Abhimaan went silent after saying those words, his entire focus fixed on Vidya’s face as she clearly tried to make a decision.

Vidya: "Agr mene ha bol diya toh ap kya kroge ?"

(If I agree, then what will you do?)

Abhimaan: "Beta , ap ek baar ha toh boliye .... Fr sirf vhi hoga jo ap kahoge ."

(Child, just say yes once... After that, only what you want will happen.)

Vidya: "Aap muje school ma pdhne doge ?"

(Will you allow me to go to school?)

Her question was full of innocence, and everyone present understood why she was asking this, but no one said anything.

Abhimaan: "Haa baccha , apko school k baad college and institute jaha pdhne ka mn krega aap pdh skte ho ."

(Yes child, after school you can go to college, institute, or wherever you wish to study.)

Then, in the middle, Rivaan said,

Rivaan: "Haa angel , hum dono sath m pdhenge .... Beshak m apse bda hu pr don't worry m apko bhi pdhaunga ...."

(Yes angel, we will study together. Even though I am older than you, don’t worry, I will teach you too.)

Then he moved closer and whispered in Vidya’s ear,

Rivaan: "But jo Vivaan bhai h na unse mtt pdhna , vo pdhate kum aur order jyada dete h ."

(But don’t study with Vivaan bhai, he gives more orders than lessons.)

Vidya giggled.

Vivaan raised his eyebrows and asked,

Vivaan: "Muje Aisa kyu lg rha h Rivaan tumne kuch mere bare ma bola h .... Hmmm??"

(Why do I feel like you said something about me, Rivaan? Hmm??)

Rivaan ignored him and again said to Vidya,

Rivaan: "Dekha , m isi chiz ki baat kr rha tha , inko pyar se baat krni ni aati ... Isiliye tum mere sath pdhna... Hum uss strict aur khadus doctor se chupkr snacks bhi khaeinge .... Oky ?"

(See, this is exactly what I was talking about. He doesn’t know how to speak lovingly... So you study with me... We will secretly eat snacks while hiding from that strict and rude doctor... Okay?)

This time Vidya spoke up,

Vidya: "Oky Vaan bhaiya ."

There was complete silence for a second.

Then Rivaan asked excitedly,

Rivaan: "Tumne muje nickname diya angel?"

(Did you just give me a nickname, angel?)

Vidya: "Apko psnd ni aata kya ?"

(Don’t you like it?)

Rivaan: "Bht psnd aaya angel , abse tum muje Vaan bhaiya hi kehna ."

(I loved it, angel. From now on, you will call me Vaan bhaiya only.)

Vidya happily nodded, but the other brothers threw sharp glares toward Rivaan.

Then Abhimaan said,

Abhimaan: "Vidya , bccha aap chloge humare sath ? Humare ghr ma ?"

(Vidya, child, will you come with us? To our home?)

Vidya: "Uncle agr ap gussa ni ho toh m ek baat puch skti hu kya ?"

(Uncle, if you won’t get angry, may I ask one thing?)

Abhimaan: "M kbhi gussa ni krunga bccha apke upper . Pucho kya puchna h..."

(I will never get angry at you, child. Ask whatever you want.)

Vidya: "Uncle , aap kbhi agr gussa huyy toh maroge nhi na ? ....ya fr y bhaiya log muje dantenge nhi na ....?"

(Uncle, if someday you get angry, you won’t beat me, right?... And these brothers won’t scold me, right?)

Abhimaan and his sons froze. No one had imagined Vidya would ask such a question.

This time Nakul stepped forward and said,

Nakul: "Diya listen , m shyd apko lge ki gusse ma keh rha hu but beta kbhi bhi y ....I repeat kbhi bhi y mtt sochna ki hum apke upper hath uthaeinge ya fr apko dantenge ....hn agr ap glti kroge toh thoda bht dant skte h pr fr apko pyar bhi krenge ...ap humse kbhi bhi kuch bhi keh skte ho . Pr y mtt sochna ki hum apke upper hath uthaeinge. Oky Diya ?"

