The sound of shattered glass echoed through the room. A vase hit the floor, scattering into pieces like the fragments of Vedansh's temper. His jaw was tight, his eyes stormy with rage.

"Bava, please! Agu... bava!" Anu's voice trembled as she ran behind him, trying to grab his arm, but he jerked away and threw another file onto the floor.

(Bava, please stop bava)

"Bava, please don't do this—"

Before she could finish, he turned around sharply, his chest heaving. He caught her face in his hands, fingers trembling but firm, his anger overflowing. "Why did you come here?" he snapped, his voice hoarse, raw.

He squeezed her cheeks gently but tightly, his other hand moving behind her head to protect her as he pushed her against the wall. The wall thudded, but she didn't feel pain — because his palm cushioned her completely. His body was shaking, eyes dark with frustration.

"You're not safe with me, na huh?" he hissed, his voice breaking at the edges. "Go with your brother. Go enjoy your trip. Don't stay near me."

Anu's eyes filled instantly. The tears brimmed, and her lips quivered. "Bava..." she whispered, brokenly, but he had already turned away, leaving the room like a storm that had lost its way.

She sank to the floor, her sobs small and choked, tears sliding down her cheeks silently — the kind of crying that looked almost childlike in its innocence.

By lunchtime, the house was heavy with tension.
At Krishna's house, the dining table was set beautifully. Nidhi sat waiting, her eyes sparkling with excitement, she loves Lakshmi's food, swinging her legs under the chair.

Krishna had gone to meet his friends, so it was just the family. Rahul was nearby, doing his work in laptop.

"Nidhi!"
The voice came from the doorway, sharp, commanding.

Everyone turned. Vedansh stood there, his face still clouded with anger.

"Vedansh..." Lakshmi started, but before she could finish, he said sternly, "Nidhi, come home. Right now."

Nidhi blinked, confused. "What happened?" she asked softly, her spoon halfway to her mouth.

"Just come. I said come now," he repeated, his tone stricter.

Rahul frowned. "Ved, what's wrong with you? Why are you shouting at her?"

Vedansh didn't even look at him. "Rahul, not now." Then, turning back to Nidhi, "Get up. Let's go."

But Nidhi — being the little playful one — just pouted, folding her hands stubbornly. "No, I don't want to. I'll eat here only."

Lakshmi smiled softly at her childishness, but Vedansh's jaw clenched.

"Nidhi," he said again, his voice louder this time.

"Nooo," she said, her voice rising too. "You shouldn't talk to me like that! I helped you!"

He cut her off sharply. "What help....You're not going on that trip with them. Do you understand?"

Her lips trembled, her eyes instantly tearing up. "What? Why? I won't listen to you! I'll tell Krishna Mama!"

Vedansh's patience broke. "Didn't you hear me? I said no! Let the brother and sister(Rahul and Anu) go. You're not going anywhere. Now come home!"

Nidhi's chin wobbled. "I hate you!" she shouted, her small voice cracking. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pushed the chair back and ran out of the house.

Rahul stood frozen, fists clenching. "Ved... that was too much," he said quietly, hurt visible in his eyes. But Vedansh didn't answer — he just walked away, not daring to look at Anu, who stood near the doorway with tears glistening in her lashes.

Back home, Nidhi ran straight into her room and slammed the door shut. She threw herself on the bed, her face buried in the pillow as soft sobs filled the room.

Time passed, and Kavitha came knocking gently. "Nidhi... open the door kanna."

But there was no reply.

"Vedansh," Kavitha called, "she's not opening. What happened in their house?" she asked.

Vedansh explained everything.. "Why the hell did you do that? who gave you the right to yell at my daughter huh?" she shouted.

"amma i didn't do wantedly i just lost my patience when krishna mama said like that..i didn't"

"shut up just make her open the door..dare you if you try to shout at her.." she said and left.

Within seconds, Vedansh was there. His anger had cooled, replaced by guilt and panic. He banged the door lightly. "Nidhi! Open the door."

