Bonds

10-FUTILE EFFORTS?

"Try harder to convince me. It does not excuse their behavior. It was not safe either." Here, I acquiesce to him.

"Did not you see how Ojas alone made those fuckers beg for their lives?"

"He ought not to. We were there for that." Don't be this adamant, bhai.

"They have all the rights to take revenge for their sister. I have got their backs." Glaring at me, he leaves the room. Heat radiating from his body can be sensed even by a stranger.

I just hope he frees them before the twins' birthday, which is about two months away. Muttering this, I go to bed at last.

(Next morning)

"Morning adik."

"Good morning."

"Where is Viti?"

"She is sleeping."

"Was she alright last night?"

"Not really, she had one nightmares."

"Those are not nightmares."

"I am aware." Hm. How can we get her to reveal her emotions to us? And where are the younger ones? They are, as usual, again late for school.

"Morning, big brothers." The twins' voice reaches my ears.

"Welcome, my boys." Poor them; I don't even know what will happen to them today.

"I am starving. Gimme breakfast." Ojas exclaims.

"Morning bhaiya." Ojas wishes Ethi as he enters.

"Where had you three been so late at night yesterday?" Ignoring Ojas, Ethi questions the younger ones. Let's see what lie they will weave now.

"Nowhere. Just to get to the kitchen, Akul demanded his sugary beverage." Ojas utters with full confidence while rubbing his shirt, a major sign of him bluffing.

"Where had you three been so late last night?" This tone is so threatening, like he is conversing with his rivals.

"We went to the kitchen." Ojas bluffs.

"We went to the garden." Nil tries his luck as well.

"We did not go to the dungeon." Akul spits it out.

He is not blameworthy. Had it been me at his place and Ethi was gracing me with his frightening looks, I would have done the same.

"Hm. I wonder then who left the belt marks and cross engraved on those captives in the cells." Ethi says this with no expression and clearly calls them out. .

"It was my ide- Nil tries to take the blame on himself.

"We are sorry, Bhaiya." Twins' apologies, looking ashamed. How fake their sorrys are, and even our Viti could tell, they are anything but ashamed.

"From now on, you three will have one hour of early morning training with my coach for the next six months, one hour of extra training with your usual evening training for the next three months, and car washing for the next two months.

No mobile phones at home, no new books for Akul, no new color supplies for Indranil, and no music classes for Ojaswat for the next three months.

You three will be receiving half of your pocket money for the next six months. No video games either. Aksh and Adik, don't you both dare challenge my decision and invite trouble for yourselves as well. Not for once, think I am unaware of you giving them extra money that stops too, or you will know." Announcing their punishments, he leaves for the home office, sparing no glance at these three standing with heads bowing down.