𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕:

“Let us now focus on business-related news, " the red-haired host announced while standing on the podium. She continued glancing at the tablet in front, which displayed the succeeding lines.

“The unprecedented shift in the economic world over the previous two years caused several economies to rise in the chart of entrepreneurs. New names that got highlighted this year are opportunist businessmen and new entrepreneurs. Therefore to celebrate such excellence we present them with the EMERALD COUPON AWARDS of the year.”

The red-haired host flaunted her hair while conveying the international news of the business world, making the viewers feel excited and surprised.

The same excitement was seen in the woman standing in the dull, silent hallways of the big bungalow, the luxurious place owned by the elder heir of Raichand. The woman was dumbstruck, and her doe eyes were wide with excitement.

She was adorned with a turquoise suit, whose netted scarf hung low from her shoulders, touching the marble floor. The dull space was engulfed in silence, and only the echo of the television speakers could be heard throughout the mansion. The maids and servants who worked there did not dare to make a single noise. Even a low whisper could be heard clearly in such a noiseless space.

The female appearance looked like she had not even crossed her twenties properly. Her pout changed into admiration as she heard the host's information.

Suddenly the silence was broken and in a loud cry she called, "ZEEHAN, SARAH." Without delaying a second, she dashed out while circling the scarf on her upper body in search of her two sweet followers.

Her heavy anklets spoke volumes about her happiness. The way she pushed her steps forward, the whole mansion could hear her anklets laughing, which was the loveliest music to someone’s ears who was not present.

Her red-inked feet adorned with designs and anklets stopped as a loud shrill voice echoed around, "Sister-in-law, we are here in the backyard."

Her hard steps turned velvety as she came near the backyard due to running at such a pace.

She huffed reaching the backyard where two teenagers or veterinarians were busy playing with frisbee.

The sun's hard rays made her close her eyes, due to the sudden coming out in light from the dark.

'How harsh the sun is!' She murmured inside her mouth.

It was not even a minute that the lady stood outside under the direct heat waves that her forehead started to get covered with sweat and she felt uncomfortable.

But seeing the two of her siblings playing under such harsh sunlight she questioned herself, 'Don't they feel uncomfortable?'

The two players were none other than the youngest Raichand twins. Sarah, the small one, was confused seeing her sister-in-law all quiet, so while throwing the frisbee towards her brother with full force, she questioned, "What happened, Sister-in-law? Are you missing our brother?" Sarah teased her sister-in-law to pull out some words from her mouth.

Hearing such an unexpected question out of the blue she blinked her chocolate brown eyes rapidly.

Before she could speak a word out Sarah gets a hit on her hand by the frisbee thrown by her brother Zeehan.

A painful whimper was heard.

"What a silly question you are asking Sarah! Sister-in-law might need our help in something?" Zeehan, the boy with a good average height of 5 '8 spoke with a lazy gaze.

Sarah rolled her eyes with annoyance at her brother's formal nature. "Whatever?" She muttered picking up the frisbee from the ground.

Both the twins were different from each other. One never gave up on her childishness, and the other never thought of becoming a child, as he always saw himself as Sarah's elder brother.

Despite being different from each other, their love was beautiful and supreme. They had been crime partners since the time they were born. They did not know what was waiting for them, yet they knew how to fight the struggle by standing alongside each other.

They are infamous spoiled, rich brats in their college. Always getting scolded by their professors.

At the moment they both were in their elder brother's mansion. They had come to spend some quality time with their sister-in-law in the absence of their brother. Why? Because it was a rule cum they appreciated this way. Instead of being humiliated by their brother, they preferred to not come in contact.

"So, if I am asking a silly question, then you only ask why she was searching for us all over the house?" Sarah asked her brother to question their sister-in-law about her search.

Both the twins turned their heads towards her.

The female’s expression was confused when they said nothing but continued their game of frisbee.

"Sarah, be vigilant, this throw will be hard," Zeehan warned before throwing the frisbee against her.

"As if till now we were playing soft." Sarah quoted with sarcasm.

"Silly punk!" Zeehan threw the frisbee with full force.

