9:00 AM – At Aniket’s House
Ira was sitting at the dining table, eyes closed, tapping her finger impatiently.
She was clearly frustrated — waiting for Aditya and Aniket.
Shekhar, who had just finished breakfast, looked at her and said, “Kiddo… are you sure you’re not hungry?”
Ira sighed. “Yeah… I’ll eat later. You go ahead!”
Shekhar started walking away, but Ira called out, “By the way… Uncle, why haven’t Aniket and Aditya bhai come yet?”
Shekhar smirked. “Ahh… so that’s why you’re not eating. You’re waiting for them! Anyway, I forgot to tell you — they’re not coming for breakfast. They’re going to Rivan’s place first, then straight to the office.”
Hearing that, Ira shot up from her chair.
“What?! Why that idiot’s house?!”
Shekhar couldn’t help but smile.
“So our little one is jealous of Rivan now, huh? But kiddo, jealousy isn’t good… not at all! And you saw Rivan yesterday, didn’t you? He got hurt! After knowing that, of course they had to visit him.”
Ira pouted, turned away, and said, “Ira doesn’t get jealous of stupid idiots like Rivan! Let them go wherever they want — who cares!”
Then she sat back down and started eating, pretending to ignore everything.
Shekhar chuckled, sat down again, and said, “So now you’re hungry, huh?”
Ira’s mouth was full, but after hearing that, she stuffed even more food in so she wouldn’t have to answer.
Shekhar smiled softly.
“I’ll sit here till you finish, so you don’t feel lonely.”
Ira turned her face away — just like a sulking child.
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
Meanwhile, at Rivan’s House…
The doorbell rang.
Mr. Shah was in the kitchen, and Rivan was half-asleep on the sofa, sprawled like a lazy child.
Mr. Shah had just woken him up a few minutes ago.
When the bell rang again, Mr. Shah called out, “Boss! Can you get the door? My hand are still busy”
Rivan groaned, dragged himself to the door like a zombie, and opened it — only to feel a gentle hand touch his forehead.
The moment that touch came, his drowsiness disappeared.
His eyes widened. “Big… bro?!”
Aditya’s gaze was fixed on the wound on Rivan’s forehead — he was checking it gently with concern.
Meanwhile, Aniket grabbed Rivan’s arm to check if it was hurt anywhere else.
The way both were examining him, it felt as if they were looking at a hurt child.
And suddenly — Rivan hugged both of them tightly.
It was unexpected; Aditya and Aniket glanced at each other in surprise.
Rivan said emotionally, “It’s been so long… so long since you two came together like this! Just the three of us—no, the four of us! Mr. Shah’s here too!”
Aditya hesitated, “Rivan, move back…”
Rivan stepped back — and immediately, Aditya slapped him.
It wasn’t hard; Rivan didn’t even flinch.
Rivan rubbed his cheek and grinned, “Big bro… you’ve gotten weaker, huh? Not hitting the gym anymore?”
Aditya frowned, stepping closer.
“I didn’t use full strength…”
Rivan blinked innocently. “Why not? If you’re going to hit me, at least do it properly!”
Aniket tugged Rivan’s ear.
“Properly, huh? Like the way you beat up those ten guys yesterday?! Idiot! We just came from the hospital — you nearly broke their bones!”
Rivan looked surprised. “Oh… those guys ran away! I thought I’d never see them again — how did you find them?”
Aditya glared at him, fuming.
Rivan, with his most innocent look, said, “It wasn’t my fault, Big Bro, honestly! They started it! They were teasing that puppy — I told them to stop, but they threatened me! I tried to control myself, but then… They abused me! You said a gentleman never gives or takes dirty words, right? So then…”
“Enough!” Aditya snapped.
“I don’t want to hear who started what and why!”
Rivan’s gaze dropped; he went silent.
Aniket sighed and thought to himself, “Why does he always glare like that? Poor kid looks crushed now… idiot!”
He ruffled Rivan’s hair and said softly, “Okay, don’t sulk! Your Big Bro has already fixed everything. Now… Can we come in?”
Rivan nodded and stepped aside.
“Of course, come in! Mr. Shah’s making breakfast. Do you guys…”
He trailed off — seeing that Aditya’s smile had vanished.
That could mean only one thing: he was angry.
Aniket tapped Aditya’s forehead playfully.
“Come on, I’m starving! Mr. Shah, what’s for breakfast?”
Mr. Shah walked out of the kitchen with a smile.
“Aloo parathas! Boss has been craving them for days!”
Aniket’s face lit up. “Yeah!”
Rivan looked at Aditya with big, hopeful eyes.
Aditya sighed and said to Mr. Shah, “Give him something healthy, please…”
Mr. Shah laughed. “Once in a while, let him eat what he loves — it won’t hurt.”
Aditya looked back at Rivan, who was now staring down at the floor.
Then, gently touching his forehead, Aditya said, “Next time, don’t get into fights. And no more injuries, okay?”
Rivan looked up — there was a faint smile on Aditya’s lips.
Seeing that, Rivan’s whole face brightened with joy.
Meanwhile, at Anamika’s House…
Saaniya and Anamika were sitting at the dining table.
Saaniya was eating breakfast while reading a book — completely absorbed in it.
It felt like she had drifted away into that story’s world.
Anamika watched her with quiet happiness.
Finally, Saaniya was reading something other than medical books — something filled with feelings and emotions.
Anamika smiled to herself, thinking, “Maybe now you’ll understand what emotions truly mean…
You may not have lived those colors, but through these stories — you’ll learn what they feel like.”
