Chapter 1: The Human Girl
CHAPTER-1: The Human Girl
ANIKA’S POV
Beep!! Beep!! Beep!!
I groaned as the alarm beeped. I was about to slap it when I heard my father yelling,
“You bitch get your fat ass into the kitchen and make us an awesome breakfast. Your siblings need to leave for their college and me to work. ”
I grabbed myself together from the day before ’s beatings and moved to the kitchen.
As I stood in the living room I saw my brother waiting for me and I knew that I would be beaten so I mentally prepared myself and stood beside him.
But what he did next shocked me, he pulled me in a bone-crushing hug and whispered in my ear, thank god u are safe and sound and left for Dad’s room.
I quickly grabbed the ingredients and prepared the bf and placed it on the table and called everyone. My sister and dad came, had their lunch and left. I was wondering where my brother was when my dad answered my unasked question. ...
Arjun has called in sick so he will be staying home. So prepare him a healthy lunch and feed him. If he doesn’t feel better then take him to the doc and u know where the cash is. For now, take him the breakfast and we are leaving.
As soon as my dad left I ran upstairs with the breakfast and bashed in my brother’s room. Thankfully the door wasn’t locked otherwise I would have broken my nose. As soon as I entered I kept the plate on the nightstand and checked for any bruise or fever on my brother and while doing so he was looking at me with a new feeling, was it adoration I thought to myself......
Then I thought he was probably angry because I touched him without his permission. So I backed off.
But his words startled me,
Arjun : Still care for me haaaaa
Anika : Woh bhai...... uhmmmm.....
Arjun: Dare u lie to ur big brother. I know when u lie.
Anika : Sorry!!! But Dad said u were not feeling well so I thought of checking u and .......
Arjun: I know behna u still love me even though I have hurt u many times. I know I can’t go into the past and rub off the memories but from now on I will protect u like a big brother.
Anika: Hain!! Is this really him or is he faking? But his eyes show the same love which was before Mom left us. I should better ask him.
And with that, I lunged on him so we were now on his bed with me on top of him but he hugged me closer to himself and was sniffing I guess. Bcoz when I pulled up there were tears in his eyes.
Bhai!!! U never cried like this. U are scaring me now. What is it?????
Arjun: It’s u, princess. After Mom left us I... I don’t want to lose u. I don’t know why but I don’t get this protective feeling for Jan but for u it is 10x stronger. Every time I saw u getting beaten up by Dad or Jan I couldn’t hold it back and so I used to run away. But after what I heard about Sid’s sister I am not letting u away from me. I will protect u from everyone until my last breath.
Anika : ( My bhai was never so sensitive and that too over me it’s just impossible. But something about sister has hit the brotherly chords of his mind and he is been a crying mess) Will you tell me what exactly happened with Sid's sister?
Bhai why don’t u eat something and rest for a while u will feel better, I said reasoning.
He instantly sat up and got the breakfast and nudged me to feed him. Whatever this crying mess has got off him, I had got my long lost bhai and I am happy.
I fed him with my own hands and he fed me. And started saying, Today while coming from work I met Siddharth he was coming from the hospital and when I asked who was admitted he said, Nia, I was shocked for a minute that what happened to her she was like your age and then I remembered you. He said that they were coming from their hometown via train when some old man trapped Nia in a lavatory at night when everyone was sleeping and how he took advantage of her and whatnot. I went to see her and she was covered with bruises. I couldn't imagine what she might have felt and her get being yours I got afraid for you, I didn't want to lose you that way.
After that, he snuggled in my lap and drifted off. I carefully placed his head on the pillow and covered him with the duvet.
Then I completed my other chores and was about to prepare dinner when my brother came from behind and started asking,
U cook well
U can stay alone
U don’t fear unless for the nightmares
U very well manage the household
So I was thinking I should better take the opportunity of working overseas and they are ready to take me in and I can get u too.
Me: Bhai what about Dad and Jan. ...
Bhai: As if they ever thought about u. It’s final u are coming with me. We might be moving by the end of next month. And here take this and mix it in Dad’s and Jan’s food.
Me: But what is it......
Bhai: U will come to know.....
