Page 203 of The Redemption
Ayaan lets out a breath, and his smile is back. “I didn’t see it then, but I do now. If anyone had tried to come between me and the woman I cared about, I would have done exactly what you did. And before you ask me again what the f*ck I’m talkingabout…” He lightly punches my chest with his fist. “I mean… love is going to knock on your heart’s door very soon, brother. I’m just warning you to be prepared.”
Love?I stare at him. He thinks I’m falling in love with Siya? How the f*ck can that happen?
Why not?A voice inside me snaps back instantly.
I realise how much Siya affects me. Anything she does, or doesn’t do, I’m always interested in knowing. Every time she’s around, my eyes are only on her. And when she isn’t, I look for her. I don’t know what to call that feeling. All I know is that when she’s with me, I don’t feel alone anymore. When I see her smile, it somehow quiets the chaos in my head. And the thought of anything happening to her is enough to make me lose control.
Is that love?
Ayaan is definitely reading too much into this. But before I can say anything, he speaks again, as if he can somehow hear every unspoken thought racing through my mind.
“I know you won’t accept it right now. But eventually, you will, brother.” He pats my shoulder with a smug grin. “Trust me, knowingly or unknowingly, you have already fallen for her. Everyone around you can see it. The only person still refusing to believe it is you. Take my advice. Just admit it. Confess it to her, and then see how your life changes for the better.”
I stare at him for a second, then shake my head. “You know, instead of listening to all your theories about love, I think we were better off when we barely spoke to each other.”
Ayaan snorts. “Not happening. I’m never giving up on you, bro. None of us is getting rid of the other in this lifetime.”
The corner of my mouth lifts.
I know. Even I wouldn’t give up on him ever.
“No matter how much we fight,” he continues, “you’re still my brother first. That part doesn’t change. Ever. So even if the whole world stands against you one day, I’ll probably punch youfirst for being an as*hole... and then I’ll stand beside you while we deal with the rest together.”
Before I can say anything, Ayaan closes the distance between us and wraps his arms around me. I hug him back just as tightly.
Just like I always have. Just like I always will.
For all our fights, arguments, bruises, and disagreements... nothing has ever changed this bond. Ayaan has always been the one constant in my life. The only person who knows exactly where every scar came from because he carries most of them with me.
“Aww… look at that,” Meher’s amused voice reaches us. “The cold war between the brothers is officially over. They’re actually hugging.”
Ayaan and I pull apart to see Baba, Meher, and Siya’s mother walking towards us. Judging by their smiles, they must have overheard our conversation. Now that Ayaan and I have sorted things out, they all look relieved, especially Baba, who had been worrying far too much.
Before either of us can respond, we hear footsteps on the staircase. I look up and see Siya making her way downstairs with her suitcase in tow.
The moment she reaches the last step, Meher points towards us with a grin.
“Oh, Siya, you missed it.”
Siya pauses. “Missed what?”
“The brothers finally patched things up.”
“Really?” She looks over at me before smiling. “Then I definitely missed the good part.”
Siya walks over and stops beside Meher.
“Didn’t I tell you never to interfere between two brothers? They’ll fight, patch things up, and leave the rest of us looking foolish for worrying so much.”
“Exactly.” Meher chuckles as they both give Ayaan and me a knowing look. “That’s precisely what happened.”
Even I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my mouth.
Ayaan notices it immediately and leans closer to me. “Wonderful,” he mutters. “As if my wife wasn’t enough, now evenyour wifeis openly mocking us.”
Despite muttering under his breath, everyone hears him, and another round of laughter fills the room. Everyone except Siya and me. Lately, every time someone refers to her as my wife, we are both transported into a world of our own.
A few minutes later, the teasing finally settles down and the goodbyes begin. Siya’s mother moves towards Meher first.
