HALF-SISTER (COMPLETED)

In the evening...

Anirudh reached Ruhi's school.

Children are coming through the exit excitedly, as if they have been released from a cage.

A wide grin appeared on his face as he remembered his days.

A few minutes later, Ruhi exited the school gate with her friend. Anirudh saw her.

Four boys older than her came behind her. Boys seem to be teenagers of 14-15 years.

Boy 1: Today, our parents are coming to pick us up.

Boy 2 (laughing): Who will come to pick Ruhi? She doesn't have parents.

His friends laughed.

Anirudh who heard their words, was about to walk towards them.

Ruhi (glaring at boys): Mujhe mere bhaiya pick karne aayege. (Bhaiya will come to pick me)

Boy 1 (laughing): Bhaiya aayege... Vo bhaiya hai papa thori. Papa to kabhi nahi aayege. (Bhaiya... he is your brother, not your father)

Ruhi (angrily): Bhaiya papa se bahut ache hai. I have 3 brothers. (Brother is far better than father)

Boy 3 (laughing): Aww!!!!

Boy 1 (laughing): Bhaiya can't love you like father.

Ruhi (glaring): He does! Anirudh bhaiya loves me like a strict father. If I make a mistake, he scolds me, but he also loves me. Vidyut bhaiya loves and says If you make mistakes, don't worry. I am here for you, just enjoy and Saurav bhaiya cuddles with me and makes me understand. You have only a father, but I have three brothers. Don't mess me.

She poured her heart, how her brother's love makes her feel. How comfortable she is with them and how much she enjoys their company.

Listening to her last words, Anirudh chuckled. He was sure she said all this by herself but Vidyut is the one to teach her.

He walked towards her and stood behind her.

Boys were glaring at Ruhi.

Anirudh (sharp voice): Eyes down boys!!

Ruhi turned to see him, and a smile appeared on her lips.

Anirudh: Ruhi, tomorrow, the first thing you have to do is complain to your class teacher. Boys are troubling you.

Ruhi (smiling): Yes, yes!

Anirudh: Now, boys where are your parents? School buses are not available today. Your parents are coming to pick you up. Let me have a word with them.

Boy 3 (pointing at Boy 2): Sir, he told us about Ruhi's parents.

Ruhi held his trousers in her grip and shook them. Anirudh saw her. Ruhi indicates to him to bend down to her level.

Anirudh followed her words and bent till her height.

Ruhi (mumbling in his ear): Ye us chuhe ka bhai hai (He is the brother of that mouse)

She pointed towards boy 2. Anirudh nodded, standing straight.

Anirudh (Ruffling the boy's hair): Don't trouble her and be a good boy. Or I will complain to your principal.

Boy 2 nodded.

Anirudh: Let's go.

Ruhi held his hand. They went towards the Car. Anirudh made her sit on the passenger seat and secured her with a seat belt. He sat in the driving seat and drove off.

Anirudh (clearing his throat): Still angry?

Ruhi: Yes...

Anirudh (raising his eyebrow): Why so?

Ruhi (glaring at Anirudh): Why did you kiss that mouse?

Anirudh just smiled and focused on his driving.

Ruhi stayed quiet for a few minutes.

Ruhi: You have to say a word to me.

Anirudh: Which one and why?

Ruhi: Main gussa hoon aapse. (I am angry with you)

Anirudh: Okay! Which word?

Ruhi (counting on her fingers, mumbling): 1 S.
2 O. 3 R. 4 R. 5 Y.

Anirudh was silently observing her.

Ruhi: 5-letter word that starts with S

Anirudh: School?

Ruhi (irritated): No...

Anirudh: Softy?

Ruhi shook her head.

Anirudh: Songs...

No response.

Anirudh (acting like thinking): Umm... Scale?

Ruhi (angrily): Aapko kuch pata hi nahi hai. (You don't even know anything)

Anirudh (stopping the car): You sit here. I will be back in a minute. Lock the car from inside and don't open it for anyone.

Ruhi nodded angrily.

Anirudh went out of the car. Ruhi followed his words and sat silently.

Anirudh went towards a cafe and came back in two minutes.

Anirudh came back, eating an ice cream.

Ruhi (stared at him): Meri ice-cream? (My ice-cream?)

Anirudh: Oh! I thought you were angry with me. So, you don't want ice cream.

Ruhi gave him a blank look.

Anirudh chuckling, pulled out his other hand from behind. He was hiding her ice cream.

Anirudh: Is it okay for you?

Ruhi happily, snatched it from his hand.

Anirudh: I am sorry.

Ruhi (nodding): But don't kiss anyone again.

Anirudh: Okay!! Not even Khushi?

Ruhi (shocked): No no!! Khushi to meri chotu baby hai na. Aap uske Papa ho. Usko bahut sari kissy dena and mujhe. Kisi aur ko nahi (Khushi is my little girl. You are her father. Give her so many kissy and me too. No one else)

Anirudh (shaking his head): As you say...

Ruhi nodded and focused on ice cream. Both finished their ice cream and then started their journey home.

Anirudh: Ruhi, but still I will say. Don't hit anyone. It's good that you are a strong girl. We are proud of you. But that doesn't mean we can do anything.

Ruhi scrunched her nose.

Anirudh: Next time, if anyone is troubling inform us or your teacher. We will take care of you.

Ruhi nodded. As they came towards the signal. They waited for the signal to turn green.

Anirudh bent towards Ruhi to peck her cheek. Ruhi squealed.

To be continued...

Sunday, they will be introducing Ruhi to their extended family. How will they react?

Just a spoiler... Story is near the end...  🙃