"...in every way that mattered."

______________________________________

After getting ready, Dhruv stepped out of his room, adjusting his cufflink. He walked towards the exit. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, stopping him mid track.

"What happened?" He asked in a soft voice, one he rarely uses.

Charvi rested her head on his back, sighing softly. "I am feeling bad, bhaiya." She mumbled in a low voice.

Dhruv turned to face her. He cradled her face in his palms. "Did someone say something to my little girl, hmm?" He asked, his expression softened.

Charvi shook her head. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Dhruv's forehead creased in concern and worry. He sat Charvi on the second-floor hall couch and kneeled in front of her, eye-level to her.

"What is it, Charu? Come on, you know you can talk to bhaiya about anything, right?" He spoke softly.

Charvi nodded, and a lone tear fell from his eyes. Dhruv wiped the tear away and pulled her in a warm, comforting hug, and the dam broke. Charvi broke into silent sobs. Dhruv rubbed her back, providing silent warmth and comfort.

After a while, Charvi sobs subsided. Dhruv wiped her tears with his shirt's sleeves. "I am feeling really horrible, bhaiya." She whispered, still nestled in his arms.

"Why is my doll feeling horrible, huh? Do you want me to perform an autopsy of someone? Just say the name." He said with mock seriousness. Charvi chuckled weakly despite herself.

"What happened, Charu?" He asked, his voice turning serious.

"I... I saw the news.. about the sudden closing of my school, about.. Farhan and Zoya... " She mumbled, seeking more of the comforting warmth. "I feel so bad, bhaiya. I made hang out plans with Arjun and my other friends because I was so happy about getting holidays. And now it just feels so wrong. Like I'm celebrating what they lost. I shouldn't have rushed things, I.. I don't know." Her voice cracked.

Dhruv understood her inner turmoil. It wasn't easy to wake up one day and hear about the death of your classmate who you talked to just a few days ago.

"It wasn't your fault, Charu." Dhruv said gently yet firmly. "You didn't know about it."

"I know, I know. I just can't help but feel like I did something wrong." Her voice was barely a whisper, Dhruv would've missed if they weren't alone, sitting in complete silence.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Charu. You didn't know about it. You just wanted to spend some time with your friends. This is not something you should feel guilty and bad about." Dhruv's voice was patient and calm.

"Still..." Charvi whispered, sniffing, dwelling in self-pity.

"Listen here, Charvi. What happened to your classmates was unfortunate. But you couldn't have done something to change it. You are not disrespecting them. You're going on with your life as you should. And I think what you did was right in a way. All of your friends must've been shaken up by the news. A little distration will help everyone feel better." He said, gently rubbing her shoulder.

"Really?" She asked, relatively calmer than before.

"Really." Dhruv nodded, affirming. "Try not to think too much about it, okay? Cheer up and try to cheer up your friends as well, hmm? I don't like my Charu so gloomy."

Charvi nodded, wiping the remnant of tears at the cornor of her eyes. She threw her arms around his torso again. Dhruv held her close, pecking the side of her head.

Charvi was always like a child to him more than a sibling. He had practically raised her alongside their parents. With Veer, he was always the elder brother trying to keep his younger sibling in check.

But with Charvi, he felt more like a parent who needed to be present in their child's every little step in life. He was the first one to hold her, and that was something he'd flaunt about his whole life to everyone in their family. She was his child.

Maybe it was the fact that she always seeked him when she used to cry as a toddler. Maybe it was the huge age gap between them. Maybe it was the trust in her eyes when she looked up to him in everything.

Nonetheless, she was his child... in every way that mattered.

For Charvi, Dhruv was her comfort zone.

Veer was there, too. Veer was her big brother in the traditional sense—teasing, protective, occasionally aloof. Veer was her partner-in crime, her best friend, her savior from scoldings, even though he mostly adds fuel to the fire.

But Dhruv was the one constant. She'd go to anytime without any hesitation, without any fear of judgment. Sure, he'd praise her in her rights but also reprimand her in her wrongs. He was her guidance. Her first teacher.