(Diya listen, maybe you may think I am saying this angrily, but child never ever think that we will raise our hand on you or beat you. Yes, if you make a mistake, we may scold you a little, but then we will also shower you with love... You can tell us anything anytime. But never think we will hit you. Okay Diya?)

Vidya’s eyes filled with tears, and without hesitation, she threw herself into Nakul’s arms. He was shocked at first but then wrapped his arms around her.

Nakul felt Vidya crying and softly said,

Nakul: "Beta , ap rone lge frse . Abhi Shivayy bhaiya na bola na...apko drd hoga ...plz shant ho jao ...m apko rulana nhi chahta tha ."

(Child, you started crying again. Shivayy bhaiya just said you will feel pain... Please calm down... I didn’t want to make you cry.)

Vidya pulled back and asked,

Vidya: "Ap scchi mujse pyar kroge ? Kbhi ni maroge ?"

(Will you really love me? You will never beat me?)

Hearing this, Vivaan said,

Vivaan: "Star , apko kbhi koi ni marega , I promise . And agr koi apko kuch kahe toh ap muje btana fr m usko acche se punishment dunga fr vo apko ya fr kisi ko preshan ni krega and also hum apse bht pyar krenge ...."

(Star, no one will ever beat you, I promise. And if anyone says anything to you, tell me, and I will punish them well. Then they will never trouble you or anyone else again. And we will love you a lot.)

Vidya listened and then said innocently,

Vidya: "Vaan bhaiya , y toh kitne acche fr ap kyu keh rhe th ki y sirf orders dete h ?"

(Vaan bhaiya, he is so nice, then why did you say he only gives orders?)

Her innocent question made Rivaan curse his destiny under his breath, realizing his new little sister had put him in the biggest trouble.

Vivaan raised his eyebrows at Rivaan and said,

Vivaan: "Rivaan, when we return home, you will have extra training in the gym with me."

Rivaan was horrified because gym training with Vivaan meant no one—not even God—could save him now.

Then Abhimaan said,

Abhimaan: "Ab agr tum sbka hogya ho toh m baat krlu ?"

(If all of you are done, may I talk with her now?)

All the brothers nervously smiled and nodded because they recognized the sternness hidden in Abhimaan’s calm tone.

Then Abhimaan asked again,

Abhimaan: "Beta , ab ap chloge humare sath ?"

(Child, now will you come with us?)

Vidya: "Ha uncle , m chlungi apke sath ."

(Yes uncle, I will come with you.)

Everyone became very happy.

Then Vanshika interrupted dramatically,

Vanshika: "Aree , muje kisi na introduce ni kraya , chlo m khud kra leti hu ."

(Oh, nobody introduced me. Fine, I will do it myself.)

She walked toward Vidya and said,

Vanshika: "Beta, I am Vanshika Nagar, best friend of Shivayy."

Vidya: "Didi , ap bht acche ho ....bht pyar se baat krte ho ."

(Didi, you are very nice... You speak very lovingly.)

Vanshika smiled and replied,

Vanshika: "Beta , m jiske sath rehti hu uske sath rehkr muje pta chla ki pyar se baat Krna kitna important h ."

(Child, staying with someone taught me how important it is to speak with kindness and love.)

Vidya giggled and said,

Vidya: "Shiv bhaiya , apke itne sare enemies h ."

(Shiv bhaiya, you have so many enemies.)

Shivayy smiled hearing his nickname and said,

Shivayy: "Baccha , aapne muje nickname bht accha diya h , aur hn mere bht enemies h ...kya ap meri help kroge unse fight krne ma ?"

(Child, you have given me a very nice nickname, and yes, I have many enemies... Will you help me fight them?)

Vidya: "Hnn , m apki help krungi bhaiya ."

(Yes, I will help you, bhaiya.)

