I stared at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time that night.
11:07 PM.
Just fifty-three minutes left until midnight-until Ankita's birthday-until the small surprise Arjun and I had been planning for days finally came alive.
Arjun was already bouncing around the kitchen like an overexcited puppy, while I was... well... just trying not to mess up.
It was the first time I was ever making a cake.
In my entire life.
If anyone asked me a week ago if I could bake anything more complicated than instant noodles, I would have said no.
But this wasn't about the cake. This was about Ankita-my Ankita, who treated me like a sister even before I understood what sisterhood truly felt like.
Sometimes I wondered if she knew how deeply that mattered to me.
I swallowed hard, mixing the batter slowly as the YouTube tutorial played on my phone.
"Bhabiii, how much time yaar?" Arjun whined, dragging his feet dramatically across the kitchen floor.
I couldn't help smiling. "Arjun, it's not even twelve yet. Stop acting like we're racing the clock."
"But I want to eat the cake," he said with all seriousness.
"It's for Ankita's birthday." I glared at him.
"I know, but I'll also eat. That counts."
Before I could respond, he climbed onto a dining chair... and within seconds his head dropped to the table.
He fell asleep.
Just like that.
I shook my head and laughed under my breath.
Typical Arjun-full of energy until he wasn't.
His cheeks were puffed out, his hair messy, arms dangling like he had given up on life altogether.
"You'll get neck pain," I muttered softly.
He didn't respond, obviously.
I looked at him for a moment longer, a small warmth filling my chest.
This family... they had no idea how much they had changed me.
Rekha aunty's care, Prakash uncle's kindness, Ankita's sisterly affection, Arjun's friendship.
And Siddharth-
I paused.
My heart picked up speed just thinking of him.
He was the only person who made me feel nervous for no reason.
The only one whose presence could freeze me in place.
The only man whose single glance felt like it had weight... like it saw too much of me.
And yet... he confused me.
He was calm... quiet... reserved.
A little cold on the outside, but never harsh with me. Never.
I never knew what he felt. I didn't expect anything either.
I had my own feelings hidden inside me-soft, fragile, and a little scared.
But tonight... well... tonight wasn't about him.
Or at least that's what I thought.
I turned back to the bowl, whisking the batter with slow circles, humming the birthday song under my breath.
The kitchen was peaceful except for the soft clicking of the wall clock and Arjun's light snoring.
Then suddenly-
Thud.
A sound from behind.
My entire body stiffened.
My heart leapt into my throat.
The spoon slipped from my fingers.
I spun around, eyes wide, breath stuck.
Someone was behind me.
My mouth opened to scream-
But a warm hand flew over my lips.
My eyes widened even more.
"Shh... it's me," a low voice whispered-calm, deep, unmistakably familiar.
Siddharth.
I blinked rapidly, relief rushing through me like warm water.
He removed his hand slowly, gently, as if not wanting to frighten me further.
"You scare easily," he murmured.
"I- I thought someone entered the house," I said, clutching my chest.
"You're alone in the kitchen with a sleeping child. Anyone would panic." His lips twitched slightly, like he was suppressing a smile.
I looked away, embarrassed.
He stepped closer and glanced at the bowl. "Cake?"
"For Ankita. It's my first time."
"You need help."
It wasn't a question.
It wasn't even an offer.
It sounded like a decision.
Before I could say yes or no, he rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and came to stand beside me.
I froze-not because he was helping, but because of how close he was.
His presence felt... heavy.
Warm.
Impossible to ignore.
"Here." He took the whisk from my hand, brushing my fingers lightly by mistake.
The touch shot electricity straight through me.
I looked anywhere except at him.
He whisked the batter smoothly, his movements confident.
I tried to focus on the instructions, on the bowl, on anything other than the way his forearms flexed when he stirred, or how serious his eyes looked even when doing something so simple.
I must have been staring for too long because he said, without looking at me,
"You're supposed to watch the recipe. Not me."
My face burned instantly.
"I-I was," I croaked.
"Hmm," he replied, clearly not believing me.