They stayed like that for a while longer before Dhruv pulled back slightly. "If my doll is alright, can her bhaiya go to his office now?" He asked, titling his head to look at her.

Charu nodded, wiping the remnants of tears from the cornor of her eyes. "I'll come with you." She muttered, her voice was slightly hoarse.

"To my office?" He mused.

She shook her head. "Nahi, bas darwaze tak. Phir aap apne office jana aur mai Arjun ke ghar jayungi. Usne agar news dekhi hogi toh pata nahi woh kaisa feel kar raha hoga." She said and got up from the sofa.

Dhruv nodded. "You don't want to wash your face first?" He asked, looking at her red eyes, nose, flushed cheeks, and messy hair.

Charu ran a hand in her hair to fix them. "Nah, it's just Arjun. I'm good."

They both made their way downstairs towards the exit, unaware of the pair of eyes watching them with a soft smile.

______________________________________

CHARVI

I made my way towards Arjun's house, bouncing on my steps. I was in a better mood now, determined to cheer up Arjun as well if he was also feeling low. After all, it was my job as his best friend, and I was devoted.

I didn't bother knocking on the door after reaching his house because... why should I? It was Arjun's house, basically a free entry whenever I wanted. Uncle didn't stop me, Arjun wouldn't dare to, his Dadi was an issue. But I always told myself that she was just an old woman feeling cranky at her age and didn't bother paying her words much heed.

I entered the living room to see Arjun standing there with his head bowed and his Dadi standing in front of him with a sharp look on her face. By the looks of it, it looked like a serious conversation.

Oh shoot, did I just walk into a private conversation?

I should've knocked.

I decided to walk out and pretend I never walked into their conversation. I haven't heard anything yet. I'd just go to the door again, knock, and let them be aware of my presence. I turned on my heels only to hear a sharp, venomous voice ring through the whole house.

"Humare bahu aur pote ko toh humse cheen liya tumne. Ab humare bete ko bhi humse door karne mein lage ho. Tumhari wajah se ghar nahi aata woh. Is ghar mein jo bhi kuch galat hota hai na unn sabki wajah tum ho. Pata nahi kaha se aisi panauti humare sar lag gayi!" His dadi spat, glaring at Arjun with nothing but resentment. Arjun was still standing there with his head bowed, face expressionless.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. This woman still hasn't changed. Still the same venom-spewing snake. All the TV vamps are saints in front of her. She’s the true example that not all elders deserve respect. Some need a good reprimand.

But what bothered me more was that why wasn't Arjun saying anything? Sure, he was a quiet, peace-loving, I'd-rather-not-waste-my-time-in-petty-arguments-that-I-could-spend-studying type of boy, but he wasn't the type to take anyone's shit either. Then why was he letting her talk to him like that?

She scoffed sharply before continuing. "Arre, kash uss din un dono ki jagah tum mar jate. Hum sabko ko shanti milti, sab khush hote. Tumne toh apni sagi maa ko nahi choda phir toh hai hi paraye. Everyday, I wish it was you that died—"

"Enough!" I cut her off firmly, my jaw was clenched, and palms were fisted. I was furious. How can she wish for his death? He was her own grandson for god's sake!

Heating my voice, both their heads snapped in my direction. His Dadi's glare turned to me while Arjun's eyes widened slightly, a muscle in his jaw ticked. His eyes locked into mine intensely, pleading for me to go away.

I ignored his gaze and walked to stand in front of him, facing his witch of a grandmother. I'd seen this before once or twice when we were kids but Arjun always dismissed it saying it wasn't a big deal. I let it go before I didn't understand much back then. But now I get it, it is a big deal. Enough was enough.

"What are you doing here, girl? Aur aise kaise humare ghar mein ghus aayi tum?" His Dadi asked sharply in her oh-so-sweet, bitter than a bitterguard voice.

"Ye jo itne bada darwane hai na aapke ghar ka waha se aayi and I'm sure sab wahi se aate honge, nahi?" I said sarcastically, giving her the sweetest smile of smile.

