First vote, then read!

The air was fresh and cool on the penthouse rooftop, a gentle breeze rustling through the potted plants that lined the edges. The city sprawled out below; it was a serene contrast to the chaos that had been my life recently, and I couldn't help but feel a small sense of peace as I sat at the table, a plate of food in front of me.

Athwa had hired a nutritionist who had provided a detailed plan of what I should be eating to avoid upsetting my sensitive stomach. Today's meal was a colourful array of lightly steamed vegetables, grilled chicken, and a small serving of quinoa—all carefully prepared by Athwa.

I shifted slightly in my chair, and the silence was disturbed by the jingles of the anklets that had magically appeared around my ankles. When I woke up the other day with these around my ankles, it felt weird, and yet it made my heart flutter, knowing Athwa had tied them around my ankles. I wanted to keep them, but I didn't want to show him how much I liked them and how his care meant to me.

He noticed this and sighed, getting off his chair. He walked around and kneeled near my feet, gently placing my foot on his thigh, his jaw clenching and fists tightening as he worked on unhooking them. But I quickly snatched my foot from his grip, my heart beating rapidly.

"What are you doing?" I snapped, my voice sharp and defensive, hiding the emotions welling up inside me.

He looked up at me, taken aback by my tone, his eyes filled with concern. "I'm taking off these anklets because they seem to bother you. I don't want anything to cause you discomfort," he replied softly.

"They don't bother me," I retorted, my voice trembling with suppressed emotions.

"Then why do you act like you want them off?" he asked gently, his hand resting lightly on my ankle. "If you like them, wear them. If you don't, remove them."

"I do like them," I admitted reluctantly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Athwa smiled, a look of relief washing over his features. "Then keep them, sweetness. They look beautiful on you, just like everything else about you." He leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to my ankle, sending a shiver of warmth through me.

I bit my lip, still trying to mask my true feelings. "Whatever," I muttered, turning my head away to hide the tears threatening to spill.

Athwa nodded his head, getting up. He cupped my cheeks and just stared at me, his eyes flickering over my face, with desperation and a kind of relief present in his eyes. This look made my heart ache terribly and I pulled back from his hold, his finger slipping slowly from my face.

He stood there for a lingering moment and went back to his seat. I took a breath to calm my emotions and as I took a bite, the flavours burst into my mouth, surprisingly delicious given the restrictions. I glanced across the table at Athwa, who was watching me intently. His concern was palpable, and I felt a mix of frustration and almost suffocation.

"I can take care of myself." I said, putting my fork down for a moment. "I was doing just fine without you."

He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I know you can, sweetness. But I needed to make sure you're okay."

I sighed, picking up my fork again. "You're always so... overbearing. It's suffocating, Athwa."

His eyes pinched together at my statement. I told the truth, and I know it hurts.

"I do not know why you always felt that way, sweetness. I just always wanted to make sure you were not in trouble—"

I interrupted him harshly and snapped. "There are other ways to do that but you don't know any of them, do you? I am grateful to you for looking after me when I was sick, but all this? You are suffocating me, same as before and I bet you don't know that either!"

He did not say anything after that, and I did not want to hear him anyway. I might have overreacted but he needs to understand that he cannot always be doing that.

We ate in silence for a while, the only sounds being the occasional clink of cutlery against plates and the distant hum of the city. Despite everything, it was a comfortable silence, filled with unspoken words and shared history.

After a few more bites, I pushed my plate away, feeling pleasantly full. Athwa immediately reached for a small bowl of fresh fruit, sliding it towards me. "The nutritionist said you should have some fruit to help with digestion."

I sighed, raising an eyebrow. "You are fucking impossible!"

He smiled, but there was a flicker of hurt and something else in his eyes—something deeper, more intense. It was the same look he'd had the night I fell ill—the same look he'd had so many times before. It was a mix of love, possessiveness, and a hint of desperation.

"Pyaar karta hu tumse, takleef mein nahi dekh sakta." his voice was soft, and I raised my head to meet his eyes.

(I love you, and I can't see you in pain.)

"Mat karo itna pyar, Athwa. Tumeh hi takleef hogi." I whispered softly, raising my gaze to meet his.

(Don't love me to this extent, Athwa. You'll only get hurt.)

He smiled—a painful one. "Mujhe us takleef se bhi pyar jo tumse mili hai."

(I even love the pain that you've given me.)

