“Because He’s My Brother’s Ex–Personal Secretary!”

  Ruhi was stunned. She parked the car to the side and turned back. “What?! Really?!”

  Ira smiled and nodded. “Yup, absolutely! Two years ago—before I left for the U.S.—he used to work for my brother! By the way, when did you join him as his personal assistant?”

  Ruhi thought for a moment. “Two years ago, I guess! The day of my interview was the same day as your flight. Aditya sir had gone to drop you off… I still remember that. And that’s why my interview got delayed!”

  Anamika looked surprised. “You have a really good memory!”

  Ruhi smiled proudly. “Thank you! But tell me, why did Aditya sir remove him from that position?”

  Ira made a face. “I don’t know! As far as I remember, Aditya bhai could never fire Mr. Shah. Anyway, isn’t he working for Rivan now?”

  “Yes… as far as I know! I have only known Rivan and Mr. Shah for six months! I thought Aditya sir also knew them for six months, that too because of business!”

  Ruhi replied.

  Ira puffed her cheeks and thought to herself, “I hope so… Rivan is better off staying far away from my brother!”

  Anamika interrupted, “Aren’t we getting off-topic again?”

  “Oh—right!” Ira clapped her hands together cutely. “But wait… what was the topic again?”

  Ruhi facepalmed. “Aditya sir and Aniket sir’s argument!”

  “Oh yes! I completely forgot!” Ira said with an adorable smile. “Don’t worry! They’ll make up soon.”

  Ruhi asked seriously, “But since Aditya sir is the one who’s angry, will Aniket sir be the one to calm him down… or will Aditya sir himself apologize? This came to my mind because Aditya sir is too nice and he doesn’t get angry easily!”

  Ira pretended to think. “Actually… I don’t know. They somehow resolve everything between themselves!”

  Ruhi restarted the car, and the girls continued chatting as they drove on—still discussing that same topic.

  At Aditya’s House

  Aditya looked up at the clock. It was already 10:30 PM.

  He immediately stood up to open the door, but his hand stopped midway—hesitant.

  After a few seconds of silence, he finally opened it.

  Right outside the door sat Aniket, looking up—as if he’d been waiting, hoping that door would open.

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  The moment the door opened, the faint light from Aditya’s room spilled out and fell on Aniket’s tired face.

  And in the next instant—like a sudden breeze—Aniket stood up and hugged Aditya tightly.

  He was crying… like a child.

  At the same time, a tear slipped from Aditya’s eyes too.

  He held back the sound of his sob and wiped his tears and said, “I am sorry…!”

  “The mistake was mine, you idiot!” Aniket said, moving away from him.

  Controlling his tears, he said, “Things shouldn’t have been hidden…! Not to the extent that I myself broke down!”

  Aditya smiled faintly. “No, I was an idiot… for losing my temper like that.”

  For a moment, both avoided eye contact.

  Then Aniket broke the silence. “I’m hungry.”

  Aditya laughed softly. “Then come on, I’ll cook something.”

  The two best friends headed to the kitchen.

  They put on aprons and started cooking together—like old times.

  MeanwhileThe screen flashed the name—“Mr. Shah.”

  About half an hour later, Ruhi dropped Ira off at her place—Aniket’s house.

  Then she went to drop Anamika home.

  Once Ruhi’s car drove off, Ira looked up at the sky, pouting.

  “Such a beautiful night… and I’m still alone! Both my brothers are hopeless! I wonder what Uncle Shekhar is doing right now. Hmm, let’s go see!”

  She walked toward the door just as Shekhar stepped out—looking hurried.

  “Uncle, what happened?!” Ira asked, following him as he rushed toward his car.

  Shekhar looked at her calmly. “I have some urgent work, dear.”

  Ira pouted. “No way, you’re not leaving me alone this late! And I haven’t even eaten yet, Uncle! Buy me something!”

  Shekhar sighed but smiled faintly, opening the car door for her.

  “Alright, get in. We’ll grab something on the way.”

