Chapter 1: A Brother's Promise
Good morning, Bhai!" Rohini said, rubbing her sleepy eyes first thing in the morning.
Ankit looked at her with a warm smile, "Good morning, my lovely sister! Should I make some coffee for you?"
"Yes, Bhai, please make it," Rohini replied as she walked out of the kitchen area and headed toward the dining table. She pulled out a chair and sat down, waiting for him.
A few moments later, Ankit walked out holding a cup and placed it on the table. "Here you go, my princess... your coffee. And make sure to eat this bread with it."
Rohini made a slight face as she picked up the cup. "Oh, Bhai! I only wanted coffee. I'm not eating the bread."
Ankit looked at her with deep concern. "Rohini, if you want to eat something else, just tell me and I'll prepare it. But you have to eat something! This has become a daily routine for you lately-just having coffee in the morning."
Rohini quickly made a puppy face and folded her hands playfully. "Bhai, from tomorrow, I promise! Just let it go for today, please? 🥺"
Ankit let out a heavy sigh, his tone growing a bit emotional. "I am letting it slide only for today. I won't tolerate these tantrums from tomorrow. What would Mom and Dad think from up above? That after they left, I don't even take proper care of my sister..." His voice cracked slightly.
Seeing the deep worry in her brother's eyes, Rohini's heart instantly melted. She quickly picked up a piece of bread and said, "Bhai! Please don't say that. You take amazing care of me, and you even handle all my stubborn tantrums. Never say such a thing again... Look, I'm eating the bread, okay? Happy?"
A wide, relieved smile appeared on Ankit's face. "Very happy, sista! 🤗"
The two of them sat together, laughing and chatting as they finished their breakfast.
A little while later, Ankit got completely dressed and walked up to Rohini's room, knocking firmly on the door.
"Yes, Bhai?" Rohini's voice came from inside.
Ankit pushed the door open, stepped inside, and spoke with a serious expression. "Rohini, I'm leaving now. I have an important out-of-town meeting, so I won't be here for the next two days. Please take good care of yourself. Honestly, I don't want to leave you alone, but this is extremely urgent, Rohini, otherwise I wouldn't go at all. And listen... if there's any problem, call me immediately. Eat your meals on time, understand? Take care, okay?"
Rohini laughed and playfully tapped her forehead. "Bhai! I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 20 years old, for god's sake! Stop worrying about me so much."
Ankit pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on the table. "Rohini, this is my friend's number. In case I am unreachable for some reason, just call my friend Neil directly. Tell him you are Rohini, Ankit's sister, and he will recognize you instantly. Got it?"
Rohini looked at the paper in surprise. "Why would I do that? I don't even know him, why would I just call him out of nowhere!"
Ankit cut her off immediately, his voice firm and unyielding. "Promise me first, or else I am not going anywhere!"
Defeated, Rohini raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, Bhai! I will call him if needed. Now please leave, otherwise you'll get late and end up blaming me. Go now!"
Ankit smiled warmly and finally left. The house was completely quiet now, and Rohini was all by herself. She grabbed her laptop, got comfortable on the bed, and got so lost in binge-watching her series that she didn't even realize when the entire day slipped away.
To be continued... ✨
