---
When Mohini's mother arrived home, she scolded Udhav again, then went back to her chores. Udhav felt guilty, but it didn't seem like a big issue for her.
However, for someone else, it was a very serious matter. Her mother didn't notice, but tears kept falling from Mohini's eyes. She couldn't accept that her best friend, who had always been kind to her and never let her get hurt, was now acting as if he didn't know her and was never going to talk or play with her again.
When her mother left to finish her chores, Mohini ran to her room and locked the door from the inside. Although the lock could be opened from the outside, she placed a chair against the door to keep it shut. She hugged her soft toy tightly and cried out loud, muttering, "Aashwit, I'm sorry. Mohini is really sorry. Please don't hate Mohini."
**Two Hours Later**
Mohini's father came home from work. When he didn't see Mohini running around or asking questions, and noticed Udhav sitting quietly, looking downcast, he asked, "Why isn't Mohini here? Is she sick? And why is Udhav so quiet today?"
Hearing this, Mohini's mother gave a teasing smile, thinking it was just another quarrel between children that they would soon forget. "Your son beat up your future son-in-law because he thought Aashwit wanted to steal his baby sister."
After a pause, she added, "Aashwit got hurt pretty badly, and your daughter locked herself in her room because of it. I tried talking to her, but she wouldn't speak to me. Maybe you should try comforting her."
Her father approached Udhav. To Udhav's surprise, he didn't scold him. Instead, he spoke in a calm voice, "Son, you're the older one. Aashwit and Mohini are younger, and it's your responsibility to protect them, not hurt them. Never do this again, okay?"
Udhav nodded slightly, filled with regret. His father, too, was saddened by what his son had done to an innocent child. He knew Aashwit was a sensitive boy, and feared that Aashwit might stop playing with his children or, worse, start hating them. He sighed and went upstairs to comfort Mohini. To his surprise, when he opened the door, there was no resistance. Mohini followed him downstairs for dinner, but from her eyes, he could tell she had been crying for hours.
During dinner, to lighten the mood, her father asked, "So, Mohini, what do you think you'll wear at your wedding with Aashwit?" He expected her to get flustered and smile, as she usually did. But to his surprise, Mohini didn't react. It was as if she had suddenly matured and saw through his teasing. They finished dinner quietly, and everyone went to bed.
The next day, Mohini went to Aashwit's house to talk to him, but he wasn't there. His grandmother told her he was working at a nearby shop. She went to the shop and asked the shopkeeper when Aashwit's shift would end. After learning it would be another hour, she returned home and came back just before his shift ended. As Aashwit was leaving the shop, she approached him and said, "Aashwit, I'm really sorry for what my brother did to you. Please forgive me and let's play like we always do."
Aashwit's expression hardened. "There's nothing the same anymore. Who am I to forgive the daughter of the police chief?" He waved dismissively and added, "Please give me space. I'm tired and need to rest. I don't have time for childish games."
Mohini tried to speak, but Aashwit interrupted her, "Don't come near me, or your clothes might get dirty." With that, he walked away, not looking back, still remembering the cruel whispers of adults and other children's parents. "Look at him, beaten so badly," one said. "So what? He's just a poor bastard," another added. He remembered his grandmother's helpless tears that day.
Seeing him leave, Mohini said nothing more.
**A Week Later**
Mohini hadn't spoken much to her parents, and they grew worried about her health. When they finally decided to ask her what was wrong, Mohini spoke first. "Mommy, I want to join karate classes like my friends."
Her mother hesitated but finally agreed. "Okay."
After that, Mohini started to talk more, and within two weeks, she seemed to have returned to normal. Her parents believed she had forgotten about the incident.
**Two Years Later**
When Mohini turned eight and Udhav was ten, they were almost the same height, with Mohini slightly taller and more athletic. One day, Mohini called Aashwit to meet her at the park. Although Aashwit didn't want to go, his grandmother insisted, so he went. When he arrived, he saw Mohini sitting on a pipe at the edge of the playground. He asked coldly, "Why did you call me here?"
Mohini didn't answer. After a few minutes, Udhav arrived, and without warning, Mohini started beating him. Udhav didn't even have time to react or defend himself. She punched him repeatedly with a strength far beyond other children her age, thanks to her constant training.
When Udhav was thoroughly beaten, Mohini stood up, approached Aashwit, and said, "Please, Aashwit, forgive me for what happened that day. Be my friend again."
Aashwit smiled faintly and replied, "I was never upset with you, so there's nothing to forgive. We've always been friends."
"Then why didn't you talk to me?"
"I was a little angry at first, but the real reason is that we live in different worlds now."
"So what? You're Mohini's friend, and that's all that matters. Are you happy now that I beat my brother like he did to you?"
Aashwit shook his head. "It doesn't make any difference. I forgave him a long time ago, and if I wanted to, I could've beaten him myself."
"Then what do I have to do to be your friend like before?"
"You don't need to do anything. We're already friends. If you want, you can come play with me on weekends, but during the week, I have my part-time job."
Mohini smiled, jumped down, and hugged him tightly, like she used to hug her father. Afterward, she helped Aashwit carry Udhav back to their house.
When Udhav woke up, he tried to speak, but Mohini interrupted, "I'm really, really sorry, big brother." She bowed. Udhav, still sore, replied with a complex tone, "Don't worry, I deserved it."
After a pause, Mohini asked playfully, "So, how did you like my punches? Want more?" Udhav shivered and quickly responded, "No, thank you!"
The three of them burst into laughter. For the first time in two years, Aashwit laughed openly.
From that day on, they became best friends again.
---
**Present Day**
Udhav still shivers when he remembers the beating his little sister gave him that day and regrets his childish actions. Because of him, an innocent boy became hardened. Since then, Udhav started training in boxing, and within a year and a half, he surpassed his sister in physical strength. But he knows that if they fought by the rules, his sister could still beat him, as she is a natural-born fighter. Although Udhav is strong, he knows that in a real fight, his sister's skill would make her a formidable opponent.but he is also very strong and Before his death, no one dared to speak to him in a loud voice.
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