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Chapter 17 - Return Home

It was a calm evening. Ankit, still recovering from his fight with the tiger, heard the doorbell ring. He opened the door cautiously, expecting another visitor from the media or a college friend. Instead, standing there was his younger sister, Richa. Alongside her were Sharvan Uncle, his father's old friend, and his daughter, Madhu.

Ankit's eyes lit up seeing Richa after so long, but her expression showed a mix of anger and concern. She stepped inside without saying much, brushing past him. Sharvan Uncle greeted Ankit warmly and stepped inside, while Madhu smiled shyly before following.

Richa looked around the house, her eyes scanning every corner as if to gauge how her brother had been living. The place looked tidy but lacked the warmth of a family home. "So, this is how you've been living, Bhai?" Richa muttered, her tone cold but with an undertone of worry. Ankit smiled faintly, choosing not to respond.

Sharvan Uncle's Conversation

Inside the living room, Sharvan Uncle began discussing various things with Ankit—how life had been since his father's passing, the tiger incident, and the media attention. Ankit, as always, listened more than he spoke, nodding occasionally.

Richa and Madhu headed to the kitchen to prepare tea. As they worked together, Richa couldn't help but glance back toward the living room. Her expression softened slightly. Despite her anger, she was relieved to see her brother alive and well.

Meanwhile, Sharvan Uncle received an urgent phone call. After a brief conversation, he turned to Ankit. "Beta, I need to take you to the doctor. It's important," he said with a seriousness that made Ankit nod without question.

The Doctor's Revelation

At the clinic, the doctor examined Ankit thoroughly. After running several tests, he turned to Sharvan Uncle and Ankit with a look of astonishment. "Ankit, your body is extraordinary," the doctor began.

"How so?" Ankit asked, his tone as calm as ever.

The doctor explained, "Your body fat percentage is 0%. Normally, that would be dangerous, but your body has adapted in an unusual way. Your muscles are dense, and your strength is far beyond normal limits. Not only that, but your healing factor is 20 times faster than the average human. Minor injuries would heal within hours, and even major wounds would recover in days. This is not normal—it's almost superhuman."

Sharvan Uncle quickly intervened, "Doctor, please keep this information confidential. It's better if no one else knows about it."

The doctor nodded, assuring them of his discretion. Ankit, though intrigued, didn't react much. For him, this was just another part of his life to deal with.

Richa's Discovery

Back at the house, Richa was exploring her brother's room with Madhu. She stumbled upon a shelf filled with old family photographs. One picture showed Ankit as a child with their parents and elder brother. She picked it up, her fingers tracing the faces of her family. Tears welled up in her eyes as memories flooded back—the laughter, the love, and the loss that had changed their lives forever.

Madhu, noticing Richa's emotional state, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Your brother is really something special, isn't he?" Madhu said softly.

Richa nodded, wiping her tears. "He's changed so much, Madhu. He's not the same Ankit I grew up with. But I can see why he's doing all this... he's carrying the weight of our family."

Later, as Richa walked around the house, she found herself in the small gym Ankit had set up. The equipment looked heavily used—some weights were bent, and the punching bag was torn open. She noticed deep imprints on a metal column, marks left by Ankit's fingers and feet. Shocked, she realized the sheer intensity of his training.

At that moment, she saw Ankit entering the gym. He approached a heavy barbell and, without hesitation, lifted it. The weights on the bar totaled 500 kilograms, yet Ankit managed it with apparent ease. Richa watched silently, her emotions a mix of awe and sadness. She couldn't help but wonder what her brother had gone through to become this strong.

Ankit's Reflection

Later that evening, the family gathered for dinner. Richa and Madhu served the food while Ankit and Sharvan Uncle shared a light conversation. Despite the warmth of the moment, Richa couldn't shake the image of her brother training alone, pushing himself to his limits.

After dinner, Sharvan Uncle decided to leave, taking Madhu with him. Richa stayed behind, insisting she needed more time with her brother. As the clock struck six, Richa and Ankit sat together in silence.

"Why did you save me, Bhai?" Richa finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Before Ankit could answer, Madhu's voice echoed from the doorway. "Because he cares about everyone around him, even if he doesn't show it. That's who Ankit is."

Ankit gave a faint smile, but his eyes betrayed the emotional toll of their conversation.

A Mysterious Visitor

Later that night, as Richa and Madhu left for Sharvan Uncle's home, Ankit was left alone in the house. The silence was almost comforting, a welcome change after the day's events.

As he sat down to rest, the doorbell rang again. Ankit frowned, wondering who it could be at this hour. He walked to the door and opened it cautiously.

Standing before him was someone unexpected, their face shadowed by the dim light. Ankit's expression remained calm, but his mind raced with questions.

"Who are you?" he asked, his tone steady.

The figure didn't respond immediately, and the suspense hung thick in the air. Ankit's sharp instincts kicked in, but he chose to stay composed. Whoever this person was, they had come for a reason.