She gritted her teeth, intensifying her glare. "How dare you enter my house without permission, huh?"

"Why would I need permission to enter my best friend's house, huh?" I crossed my arms, matching her tone.

"Because this is MY house, not your best friend's!" Her high-pitched, shrilled voice was making my ears bleed mentally. Oh god, help my eardrums!

"Dadi ji, aapke jawani ke din hi kitne bache hai abhi, do din mein yamraj ji ki favorite guest ban jayengi aap. Toh kya ye ghar, gaadi, paise aapne saath lekar jayengi? Nhi na?" I tilted my head, mockingly.

"Dekhiye yahi umar hai ye sab moh-maya chodiye aur prabhu ka naam japna shuru kijiye. Meri dadi ke saath har shaam bagal wale mandir jaya kariye keertan sunne, thodi maan ko shanti milege, aatma ka number aane se pehle." I said nodding, feigning mock-understanding.

"You insolent little brat—"

"Bas Dadi ji ab wahi ruk jayiye aap. Woh kya hai na, I don't do well with cranky grandmas. My tongue may slip and utter some not-so-polite words then I'll look a bitch to you more than a brat. So, let's better not go there." I deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.

Arjun held my wrist, pulling me back. "Enough, Charu. Leave it now." His brows were furrowed, but he wasn't angry a sharp constrast to my furious demeanor.

"What enough? I met your grandma after soooo many days, let us have a conversation, no?" I blinked, feigning innocence and obliviousness. I turned back to look at his dadi. "Right, Dadi ji?" I mocked.

She didn't bother giving me a reply instead turned to bore holes in Arjun's skull. "Ye, aise dost bana rakhe hai tumne?" She spat, then turned in my direction again. "Iss batamez ladki ko toh bado se baat karne ki tameez bhi nahi hai!"

"Tameez chota-bada nahi dekhti, Dadi ji. You get what you give. First, learn to respect your own family before expecting it from outsiders." I retorted coldly, giving her a sharp look.

"Who do you think you are to teach me teachings about respect, huh?! Pata bhi hai tumse umar aur aude mein kitne bade hai hum?" She spat.

"Lekin soch toh kisi cheti se bhi choti hai aapki, uska kya?" I retorted, narrowing my eyes.

"How dare you?!" She yelled, making me flinch back. His voice was rageful, her whole body was shaking in anger.

Before I could say anything, Arjun grabbed my wrist and started dragging me upstairs with him, without caring about her grandmother's glare or yellings.

We reached his room and he closed the door behind us. He turned to me, his brows were furrowed. My eyes narrowed. "Why didn’t you say anything to her? You just stood there listening to her like a damn statue."

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Calm down, Charu." He said.

How can he be so calm after what happened downstairs? It was as if he was used to all of that. And I have feeling that maybe he was indeed used to that.

I took a sharp breath. "Calm down? No, you tell me, how can you be so calm after whatever venom she was spewing? What didn't you say anything?"

"Charu..." He sat me on his bed and sat beside me. "Whatever she said, but at the end of the day, she is my Dadi—"

"No Dadi talks like that to their grandchild. So, don't give me that." I cut him off sharply. "Is that how she talks to you? Like all the time?" I asked, eyes narrowed. He didn't reply, just stared at him, helplessly.

"She does, doesn't she?" I huffed. That silence gave it away. I know Arjun like the back of my hand. "Why do you let her?" I promted again. I wanted the reason. Not excuses that justified her behavior.

Arjun sighed, like he was so done with everything. "Again, she is Dadi. My dad's mother. I cannot disrespect her." He said.

"I am not telling you to disrespect her, I'm telling you to respect yourself!" I snapped. "Standing up for yourself does not mean disrespecting others." I stated firmly.

"I know that, okay." He blinked, and looked away. "I just don't want dad to be upset in all this. He already has so much on his plate, epcially since maa left. I don't want to add more."

"Wait," I turned his face to make him look at me. "Does uncle know? Does he know about all this?" I asked in anticipation, not the good one, biting my inner cheek.

