Rhea's Pov
The second I stepped inside the house, I knew.
The volume was illegal.
Maa was laughing too loudly.
Papa was smiling like he'd won a lottery.
And my suitcase space in life had been invaded.
Before I could react—
"CHOTIIIII!"
I was yanked forward and lifted like I weighed nothing.
"PUT ME DOWN," I screeched. "I AM NOT A WELCOME-GIFT FROM LONDON."
He laughed. Of course he did.
"Still angry," he said, spinning me once more. "Good. I was worried you'd matured."
Karthik Sharma.
My elder brother.
Professional nuisance.
Recently returned from London with a degree, confidence, and zero shame.
Maa appeared behind him, glowing. "Rhea, look at your brother! Finished studies, came back home."
"Yes," I said flatly. "Tragic return."
Karthik clutched his chest. "Wow. This is how you welcome an international graduate?"
"I didn't ask you to go international," I snapped. "You could've stayed local and annoying."
Papa laughed. "Arre let them be, they're the same since childhood."
Same?
I had grown.
He had just become taller and louder.
Karthik looked me up and down. Slowly. Judging.
"Why do you look like you've been emotionally attacked by life?"
"School," I replied. "You wouldn't survive one week."
He smirked. "Please. I survived London."
"Exactly," I shot back. "Everyone's polite there. Come face Indian teachers."
Maa burst out laughing.
Karthik flopped on the sofa like he owned the house. "So. Miss Serious. Any boyfriend?"
I froze. "Why are you opening dangerous topics?"
Papa's ears immediately activated.
Karthik grinned wider. "I leave for a few years and come back to… this personality."
"At least I changed," I snapped. "You still sit like a potato."
He leaned closer. "You miss me."
I glared. "Don't say emotional things. I might hit you."
He chuckled. "Missed you too, chipmunk."
I shoved him. Hard.
Later, when everyone was busy fussing over him, Karthik knocked his knuckles lightly on my head.
"Proud of you," he said quietly. "Heard you're doing good."
I rolled my eyes. "Obviously."
But my chest tightened anyway.
Typical Indian siblings.
Fight like sworn enemies.
Care like no one else ever will.
And with Karthik Sharma back—
Home finally felt loud, annoying…
and complete again. 💛
I was peacefully existing in my room when Maa shouted,
"Rhea! Your friends are here!"
Friends.
Plural.
That word alone gave me anxiety.
I opened the door and—
There they were.
Kabir.
Neel.
Samar.
Yuhan.
Standing like they were about to audition for India's Got Guts.
Before I could react, Karthik Sharma appeared behind me, arms crossed, elder-brother software fully updated.
He scanned them once.
Twice.
Then looked at me.
"…You've been busy."
"SHUT UP," I hissed.
Neel smiled brightly. "Namaste bhaiya."
Karthik nodded. "Namaste. Which one of you causes trouble?"
Samar raised his hand instantly. "Depends. Emotional or legal?"
I groaned.
We all sat down. Maa served snacks. Papa asked where they were from.
Karthik, meanwhile, stared like he was conducting an interview.
"So," he said casually, "how do you all know my sister?"
Kabir answered calmly. "School."
"Just school?" Karthik asked.
Neel leaned forward. "School… trauma… shared suffering."
Samar nodded. "She yells at us a lot."
"That's leadership," I snapped.
Karthik smiled proudly. "Good. She yells at family too."
Karthik turned to Kabir.
"You walk her home?"
Kabir nodded. "Yes."
"Every day?"
"When she lets me."
Neel whispered loudly, "She pretends she doesn't need it."
"I WILL PUSH YOU," I warned.
Samar grinned. "Bhaiya, she once said 'I can walk alone' and then tripped."
Karthik gasped. "You fell?"
"I SLIPPED."
"Emotionally or physically?" Neel asked.
Everyone laughed. Including Kabir.
Traitors.
Karthik leaned back. "Any bad habits?"
"Too many," Samar said. "She steals our food."
"She steals MY charger," Neel added. "And denies it."
Karthik nodded. "She stole my childhood too."
"YOU LEFT," I shouted.
"For higher studies," he corrected. "Abroad."
"WITH MY CHOCOLATES."
Then Karthik smiled sweetly.
Danger sign.
"So… boyfriend?"
I choked. "WHY are you like this?"
Neel leaned in. "We'd also like to know."
"I HATE ALL OF YOU."
Samar sighed. "Relax bhaiya, if she had a boyfriend, she'd be less angry."
Kabir muttered, "Or more."
I kicked his foot. Hard.
He didn't even flinch. Rude.
Karthik stood suddenly. "Photo album time."
"NO."
"Yes."
He opened it.
"There," he said proudly. "Age seven. Fancy dress."
Neel squinted. "Is that… a tomato?"
"I WAS A STRAWBERRY."
Kabir laughed. Loud.
I had never been more betrayed.
"She cried for two hours after this," Karthik added.
"BECAUSE YOU ATE MY PRIZE."
Samar wiped fake tears. "This is character development."
When they finally left, I walked them to the door.
Neel whispered, "Your brother is scarier than exams."
Samar nodded. "But iconic."
Kabir looked at me. Soft. "He cares."
"Unfortunately," I sighed.
Karthik yelled from inside.
"KABIR."
Kabir turned.
"Take care of her," Karthik said seriously.
Neel whispered, "OHO."
Samar whispered louder, "APPROVAL."
Kabir nodded. "Always."
I stared at the floor like it had personally offended me.
When the door shut, I turned to my brother.
"You embarrassed me."
He grinned. "My job."
"I will ruin your reputation."
"You don't have one."
I threw a cushion at him.
Typical Indian siblings.
Savage. Loud. Loving.
And absolutely unstoppable. 💥