Inside, she sniffed loudly. "No! Go away. I hate you!"

His jaw tightened. "Nidhi... open the door right now."

"No! You shouted at me! You always scold me!" she cried, her voice breaking.

"Nidhi..." he sighed, his voice softening, "open the door please."

"I won't! Not this time!"

He rubbed his forehead, frustrated but helpless. Then, his tone changed — calm but clever.
"Okay. If you don't open the door, then no sweets, no ice cream, and no chocolates for a whole week. Not even one bite."

There was silence. Then a soft gasp.

"You can't do that!" she said from inside, voice half-crying, half-panicked.

"Oh, I can," he replied calmly. "And I will."

"Ved annaya! Nooo!" she cried, sniffing.

"Then open the door," he said, suppressing a small smile.

A few seconds later, the latch clicked. The door opened slowly.

Nidhi stood there with puffy eyes, tears still clinging to her lashes, her nose red, her lower lip jutting out in the cutest pout. She looked so innocent — like a scolded kitten.

Vedansh's heart melted instantly. "Why are you crying like this, hmm?" he asked softly.

"You shouted at me," she said between sobs, "I just wanted to eat lakshmi atha's food..."

"I am sorry, please forgive me" he whispered, brushing her tears away with his thumb. "I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have shouted. But you scared me... I was lost in my own battles.."

She sniffed again, her little pout still firm. "You're bad," she muttered.

He smiled faintly. "Yes, I'm bad. Now come here."

She hesitated — then slowly walked into his arms. He hugged her tightly, one hand gently stroking her hair.

"No more crying, hmm?" he murmured softly. "Tomorrow, I'll get you your favorite chocolate cake."

She looked up at him, still sniffling but now with a faint spark in her eyes. "Promise?"

"Promise."

And just like that, her tears disappeared. She gave him a tiny smile and said in her softest voice, "I hate you a little less now."

Vedansh chuckled, pressing her head to his chest. "That's enough for today."

.

.

.

Rahul slowly opened Nidhi's door, holding a small bag of chocolates. She sat curled on the bed, cheeks puffed, lips pouty, and eyes still glistening from her earlier tears — looking every bit like a grumpy little doll.

"Hey, chocolate monster," he teased softly.

She turned away, sniffing. "Go away bava, I'm angry."

He smiled faintly. "Then I'll eat your chocolates myself."

Instantly, her head popped up, eyes wide and shining. "You brought chocolate?"

He laughed. "Knew that would work."

She took one, nibbling it happily, her round cheeks moving like a chipmunk. When a bit of chocolate smeared near her lips, he leaned closer and wiped it gently with his thumb. "There. My Nidhi looks cute again."

Her pout softened into a shy smile. "Thank you, Rahul bava."

He sat beside her, still watching her tiny hands play with the wrapper. "Did you eat dinner?"

She nodded with a smile. "Haa... Ved annaya fed me before going."

His brows instantly furrowed. "You're talking to him?"

"Haa," she replied innocently. "He said he'll bring me cake tomorrow."

Rahul's expression tightened — not angry, just conflicted. He didn't like how easily she forgave, how pure her heart was. After all the shouting and tears, she could still smile.

He sighed softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. How can she be this soft-hearted? he thought. It's not like I hate Ved... but when he yells at her, I just can't stand it.

Nidhi looked up at him, blinking. "Rahul bava?"

"Nothing," he said with a faint smile. "Just... don't cry again, okay?"

She nodded sweetly, her eyes shining. "Promise."

He chuckled. "Good girl. Now sleep — and no more chocolate till morning."

"Hmm," she murmured, curling into her blanket with a sleepy pout.

Rahul watched her for a second longer — her calm breathing, her soft face glowing under the night light — and left the room with a heavy but warm heart.

I know this is short but i had work so i couldn't write more..but tomorrow there will be a long and intresting chapter...

Now we should see how vedansh will pacify anu...because she is so angry with him rn..

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