Shivayy smiled and nodded. Then Nakul and Vivaan chimed in together:

Nakul & Vivaan: "Hume bhi nickname chahiye."

(We also want nicknames.)

Vidya looked confused and said:

Vidya: "Pr vo toh muje abhi sochna pdega, ap log thoda tym toh do ....m choti hu, muje sochne ma tym lgta h."

(But I have to think. You guys give me some time... I am small, it takes time to think.)

She made a cute little pout, which made everyone laugh—except Vivaan, who just smiled. Vidya glared at them, but little did she know, she was looking even more adorable.

Then the doctor entered. Vidya immediately went silent and looked down, clearly uneasy at his presence. Everyone noticed and understood her reaction.

Doctor: "Sir, muje bcchi ka checkup Krna h ...ap sb please bahar wait kijiye."

(Sir, I need to check the child. Could everyone please wait outside?)

Vidya tightly held Abhimaan’s hand, as if she didn’t want him to leave.

Abhimaan: "Beta agr Shivayy apke sath yhi rhe aur Vansha apka checkup kre toh apko koi problem nhi hogi na?"

(Child, if you want, Shivayy will stay here with you, and Vansha (Vanshika) will do your checkup. You won’t have any problem, right?)

Vidya hesitated for a moment, looked at Vanshika and Shivayy, who were both smiling politely. She relaxed and nodded.

Abhimaan to the doctor: "Mere bcche bhi doctor h, ap Vidya ki reports unhe de do, vo apne aap handle krenge ab aaghe ka."

(My children are also doctors. You give Vidya’s reports to them—they will handle the further treatment.)

The doctor nodded. Since the hospital was owned by Rajvansh’s family, there was no issue with this arrangement.

Everyone except Shivayy and Vanshika left.

Vanshika: "Beta bss m apki chot dekhungi, agr apko hlka sa bhi drd ho ap muje keh dena, m ruk jaungi."

(Child, I will only check your wounds. If you feel the slightest pain, tell me—I will stop.)

Vidya looked at Shivayy, who smiled reassuringly:

Shivayy: "Baccha, apko drd ni hoga .....m yhi hu..."

(Child, you won’t feel any pain... I am here.)

He held out his hand:

Shivayy: "Y lo mera hath pkd lo ...jb drd ho muje bta dena oky?"

(Hold my hand. If you feel pain, tell me, okay?)

Vidya nodded this time. Shivayy gestured towards Vanshika to proceed.

Vanshika slowly checked Vidya’s arms, then her legs. Then she paused:

Vanshika: "Beta m apki top upper krk apka tummy check kr lu?"

(Child, I need to check your stomach. May I lift your t-shirt?)

Vidya looked at Shivayy, who understood immediately:

Shivayy: "Baccha m ankhe bnd kr lunga oky ...ap check kra lo."

(Child, I will close my eyes, okay? You can let her check.)

Vidya nodded. Vanshika gently checked her stomach and the gunshot dressing.

Vanshika: "Oky, toh Shivayy ankhe khol lo ....and baccha apki chot bhi shi ho jaegi jldi..."

(Okay, Shivayy, you can open your eyes now. Child, your wound will heal soon.)

She turned to Shivayy:

Vanshika: "As per the schedule, she has to take injection and her medicine now."

Shivayy nodded and smiled at Vidya:

Shivayy: "Baccha, apko pta h ap jldi thk hone vale ho ...fr hum jldi se apko humare ghr lekr chlenge ....ap chloge na?"

(Child, you know you’ll get better soon. Then we will take you home quickly. Will you come?)

Vidya smiled and nodded:

Vidya: "Haan, shiv bhaiya m chlungi ...vaha pr Vanshi didi bhi hongi na?"

(Yes, Shiv bhaiya, I will come... Vanshi didi will be there too, right?)

Shivayy: "Haa beta, y apse Milne Roz ayinge mere sath ...okay?"