The sincerity in his voice made my heart ache, and now I felt bad for snapping at him. After that, I snapped my mouth shut and quietly ate the fruits.

Despite everything, despite the pain and confusion, there was still a bond between us that couldn't be broken.

And in that moment, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, things could be different. Maybe we could find a way to make this work. Because despite all the reasons I had to keep my distance, there was one undeniable truth—I still love him, and a part of me always will.

After Athwa left for work, I finally felt like I could breathe. His presence was overbearing, with him dancing on my head and watching me constantly, without regard for what I had told him.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

I remained on the rooftop, basking in the warm sunlight. It was a rare moment of tranquilly; the city sounded muted by the height of the penthouse. I closed my eyes, letting the peace wash over me, savouring the solitude.

My mind wandered to the past few days—the tension between Athwa and me, the silent dance we'd been performing around each other. Despite my best efforts to avoid him, his presence was a constant, looming shadow. But here, in this moment, I felt free—if only temporarily.

The sound of a door opening and closing pulled me from my reverie. I turned to see a familiar figure walking towards me, Bhabhi, with twins, Kian and Vyaan, in tow. My heart clenched at the sight of them. They had grown so much in six years. They were just a year old when I left, and now they were six, full of life and energy.

"Aunty Taara!" they exclaimed in unison, their little faces lighting up with joy as they ran towards me.

"My babies!" I exclaimed, my voice breaking with emotion. I kneeled down, wrapping my arms around them as they barreled into me, their small arms wrapping around my neck. Tears pricked my eyes, and I blinked them away, not wanting to alarm them.

I had talked to them while I was away.

"Hey, don't forget about me." Bhabhi's voice had a playful note to it, but I could see the underlying sadness in her eyes.

I looked up, giving her a watery smile. "It's so good to see you."

She walked over, hugging me tightly after the twins released their grip. "Taara, why didn't you tell me you were back? Your brother would be so happy to see you. Everyone missed you dearly." Her voice was soft, but I could hear the hurt in it.

I hesitated, not wanting to burden her with the complicated truth. "I'm sorry, I just... I didn't want to worry anyone."

She pulled back, studying my face. "Athwa told me you're back and will be staying here with him."

I glanced away. I could feel my anger rushing back to the surface but I controlled myself, my stomach twisting with guilt. I'd let her believe I was still in Havenwood, not wanting to worry her about me.

"Yes," I said, nodding my head.

Her eyes softened, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. "You can come and live with us. You do not have to live with him if you do not want." her eyes hardened, and she added. "I will whoop that idiot's ass."

That made me laugh and she laughed with me. I sober up and whisper, my voice choked with emotion. "I do not have a choice, and if I go with you, history will only repeat itself."

Kian and Vyaan tugged at my hands, their excited chatter breaking the tension. "Aunty Taara, come play with us!"

I smiled, ruffling their hair. "Alright, alright. Let's go play."

As we moved to a small play area set up on the rooftop, I felt a bittersweet mix of emotions. It was wonderful to see my family again and to feel their love and warmth, but it also reminded me of everything I had missed. The years I had lost, the moments I couldn't get back.

She watched us with a soft smile on her face, but I could see the questions in her eyes; she wanted to know everything. She didn't push, though, respecting my need for space. For now, it was enough to be together and share this moment.

As the twins played, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to reconcile my past with my present.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

The dining room was filled with the aromas of Bhabhi's cooking, but the tension at the table was palpable. Everyone had gathered for dinner—Bhabhi, her twins Kian and Vyaan, Rudra with his twins, and my brother Samay.

I was curious as to why Athwa's mother did not come but I was more glad. She would have only added fuel to the fiery tension here.

The table was a mix of strained silence and polite conversation, but underneath it all, I could feel the weight of everyone's unspoken questions and simmering emotions.

I sat between the pair of twins, on my left, my brother's children and on my right, Rudra's. Across me sat Rudra and my brother and I felt like a deer caught in headlights. Bhai had been glaring at Athwa since the moment he arrived, his eyes throwing daggers across the table. Rudra, on the other hand, was staring at me with a piercing intensity that made my skin prickle with anxiety.

Bhabhi had gone out of her way to prepare a special meal for me, adhering to the nutritionist's chart. She had finally learnt to cook over the years. I was worried she might blow this place up, but she told me to trust her.

