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Vijay's Pov

I was drinking tea with my wife when she asked, "Jay, don't you think it is time for our Rudra to marry and settle down?"

I want my son to marry, have children, and be happy in his life. He deserves so much happiness, which I, as a father, can't provide. My negligence is the result—that is why he is as he is today. I just want him to be happy in life.

"You know how he acts whenever I ask him to get married. I even asked him if he was dating anyone. And you already know the answer, my dear." I replied to my wife.

"No, Dad, I don't have anyone in my life, and I don't want to marry anyone." We both laughed as we said it because Rudra always says the same thing.

He is very stubborn.

"We need to do something so he can marry and we can have grandchildren to spoil," Suman explained. I know how badly she wants grandchildren; she adores children but is unable to have her own due to medical conditions.

"DAD, DAD, DAD! Muktha Di ruined my drawings once more. Why can't you just tell her to stop? She always annoys me and ruins my stuff." Athwa and Muktha, our youngest son, came running up behind him, grinning.

"What happened now? Muktha, what did you do?" Suman asked her daughter, who was now laughing after seeing Athwa cry.

"I was drawing when she came in and ruined it all. She always does this to me." Athwa cried out, pointing to Muktha and then to his damaged drawing.

Muktha sat in front of him and apologised, "Okay, okay, Athwa, I am sorry. I will not do it again; please forgive me."

Athwa smiled at her with teary eyes. "I will forgive you if you buy me new drawing supplies. I want everything new and a lot of chocolates. I will forgive you if you bring me all of that."

Muktha smiled and said, "Okay, deal, I will bring everything you asked for, but first you have to come with me to the office; Rudra bhaiya wanted me to do something for him."

Muktha looked down at Athwa, who was staring at her with big, scared eyes.

"No, I am not going there. Bhaiya is scary and always shouts at people. No, I do not want to go there. You go; he called you, not me. Thank you," Athwa said.

Suman and I exchanged glances, knowing full well that Muktha would take him with her no matter what. So I had to step in between the brother and sister before they caused even more havoc.

"Why did Rudra call you, Muktha?" I asked.

"I do not know Papa, bhaiya just called and said, no, no, he does not say anything, you know." He demanded that I be there within the next hour." She explained.

"And you did not ask him, why is he calling you or anything?" Suman asked.

"Like I said, mummy, I do not know what Bhaiya wants, and I will not know unless I go there and find out," Muktha said.

I looked at Athwa, who was slowly sneaking away, thinking no one would notice him, but I did. He looked at me and put his finger on his lips, hinting that I should be quiet. He dashed to his room and locked the door from the inside.

Muktha, who was looking for her bag, heard the door close behind her and ran to his room, banging on his door to open it.

"No! I will not open the door. You will make me go to the office, and I do not want to go!" Athwa yelled from inside.

I know what Muktha will do next to get Athwa to agree with her.

"Athwa, if you do not open the door and come with me, forget about everything you wanted," Muktha said, as expected of her.

Athwa said, "Okay! Now go without me. Why do you even want me to come with you? You know how scared I am of Bhaiya, but still, you want me to go with you. Why don't you love me, Muktha Di?" Athwa opened the door and asked her with tears in his eyes.

Muktha looked down with glistening eyes and said, "You know I love you, sweety, and do not ever doubt it!" Athwa looked her in the eyes but said nothing.

"Athwa, do you understand?" Muktha asked again sternly, and he nodded.

"I want to take you with me because I was thinking you might want to go out and have ice cream with me or whatever else you want to eat. And we would get all your supplies and everything on the way home."

Athwa thought as he looked down at his foot, and then he looked at Suman, who also wanted him to go out and have some fun. He had not left the house since summer vacation began.

"You should go, Athwa, and spend some time outside of this house—but only if you want to." Nobody will force you, Bache." Suman said, nodding to Athwa.

Muktha looked at her mother with doubtful eyes, and Suman nodded for her to remain silent. We all looked at Athwa, waiting for him to decide whether he wanted to go or stay inside, as he did every day.

"I will go with you," Athwa murmured, making Muktha smile.

"But only if you promise to stay with me at all times and not leave me alone." Athwa finished.

"All right, I promise I will be with you at all times and hold your hand." Muktha teased Athwa, who was used to her teasing by now.

"Fine, let us go."

Author's pov

Muktha and Athwa arrived at their brother's office. It is a glass building with 85 floors. Their brother is on the top floor. When they entered the building, Muktha greeted the guards, who recognised her as their boss's sister and smiled respectfully at her.

Muktha took her entry pass from reception, which she had forgotten the day before, and took the private elevator to her brother's floor, pressing the button.

"Do you think bhaiya will be happy to see me with you, Muktha di?" Athwa asked, hopeful.

Muktha said, looking at him and pulling his cute, chubby cheeks. "How could he not be? How could anyone be unhappy to see you? Young man." She ruffled his hair.

They stepped out of the elevator and made their way to Rudra's cabin. Athwa came to a halt outside, and Muktha looked at him with confusion.

"Di, you can talk to Bhaiya, and then we will leave." He gave her an innocent look. He simply did not want to go inside.

"It is fine, baby. We can go inside; nothing will happen, I promise."

They were about to open the door when Rudra pushed it open. He gave Muktha a cold look.

"You will never be on time, even once." He then locked his gaze on Athwa, his eyes as cold as ice. Athwa looked at him innocently and smiled at Rudra.

Rudra noticed his younger brother's smile but ignored it, turning away. His little brother was upset and was now crying as he stared at his shoes.

His next words were forceful. "Why did you bring him with you? I asked you to come, not for you to bring him."

He then returned to his cabin. 

Thank you for taking the time to read!