Because if he does, then that's f*cked up. Because that's abuse. That's mental, verbal abuse. I swear to god, if that's true and he knows, then I'm taking Arjun with me. I'll not let him be tortured in his own house. I'll keep him with me. Safe and sound. And protected. And cherished. And definitely NOT abused.

A small soft smile crept on his face as he bit his lip to stop it but failed miserably. I stared at him in disbelief. My mouth fell agape. How can this boy smile when I am considering life choices here?

I hit his forearm. "How can you smile in such situation, idiot?" I scoffed in disbelief.

I rubbed his forehead, but his smile only grew wider. "You'll really take me with you, huh?" He asked, in a teasing tone though there was a hint of vulnerability beneath it.

Did I say that out aloud? I most probably did, I guess.

My face hardened. "Yes." I affirmed firmly. "Yes, I'll take you with me. Because hell, if I let you stay here even for a second after knowing all that." The teasing smile on his face was replaced by something I couldn't quite decipher, something intense. We both stared at each other for a while longer before I spoke again. 

"I'll tell papa and we'll file a case against them. And I'm dead serious, Arjun. So, tell me, honestly, Does. He. Know?" I asked, taking his hands in mine.

"No." He whispered.

"No?" I frowned.

He took a deep breath and shook his head. "He doesn't know. He doesn't need to." He stated firmly, leaving no room for arguments.

"What do you mean he doesn't need to? Of course, he does!" My voice raised slightly. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This boy I tell you!

Arjun gave a dead look and shook his head twice firmly. I slouched back, shoulder lowering, as I huffed in annoyance and disbelief. I bit my inner cheek and look away, staring into nothingness.

I'm not talking to him anymore. Period.

He didn't say anything and just stared at me, searching my face—more like remembering. There was nothing in particular in his demeanor, maybe anger? No. Sadness? I don't think so. Drained? Most probably.

Nonetheless, why wasn't he saying anything? I was supposed to the one sulking here. This isn't supposed to go like this! He was supposed to placate me; I’d throw a few tantrums, he’d try harder to appease me, and then, finally, I’d give in. That was the script. Not this silent treatment.

I huffed overexagerated and turned back to look at him, who was still staring at me intensely. "Kuch bolega ya bas bhoot ki tarah ghurta rahega mujhko?" I snapped in annoyance.

"Tu yaha aane se pehle royi thi?" He suddenly asked out of nowhere.

"Huh?"

He tapped the tip of my nose, twice. "Ye button jaisi nak itni laal kyu hai? You cried, didn't you?" He said, pressing his lips in a thin line. His eyes were telling me that lying would be of no use because he already knew I do.

I scrunched my face. "Yeah, but that's not the main concern here!" I threw my hands in the air, before crossing them over my chest.

"It is." He stated. "Now, tell me, who made you cry?" He inquired, expecting the truth.

I sighed softly. "Didn't you see the news? The holidays, the murders, Zoya and Farhan...Did you not?" My voice was low, contrasting my earlier stance.

"I did." He affirmed.

"It feels like yesterday when I talked to Farhan, and now he's... gone." I mumbled, looking at my lap. "Who could've killed them?" I whispered after a moment passed.

Silence fell between us once again. Neither of us knew what to say. Argh! What was I doing? I came here to cheer him up. But instead of doing that, I dulled it by bringing the topic up. He was already distressed because of the witch of their house.

I cleared my throat. "Arjun, tujhe pata hai mujhe naya phone milne wala hai." I said, pressing my lips in a thin line, anticipating his reaction.

He looked at me, and gave me a doubtful look. "Sach mein?" He asked, not quite believing what I said.

"Nahi. Mai toh bas mazak kar rahi thi." I shrugged, grinning cheekily.

He gave an eyebrow and gave me 'are you serious?'look, blinking. I kept looking at him, maintaining that cheeky grin. He stared at me then huffed a chuckle, shaking his head.

"You're crazy." He stated.

"Oh, you love me!" I hit his arm playfully, chuckling. Finally, a smiling Arjun has always been my favorite.

"I do."

