Kian POV

I can't believe that this much had happened, and nobody bothered to inform us. I don’t know what Bhavika must have gone through at that time. She was just a child and had always been sensitive. Did her parents know about any of this?" Shalini Aunty asked, her tone betraying her anger.

"No, aunty, no one knows about this except for the four of us," I replied.

"Iska matlab Bhavika ye shadi nhi chahti thi, to usne mana kyu nhi kiya?" (This means Bhavika didn't want to get married. So why didn't she refuse?) Nandani aunty asked this time.

"She must have been forced into it" I responded briefly.

Silence fell over the dining table again as everyone contemplated the seriousness of the situation. This wasn’t something to take lightly.

But there was still something I hadn’t shared with them, something they didn't know, and it needed to stay that way for now. When the time is right, everyone will learn the truth.

"For now, let Bhavika rest. She must be exhausted. When she wakes up, we will decide what steps to take, and no one will blame her for anything. It's not her fault; it's Aksh's," Rajendra uncle said, breaking the silence and making what felt like his final statement.

Author's POV

It was evening, and worry began to spread as Bhavika hadn’t left her room.

"Bss, bahut hua me ja rahi hu Bhavika ko dekhne," (That's enough. I’m going to check on Bhavika) Shalini declared, heading toward her room. This time, no one tried to stop her.

As she approached, she noticed Nakul and Agastya following her. She understood—they cared about her. They had never had a sister, and Bhavika had become like one to them the day she married their brother.

Shalini twisted the doorknob, and it opened; it was just closed, not locked. She stepped inside but halted in her tracks. Nakul and Agastya also stopped and looked in the direction she was staring. There, Bhavika lay on the floor, curled up, resembling a small child.

Shalini knelt beside Bhavika, placing her head in her lap, gently stroking her hair as she murmured, "Kya haal bana diya hai meri bachi ka Aksh ne, kaha hasti kheti rehti thi aab to ro ro ke bura haal kar liya hai". (Look at the state Aksh has put my baby in; she used to be so cheerful, and now she is in such distress)

When Shalini touched Bhavika’s forehead, she quickly withdrew her hand. Both Agastya and Nakul looked at her, puzzled.

"Bhavika has a high fever," she said. The brothers listened attentively, their concern growing.

"Nakul, you go and bring a thermometer and cold water with a cloth. And Agastya, you go call the doctor and bring some food too. Meri bachi ne suna se kuch khaya hi nahi hai." (Nakul, go get a thermometer and cold water with a cloth. Agastya, you call the doctor and bring some food too. My baby hasn't eaten anything) Shalini instructed, and both of them hurried off to get what they needed.

_

Downstairs, everyone remained anxious but looked toward the stairs as they heard footsteps.

"What happened? How is she?" Nandani asked.

"Bhabhi ko bukhar hai" ( Bhabhi has fever) Agastya replied, preparing a plate while speaking on the phone, still in a hurry.

As these words left his mouth, everyone in the room became worried. Immediately finishing their work, they started to move upstairs, closely followed by the family.

As Nakul and Agastya entered the room, they placed their things on the table next to the bed. Everyone was now present, and they were shocked to see Bhavika's condition. Her head rested on Shalini's lap, her face pale, with puffy eyes and dark circles beneath them. Her body appeared weak, and it was hard to believe she was a newly married woman. Although her clothes looked good, her overall appearance was anything but good.

"The doctor will be here soon," Agastya broke the thick silence that surrounded the room.

"But first, make her lie on the bed. It's not good for her to be on the floor; it could make the situation worse," Nandani said, looking at Bhavika. Her voice was soft as she added, "Agastya, help Bhavika lie on the bed."

Agastya slowly moved forward, bent down, and said, "Sorry, bhabhi apse bina puche apko utha Raha hu"(Sorry, Bhabhi, I’m lifting you without your permission.) He then picked her up in his arms while Nakul hurriedly arranged the pillow and opened the blanket. As Agastya laid her down on the bed, Nakul covered her with the blanket, and both of them stepped back to give her space.

.