Chapter 1 :The Monsters Who Loved Her
Morning didn’t arrive quietly at the Malhotra mansion.
It unfolded like gold spilling across marble floors, slow and warm.
In the middle of it stood Aarohi Malhotra… draped in a soft pastel saree, her hair loosely tied, bare feet brushing against the cool stone as she watered the garden.
The world outside whispered her name like a rumor.
Inside?
She was peace.
She moved from plant to plant, humming softly, her fingers brushing over petals like they understood her.
And maybe they did.
Because everything around her bloomed…
just like her brothers did.
The gates were open just enough.
Just enough for trouble to slip in.
A group of boys leaned against the outer wall, their voices low at first… then louder.
“Arrey… dekho toh, Malhotra ki princess hai kya?”
(Hey… look, is that the Malhotra princess?)
“Subah subah garden mein… kitni khoobsurat lag rahi hai…”
(Out in the garden this early… she looks so beautiful…)
Aarohi paused.
Not scared.
Not shaken.
Just… still.
She didn’t turn immediately. Didn’t react.
Because she knew something they didn’t.
Inside the mansion…
four shadows shifted.
Veer Malhotra looked up first.
From the balcony.
Silent. Still.
But his eyes?
They had already turned cold.
Kabir didn’t speak.
Didn’t need to.
His gaze flicked once toward the gate.
That was enough.
Rudra?
He didn’t wait.
“Saale—”
He was already moving before the sentence finished.
Ayaan followed without a word.
Like a shadow that had decided to become real.
Outside, Aarohi finally turned.
Her expression calm. Almost curious.
The boys smirked, stepping closer, thinking her silence was weakness.
One of them opened his mouth again—
And then…
He stopped.
Because the air changed.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Deadly.
Rudra reached them first.
His grip on the boy’s collar was instant, brutal.
“Zubaan sambhaal ke baat kar,” he growled, voice low but shaking with anger.
Kabir stood beside him, calm… almost bored.
“Do you know where you’re standing?” he asked softly.
That softness?
More dangerous than shouting.
Ayaan didn’t speak.
He just… stood there.
Watching.
Memorizing faces.
The kind of man you don’t notice…
until it’s too late.
And then Veer walked out.
Slow. Measured.
Power wrapped in silence.
The boys froze.
Because suddenly, this wasn’t teasing anymore.
This was a mistake.
A big one.
Veer didn’t raise his voice.
Didn’t need to.
“Leave.”
Just one word.
Cold. Final.
They stumbled back, fear replacing arrogance, muttering apologies before practically running out of the street.
Silence returned.
Like nothing had happened.
And in the middle of it…
Aarohi laughed.
Soft. Bright. Unbothered.
“Bhaiya…” she shook her head, “itni si baat thi.”
(Brother… it was such a small thing.)
Rudra turned to her, still furious.
“Tumhe kuch ho jaata toh?”
(What if something had happened to you?)
She stepped closer, placing her hand on his arm.
“Par hua toh nahi na?” she smiled.
(But nothing did happen, right?)
And just like that…
The storm softened.
Afternoon
The kitchen smelled like home.
Spices danced in the air, warm and rich.
Aarohi stood near the stove, stirring the biryani, her bangles clinking softly.
Behind her…
Chaos.
Rudra tried to sneak a taste.
“Bas thoda sa—”
(Just a little—)
“Ayaan bhaiya!” she turned instantly, glaring.
He froze.
Then grinned like he wasn’t just terrifying an hour ago.
Kabir leaned against the counter, arms crossed.
“You know, statistically speaking, tasting improves quality control.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“No.”
Ayaan had already taken a spoon quietly.
She caught him.
“Ayaan bhaiya…”
He didn’t even look guilty.
And Veer?
He stood at the door, watching.
Not interfering.
Just… there.
His presence steady.
Safe.
“Sab bahar jao,” Aarohi finally said, pointing toward the door.
(Everyone, go outside.)
“No help needed.”
“Princess ke order hain,” Kabir smirked, walking out.
