.

And strangely, in that moment, even being caught didn't feel like losing.

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After coming out of Virendra Bhai's room, I barely had time to breathe before Jeevansh clapped his hands together, grinning mischievously.

"Now it's your turn, Pari. You count till 100 and I'll hide. Don't worry—" he puffed up his chest dramatically, "—I'll be easy on you. After all, I'm a kind brother."

I raised an eyebrow. "Easy? Really? Because from what I've seen till now, you don't know the meaning of the word."

"Arrey, madam!" he said, pressing a hand to his heart as if I had insulted his honor. "I'm deeply hurt. But fine... let's see who wins." With a wink, he dashed off down the corridor, his laughter echoing behind him.

Left alone, I sighed and walked to the wide wall near the living room. Placing my palms tightly over my ears, I closed my eyes and began counting. "One... two... three..."

But halfway through, I peeked one eye open and smirked to myself. "Why should I make it easy for him? If he can cheat with his tricks, then I can play smart too." So, removing my hands from my ears, I tilted my head, listening carefully to the faintest sounds around me.

For a while, there was only silence. Then—creak. My eyes snapped open. It was faint, but unmistakable: the sound of a chair moving against the floor. My lips curved into a smile.

"Got you, Bhaiya," I whispered under my breath, before continuing my count aloud as if nothing had happened. "...ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine... one hundred!"

I opened my eyes dramatically, pretending confusion. "Ready or not, here I come!"

I wandered through the corridors first, deliberately checking random corners—behind a curtain, under a table, even inside the empty theatre room—to make it seem like I was struggling. But inside, I knew exactly where he was.

Finally, I made my way toward the dining room. All the chairs were neatly aligned—except three. They were oddly close together, almost like a makeshift fortress. My heart jumped with victory.

Quietly, I tiptoed closer, suppressing a giggle. From where I stood, I could just barely see a tuft of messy hair sticking out. Typical Jeevansh.

Carefully, I bent down near the first chair, where I guessed his head was resting, and whispered softly, my lips almost brushing the wood of the chair:

"Bhai... caught you."

The words slipped out with a triumphant grin on my face, my voice playful yet victorious. For a second, silence followed. Then, from under the chairs, came a muffled groan.

"Oh no, no, no... this cannot be happening. The great Jeevansh Rajas, caught by a beginner?" he said dramatically, peeking his head out with a sheepish smile that matched my own.

I giggled, clapping my hands. "See, Bhaiya? You're not as unbeatable as you think."

Jeevansh sat up, scratching the back of his neck, clearly trying to hide his embarrassment. But then he smirked. "Fine, Pari. You win this round. But remember—hide and seek with me never ends with just one victory. Next time..." He leaned closer, his voice dropping mischievously, "...I won't be easy."

For the first time, I felt a genuine sense of sibling rivalry and belonging, the kind that was playful, warm, and safe.

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JEEVANSH'S POV

This time, she won't escape.
This time Kartiki is going to get caught by me.
There's no way a beginner like her can beat me in my own house. Last time, she must have peeked while counting. Cheated. But now—
Now I'll show her who Jeevansh Rajput really is.

I lean against the wall dramatically, smirking, as if I'm some villain hatching an evil plan, and begin my count.
"One... two... three..."

I stretch each number, letting my voice echo through the Bhool Bhulaiya's endless corridors, knowing it'll make her nervous. By the time I hit seventy, I pick up speed. My pulse thrums with excitement.

"Ninety-eight. Ninety-nine. Hundred!"

I shout it so loud it shakes through the hall.
"Ready or not, here I come!"

I charge upstairs first, convinced she'll try hiding where she thinks I won't check. Guest room? Empty.
Library? I flick open every curtain, peer under the reading desk—silence.
Home theatre? Pitch black. The faint smell of popcorn teases me, but no small figure is curled up between the seats.

"Hmm..." I mutter, running a hand through my hair. "Smart little rabbit. Already picking up tricks."

