After a few days…
"Where are we going?" Ryan asked.
Karan looked back with a side-eye. Seeing Nora and her brother in the mirror, he answered. "To Steave's mansion."
Ryan's eyes widened. Hurriedly holding his dad's arm, he spoke. "Are we leaving them there dad?"
"Or what?" Karan apathetically asked back.
"We can't do that dad. We can't leave her alone." He argued worriedly.
"If it's not today, then tomorrow. She has to go back to her place."
"No!" Ryan exclaimed in denial.
"Shut up at once Ryan." Karan angrily scolded his son's behaviour.
"But- Dad-"
"Nora, I will send you and your brother back to your home. Your custody will be under me until you are 18. But I am just your guardian on paper. I won't stay with you. I'll handle the company for you till you get 21. After that, you have to work in the company for two years before you take the hold of it. My son will guide you in those two years. For now, carry on with your school and take care of your brother. Get that?" Karan explained everything.
This was the plan which was not set up by him or by the management, but actually by Nora's dad.
This is what Naitik wanted for his kids. He had discussed it with Karan many times. And after him, Karan had decided to do it, as he had planned.
In his heart he wanted to take those kids with him back to his place. But for how long can he do that? Will that change anything for anyone?
At one point that girl has to face that truth. Otherwise she will never be capable enough to carry out her right on her assets in future.
When Nora said nothing in reply, Karan asked again. "You hear me?"
"Hmm." Nora just hummed in response.
"Good."
Once they reached home, Nora with her brother submissively got down from the car and walked inside the mansion.
"Dad she is just eleven."
"And you are just fourteen. Don't act like an adult."
"But, I can take care of her." Ryan asserted.
"..."
"Please dad let me stay with her."
"For how long?" Karan asked.
"Till she get 21."
"..." Karan's eyes narrowed. Giving a stern look at his son, he was about to start the car again to go back when Ryan held his wrist desperately.
"A year."
"..."
"A month."
"A week." Karan spoke.
"It's too short."
"Take it or let's go back."
Wasting not a second more on discussion Ryan instantly gets out of the car. Closing the door, he ran inside the mansion. Karan looked at the house one more time before driving away.
***
"Hey."
"What are you doing here?" Nora asked.
"I am staying here for a week." He informed.
"No need to."
Ryan didn't mind her words and added. "Go and sleep with your brother. I'll take care of things here."
Nora was a little alarmed. But knowing that it's Ryan, she said nothing and took her brother to her bedroom.
***
"Sister, why is mom not coming back?" Krish asked.
Nora carefully helped her brother to change his clothes to pyjamas. While doing so she replied. "She is a little busy with work. She will be back soon."
"Sister, take me to my mama please." The little boy insisted.
"We will do that soon."
"When?"
"Soon. Now rest. You must be tired by staying in that hall for this long."
Saying that she helped him to get into bed. Tucking him under the blanket she patted his head gently.
"Sleep. For dinner, I'll ask the maid to cook your favourite food."
"Promise?" Krish expectantly looked at Nora.
His sister's love for that child was so important that he forgot his wound. For the whole time, not for once he asked where he get that wounds or why he is meeting so many strangers, what they never do usually. So many things were going on, but for him all he could think of is his sister, or his parents.
"Promise. Now sleep." Nora slowly said.
"I'll listen to my sister."
"You are up." Ryan smiled warmly from the couch.
Nora nodded with respect and went straight to the kitchen to bring Krish some food to eat.
For the last few days, Ryan was staying with them. Even if he wanted to help Nora, he didn't have the chance to do so. The butler took care of everything from the very start.
At the end of the day, all that was left for him to do was to take care of Nora and Krish. But that also didn't work out as Nora didn't give him any chance.
She takes care of herself and her brother all day and night. She stopped sleeping in her bedroom after first day. She stayed with her brother every second. Ryan can't even guarantee if Nora was sleeping four hours a day even.
Watching Nora taking those breakfast plates with her to Krish's room, Ryan immediately followed her to the stairs.
"Amm Nora." Ryan called.
Hearing her name Nora courteously stopped on her track.
Without coming forward, Ryan started speaking from the back. "I know that it's not right for me to say this, but I think if you and Krish both started going outside, you guys will feel better. Staying at home will only make you feel burdened."
Hearing that Nora turned to face him. She didn't say anything, but her clenching fist was saying something.
Ryan also understood what her eager eyes were saying. All these days Nora said nothing but her eyes, which were calling for help again and again were not hard to understand.
Walking to her front, he took her hands and explained what he meant. "I know Krish is asking for Mr. And Mrs. Steve again and again. If he stayed at home all day and all night, he would think of them anyway. I think you both can start going back to school. It will help you and him at the same time."
Nora silently stands against the wall. Being a kid, she doesn't know how to make decisions. However, when Ryan said those things, she felt like that's the best decision she can take for her brother.
Every morning Krish would ask for Mama and Papa. By night he would cry for them and refuse to eat dinner. Nora isn't sick of that, but she was worried that if that continues, Krish will get a fever in no time.
His consistent cry for mother and father was definitely not right at such a small age. Although Ryan only go for playschool where rarely they spend their time, it still will help them a lot.
With a nod, she affirmed the idea of going back to school. Although it's only been 7 days since the funeral ceremony ended, and it's not good for them to attend school, but it was her last concern. What others think doesn't matter to her. What all matters to her is her brother's well being.