She placed a bowl of soup in front of me, her eyes soft with concern. "Here, this should be gentle on your stomach."

"Thank you." I murmured, forcing a small smile.

"Oh, Barkha, are you sure that's even edible?" Rudra spoke, with a hint of mockery. He never leaves a chance to mess with her.

She stopped, taking deep breaths, before turning to face him. She smiled extra sweetly. "That is, but I am not sure about your food. Be careful, Rudra."

I chuckled as he glared at her, his eyes practically throwing daggers at Barkha.

My eyes drifted to Athwa, even in a simple V-neck shirt and sweatpants. His muscled, bulky frame was hard to ignore, and the tattoos that covered his arms and peeked out from under the collar of his shirt were a stark reminder of his intensity and the time that had passed.

My brother's glare intensified, and I could almost feel the heat of his anger. It would not take a genius to realise that my disappearance had something to do with him.

Everyone quietly ate their food and swallowed it forcefully with the tension present around the table.

After an excruciating silence, my brother decided to speak. "Taara, you are coming home with us." His voice was firm and final.

Athwa's shoulders tensed and his whole demeanour turned rigid as he glared at my brother. I sighed, closing my eyes. This is the reason I hide. my arrival from them. I knew they would want me to go with them, and I also knew Athwa wouldn't let me.

"She remains here—with me," Athwa said, his voice low and throaty.

And my body tensed at his voice and rigid expression with the intensity with which he stared at my brother.

My brother's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "She's my sister. She deserves to be with her family, away from the mess. You."

Athwa glared at him, his eyes darkening with possessive fury. I felt the tension rise between them, like a taut wire ready to snap.

Rudra, sitting at the table with a glass of wine, watched the scene unfold with a slight smirk on his lips. There was a glint of amusement in his eyes, as if he were reliving his own experiences through his younger brother's possessiveness.

I still remember how he fought my brother and took my sister.

"Easy, gentlemen," he drawled, taking a sip of his wine. "Let's not make this a testosterone fest. Bacche, what do you want?" (kiddo)

All eyes turned to me, and I felt the weight of their expectations. My gaze flickered to Athwa, whose eyes bore into mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

"I..." I began, my voice faltering. "I do not know."

"Sweetness, you need time. Take all the time you need." Athwa's expression softened for a brief moment before hardening again. "But you're staying here."

bhai's face turned red with frustration. "Taara, this isn't healthy. You can't let him control you like this."

"I'm not controlling her," Athwa snapped, his voice edged with irritation. "I'm protecting her."

Rudra chuckled, shaking his head. "Protecting her from her own family. Quite the superhero move, brother."

"Stay out of this, bhai." Athwa growled, his eyes never leaving mine.

I met my brother's gaze and sighed. "I'll figure this out on my own." Athwa's gaze softened slightly as he looked at me, a hint of vulnerability breaking through his possessive exterior.

Bhai looked like he wanted to argue, but he sighed heavily. "Fine. But I'm here for you, no matter what." he turned to face Rudra, who raised his brows at my brother as he pointed his finger at him. "Tum dono bhai! Pehle Tum Chandini ke peeche the, ab yeh Taara! Chnadini ko kho chuka hu, isko khona nahi chahta." his voice faltered and turned into a whisper.

(You two brothers! First, you were after Chandini, and now he's after Taara! I've already lost Chandini; I don't want to lose this one.)

Rudra froze in his seat and just stared at my brother with hard eyes, his jaw clenched. Athwa seemed to be taken by surprise at the mention of Didi. We all suffered after her, but these two brothers suffered the most, and her mention was a low blow.

"Samay!" Bhabhi hissed at my brother with wide, shocked eyes, but he remained glaring at the brothers, his eyes flickering between them.

I cringed at the screeching noise of the chair as Rudra pushed it back and stood, his eyes never leaving my brother. He stepped towards Bhai, his jaw ticking and hands into tight fists, as he stopped, an inch away from my brother's face.

I was panicking, looking at them stare down at each other. Athwa glazed towards me, my eyes pleading for him to stop them. But as he stepped towards them, Rudra spoke.

"Tumhari behan meri biwi, meri puri zindagi hai. Aaj bol gaye ho, dubara mat bolna." And he left with his daughters.

(Your sister is my wife, my whole world. You have said it today; do not dare say it again.)

"Good night, everyone." I whispered, and Athwa's softened eyes flickered to mine as I walked upstairs.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