Advika’s POV

The car rolled into the parking area.

My eyes fluttered open when I heard the car door close.

I hadn't even realised when I had fallen asleep on the couch. The afternoon had slipped away, and now it was evening. The living room was illuminated by the warm lights glowing from every corner.

I pulled the blanket closer around myself and rubbed my sleepy eyes as I looked towards the door.

And then I froze.

Standing at the entrance were my brother, Bhabhi, and behind them… Vrischik.

For a moment, I just stared.

I had been so lost in my thoughts that morning that I completely forgot Bhai was coming home today.

Before I could even process it, Bhai walked towards me and wrapped his arms around me.

“Hello, sleepyhead,” he teased.

I rested my head against his chest. Somehow, whenever he was around, it became incredibly difficult to lie to him—or even hide what I was feeling.

“Hey, I'm not a sleepyhead,” I protested, lifting my head to look into his eyes.

“You are.”

He pinched my nose with his forefinger while keeping his other arm around me.

“Shut up,” I shouted, though there wasn't much power behind it.

I buried my face against his chest again and tightened my arms around his back.

He hugged me back, his chin resting on top of my head, one hand running gently through my hair while the other remained around my waist.

“Did you miss me?” I asked, looking up at him.

I desperately wanted to hear him say yes.

But I already knew what I was going to get.

“No,” he replied with an exaggeratedly dramatic expression.

Yet his arms tightened around me.

And that was the answer he would never say out loud.

I knew he had missed me.

“Don't lie,” I declared, putting on an exaggeratedly hurt expression even though we both knew it wasn't real.

I gave him my best puppy eyes, hoping he would finally admit it.

And, thankfully, he did.

With a full-blown smile, he patted my head before bringing his thumb and forefinger close together, leaving barely any space between them.

“This much I missed you.”

I immediately pulled away from him and took two steps back, crossing my arms over my chest with a dramatic pout.

He burst out laughing.

I opened my mouth to throw another sassy remark at him, but ended up laughing too.

“That was the best acting I've ever seen from her,” bhabhi said, laughing continuously.

“You both are insane,” I said, trying to sound serious, though my voice betrayed me.

Bhabhi came closer and opened her arms. A silent invitation for me.

“Unfortunately, you can't hate us.”

Her voice was filled with affection, and her arms carried the warmth I'd missed.

I gave her a side-eye before finally stepping into her arms with a smile.

“I missed you too, Bhabhi.”

There was no sass this time.

I had always felt safe with these two.

As I pulled away, my gaze moved over her shoulder and landed on Vrischik.

His eyes were everywhere except on me.

And then I noticed something else.

There was something unfamiliar in his expression.

Something I couldn't quite understand.

Guilt?

Love?

Or maybe something else I had yet to discover.

Vrischik cleared his throat.

Everyone looked at him.

“Are we forgetting you?” Bhai asked, turning towards him.

Bhai rested a hand on my shoulder.

“Hope this troublemaker hasn't created another problem for you.”

I immediately looked at him with exaggerated hurt.

“I'm not a troublemaker!”

Vrischik swallowed hard but said nothing.

“Yes, yes. We know,” Bhabhi replied, the tone of her voice making it very clear that she disagreed with me.

With a huff, I accepted my defeat.

Not because I couldn't argue back.

There were simply too many things occupying my mind right now.

I wanted answers.

Bhai waved his hand in front of my face.

“Okay?”

I blinked, coming out of my thoughts.

My face still carried traces of whatever had been running through my mind.

“Yes,” I said, shaking my head slightly.

“You guys just came back. Go and get some rest.”

“Okay, so what did you cook for us?”

Bhai's eyes lit up.

“I'm so hungry.”

The question hit me like a slap.

I looked away, avoiding everyone's gaze.

I hadn't cooked anything.

I'd almost completely forgotten they were coming back today.

Bhai's expression changed when he saw my face.

He understood immediately.

“Don't tell me you forgot to cook?”

I scratched the back of my neck, trying to look innocent.

“I thought I would… but then I fell asleep.”

“And what are we supposed to eat now?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I looked towards Bhabhi, expecting her to take my side.

But before she could say anything, Vrischik broke the silence.

“I already ordered.”

He paused, letting his words settle.

“It should be here any minute.”

Then he looked at Bhai and Bhabhi.

“You both should go and freshen up.”

They nodded and headed towards their bedroom.

A few minutes passed in silence.

Then the doorbell rang.

Vrischik looked towards the door.

“I guess the food is here.”

He walked towards it before I could.

The next hour passed with all of us eating together, laughing, and listening to Bhai and Bhabhi tell us about their trip.

For a while, everything felt normal.

Almost too normal.

Eventually, dinner came to an end.

“We should get some rest, Shanaya,” Bhai said, looking at her.

“Yes,” she replied, exhaustion evident in her voice.

“Good night, guys,” I said, gesturing towards the stairs when they tried to help with the cleaning.

Thankfully, they didn't protest this time.

They headed upstairs.

I turned towards Vrischik.

He was standing near the dining table.

Before I could say a word, he spoke.

“I have something important to take care of. I should go.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

I had expected him to talk.

About last night.

About us.

About what he had done.

But instead, he was behaving as though nothing had happened.

I opened my mouth to stop him.

But he was already walking towards the door.

“Good night.”

Those were the only words I barely heard from him the entire day.

The dining room fell silent.

I stood there alone, watching the door after it closed behind him.

Why was he behaving like this?

Like he hadn't been jealous last night.

Like he hadn't been the one to pin me against the wall.

Like he hadn't crossed every boundary between us.

Like none of it had happened.

I didn't have an answer.

And that somehow bothered me more than anything else.

A few minutes later, I found myself standing at the sink, washing the dishes while my mind continued to drown in questions.

I desperately wanted answers.

But there was no one here to give them.

With those thoughts following me, I finally headed upstairs towards my bedroom.