I turned back to the phone quickly, pretending to follow the tutorial.
But my heartbeat was loud-too loud.
When he finished mixing, he pushed the bowl toward me. "Taste."
"What?" I blinked.
"You're the baker. Taste the batter."
"Oh. Right."
I dipped the spoon, tasted it, and my eyes lit up. "It's good."
He nodded once. "Pour it."
I grabbed the tray, hands trembling a little, and poured the batter carefully.
Siddharth guided the bowl from beneath so it wouldn't spill.
Our fingers touched again.
I swallowed hard.
He didn't pull his hand away immediately.
The moment stretched-slow and warm.
His eyes lowered to our fingers.
Mine did too.
I felt my breath catch.
Then finally, he moved back... but only by a few inches.
The cake went into the oven, and I exhaled slowly. "Thank you."
"You did most of it," he said quietly.
"No, I..." I bit my lip. "I would've panicked alone."
"You're not alone," he said.
Something in my chest tightened sharply.
Before I could respond, he brushed his hand over his cheek absent-mindedly...
forgetting there was flour on his palms.
A white streak smeared across his skin.
I stared.
He blinked, confused. "What?"
"There's..." I pointed weakly. "Flour. On your cheek."
"Where?"
I stepped closer. "Here."
My fingers lifted before I could even think.
I touched his cheek-lightly, softly.
My thumb rubbed the patch of flour away.
The moment my skin touched his, the entire room felt still.
His breath hitched.
Mine stopped completely.
When I looked up... his eyes were already on mine.
Deep.
Unblinking.
Intense.
Our breaths mingled-warm against each other's lips.
My heart clenched so tightly I almost felt dizzy.
I should have moved away.
I should have stepped back.
But neither of us did.
He leaned in ever so slightly.
Not enough to touch... but enough to pull every part of me toward him.
His hand rose-slow, unsure-then rested on my waist.
My breath came out trembling.
We were inches apart.
Just inches.
His eyes lowered to my lips.
I didn't move.
I couldn't.
I felt myself leaning forward-just a little-just enough-
Thump.
Arjun kicked the table in his sleep, the sound echoing loudly.
We sprang apart instantly.
I turned away so fast my hair flew over my shoulder.
My heart was racing, my face hot, hands shaking.
I could still feel his touch on my waist. I could still feel the closeness-the almost kiss-the breath we shared.
What just happened?
What did we almost do?
Oh god.
I pressed a hand over my burning cheeks.
Behind me, Siddharth cleared his throat softly, trying to act normal... but his voice was slightly strained.
"The cake-should be almost done."
"Y-yes," I whispered.
For the next twenty minutes, we pretended nothing happened.
But my heart didn't listen.
When the cake finished baking, Arjun finally woke up with a yawn.
"Did I miss something?" he asked groggily.
Siddharth raised an eyebrow. "You almost ruined the surprise by kicking the table."
Arjun blinked. "Oh. Sorry?"
Siddharth smirked. "Apologize to the cake. It suffered because of you."
I laughed despite myself. Arjun pouted.
We decorated the cake together-Arjun spreading sprinkles messily,
Siddharth fixing the sides with perfection, and me trying not to look at Siddharth's hands again.
At exactly midnight, all of us tiptoed into the ankita room.
The lights flipped on.
"Happy Birthday, Ankita!" we yelled.
Ankita gasped, covering her mouth. Her eyes instantly filled with suprise as she saw us-the cake, the decorations, the smiles.
Rekha maa clapped, beaming proudly.
Papa wrapped his arms around Ankita in a warm hug.
Siddharth and Arjun stood on either side of her.
And there, in the middle of all of them, stood Ankita-glowing with happiness.
A perfect family.
Something inside me softened and ached at the same time.
I adored this sight.
Mother.
Father.
Sister.
Brothers.
A complete picture.
A picture I had only dreamed of.
I missed my mother every single day... but seeing Rekha aunty's eyes shine with love made me feel something I hadn't felt in years.
A warmth I couldn't name.