"Don't you both feel uncomfortable while playing in such sunny weather." Their sister-in-law asked, alerting their ears as her words were too low to be heard.

"No sister-in-law and in condition to it brother has a match off it this weekend and we being players are trained to play even on rainy days. So this sun's heat is nothing in front of those days," Sarah explained, catching the frisbee with her right hand.

“It’s nothing like this sister-in-law, she is just exaggerating.” Zeehan complied.

The frisbee was thrown with full force towards Sarah. In response to catching it, she jumped at her maximum height, but because she could not balance herself, she fell to the ground with a thud.

Seeing her in pain Zeehan and their sister-in-law both ran towards her to help her. Before they could reach her.

"What's going on here?" The sudden dark voice made everyone stop their actions.

The female froze at her place as she never thought him to be present at such an early hour.

Sarah whose all attention was on her pain was diverted to the male who stood in front of her with his intimidating gaze as if trying to scare her. Zeehan was perplexed by his brother whom he had not seen for several months.

The man was the elder heir of Raichand. Standing with an intimidating gaze and glancing over the three people with numbness. His face was void of any emotions. As if he was standing with some strangers. Standing in the erect portion highlighting his toned body.

His emotionless face told that he did not like his visitors. His emotionless face turned hardened upon seeing his wife standing in the open under direct sunlight knowing very well that she was allergic to direct sun rays.

He ignored the commotion of his sister's fall like it was nothing to be concerned about. In turn, he walked toward his wife, avoiding his siblings, whose eyes twinkled at the thought of getting his attention for a minute. Yet it never happened.

"What are you doing here?" he asked his wife, holding her hands in his.

The gentleness in his words stunned not only his wife but also his siblings.

Due to his behavior change, she was confused but also felt shy about how he held her hands. Lowering her head she was about to reciprocate but he interpreted in between, "Holy shit, I want to talk to you about something, come with me." Saying so he grabbed her wrist and went inside along with her.

He did not turn his head back for once, where the two poor souls were waiting for his one glance. Seeing the amount of ignorance in his brother, Zeeshan fumingly said, "What does he think of himself?"

On the other hand, Sarah stayed like a statue. She was too stunned to move. Almost six months later, she was seeing her first brother. Although she was familiar with his ignorance still she was happy that at least he did not throw them out of his house. Her hopeful gleaming eyes told the amount of patience she was holding inside her.

Though she could see the distance he maintained with them. Still, she was happy being distant and passive. Also, was hopeful that one day they would be close to him. This distance will end one day. Yes, one day it will.

Zeehan who was fuming with anger was seeing her little sister whose eyes yearned for their elder brother. The silence of her sister was killing him from inside yet, he could not do anything for her. Zeehan controlled his unbridled rage by forming a fist and was about to leave along with his sister knowing well that now they are not needed here.

Out of nowhere, their sister-in-law immersed from inside, "Sarah, Zeehan come inside." She called them with a ragged voice as if she came while running.

It gave a sense of happiness to Sarah's heart but her brother's refusal made her mood sour.

"No need for it sister-in-law, I think brother needs you more and we being here can be a hindrance in that. Also, he has come just now and he needs you more than us." Zeehan's words were hard but true to themselves which made Sarah screw up.

"But at the moment he has gone to freshen up... wait for a few minutes your dessert is all set to be served, let's dine together." Their sister-in-law requested.

Zeehan was not able to resist but knowing well his brother's nature he was about to say no. When Sarah clutched Zeehan's t-shirt and made eye contact with him.

"What are you doing?" She screamed softly with frustrated eyes.

"What? Don't you know that brother does not like us being here?" Zeehan mumbled.

"But he did not throw us out if he had some problem he would have sent us before," Sarah muttered briefly trying to explain to him.

"But..." Before Zeehan could say something Sarah closed his topic and said, "No but, we are staying here."

Seeing the negative response from Zeehan she added, "Just a few minutes more then we will leave… please."

Seeing Sarah's pleasing eyes he could not resist them and nodded his head in acceptance. Forming a great smile over Sarah's face.