  Ira grinned and climbed into the backseat.

  Shekhar started the car, and it sped off like lightning—disappearing into the night.

  Feeling the cool wind through the window, Ira closed her eyes peacefully. She didn’t even realize when she drifted off to sleep.

  When she woke up, the car had stopped—and Shekhar wasn’t inside.

  Confused, she stepped out. The car was parked outside a hospital.

  Her heart skipped. “Uncle came here in such a hurry… what happened?!”

  She was about to enter when she saw Shekhar and Mr. Shah walking out.

  She ran toward them and clutched Shekhar’s arm. “Uncle! What happened? Who’s in the hospital?!”

  Her voice trembled with concern.

  Mr. Shah chuckled lightly. “Little lady still gets scared of hospitals, huh?”

  To which Shekhar calmly replied, “Hospitals aren’t really places one can love.”

  “True,” Mr. Shah nodded quietly.

  Ira looked up innocently. “Then why are we here, Uncle?”

  “To get someone treated,” Shekhar said.

  Ira’s eyes widened in fear. “My brothers… Aditya and Aniket… are they okay?!”

  “They’re fine,” Shekhar assured.

  Mr. Shah then said apologetically, “I’m sorry, little lady. I had to call the leader because my boss wasn’t listening to me. Aditya sir’s phone was off.”

  Ira frowned. “So that idiot Rivan is admitted?! But why call my brother if Rivan didn’t want to come to the hospital?!”

  Mr. Shah sighed. “Because it was serious—he had to be brought here.”

  “What happened to that fool?!” Ira asked, exasperated.

  Mr. Shah replied, “He got hit on the head and was bleeding, but he still refused to come! Even in that condition, he wanted to go after those guys and beat them up!”

  Ira’s eyes went wide. “Whom did he fight with?! How many people?!”

  Before Mr. Shah could answer, Shekhar gave him a sharp look, then turned to Ira and said gently, “You’re too young, child. Stay away from such fights and violence.”

  Ira pouted. “But Rivan is around my age! He fought, and I can’t even hear about it? Why?!”

  “Because you’re still a kid, Ira.” Shekhar patted her head lovingly.

  “How?” she asked sadly. “Why is Rivan an adult and I’m still a kid?”

  “Because you still look like one, Baby Doll,”

  came a mischievous voice from behind.

  They turned—and there stood Rivan, with his usual playful smile.

  A bandage wrapped around his forehead, a few scratches on his cheeks, and his arms and legs covered with light bandages.

  Ira narrowed her eyes at him.

  Mr. Shah stepped forward. “Boss, I was just coming to get you.”

  Rivan smirked. “I don’t need anyone’s help, Mr. Shah. I’m not sick. The bandages are just for show—I’m perfectly fine now!”

  He turned toward Shekhar and smiled. “Besides, I wanted to meet your leader. After all, Big Bro respects him so much.”

  Shekhar looked at him calmly, his expression unreadable.

  “Go home, kid. Get some rest. If I hear another complaint, it won’t end well.”

  Rivan made a face. “You’re too strict! But… I like that about you.”

  He bent down to touch Shekhar’s feet respectfully and said, “I hope we meet again someday.”

  Shekhar replied softly, “Yes, but not for a reason like this. I don’t like seeing you covered in blood.”

  Ira made a face and thought, “Why does this jerk always try to get close to my dear ones! Ira doesn’t like this at all!”

  Meanwhile, Rivan came near Ira and bent slightly and said, “By the way… I fought with ten people alone! I’m cool, right?!”

  For a moment, Ira was lost in his smile and almost nodded—then shook her head sharply.

  “No! Not cool at all!”

  Rivan laughed as he walked away.

  “That’s fine. Kids shouldn’t like violence anyway!”

  Mr. Shah followed behind, bowing slightly to Shekhar before leaving.

  Shekhar took Ira’s hand and said softly, “Let’s go, dear.”

  leaving behind the boy with the bandaged smile, and a night that silently hid the next storm.