Ankita broke the hug and rushed to me. "Roohiii! You made this?"
I nodded shyly.
She hugged me tight. "Thank you... thank you so much. You're the sister God forgot to give me."
My throat tightened instantly.
Before I could react, Rekha aunty came to me slowly.
"Roohi," she said, her voice soft, full of affection.
I looked up.
She picked a small piece of cake... and fed me gently.
My eyes widened.
A mother feeding her child.
Something I never had for so long.
My heart trembled, eyes stinging with sudden emotion.
"Thank you, beta," she said. "For making ankita birthday so special."
I forced a smile, but tears threatened to fall. "I... I'm happy. Really."
Rekha aunty cupped my cheek, wiping a crumb from the corner of my lips.
I wanted to cry right there. I wanted to hug her.
I wanted to freeze this moment forever.
When she turned away, I caught Siddharth looking at me from across the room.
His expression wasn't cold.
Wasn't confused.
It was... soft.
Warm.
Almost protective.
We held eye contact for a long moment-long enough for my heart to remember every second of the kitchen too clearly.
Then...
He smiled.
Just a small one.
But my heart felt the whole world shift.
I looked down immediately, cheeks burning, hiding my face.
What was happening to me?
And more importantly...
What was happening between us?
The night continued with laughter, photos, jokes, and more cake.
But somewhere in all of it... the memory of the moment Siddharth's hand rested on my waist refused to leave me.
His breath near my lips...
His eyes on mine...
The closeness we shared...
And the moment we almost-
No.
I couldn't even finish the thought without my heart racing.
All I knew was...
Tonight changed everything.
And I didn't know if I was ready for what came next.
***
I tried to keep my hands still, my heart pounding so fast I thought it would burst through my chest.
"poor Roohi!!" Rinki snapped, her fingers grabbing at my wrist again.
Her nails dug into my skin, and I flinched instinctively.
I shut my mouth tight, holding back the scream that wanted to escape.
Not a sound could come out.
If anyone heard, if anyone saw...
I didn't know what would happen.
Her hands twitched violently, shaking me as if trying to force me to say something, or maybe just for the sake of hurting me.
I could feel tears welling up, threatening to spill, but I swallowed them down, biting my lip until it burned.
"Please... leave me..." I whispered under my breath, my voice trembling so faintly that I doubted even the walls could hear me.
But she didn't stop.
In a sudden, cruel motion, she shoved me.
I stumbled backward and landed hard on the floor, my palms scraping against the cold tiles.
Pain shot up my arms, but I barely had time to register it before she yanked my hair with merciless strength.
I gasped, the sharp tug tearing at my scalp, but I still kept my mouth closed.
Not a peep could escape.
Not yet.
"Stop it! You think this is funny?!" I heard her hiss above me, but it sounded like a distant echo, muffled by the panic clawing through me.
I tried to push her away, but she laughed-an awful, mocking sound that made my stomach churn.
She pulled me up by my hair, laughing at the helplessness in my eyes, at the way my body trembled from fear and anger.
She tilted my face to look at herself in the mirror.
"Look at yourself, Roohi! Hahaha! Pathetic!" she jeered, tugging my hair so hard I almost fell again.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming.
My tears were threatening to fall now, hot and fast, and I could taste the metallic sting of fear.
My hands trembled as I tried to shield my face, my voice trapped in my throat like a bird in a cage.
And then her hand came up-high, ready to slap me.
Time froze.
My eyes widened.
My body stiffened.
I couldn't move.
But before her hand could connect, a sharp, commanding voice cut through the tension.
"Stop this right now!"
Everything seemed to blur in that instant.
Ankita stood there, her eyes blazing with anger, her jaw set, her presence a wall I didn't even realize I needed.
She strode toward Rinki like a storm, and in that moment, fear and relief collided inside me.
Rinki jerked her hand back instinctively, but not before I caught the heat of it in my peripheral vision.
I flinched, trembling, my chest heaving.
"Ankita..." I whispered, my voice barely audible, still too scared to meet her eyes. "Please... I-I can't..."
