Vedant

I woke up with a stiff neck. I put a hand behind my neck and tried to raise my neck. I slowly turned my head to my sides to ease the pain. After a little of stretching I felt better. I looked around and realised at I was not in my room. I turned to my side and saw Niharika sleeping peacefully with one hand under cheek and one hand was still holding my hand tightly. I smiled at her innocent face and slowly removed a strand of hair from her face.

I thought about yesterday night. I know I took out my anger on her when she asked about my mother. That is a topic I never want to open. I realized my mistake the next second I shouted at her. A single thought about that woman makes my blood boil. Guilt consumed me when she walked out of the kitchen with a shocked face. That is why I went and apologised immediately.

She accepted my apology. We said our good nights in front of her room and she went inside. I was not feeling sleepy, so I went and did some of the office work in my study room. I was going back to my room when I heard muffled voices from Niharika's room. The room was not locked from inside so I opened the door a little and peeped inside. She was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. She was talking something. What is she talking? Is she talking in sleep? I called her name but there was no response. I slowly opened the door and walked near to the bed.

She was gripping the bed sheet tightly and shaking her head vigorously. She was saying words like please, stop and no. Tears were coming down from her tightly closed eyes. Her breath was heavy. Shit. She is in a nightmare. I hurried to her side and called her by gripping her shoulders and shaking but she was not responding. I tapped her cheeks and called her again. Suddenly she opened her eyes. They were terrified. She pushed me back with force. I stumbled a little but was able to maintain my balance. She was breathing heavy. She looked around and sighed in relief. She wiped her face with her palms.

She looked so weak and fragile. She was not looking at me. I walked to the bedside table and poured a glass of water from the jug and gave it to her. "Are you Ok?" I asked her. She nodded and took the glass from my hands and sipped. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb your sleep. " She apologized. Her faced looked guilty.

"It's okay. I was not sleeping I was in my study doing some work. I heard your voice while walking back to my room. Are you alright now?" I asked. "Yes. Thank you." She said in a low voice.

"Do you always get nightmares like this?" I asked again. I was curious about the dream which made her this vulnerable. She looked down without saying anything. I felt that I should not compel her to say about it. I know how nightmares are. I have been through that a lot, but she being in this state gives me a prick in my heart. I didn't want her to be like this.

I took the glass from her hands and placed it on the side table. I removed a strand of hair falling into her face and lifted her chin up with my index finger. "It's okay to be vulnerable. No one is strong enough to carry all the baggages that life gives them. But you should remember that only you could fight your fears. Others can only give you support and show the right path. Fight it Niha. Don't give up on yourself. You deserve much better. Don't let the past shadow your future." I said and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Her eyes were full of sadness and fear. I want to pull her out of this turmoil but I myself am in a dark pit of revenge and remorse. I felt responsible for dragging her into my mess. I want to let her go but before that I want to make sure that she will be safe for ever. I tucked her hair behind her ears and cupped her face and pushed her back on to the bed. I covered her body with the quilt and took her hand in one of my hand and pulled the chair forward with the other one and sat next to the bed. I sat there holding her hand with one of my hand and ran my fingers of the other hand through her hair slowly. "Sleep. I will be here." I said.

"No. It's..." She was about to argue but went silent when I placed my index on her lips "Shhhh. Not another word. Close your eyes and sleep." I said and patted her hair again. She looked at me with an unreadable emotion, her eyes slowly started to close and she drifted into sleep.

I looked at her sleeping figure. Her cheeks were stained with dried tears and soft pink lips were parted a little. I put my head on the bed looking at her beautiful face. I don't know when sleep took over me.

I slowly removed my hand from her grip. She winced a little and turned to the opposite side. I scoffed at her reaction and walked out of the room.

I took bath after my regular workout in the gym and wore a black and white suit and went down. The table was set for breakfast. A smile crept to my lips. This is the first time I'm having my breakfast at home. I went near the table to check the dishes. It was poori and bhaji. They were hot and smell nice. I saw Niharika walking out of the kitchen with a tray containing two cups. She smiled at me. "Take your seat. I was bringing the tea." She said while keeping the tray on the dining table. I smiled back and sat on the chair. She sat opposite me. We served our breakfast. This is what homemade food is. We can never compare it with any 5 star dishes.