(Yes child, she will come to meet you with me every day, okay?)

Vidya nodded again.

Shivayy: "But baccha, apko thik hone k liye kuch Krna hoga ..."

(But child, you have to do something to get better.)

Vidya: "Kya Krna hoga bhaiya?"

(What do I have to do, bhaiya?)

Shivayy: "Baccha, apko ek injection lgvana pdega abhi ...bss ek I promise apko bilkul pta ni chlega ..."

(Child, you have to get an injection now. Just one—I promise you won’t feel anything.)

Vidya’s eyes filled with tears:

Vidya: "Nhi, m nhi lgvaungi ...ap jhuth keh rhe ho ....drd hota h . Muje abhi bhi isse drd ho rha h."

(No, I won’t take it. You’re lying... It will hurt. I still feel pain from it.)

She pointed fearfully at the IV drip.

Vanshika gently hugged her:

Vanshika: "Accha bccha pehle rona bnd kro , ni lgaega koi apko injection okay?"

(Okay child, first stop crying. No one will give you an injection, okay?)

Vidya nodded and hugged Vanshika comfortably.

Shivayy was about to intervene, but Vanshika whispered:

Vanshika: "Shivayy, yaad h humne ek chocolate tree dekha tha?"

(Shivayy, remember we saw a chocolate tree?)

Vidya: "Scchi didi, chocolate ka bhi tree hota h?"

(Really didi, is there a chocolate tree too?)

Vanshika: "Haa beta, hum ek baar ghr jaeinge na tb m apko dikhaungi? Aur apko pta h vaha pr chocolate fountain bhi h."

(Yes child, once we go home, I will show you. And you know, there’s also a chocolate fountain there.)

She subtly gestured to Shivayy to give Vidya the injection.

Vidya: "Wow, didi fr toh hum bht sari chocolate kha skte h ...haina?"

(Wow, didi, then we can eat so much chocolate, right?)

Vanshika: "Haa beta, aur vaha tumhara y bhai bhi ni hoga toh hum aur bhi maze krenge ..."

(Yes child, and your brother won’t be there, so we can enjoy even more.)

Vidya giggled softly, but soon winced as a sharp sting ran through her arm. She looked up and saw Shivayy giving her the injection. Her eyes filled with tears, and she started crying softly.

Vanshika immediately rubbed her back and whispered:

Vanshika: "Bss baccha bss, hogya ...ap strong girl ho na ...shant ho jao."

(It's done, child, it's done... You are a strong girl, right? Calm down.)

Shivayy gently pulled the syringe out and scooped Vidya into his arms, rocking her back and forth.

Shivayy: "I am sorry bccha, but vo jaruri tha ...plz chup ho jao, bhaiya ko maaf kr do."

(I’m sorry, child, but it was necessary... Please calm down, forgive your brother.)

Vanshika handed Vidya a glass of water. She took a few sips and gradually calmed down.

Vidya: "Ap gnde ho bhaiya, apne muje btaya bhi ni ki ap injection lgane vale ho."

(You are bad, bhaiya. You didn’t even tell me you were going to give me an injection.)

Shivayy: "Baccha, agr m apko bta deta toh ap aur bhi jyada drr jate ...isiliye ni btaya ...pr don’t worry y pain abhi chla jaega ...hmm."

(Child, if I had told you, you would have gotten even more scared. That’s why I didn’t tell you. But don’t worry, this pain will go soon.)

Vidya nodded quietly. Vanshika gave her medicine, which she took without fuss. Exhausted from crying, she murmured:

Vidya: "Bhaiya, didi, neend aa rhi h."

(Bhaiya, didi, I’m sleepy.)

Shivayy: "Haan, bccha ap so jao."

(Yes, child, go to sleep.)

They made her comfortable in the bed, and soon Vidya drifted off to sleep.

Once she was asleep, Shivayy stepped outside and unexpectedly burst into tears.

