As Anvika and Nivik sat together, the room's atmosphere softened by their heartfelt exchange, Neena entered with her usual playful energy. She took one look at the two of them and couldn't resist a teasing comment.
"Well, well, look at this," Neena said with a mischievous grin. " We are aware that you two are the best of friends, and you have shown that you will support each other no matter what. For example, when Anvika broke both of her legs, Nivik Bro broke his to keep her company."
Nivik shot her an irritated look. "Do you face any issues with that?", he snapped, his voice sharper than intended.
Neena just rolled her eyes, ignoring his tone. She was used to their bickering—it had been a constant feature of their sibling relationship since childhood. From arguing over who got the last cookie to complaining about each other to their parents, they had always quarreled over little things.
"Relax, Nivik," Neena said nonchalantly, waving off his anger. "I was just kidding."
.Nivik was extremely enraged with Neena , He was still smarting from the scolding he'd received from their parents, Sarah and Dhruv, earlier, as a result of Neena, Their parents didn't listen to what he said, believing that Nivik had leaped onto the steps and fallen on them. They even reprimanded him for acting like an infant who was hurt while scaling the steps. . They had given him a stern talking-to for not being careful on the steps and falling. Neena's teasing felt like salt in the wound, and his temper flared.
"Maybe you should think before you joke next time," Nivik muttered, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
Neena, however, was unfazed. She had long since learned to brush off her brother's outbursts. "Whatever you say, Mr. Grumpy Pants," she retorted with a smirk, making her way over to Anvika. "How are you holding up, Anvika?"
Anvika managed a small smile, grateful for Neena's light-heartedness. "I'm okay, Neena. Just a bit worried about Nivik, but he's being stubborn as usual."
Nivik huffed, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Despite his annoyance, he appreciated the comfort his friends and family provided.
Neena continued to chat with Anvika, skillfully shifting the mood in the room from tense to more relaxed. She had always had a knack for diffusing arguments and bringing a sense of normalcy to any situation, a talent honed through years of dealing with her brother's fiery temperament.
Their parents, Sarah and Dhruv, had often mediated their squabbles, but over time, the siblings had learned to navigate their differences on their own. Their constant bickering was just another way of expressing their love and concern for each other, even if it didn't always seem that way.
As the conversation flowed, Nivik's anger began to dissipate. He glanced at Neena, who was now laughing with Anvika, and felt a pang of guilt for snapping at her. She might drive him crazy sometimes, but she was still his sister, and deep down, he knew she cared.
Advik's mind was consumed with the details of Nivik's fall. He replayed the events over and over, searching for any clue that might explain how it happened. His thoughts were so engrossing that he barely registered the people around him or their conversations. He felt a gnawing urgency to uncover the truth and resolve the unsettling suspicion that someone had set a trap for his brother.
Unable to shake off the need to investigate, Advik excused himself from the room with a polite nod to Arya, who had been trying to engage him in conversation. "I'll be right back," he muttered, his voice distant as his mind raced.
As he approached the spot where Nivik had fallen, the dim light of the hallway barely illuminating his path, Advik's eyes scanned the area with meticulous care. He crouched down, inspecting the steps for any signs of tampering or unusual substances. His heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and determination.
Just as he was about to rise, something caught his eye near the bushes adjacent to the steps. Advik moved closer, pushing aside the foliage to reveal a small, empty bottle partially hidden in the undergrowth. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands. The bottle was unmarked, but the faint residue of a slick, clear liquid clung to its inside, shimmering in the faint light.The scent of the bottle was exactly the same as the scent of Nivik's clothing.
Advik's mind raced with possibilities. Could this be the source of the slippery substance that caused Nivik to fall? He pocketed the bottle, careful not to let any of the residue touch his skin, and stood up. His thoughts were interrupted by Arya's voice calling out to him, bringing him back to the present.
"Advik, are you alright?" Arya asked, concern evident in his tone as he approached.
Advik turned to face him, forcing a reassuring smile. "Yes, I'm fine," he replied, though his mind was still whirling with thoughts. "I just needed some fresh air."
Arya looked at him curiously, but didn't press further. "Alright, but if you need to talk, you know where to find me."
Advik nodded, grateful for the offer but more determined than ever to find out the truth behind Nivik's accident. As he walked back towards the house, he glanced down at the bottle in his pocket, his resolve hardening.
Someone had gone to great lengths to set a trap, and he was determined to uncover who was behind it. For now, though, he needed to be cautious and methodical. The safety of his family depended on it.
Returning to the warmth of the house, Advik's mind remained focused on the mystery. He had a lead, and he intended to follow it to the end, no matter what it took.
"Henry, I need your assistance," he pleaded to his pal over the phone.
...