But before Madhu can actually react, Aarav actually spoke.

"Hey, Akash.. this is Aarav, Madhu's little brother. Can you come and take her away from here for a while. Things are not ideal at the moment and she is not holding up that well.."

"No-no-no.. don't tell him.." Madhu tried but it was already too late as Akash just hang up after telling them he will be here..

Aarav looked at Madhu.. he just reached out and took her hands in his and tried to drag her out of the house..

"Aarav.. Leave me. I cannot go.. especially not with Akash. Not now.. Mother will kill me!!" Madhu stopped him anxiously.

"Nothing like that will happen.. I know mom and I know how to handle her. You on the other hand.. I am afraid if you remain here any more, you will end up drowning this whole house with your tears! And I don't know how to swim yet.. so, I am not taking that chance.. You go be with your boyfriend, I will call you when I settle things down here.." Aarav joked around as they stood at her room entrance.

Madhu blinked at him.. she stared at him for a long time biting her lips before saying, "You don't have to do this.. I am fine. Do not fight with mother for me! I will just stay at home and talk to her.. she will understand." She herself knew she was lying through her teeth with the last part. Rekha was never going to understand.. She would probably just berate Madhu more if she tried to talk to Rekha about this again.. Madhu wouldn't dare. But it was also true she did not want people to fight because of her..

"It is not worth it!" Madhu mumbled looking at Aarav.

Since Madhu never made any noise or complaints, he always thought they were doing fine.. at least, he thought they were doing enough.

He thought as long as it is just a few chores and stuff, Rekha was not going overboard with Madhu.. They never had anything major happen since Madhu usually just did everything Rekha said. His gran would raise her voice every now and then, but Madhu always seemed unbothered by it.

But looking at Madhu now and her behavior after hearing Rekha, he really did not know where and what went wrong between them.

He could see she did not have any sense of self when it came to their family.. no sense of belonging or comfort a family should provide. He couldn't help but think to himself if they had indirectly abused Madhu all along.. and that thought made him so angry at himself.

He never thought that his laziness to meddle and aloof attitude towards things can actually result in something so horrendous for someone else.. especially his own elder sister.

"Di.. I am not doing it for anyone else. I am doing it for my sister.. how can you say it is not worth it!" Aarav whispered through the lump on his throat.

"I am fine, Aarav.. You should worry about your mother. She must be so disappointed and hurt.. you go talk to her. And do not get angry or try to talk for me.. that will just make things worse for her!" Madhu whispered looking down for a whole minute to compose herself before looking up at him.. she flashed a grin at him. But the effort she had put into that smile was very evident and looked painful somehow.

Aarav did not move nor reply for a long time.. he just saw her smile until they faltered under his steady gaze.

"I am fine, Aarav. Really!" Madhu repeated herself.

"Di.. did we hurt you so much in all these years that you do not even know what it is to be fine and what it is to be hurt? Did we do this to you? Did you always pretend to be fine when you were in fact hurt?" Aarav asked tentatively. He knew the answer to that with just one look at Madhu.. but he was still afraid to hear her admit it to his face..

Madhu was shocked hearing his question but then quickly shook her head as she said, "No-no-no.. I am not pretending, Aarav. I am really fine. You don't know how grateful I am for all of you for what you guys gave me.. I am just sad that all I gave your guys in return for all that favor is a disappointment."

Aarav got his answer with just that.. he did not bother talking to her anymore. He just silently dragged her out of the house in spite of his gran's hollering and beckoning. Madhu was no match to his strength.

Even though he was younger than her, physically he was taller and much bulkier than Madhu.. so, she couldn't even make a send with her struggling.

"Aarav.. why are you doing this? You will get scolded pointlessly!" Madhu said slightly raising her voice when they came to a standstill outside their home.

"Di.. what I am doing is not pointless.. you are my sister. Do you even understand that.. do you get what that means? I cannot just stand there on the sideline when someone is questioning your character without any reason.." Aarav said frustrated. That was probably the first time he had actually acknowledged that they had a relationship between the two of them..

Madhu couldn't help but blink twice.. it took her a minute to realize she was not hallucinating.

"But.. but.. that is your own mother. You cannot fight with her for 'me'!" Madhu still said confused with the way he was doing things today..

"As I said.. you are my sister too.." Aarav said bluntly not explaining. Thankfully before Madhu can come up with any more protests, Akash drove over.

Aarav pretty much had to dump her into his car before she would leave.. he stood there until the car left their streets before turning around only to find his dad standing there.