______________________________________

Meera walked down the second floor hallway, making her way towards the kitchen to get herself a glass of water. She stepped down the stairs and instantly came face to face with Vardan, Dhruv's Uncle.

The man passed Meera a polite smile which she gladly returned, giving her a nod of acknowledgment, he resumed his way towards his room.

He was a nice man, Meera thought. Though, she hadn't interacted with him yet. He was never rude or ignorant. He always passed her polite smiles or acknowledging nods whenever they passed by each other.

He was mostly out of the house; she had observed. By Charvi and Yug, she had came to know that he was a well-off Architect. No one ever mentioned his wife, Yug's mother. She never asked because she didn't want to overstep her boundaries no matter how curious she was.

Shaking off the irrelevant thoughts, she made his way towards the kitchen. A warm smile instantly bloomed on her face when she saw Radha already there. She was standing near the kitchen island used fir extra storage. She was proud to have bonded so well with the lady.

She was a sweetheart!

Despite Radha's earlier hospitality, she eventually warmed up to her pretty well. It had almost been a fortnight since her stay at the Saxena Residence, everything was going pretty smoothly so far. Yesterday, she went to give the entrance exam and it went well... hopefully. Fingers crossed!

She approached Radha, smiling. She checked the time in her 90s mom watch, with small round dial and delicate, classic vintage silver metal band. It was 12:00 pm. Ah, perfect strike!

"Good afternoon, Aunty." Meera greeted, standing beside her. "Kya kar rahi hai aap?" She asked, looking at the work in Radha's hand.

She looked at Meera and smiled. "Wo Janmashtami aarahi hai na, toh bas jo-jo saman lana hai uski list bana rahi hu." She said, nodding towards the small siary in her hand.

Meeta nodded. "Apke yaha Thakurji baithate hai?" She inquired, interested.

"Arre, pucho mat." She chuckled. "If any festival is celebrated in our house with quite the enthusiasm after Diwali, then it's Janmashtami." She chuckled slightly.

Meera nodded, with a shine in my eyes. She was excited. Festivals did excite her. They were just so much fun. The only time when the whole family came together.

Meera suddenly felt a pang in her geart. She missed my family. What would they be doing right now? Are they missing her? She hoped they are. Are they angry with her? She hoped they aren't.

"Waise Meera, yaad hai maine tumhe padhos wali Smita ke baare mein bataya tha?" Radha's voice broke her trance.

Meera nodded, remembering. "Haa, wahi jinke bete ne bhag ke shadi karli thi, phir unki bahu ne unke chote bete ke shadi mein bohot kalesh kiye the kyuki unhone usse sagai mein nahi bulaya tha, wahi na?" 

That was the main topic they talked about last to last evening when Meera was accompanying Radha while she cooked. Meera had nothing better to do. Her  loquacious nature didn't help much. And those gossips are one of a kind.

"Ha wahi, ab woh uski bahu ka pair bhari hai, pata hai? Yet still, she's not allowing her to come live with them." Radha said, srunching her face.

"Really? Wait, her son and daughter-in-law lived separately?" Meera asked, both amused and surprised.

"Yeah, apparently when her son ran away and showed up at her door married, she swore to let them step a foot in her house."

Meera's eyes narrowed. "Ye kya baat bhala? Thik hai, jo hua so hua. But she should understand her condition now. She's pregnant, after all. That's her grandchild as well." She muttered, frowning.

"Waise woh bhage kyu the? Pyaar karte the ek dusre se toh bata dete ghar par. Gharwale mana kar rahe the kya shadi se?" She added, curious.

Radha sighed, shaking her head. "Intercaste love tha unka. Ye smita ko brahmin ladki chahiye the aur woh ladki thi punjabi." She said with a clear displeasure in her tone.

What's with the people and their obsession with intercaste marriages? Meera thought.

But looking at Radha reactions, she couldn't help but ask. "Aap bhi intercaste marriage ke khilaf hai?" She asked uncertainly. She wasn't sure of she should be asking this, but she did it anyway.