"If you are going to make food for me every day like this, I'm never going to allow you to leave me." I said while eating with a happy smile. Suddenly she started coughing the food. I was startled. I took a glass of water and offered to her. She tapped her head and sipped the water. She looked at me with a weird expression. That's when I realised what I told. Oops!! Why am I always blunder in front of her?

"I mean the food is really nice." I said looking at the plate. She didn't say anything. The awkwardness filled around us again. "I hope you slept peacefully afterwards." I said to change the mood. She stopped eating and looked at me. "Yes. Thank you." She said in a low voice. No it didn't work. Instead it increased the awkwardness. Rest of the breakfast was in silence. We cleaned the kitchen and walked out.

"Hmm. If you don't mind can I work in your company? It's bore to sit in here the whole day." She asked me.

"Yeah. Sure. But do you have any experience in real estate? What did you study?" I asked.

"I'm a MBA Finance graduate." She replied.

"Oh. Okay. Let me check with the company and I will let know in the evening when I comes back." I said. She smiled and nodded her head.

I walked towards the door and she followed me. I opened and stepped outside. I looked back and saw her standing with her arms crossed and leaning against the door frame with a smile. "Bye. Have a good day." She said. This is something new for me. It is the first time I'm leaving the house without locking it myself. For the first time someone saying good bye to me and wishing me a good day ahead. It feels nice. I gave her a genuine smile and said good bye. The smile was lingering on my lips through out my drive to the office. Something never occurred in years.

............................................................................................................................................................

I parked the car in my designated parking space and walked into the building. I have to go and see Siddharth. He don't know that I came back. I haven't called him after reaching Mumbai. I walked towards the elevator many staffs wished me. I entered the lift and pressed the button to 60th floor. The doors were closing when I heard someone shouting. "Wait. Wait. Wait. Please keep it open." I immediately pressed the button to open the door and a small figure rushed into the elevator.

It was a girl in black slacks and white shirt. Her hair was tied in a high pony tail. She had a cross bag across her chest. She was panting. She looked cute. She looked at me and smiled. "Thank you." She said looking at her wrist watch. "Oh. Thank God. There are five more minutes left. I don't know what my jerk of a boss will make me do if I'm late for even a minute." She sighed in relief. I scoffed at her reaction.

"What? I'm serious." She said frowning. "Really?!! And who is this jerk of a boss of yours?" I asked smiling. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you here before." She asked with doubt.

"I was out of station for a while. So tell me who this boss is?" I asked again. "Aha!! Mr. Siddharth Aryan, I mean the Siddharth Aryan, CFO of this company." She said sighing again. "Siddharth? You are saying he is that mean?" I asked with creases on my forehead. I couldn't believe it. He is one of the considerate human being I have seen. Why would he act so mean towards her? It surprises me.

"What did he do?" I was becoming curious now. "What did he do? He made me run up and down 30 floors. He made me prepare coffee 5 times at once. He asked me to prepare the project report in less than a day. And... Aha!! That's enough. It is making my blood boil." She said in irritated tone while tapping her foot on the elevator floor. I scoffed again at her actions. She looked at me with a frown and a pout lips. She looks really cute. "I'm sorry. It's just... Hmm... You are right. That was really mean. No boss should have done that." I said trying to give a serious face. She gave a nod and sighed. The elevator stopped at 40th floor and the doors opened.

"Ok then. See you later. I have to get a file from this floor before he could find another excuse to scold me. Nice meeting you." She said while getting out of the elevator and the doors closed again. I smiled. I liked her. She was really cute with her behaviour. I would love to have a sister like her. But why is Sid treating her like that.

