The next day morning, Akash woke up to the soft giggling sound. When he blinked his eyes open, he was met with the figure of his sister giggling away mischievously. He looked around and only then he realized, he had slept in Madhu's room and Madhu was actually buried into his chests fast asleep. His eyes softened but when his eyes shifted slightly, he saw the phone on Bhavna's hands. He had a really bad premonition.

"You guys look so adorable!!" Bhavna whisper squealed excited showing off the picture she had just taken of them both. The photo was in fact adorable. Akash was fast asleep with his head leaning over Madhu's head while Madhu was curled up in his laps completely wrapped in his arms. Madhu's face was not visible fully. One half was buried against his skin while the other half was partly covered by her hair. The only thing visible was one of her shut eyes with her long lashes.

He got to say Bhavna's photography skills were top-notch. Just when he was about to praise her, a thought struck him as he looked at his sister and asked, "Who did you send it to?"

After all, they were siblings, and Bhavna would never leave an opportunity like this to let past her. She was the laziest person there is and she wouldn't do anything free of cost. Especially when it comes to black material on him. She wouldn't be satisfied unless he was tortured dry.

"Mum, of course!!" Bhavna said brightly with a gloating smile.

"Bhavna.. Seriously??" Akash asked defeated. If his mum knows, it would be a miracle if this did not come as flash news in a few hours. After all, Bhavna got her gossipy genes from Bhagya.

But before he could scold her for being nosy, Madhu stirred in her sleep. Akash shut up freezing on his place. He then gestured Bhavna to leave quietly. He did not want Madhu's sleep to be disturbed.. and even if it was and Madhu woke up, he so did not want it to be with Bhavna looking at them like a freaking air piece in the museum. It would freak her out for sure.

Bhavna scrambled away with a big smile. After all, she had already gotten what she had come for. Who asked them to sleep so adorably with their room unlocked. She had originally just wanted to drag Madhu to the swimming pool. But instead what she got made her so much more excited. She did not have to worry about her pocket money this month.

Just as the doors clicked behind her, Madhu woke up blinking her eyelids.

Akash kept his hands behind her head and caressed gently as he greeted her, "Hey there sleepyhead.. good morning..."

Madhu mumbled something back incoherently against his chest that almost sounded like a greeting. But she did not really bother waking up though. She just slightly shifted in such a way that now the whole of her face was buried against him.

Akash smiled. He never thought being used as a piece of furniture or a plush toy could be such a joyous thing. He wanted so to go back to sleep just like this. But knowing Bhavna?? he reluctantly dismissed the idea.

He then carefully lifted her in his arms and brought her to bed. But just as he was about to lay her on the bed, Madhu tightened her grip around his t-shirt making it impossible for him to pull away. He gently coaxed her hands away and stuffed a pillow into them. He leaned down to leave a feather-light peck on her forehead and exited the room.

Just as he stepped out, he was met with Bhavna. She had one of her hands folded under her while her other hand was extended in front of her.

Akash knew his sister way too well. That is why he scoffed as he said, "Why should I pay you? Anyways you already spread it around to mum.."

"I lied. But I can send it now if you are so eager. And I might as well ask her to spread it across.." Bhavna gloated showing off Shreya's phone.

Akash saw the problem at last. Bhagya might not listen to Anand or anyone else, but she always listens to Shreya. And of course, Bhavna was spoilt rotten by Shreya. So Shreya would do anything Bhavna asks. Especially if it was to torture him.

He begrudgingly took out his phone and logged into his bank account. His hands fumbled around for a while. He then showed her a figure.

"Add a zero to the end.." Bhavna bossed with her lips twitched. This was playful banter between the siblings that had been happening forever. But it was mostly Akash who would be paying up. From bunking classes to helping him sneak back into the house late at night- Bhavna would happily extort money from him for every damn thing. But since she was the youngest in the family and was spoilt rotten.. he could only swallow all his complaints and pay up. But with her age, her extortion skill and the money involved had improved leaps and bounds.

"5 Crores?? Seriously?? This is day time robbery!!" Akash whined.

"You can either take it now or I can let mom pass it around. Anyways she is eager to brag that you had at last gotten yourself a decent girlfriend." Bhavna said shrugging her shoulders.

Akash could only transfer the money helplessly. He could only guess what would happen if the photo was distributed around. Especially given how shy Madhu was. He did not want to take chances.

Bhavna confirmed that the cash had come into her account before sending the photo to Akash and promptly also deleted the photo from her phones.

All the while, Akash kept looking at her like a hawk making sure she was not doing anything sneaky with him and come to extort more money form him later. It had happened, mind you. Plenty times that too.

But Bhavna was very honest this time around. Not because she developed a sudden conscience. But mainly because it involved Madhu. If it had been just Akash, she would have messed around with him to her heart's content and not have felt guilty about it at all. But since Madhu was involved and since she took her as her friend, Bhavna did not wish to put her in a position. Madhu was way too innocent and cute and adorable.. she did not want to scare her away from this idiot brother of hers. She did not even want to send her mum the pictures. She was just messing around with Akash.

Once confirming the payment receipt, Bhavna walked away contently making a mental list of things she was going to buy with the newfound pocket money.

Akash smiled at her back helplessly.

As crazy as she was, he had really missed her madness in the few years when she was abroad. She always drove him absolutely crazy and at the end of everything, she would make a pitiful face and he would melt away just like that.

NOT for a second did he think that he would miss her craziness when she left. But there was an unexplainable emptiness spread in the whole family when she did leave. The impact was so much worse since it was right after Shreya's parent's death. But since everybody knew why she was going, nobody had the heart to stop her.

Akash followed his sister and swung his arms around her shoulder as they walked to the living room.

"Hey, kid. What do you think about staying home this time permanently??" Akash asked seriously.

Bhavna looked at his brother surprised. But then mischief filled her eyes within seconds as she asked, "Why?? Do you have too much money now that you are manging S corp. full time??"

Akash just chuckled helplessly pinching on her cheeks but then answered her question in a gentle voice, "We miss you here, kid. It would really help Shreya to have you around this time.. I know you feel bad that you weren't around the previous time."

Bhavna stopped on her track. She bit on her lips thoughtfully. She did miss home too. And her term in college was also coming to an end. Originally, she thought she could apply for a post-grad in the same university.. but hearing Akash.. she was really tempted to coming back home.

She had run away once because it was too much to face her pain.. but this time around.. she felt as if she had the energy to face it. Especially when she thought about Shreya. She did not want to run away from her this time around and regret it later.

"I will ask Shreya first before deciding." She replied after giving it a thought. After all, it was Shreya who arranged everything for her. From her accommodation to admission.. everything was carried out by Shreya. And when she said she wanted to come back a while ago, Shreya straight out refused. So she did not want to decide rashly without consulting her.

Akash pecked on top of her forehead before going into one of the restrooms to freshen up while Bhavna went in search of some food.