To her surprise and relief, Radha chuckled. "Me? Oh no dear, I have no problem with caste and stuff. As long as the person my children choose is the right person for them." She said with a brief smile, making a smile crepe to Meera's face involuntarily.

Radha suddenly hit her forehead. "Mai toh bhul hi gayi thi!" She exclaimed and turned off the milk kept on the stove. Fortunately, the milk wasn't overboiled.

Radha took out a big bear-shaped cup from the shelf, poured milk from the pot into it, and mixed in turmeric and saffron. She turned towards Meera. "Meera, Can you please give it to Yug? He must be in the back-garden." She asked.

Meera nodded, without hesitation. "He didn't go to school today?" She asked, taking the cup from Radha's hand.

Radha froze for the while then shook her head. "He was feeling slightly unwell today." Meera nidded and made her way towards the garden.

______________________________________

MEERA

I made my way towards the garden, and there he was—Yug. Such a sweet boy, unlike any other kid his age. I mean, no offense to the rest of the world’s children, but he really was the pampered little prince of this house. And honestly? Rightfully so.

There was something about him—this quiet vulnerability, this delicate charm—that made you want to wrap him up and shield him from everything harsh in the world. He wasn’t fragile exactly, but he had that aura, the kind that made people instinctively soften their tone, their gestures, even their footsteps around him. It was almost impossible to be anything but gentle in his presence.

I’d never seen anyone raise their voice at him. Not once. Not even by accident. And the strangest part? It didn’t feel forced. It was as if the entire household had been trained by some invisible force to treat him with extra care.

Even Tarun uncle—yes, the same Tarun uncle known for his sharp tongue and permanent scowl. Believe it or not, that man CAN smile, and apparently, talk GENTLY. Around Yug, he somehow manages both. For the rest, he is Hitler 2.0.

Yug was sitting on the bench and staring intensely at something on the ground that was out of my site of view. I walked further. There was a little grey-white feline he was staring at.

I cleared my throat, gaining his attention. I gave him a sweet smile as he looked up at me, which he reciprocated by a shy one of his own.

"Hey," I waved my hand. "Hum baith sakte hai?" I pointed at the spot beside him.

His smile widened as nodded eagerly. Awww, how cute. There goes my heart melting in a puddle. I'm such a softy for kids, specially the quite ones. Because I know, you just need to be the right person for them behave freely.

I sat beside him and forwarded the cup in my hand. "Ye lejiye chote rajkumar, aapke liye shahi dhoodh, khas haldi aur kesar ke saath." I announced, imitating a knight in the royal courtroom.

He giggled and took the cup from my hand. "Thank you, Meeru didi." He mumbled shyly, a faint hue graced his cheek.

"Accha ye batao, tum uss choti si billi ko kyu ghur rahe the?" I nodded towards the feline who was staring at us with big doe eyes that matched my own.

"Kyuki woh mujhe ghoor rahi hai. I have been trying to shoo her away for so long, but this stubborn kitten is ignoring my efforts." He folded his arms and scowled at the kitten that looked more like an adorable pout.

I chuckled at his cuteness. "You're too cute for your own good." I cooed and turned back towards the kitten and gestured for her to come to me.

Well, she didn't.

She just stared at me, blinking slowly and then ran away. I blinked. Yug blinked. Then we both burst out laughing. "Dekha, aise bhagate hai." I said, admist the laughter. He giggled, nodding.

"Aunty told me you were sick. Are you alright now?" I asked, once our laughter died down.

He nodded. "Haa, ye toh har bar hi hota hai. I'm fine." He said, shrugging.

"Har bar matlab?" I asked, confused.

"Every other time, I feel weakness, so, everyone let's me skip school, and force feed those bitter pills. It's normal for me." He said nonchalantly, smiling up at me.

Every time? Normal? No. It's anything but normal. "Pills? For what?" I asked, before thinking, without skipping a beat.

He froze. "Bade papa said I'm not supposed to tell anyone except close family members." He said in a conspiratorially lower voice.