But then a thought twists inside me. What if she went back to Virendra Bhai's room?
No, she wouldn't. She's innocent, but she's not that reckless... right?

Still, my gut pushes me toward the inevitable. I knock lightly, every part of me hoping I'm wrong.
"What is it now, Jeevansh?" Virendra Bhai's tone is sharp, his irritation cutting through the heavy wood of the door.

Sheepishly, I peek in. "Uh... nothing, Bhai. Just checking if you needed anything."
One sharp glare later, I'm backpedaling. "Okay, okay... not here. Thank God..."

I search everywhere—the music room, the art gallery, even the old storeroom filled with dust and memories. My footsteps echo in the long hallways, bouncing back mockingly. Each door I open, each corner I check, turns up empty.

By the time I reach the garden, my shirt is sticking to my back with sweat.
"She must be here," I whisper. "She has to be here."

I check behind every hedge, every flowerbed, every tree. I crouch near the fountain, look behind the marble benches, even peek inside the gardener's shed.
Nothing.

Minutes slip by. Five. Ten. Fifteen.

Fifteen minutes... and still not a single giggle, not even the rustle of her clothes.

The game doesn't feel like a game anymore. The playfulness drains out of me like sand slipping through fingers.
My chest tightens. My hands go cold.

"What if she's not inside?" The thought slams into me like a blow.

I never told her she wasn't allowed outside. She could've slipped past the guards. She doesn't know the dangers.
What if someone saw her? What if someone took her?

"No." I whisper it like a prayer, shaking my head violently. But the thought keeps hammering, heavier, darker.

I race back into the mansion, breathing fast, vision blurring. My hand slams against the panel on the wall. The red button stares at me like a demon.
The Missing Button.

None of us are ever supposed to press it unless it's the worst-case scenario. Because pressing it means chaos.

If I press it—
Baba's entire company will go into lockdown, alarms shrieking in the middle of boardrooms.

Vedansh Bhai's hospital will freeze—patients, doctors, everyone will know.

Checkpoints will choke the roads within minutes.

Flights will be canceled. Safe houses will activate. Guards will flood the city.

All because one girl went missing inside a game of hide-and-seek.
Because I lost track of her.

My throat tightens. My finger hovers, trembling.
Do I press it? Do I dare bring down the entire Rajput machinery?

Where is she? Where the hell is she?
The thought screams inside me, louder than my own heartbeat.

The mansion is silent, too silent. Every tick of the clock on the wall feels like a countdown.

My hand shakes as it inches closer to the button.
One more second... and—

Blackout.

The sharp, piercing siren slices through the boardroom like a blade.

My executives freeze, papers in hand, their mouths half open.

Phones buzz in unison—the same notification flashing red across every screen.

High Alert: Subject Missing.

The room erupts in murmurs, but I rise slowly, deliberately.

My chair scrapes against the polished floor with a weight that silences them all.

"Subject... missing?" I murmur, my jaw tightening, the phone vibrating against my palm.

Around me, men in suits glance nervously. They know what this signal means. For the city. For me.

I straighten my coat, every movement measured, controlled, terrifyingly calm. "Cancel the rest of the meeting."

"But, sir—"

My glare cuts him down mid-sentence. "You heard me."

Within seconds, calls are being made, screens shutting down, guards moving like shadows around me.

Inside, though, the storm brews.
How long has it been? Who let this happen?
The alarms don't lie. The system doesn't lie.

If she's not found in the next few minutes... the consequences won't just shake this house. They'll shake the entire city.

And God help the one responsible.

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TA -DA!!

Sooooo where is Kartiki??????

How will the brothers react?????????

tune in to know what happens.

keeping this apart on a more serious note I won't be able to update for some time as mid term exams are coming and I am sure yours will be too.

So study and let me study.

I appologies for not being able to reply to your comments but 80 marks paper are tension, tension and TENSION!