He gave me his most amazing smirk and left talking on the phone I guess was preparing to leave.
Fourty-five days are there to live with my family. And then it will be my bhai and me. I am quite happy that he changed and is happy. But is it better to leave Dad and go?
Mind: He tortured u for years and u are caring for him.
Me: But he is my dad.
Mind: if he was then he wouldn’t have hit u or burnt u or should I say attempted to kill u.
Me: I know but he was said as he lost his wife.
Mind: but we too lost our mother and craved his love. And now we are getting it from our bhai and why dwell in past.
Me: hmm mm. It is true that Bhai is trying to mend our broken relationship. And I would love to be with bhai for the rest of my life.
So I have decided I’m moving with my bhai.
That night I did as Bhai told me but never knew the side effects. Both Dad and Jan were snoring off their assess on the beds and we were enjoying our bro-sis time.
He took me out for dinner and we visited places where we used to go with our mom. Bhai said that before leaving this place we would visit each and every place where mom would take us when we were kids.
Days rolled off quickly and we never knew it was one week before we leave. Nights would pass as I and Bro would have movie marathons, me singing his favourite songs and then cuddling to bed. Ever did I say that my brother is the best cuddly bear I could ever have? No tha, let me tell you he is the best one out there. These days Dad never found out about our escape plan but Jan started having doubts.
As my overprotective brother would always be in sight whenever they used to be around which he never did in these days.
Now I am just waiting for that day to leave everything behind and start a new life ahead.
Bhai has promised me that he would enrol me in a college over there where I would pick up my studies.
Singing is my hobby and architecture and planning are my passion.
So he is getting me enrolled so I could be independent.
For now, I have to follow him but later I would make him dance at my fingertips.
He had got his dream job but not his dream life and with me tagging along I don’t think he would get one so I need to do it for him.......
Well, today I guess is the worst day of my life bcoz Bhai is out for work same as Dad but Jan is home and is tracing each movement. I m sure she has got a doubt.
Never mind I have to do my duties. I was hoping how she would do without me bcoz neither does she know cooking or to manage a household. Whereas I could hold a degree in it.
I cleared our living room, cooked food (special wala only for them) and was about to clean Bhai’s room when Jan pulled my arm.
Jan: What are u doing?????
Me: I guess u heard Bhai say to clear his room before leaving.....
Jan: yeah ..... I would help u a bit.
Me: Whoa..... Jan and help. never. I know she is here to keep a check on me. But Bhai had told me to try on the clothes he got for me when we leave but now I think I should better clean the room and will try when Bhai arrives.
I soon cleared the mess and moved out with Jan hot on my heels.
Since it was time for the boys to arrive I got busy with my phone playing over.
Soon bhai and Dad arrived. We had our dinner and like every day it was me and my bhai left alive.
He pulled me with him to his room.
Bhai: did u try them...... If they don’t fit I would get u another but let me know.
Me: I never tried. Jan was on my back the whole day. I guess she is suspicious of us. Even she accompanied me to help me to clean your room.
Bhai: cool sisy.... now u can try and I would like to see how my princess looks in them...
Anika: yeppp
I took them and hopped in the bathroom.
It was all churidars. I guess my bro is not a fan of modern dresses. But I know he is caring and protective over me, so he wants to keep me all covered .......
I switched with the pink one and stood in front of my bhai who was busy with his laptop......
Bhai: U look, awesome princess. But wait..... Haaaaa now it’s perfect and never remove it unless u are at home or it's just us......
Me: As soon as he looked up... He stood from his sitting position and moved into the bathroom and got the dupatta which I had left to take. He placed it on my shoulder and told me to never remove it unless it was home or us...
I'm pretty sure got my brother back but like he said 10x over's protective brother...
Bhai what were u searching for over there...
Oh yeah, I was finalising some houses from which we would choose one.
Do I have a say.....
Yes, princess... I finalised a few but the final blow is yours.
After going over a few and instantly fell in love with the one in the woods near a lake. Its surrounding was almost calm. So I thought it would be best...
Haaaaa. ... I too was thinking about that......
So we are all done to leave and tomorrow night is it......
Now let’s sleep.......