Vanshika: "Kya hua Shivayy? Ro kyu rhe ho?"

(What happened, Shivayy? Why are you crying?)

Shivayy didn’t reply, hiding his face in his palms. Vanshika, worried, called Abhimaan. Soon, Abhimaan, Vivaan, Rivaan, and Nakul came. They saw Shivayy quietly sobbing.

Abhimaan: "Shivayy, kya hua beta? Meri trf dekho aur btao?"

(Shivayy, what happened son? Look at me and tell me.)

Shivayy: "Pa...papa...vo bht choti si h ...mene usko rula diya papa ..."

(Pa...papa...she’s so small... I made her cry, papa...)

He began crying more intensely.

Abhimaan turned to Vanshika:

Abhimaan: "Vanshika, bata kya hua?"

Vanshika explained everything. Then Abhimaan put a comforting hand on Shivayy’s shoulder:

Abhimaan: "Shivayy, idhar dekho beta. M janta hu tumhe drd ho rha h, pr beta tum bhi jante ho na vo Vidya k liye jaruri tha ...and y first injection nhi h ...abhi usko aur bhi lene h ...agr aise himmat todoge toh kese sambhaloge apni bhn ko?"

(Shivayy, look at me son. I know you are feeling pain, but you know this was necessary for Vidya. This is not her first injection—she has more to take. If you lose courage now, how will you handle your sister later?)

Shivayy (sobbing): "Pr papa, usko drd hoga ...vo heavy doses h ...mene dekha tha uske hath blue ho rhe h slightly ...IV drip se ...m ni kr paunga papa ...please ...even usko m ni Dene dunga kisi aur ko injection ab."

(But papa, it will hurt her... they are heavy doses. I saw her hands turning slightly blue from the IV drip. I can’t do this, papa... I won’t let anyone give her injections anymore.)

Vivaan stepped forward, firm but gentle:

Vivaan: "Shivayy, tum kbse itne kmjor hone lge. Jb hum ma se kisi ki tbiyt khrb hoti h, tb kitne strong bnte ho ...ab bhi bno ...m bhi ni chahta Vidya ko drd ho, pr vo uske liye jaruri h ...and tum y kroge."

(Shivayy, since when have you become this weak? When any of our mother’s health was bad, you became so strong. Be strong now too. I also don’t want Vidya to feel pain, but this is necessary for her... and you will do it.)

Shivayy opened his mouth to protest, but Vanshika placed a hand gently on his shoulder:

Vanshika: "Shivayy, I know tumhe accha feel ni ho rha ...pr ek baar socho humare profession ma hum Dil se jyada apne kaam ko mante h, aur fr Vidya toh humari zindagi ma khushiya la rhi h ...hum usko thk nhi krenge kya? Aur agr hum bhi krenge toh kisi aur ko krna hoga ...hum jitne pyar se usse baat krk usko mana rhe h kya vo log manayinge kya?"

(Shivayy, I know you’re not feeling good, but think. In our profession, we value our work more than our feelings. Vidya is bringing happiness to our lives. Won’t we cure her? If we don’t, someone else will. And the love we are giving her while doing this... will they do it?)

Shivayy hesitated, tears still streaming, and finally nodded:

Shivayy: "Thk h, pr injection tum lgaogi ...m usko hug kr lunga."

(Fine, but you give the injections... I will hug her.)

Vivaan, Nakul, and Rivaan collectively exclaimed:

All brothers: "HUG???"

Shivayy smirked:

Shivayy: "Yes, I hugged her for 15 minutes."

The other brothers exchanged glances and muttered to themselves: “I will hug her for more than an hour.”

Abhimaan, watching this, smiled softly. For the first time in a long while, he felt that his family was truly healing—love, care, and trust flowing between them all.

_______________________________________________________

So, here is the chapter.

I hope you guys like it.

Do votes and comments (no pressure)

Next chapter: Tomorrow.

Till then, ✨ HAR HAR MAHADEV ✨