The elevator reached 60th floor and I got out. I walked towards Sid's office before going in to mine. The receptionist stood up from the seat and wished me. I nodded and opened the door to Sid's office. He was looking at his desktop and doing some work. There was a frown in his face. He looked serious. I smiled. He is the one of the best thing happened to me. I kept my hands in my pockets and looked at him. "Would you mind sparing sometime for me?" I asked with a smirk. He looked up from the desktop screen to see me. A wide smile appeared on his face. "Hey brother, long time no see." I said while raising my eyebrows and giving a smile to him.

He rose from his chair and stalked towards me. He engulfed me in a tight bear hug. I smiled and tapped his back. He pulled away after a few moments and held my shoulders in his grip. "Finally you are back after 6 long months. Thank the heavens." He said and sighed. I scoffed.

"So when did you come back?" he asked again while walking towards his chair and gesturing me to take the chair in front of him. "I reached back yesterday." I said. He dialled the intercom. "Bring two coffees to my office." he said and disconnected the call.

"So, tell me. What's up with you? Why were you away this long? You promised me that you will tell me everything after coming back." He questioned me. I gave him a smile. "Yeah. I know. I will explain everything to you very soon. For now tell me. How are you? How is everything going here?" I asked.

"Everything here is fine. And about me, I'm exhausted. If you haven't come here by this month I would have run away to somewhere." He said leaning against the chair. I scoffed at his reaction. We heard a knock at the door and he gave permission to come in.

I looked up when I saw a tray with two coffee filled cups was placed in front of us. It was the same girl I met in the elevator. She took the cup from the tray and extended it to me. That's when she saw my face. She looked surprised. I smiled at her. She gave me a doubtful smile. We heard a clearing of throat. She turned immediately and gave the other cup to Sid. "Ved, this is Priya my new assistant." He said. Oh so she is his assistant. She nodded her at me with a smile and picked up the tray from the table. She was about to go when I said "It was nice meeting you too Ms. Priya." I said with a teasing smile. She gave me a weak smile. She looked scared.

"You both met before?" Sid asked. There was a frown on his face. I looked at him. I could see a hint of jealousy too. My smirk grew. Is this why he is being tuff with her? I drank the coffee in one go and stood up from the chair. I kept the coffee on the table and looked at her. "By the way the coffee was delicious." I said to her with a wink. She gulped. She was nervous. "I. I didn't know you were coming to meet Mr. Aryan." She said in low voice without looking at me.

My smirk and Sid's frown grew even wider. "Yeah. I had to come and see him. Because we have a small connection you know." I said and she looked at me confused. "He is my little brother." I said pointing towards Sid and giving her a wide teasing smile. The tray fell from her hands and her mouth opened wide. I laughed seeing her pale face. Sid was looking at us confused. "What did I miss?" He asked seriously.

"Nothing she forgot to tell me that she is your assistant when we first met in the elevator. That's all." I said. But he gave a doubtful look at me. I winked at him. "I will catch you later brother." I said and he nodded. I turned to leave and she followed me after picking up the tray. We got out of the room. I looked at her. She looked away in embarrassment. "I'm sorry." She said. I scoffed. "Don't worry little one. Your secret is safe with me." I said and patted her head. She gave me a smile. I smiled and walked towards my office. My PA was standing in front of my office door. I smiled at him, he gave me a surprised look.

...........................................................................................................................................................

It was almost 8 when I reached my penthouse. I was about to press the code when the door opened and saw Niharika standing there with a smile. I was surprised. "Hmm. I was in the patio when I saw your car entering inside the compound." She said. I smiled and nodded. She opened the door wider for me to enter. "Welcome home." She said while gesturing with her hand. I smiled. Home?!! Yes home. I smiled. For the first time I'm feeling like coming to home before this was just a building. For the first time someone opened the door for me. Knowing that someone is waiting for me feels really nice. Seeing her smiling face gave warmth and happiness inside me, those feelings which vanished from my life for a decade now. And it feels so good, that I'm afraid I might start to love this and makes our lives more complicated.

.........................................................................................................................................................

Hi all. This is the first chapter where the siblings coming together. I hope you like it. I'm sorry if you feel like I'm dragging the story too far. I'm trying my best to make it simple but when I start writing it's becoming a little long. Please let me know your opinion about the story and the characters. Have a good reading time.