Sarah met her sister-in-law's eyes and shrieked with joy, "I am hungry, sister-in-law." While rubbing her hands over her tummy.

Her actions made everyone present there laugh.

"Then come I have made a big bunch of dessert for you." She responded heartily.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"Sister-in-law, why were you searching for us?" Zeehan questioned having the last bite of pudding.

Even Sarah stopped licking her ice cream as she also gave her full attention.

"Holy shit." She screamed with shock, stood up in her place, and ran towards the hall followed by both Sarah and Zeehan.

Sarah and Zeehan were terrified by the way their sister-in-law dashed towards the hall and were concerned about her.

But in the next moment, their concern changed into confusion.

"Thank God it's still not over." Mrs. Raichand exclaimed with closed eyes while changing the television channels.

Sarah's curiosity made her question. "What happened? Is there something wrong?"

"No, no nothing is wrong, instead everything is perfect."

Her answer made Zeehan and Sarah more confused.

They started to pay heed to the screen where some award show was going on.

"Don't you remember what date today is?" She questioned both.

Sarah wrinkled her nose as if she was processing her mind while Zeehan remained stoic but it could be seen he was trying to remember.

Soon after their facial color changed as if they got her point.

"Is it what we are thinking?" Sarah questioned her sister-in-law while pointing towards the screen.

Her positive response made their blood freeze with shock.

"Today is the 5th of December when your second brother will achieve the businessman award of the year." She elaborated with a crimson smile.

"I was just working when suddenly my eyes fell on it, and then I was reminded of it. After all these many years, your brother will come back. How happy will everyone be in the Raichand Mansion?" The extent of her happiness was clearly shown in her twinkling eyes and gleaming smile.

Whereas, the same amount of shock and perplexity was found in the other two.

Concerned, their sister-in-law asked, "What happened, aren't you both happy that he will be back soon?"

They both did not have any answer to her question.

They were happy no doubt but also concerned about the future. As they were well aware of their second brother's arrogant and obnoxious behavior.

"Aren't you both excited that he might get the award?" Her eyes sparkled with imagination.

They reciprocated an awkward and doubtful smile.

"Of course, sister-in-law, we are happy for him."

"Yeah and why not, our dear brother will finally be home." Sarah continued the praise pressing more to ‘our’.

No doubt siblings were happy with the news but still, there was a fear, fear of reality. The arrogance that is filled inside the second brother.

To say they lived with their brother yet he had always been a stranger to them.

Before their conversation could further indulge their attention diverted to the voice from television.

Where the show was going on. The host was announcing different names with their title holders.

But the most awaited wait was for the businessman award.

Sarah turned her worried gaze towards her brother Zeehan who was already looking at her. Sarah raised her brows with a dilemma to which Zeehan shook his head with nothing.

"Now the most precious award. Yes, the businessman award of the year goes to...."

Sarah connected her wide eyes with the screen, her heart beating hard against her chest as if it might come out any minute. She crossed her fingers with positivity. She wanted her brother back but a loving brother, not that arrogant man who was nothing but a stranger to her.

If it had been in her power, she would have removed all the griefs and disturbances from her house and thrown them away like trash, converting everything fun and loving as in the fairytale. But she was living in the harsh reality of life, in which everything is not possible, as life has never been easy.

"Any guesses guys?" The announcer exclaimed with joy and everyone's ears turned upright.

The bizarre fact was not only them but the man-built shadow who was standing on the first floor was also watching the program kneely with his thick arched brows. No one will say that he is the same man who behaved ignorantly with his two siblings by looking at his eyes which were filled with concern.

"So, let's welcome the man who raised the profit four times this year increasing his economy GDP by 9.8% making a global competition-

yes none other than- Mr. Archit Grewal

Yes, you heard it right, the one and only heir of Grewal Industries."

The thrilled and tension-filled atmosphere suddenly changed into a perplexed and silent one. As if everything had stopped their movement like everything was equal to nothingness.

Being desperate to hear the echoing name, they thought they heard something wrong. Soon, their eagerness stopped as they never heard the name they wanted to hear.

Their sister-in-law was able to see their moods turned foul and Sarah lips's quivering. Thinking that she was upset as her brother did not win the award to brighten up her mood she turned the topic.