I nodded. "Sorry, sorry, hume nahi puchna chahiye tha." I apologized and gave him a casual smile. But I still couldn't shake the curiosity out of me. No, Meera, don't think about it. Curiosity killed the cat, remember? What if they kick you out before you find a proper shelter?

I felt a tug on my odhani, to see Yug looking him with those innocent eyes. That's when I realised I was staring into nothingness without knowing.

"Aap upset ho?" He asked, blinking. His lips stretched out in an adorable pout.

I shook my head. "Nahi toh. Who could be upset with such a pookie like you?" I cooed, pitched his cheek, softly.

His red on his cheek darkened as he looked away, blinking. Wait... was he blushing? I giggled. "You really are a pookie." I exclaimed, shaking my head fondly.

"What's a pookie?" He murmured shyly, not looking at me.

"A pookie is someone... who is so adorably cute that he broke the scale of cuteness." I explained. Even I don't know if that explanation was right or not. Anyway, who's judging?

The pout in his face turned into disagreement. He shook his head. "No, I'm not cute. Girls are cute. I'm han-hans-hannome... yeah, I'm hansome!" He stated, stubbornly. His lower lip jutted out.

I frowned slightly. "And who told you that?" I asked. Who was teaching this sweet child such stereotypical labeling of compliments?

"Veer bhaiya." He said, proudly. "And I also saw in some movies." He added, after thinking for a while.

I mentally rolled my eyes, of course, it’s that idiot! Khudko sigma, alpha male / sakt launda banne ka shauk hai toh kya bechare baache ko bhi apni chapprigiri sikhayega ye? Pookie males are so underrated nowadays!

I turned back to Yug. "Cute is not just subjective to just girls, Yug. It's a basic compliment. Even things can be cute. Like that kitten from earlier." I explained. Or at least tried my best to. "It's okay, if you don't like cute as a compliment in general, but if you don't like it just because 'girls are supposed to be the cute ones', then that's not fair."

He nodded slowly as if understanding whatever I said, or at least trying to. "So, cute is not bad?" He asked.

Hell, no! "No." I refused firmly.

"So, cute is good." He said, nodding. As if telling himself this more than me.

"Bilkul sahi. Ab tumhare Dhruv bhaiya ko hi dekh lo, woh bhi toh kitne pookie-coded hai. Bilkull nariyal jaise. Bahar se sakt, andar se naram." I said subconsciously on the beat. "And I personally like and prefer cute things more, you know."

"Then Yug is also cute!" He exclaimed, proudly. "Do you like me now that I'm cute?" He added, smiling shyly.

I cooed mentally. "Of course, I like you. I'd like you even when you grow up and are not-so-cute anymore." I promised.

He giggled. "I like you too." I mumbled, too shy to look at me. "Can I tell this to everyone?" He asked, hopefully. I nodded, smiling.

He grinned. But his grin faded as if he remembered something. He shrunk back in his seat as his expressions turned gloomy.

My eyebrows creased in lines of worry.

"Yug, kya hua? Tum aise dukhi kyu ho gaye achanak se?" I asked, worried. He didn't reply only adding more to my concern. "Is it something I said? I'm sorry." I added.

He quickly shook his head. "No. It's not you. It's just..." he trailed off, unsure.

"It's okay, you can tell me." I comforted, encouraging him to voice out his feelings.

"Will you like me even after knowing I'm not normal?" He asked in a low, sad voice.

I frowned. "Who told you you're not normal, Yug?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "See, look at us. We both have a nose, a set of eyes and ears, a mouth, two hands, two legs. Everyone has that, so do we. And even if we didn't, that's still pretty much normal to me—"

"But you don't have CID like me." He mumbled, cutting me off mid-sentence, trying to hide his tears but I could hear his little sniffles.

______________________________________

Hi,

Hope you liked the chapter.

And Meera, what is this behavior? Mere Veer ko kyu toda? Matlab Dhruv kare toh cute aur Veer kare toh Chaaprigiri? See the double standards, guys👀.

Give your reviews and make sure to follow me on insta for spoilers and fun reels.

Bye-Bye.