HALF-SISTER (COMPLETED)

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Ruhi (nodding): Dadi told me. When I called you Khushi's mom. Dadi said as I call Anirudh bhaiya, Saurav bhaiya and Vidyut bhaiya. Their wives will be Bhabhi. But why does Vidyut Bhaiya not have his wife?

Shalini: When he completes college, He will also get his wife.

Saurav (smirking): Ruhi, you only said strong girls don't need boys. Vidyut's to be wife is a strong girl. That's why, she doesn't need Vidyut.

Vidyut glared at Saurav and everyone burst out laughing.

Harsha (glaring at Saurav): Saurav, you mean to say that Mihika and I are not strong girls?

Vidyut (dramatically): Haww! Bhai, how can you say this?

Saurav (feeling trapped): But Vidyut taught Ruhi that strong girls don't need boys. I never said this.

Vidyut (whining): But I said for Barbies. Not for all. I just said to avoid Girly movies. They are so boring. Same story.

Anirudh (shaking her head in disbelief): That's why, I told you to understand her level of understanding before randomly just saying.

Vidyut (sad pout): Fine fine... I got it.

Harsha (sighed): Ruhi, do you think Mihika Bhabhi and I are not strong women?

Ruhi stared at Harsha with a pout, not knowing what to answer.

Harsha: It's not about strong girls not needing boys. If a strong girl and a strong boy are getting married. See, they will be double strong. Both together can face problems. It's about choosing your life partner wisely.

Harsha explained as per her understanding level. Ruhi wobbled her head, trying to process Harsha's words.

Ruhi (turning towards Shalini): Dadi, I will be a strong girl, yes; and marry someone like Anirudh bhaiya, not like papa. He won't shout at me and hurt me.

She said after understanding Harsha's words, remembering her mother.

Listening to her words, Anirudh was staring at her in shock, and so was Harsha.

Shalini (nodding): Ruhi mitti paa in sab par. Chal tu mujhe bata aaj kya pehnegi? (Ruhi, Leave all this. Show me what you will wear today?)

Shalini said to divert her mind from the current topic.

Ruhi (smiling sadly): Mumma ne blue flowers wali new frock leke di thi. (Mumma bought a new blue floral frock).

She jumped off the sofa and walked into the room. Shalini pushed the wheel of her chair, following Ruhi.

Being comfortable around Saurav, Vidyut, Harsha and Shalini. Ruhi doesn't cry now for her mother, but she does miss her and often remembers her.

Once, Ruhi and Shalini left.

Harsha (confused): What did she mean?

Saurav (sighed): She said what she saw at her home. I mean her father never loved her. He used to shout at his mother for giving birth to a girl.

Saurav took a deep breath.

Saurav: Bhaiya... I came to know about a few things. I want to share with you.

Anirudh nodded calmly.

Saurav: As we all know. Mumma always wished to have a girl child. The thing is she wished to have a girl child because one of the reasons is that she wanted us to grow up having a sister around. So, we can understand how a girl grows up. Growing up with her we will have a soft corner for girls. Like we can learn to protect girls and -

Anirudh (sighing, cuts him): I do know all this. What you want to say come directly to the point.

Saurav: Bhai, after Vidyut's birth, Mumma once shared her wish with that man about adopting a girl child. She couldn't give birth to a girl. So, she wanted to adopt. This thing hurt his ego. Like he never wanted a girl child. He was always happy with the boys. When mumma told him this. From that time, because of his ego. He wanted to marry Sarika.

He took a deep breath.

Saurav: I don't know exactly what the scene is and how or anything. I read Ruhi's mother's diary. From there, I came to know that his ego was hurt from the time Mumma expressed her wish to adopt a girl child. Sarika was blinded by love. Being in her early 20s, considering love as a fantasy and all that. She married him despite her family being opposed to this marriage. Reality hit her when she gave birth to Ruhi and his true colours came in front of her. He never considered Ruhi as his child. He raised his hand on her fourth birthday as he had sacrificed three of us. I mean, the custody case and everything were long gone by her fourth birthday, but that was the first time she was being stubborn and asking him for his time, and he raised his hand, saying this.

Anirudh: I don't trust that lady. Let it be. Because the first thing she was not able to conceive.

Saurav: They went for treatments. It took time but she was fine at the end. She has mentioned this as well. How he used to take care of her and how they were a happy couple.

Anirudh: Let it be. Don't dig this more. You may get hurt because of him and his life. We are not at all interested. I have never questioned anyone about why you want Ruhi to stay with us, but now, I am ordering, don't dig into their life. They are no one to us, am I clear?

Saurav nodded.

Anirudh: Vidu?

Vidyut: I was never interested bhai.

Anirudh nodded. Just then Saurav's phone rang.

He went into his room.

Everyone was having evening tea.

Saurav: Dadi, my friends are planning a meet-up in the evening. I will be out with them.

Shalini nodded.

Vidyut: Bhaiya, I will also join you.

Saurav (raising his eyebrow): With my friends?

Vidyut: Chill chill... I know them and they know me. We are good with each other. Don't worry.

Saurav (rolling his eyes): What if I say no?

Vidyut (looking at the ceiling): Why do I have such an annoying brother? Please show mercy on this baby.

Shalini (giggling at his drama): Saurav take him as well.

Saurav (glaring at Vidyut): Fine.

Vidyut smiled, showing off his white teeth.

Saurav: Bhaiya, you too join us? Anyway, you will be alone at home.

Anirudh: No, please. You both leave and let me have my peaceful evening.

Saurav: But-

Anirudh (cuts him off): I said no.

Shalini: After having tea, Harsha gets the kids ready. Mihika must be on the way.

Harsha nodded.

Shalini: And I will be at home. I don't feel like going out. You girls go and enjoy.

Ruhi (sad pout): Dadi, we all planned this.

Shalini (caressing her hair): I am getting old. I need rest. You go and enjoy with your bhabhi and Khushi.

Ruhi sadly pouted. Harsha nodded, understanding Shalini.

After getting ready, everyone left. Only Shalini and Anirudh were at home.

After everyone left.

Anirudh prepared dinner for Shalini and himself.

To be continued...