"Sarah, Zeehan, no problem not this time but later he will win." Hearing her positive words Sarah and Zeehan nodded as they did not want her to know the real reason behind their foul mood.

But that one figure who was watching all the things from afar was able to understand their inner fears of the future.

However, he who never expressed anything before to his family members had a grin at the end of his lips.

With a secretive smile, he muttered, “Vo apni harkatein kabhi nahi sudharega .”

"He will never desist from his actions."

Soon, his phone chimed with the message and he busied himself.

Sarah was being cared for by her sister-in-law when her elder brother entered wearing this suit.

"What happened? Are you going somewhere?" As the lady's eyes met her husband she questioned seeing him all dressed.

"Yeah... I have some meetings in another city." He said without deflecting his gaze anywhere away from his wife.

"Okay... Just wait a few minutes and I will arrange something for you to eat." Saying so she went inside the kitchen.

Now there left no one other than siblings or can be said, strangers.

Sarah did not have the heart to speak though she wanted to jump over her brother, hug him out, laugh with him, shower him with love, but she knew if she did anything this would be her last visit here and she did not want to lose this opportunity of at least being near to his wife.

She was happy with the fact that at least her brother had allowed them to visit their sister-in-law. Maybe someday she will also have sweet moments with him too. She was full of hope.

While Zeehan was just looking at how his brother's personality showed the power he held.

The award show was still going, when the elder brother grumbled over the phone, "Come inside."

"Now the last award in the list for the rising business of the year goes to... None other than the Raichand Empire.."

Everybody turned back and their eyes were frozen open listening to the name.

"So... let's call..." Before the host could call the name Sarah and Zeehan mumbled

"ICARUS REVEN RAICHAND"

When in an instant the television was shut down and a black screen was met.

Both siblings knew whose deed it was but reacted to nothing. In the past 5 years, this was the first time they were going to see their second brother yet the moment was snatched by their brother.

Suddenly booming footsteps were heard and in a meter distance stood a man wearing all black having an earpiece and wearing spectacles that hid his eyes.

"Escort them out, Gabriel." The elder brother ferociously said by pointing towards both Sarah and Zeehan.

"Sir... Madam." Gabriel, the bodyguard respectfully called but Sarah didn't move. She stood in her place like a statue as she never dreamt that they could be thrown from the house by their brother. He has been called bodyguard. Hearing the words from her brother's mouth she felt as if a glass vase of hope was dropped and shattered on the cold tile of reality.

Her eyes were filled with sapphire water, showing the emotions yet they were invisible to her brother or ignorant to the elder brother. Everybody could sense the tension of her emotions yet nobody dared to say a word.

The amount of patience was loosened with every minute, with a clenched jaw, "MOVE, OR YOU NEED A LETTER." The elder brother gritted.

Sarah blinked her eyes and with a deep breath and tight lip, she nodded her head.

‘We stood nearby yet we stood thousands of miles away. Distant. Far from each other. He protected himself with a thick layer of loneliness and I had covered myself with fear, resulting in the emptiness echoing between us.’ Sarah's crumbled soul was squeezing for life but it appeared she had no one for support.

Looking into his dark black eyes she wanted to question him.

But before her sorrowful heart wailed, Zeehan pulled her along with him and left the hall. Gabriel followed them.

Everyone knew the aggravated relationship between the Raichand siblings. Sarah and Zeehan had suffered more than this. Or say the act by their elder brothers was nothing to the pain the children of the Raichand Empire had suffered. Yet the dynamics could not be changed.

If one would think this was worse, then the person was wrong. He must have not seen the behavior of their second brother Icarus Reven Raichand.

If Zeehan and Sarah are being ignored and treated as badly as strangers by their first brother. Then their second brother was worse. He despises his existence in their company. He won't stay in the same room as them. Would never let their shadow fall over him, stay as far away from them as if they were some kind of infection to him.

But now after many years, that second brother is coming back. Along with Sarah and Zeehan, many people were tensed by this mere thought.

There were many hearts which swelled up, but some with joy and some with ache.