Ankita's gaze softened slightly when she looked at me, but only for a heartbeat.
Her attention snapped back to Rinki, who now seemed taken aback by the sudden presence of someone stronger, braver, and not afraid to confront her.
"You dare treat her like this?!" Ankita's voice rose, powerful and unyielding.
"She's my sister-in-law, and you think you can abuse her?"
Rinki opened her mouth, but Ankita didn't give her a chance to speak.
She took a step forward, her stance solid, protective.
"I should call Sidharth bhai ," Ankita warned, her eyes piercing through Rinki like daggers. "He won't tolerate this."
Panic struck me. "Ankita! No... please! Don't... don't tell him this time!"
I pleaded, my voice cracking,
my hands clutching hers desperately. "I... I'll be fine... just let it go..."
Rinki smirked wickedly, sensing my fear. "She's scared of you too, isn't she? Hahaha!"
"I don't care," Ankita snapped, her voice like steel.
"I warned you. One more wrong move, and you'll regret it. Now back off!"
My chest heaved as Ankita stepped closer to me and wrapped her arms around me in a protective hug.
Her warmth surrounded me like armor, and I felt the tension in my body slowly melt.
I clung to her, burying my face in her shoulder, letting myself finally breathe.
Rinki's smirk faltered.
She took a step back, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
Ankita's gaze didn't soften for her, but it didn't burn her either-it was just the sheer, undeniable force of someone unwilling to let anyone harm me.
"She's kind, innocent... and you-" Ankita paused, her jaw tight,
"-don't deserve her. Not even for a second."
I blinked, the words sinking into me, wrapping around my bruised heart like a soft blanket.
Ankita squeezed me tighter, whispering, "It's okay... I've got you."
For a moment, I saw a flicker of something in Ankita's eyes-pity, yes, but also sorrow.
Not for me, but for Rinki.
For the fact that someone so small, so scared, so cruel, could exist in our midst.
Ankita's voice softened slightly, her anger tempered by compassion.
"I should tell Sidharth bhai," she murmured again,
"but maybe... maybe I'll let it slide this time. Just this once. You don't deserve this fight, bhabhi. You don't ever have to prove yourself to people like her."
I shook my head, clutching her even tighter. "No... please... Ankita... not this time. Please... I'll be fine... I can manage."
Ankita pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head, holding me close. "You're stronger than you think, bhabhi... but you'll never have to be alone. Not while I'm here."
The argument had died down.
Rinki had backed off, muttering under her breath but not daring to approach us again.
Ankita still kept her protective stance, keeping Rinki at bay without saying another word.
I felt a mix of relief and lingering fear coursing through me.
My cheeks were wet from tears I hadn't even realized had fallen.
My chest still ached from the tension, but for the first time that night, I felt safe.
Ankita pulled back just slightly and gave me a look that made my heart flutter-not romantic, not teasing, but steady, unshakeable, and full of care.
"You're too kind, bhabhi. You really are.
And that's why I'll always protect you. Remember that.
No one gets to hurt you while I'm around."
I nodded silently, still trembling, but my heart felt lighter.
She gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze before letting go.
I looked at her with awe and gratitude, my mind struggling to process everything.
Ankita, my brave, unshakable sister-in-law, had defended me like a wall, had protected me like a sister, and still...
had a softness that made even the hardest moments bearable.
I looked at Rinki, who now avoided my gaze, and I felt a small, quiet triumph inside me.
Not for myself, but for the fact that Ankita had been there.
She had shielded me from harm. And that warmth...
that unwavering protection...
made me realize just how much I wanted to be bra
ve too, someday, like her.
As I wiped the last of my tears, I whispered softly to myself, "I'm lucky... to have you."
Ankita, sensing my lingering fear, leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, bhabhi . I've got you. Always."
I clung to her once more, letting the quiet strength of her embrace wash over me, feeling a flicker of hope and comfort amid the chaos.
And in that moment, I silently promised myself I'd never forget this. I'd never forget her courage.
Her care.
Her warmth.
And her love.
______________________________________
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