(Princess’s orders.)
Rudra followed dramatically.
“I was helping,” he muttered.
Ayaan left silently.
Veer paused.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Softness flickered in his.
“Don’t take too long,” he said quietly.
“Hum wait karenge.”
(We’ll wait.)
Dinner Chaos — The Malhotra Way
The dining table at the Malhotra mansion was long, polished, and intimidating.
Just like the men who sat around it.
Except tonight…
It didn’t stay intimidating for long.
“Aarohi, jaldi aao!” Rudra called out, already sitting, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table.
(Aarohi, come quickly!)
“Patience, Rudra,” Kabir said smoothly, adjusting his sleeves. “Good things take time.”
“Main bhooka mar raha hoon, tumhe philosophy karni hai?” Rudra snapped.
(I’m starving to death, and you want to do philosophy?)
Ayaan sat quietly, already serving himself like he had no interest in the argument.
Typical.
And Veer?
At the head of the table.
Silent. Composed.
Waiting.
Not for the food.
For her.
Then she walked in.
Carrying the biryani.
And just like that… the room shifted.
“Aakhir aa hi gayi,” Rudra grinned, immediately standing up and pulling the dish toward himself.
(Finally, you’re here.)
“Rudra bhai!” Aarohi frowned. “Sabko serve karne do.”
(Let me serve everyone.)
“Main help kar raha hoon,” he said shamelessly, already taking the first bite.
(I’m helping.)
Kabir shook his head.
“Uncivilized.”
Then… calmly took his own plate first.
“Aap bhi?” Aarohi looked at him, betrayed.
(You too?)
Kabir didn’t even blink.
“Survival instincts.”
Ayaan passed her a plate quietly.
“At least someone is decent,” she smiled at him.
Rudra gasped dramatically.
“Betrayal! Main toh bas taste kar raha tha!”
(Betrayal! I was just tasting!)
Veer finally spoke.
“Sit.”
One word.
And somehow… everyone listened.
Even Rudra.
Aarohi sat beside him, serving everyone properly this time.
For a moment…
It was calm.
Peaceful.
Then—
“Yeh biryani best hai,” Rudra declared loudly.
(This biryani is the best.)
“Obviously,” Kabir replied. “She learned from me.”
Aarohi choked.
“Excuse me?”
Ayaan almost smiled.
“Tumne kya sikhaya?” Rudra shot back. “Numbers ka masala daala tha kya?”
(What did you teach her? Did you add numbers as spices?)
Kabir smirked.
“At least I have brains.”
“At least I have personality.”
“Bas!” Aarohi raised her hand.
(Enough!)
Silence.
Immediate.
She looked at them, trying to stay serious… and failed.
A small laugh escaped her.
And just like that—
The tension melted.
Rudra leaned back, satisfied.
“Aarohi ke haath ka khaana… bas,” he said, softer this time.
(Food made by Aarohi… that’s it.)
Kabir nodded slightly.
Ayaan kept eating quietly.
Veer didn’t say anything.
But he watched her.
The way she smiled.
The way she filled the room.
Because this…
This wasn’t just dinner.
This was the only place where they weren’t feared.
Weren’t monsters.
Weren’t dangerous.
They were just…
hers.
And no matter how chaotic it got…
No matter how loud, messy, or ridiculous it became…
This table… was their peace.
🎬 Night
The movie played in the background.
No one was really watching.
Rudra was arguing about the plot.
Kabir was correcting him.
Ayaan sat quietly.
And Veer…
Sat still.
Aarohi lay beside him, her head resting against his shoulder.
At some point…
She fell asleep.
Peacefully.
Like the world outside didn’t exist.
Veer looked down at her.
His expression… unreadable to anyone else.
But not empty.
Never empty when it came to her.
Carefully, he adjusted the blanket around her.
His hand paused for a second… brushing her hair back.
Gentle.
Almost hesitant.
Because no matter what she became…
She would always be their little sister.
Their princess.
The only light in a world they had darkened with their own hands.
And God help anyone…
whoever tried to take that light away.
