♥*♡∞:｡.｡𝕳𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝕶𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖍𝖓𝖆 ｡.｡:∞♡*♥

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•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

I was deep in work, reviewing some important files in my home office when, without warning, my door swung open.

I clenched my jaw. My annoying brothers.

How many times have I told them to knock before barging in? But do they listen? No. Absolutely not.

I looked up, irritation evident on my face, only to find Shivansh and Rudra standing there. Their expressions were tense, their foreheads creased with worry.

A frown formed on my face. Something was off.

"Did you see Baba Sa's message in the group?" Shivansh blurted out, his voice unusually hurried, laced with concern.

Message? What message?

I grabbed my phone from the desk and opened the family group chat. The latest text from Baba Sa made my breath hitch.

Baba Sa: Make sure the house is ready to welcome a child. We have a new Rathore in the family. Ensure all five of you are present. I'll be there in about 30 minutes.

I shot up from my chair, my pulse spiking. My eyes widened in disbelief.

"What the hell does he mean by 'new Rathore'?!" I exclaimed, my voice bouncing off the walls.

Rudra and Shivansh looked equally stunned. Their silence spoke volumes.

"God knows what this old man is up to now," Rudra muttered under his breath, though we all heard him loud and clear.

Shivansh let out a chuckle, but I remained stoic, my mind racing with endless possibilities.

"Is he bringing us a stepmother?!" Shivansh suddenly shouted, his voice laced with pure horror.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "I don't think so. He specifically said a child."

"What if she already has a child?" Rudra suggested, making both our heads snap toward him.

"A step-sibling?" Shivansh groaned dramatically, rubbing his temples as if this was too much to process.

Rudra huffed. "Whatever it is, we'll know in thirty minutes. For now, we need to make the mansion child-proof. Also, we need to inform the boys."

I nodded in agreement. "Right. I'll call them. Shivansh, make sure there aren't any weapons lying around. Get the guards to hide their guns, too. Rudra, you handle the alcohol and anything else inappropriate. I'll join you once I'm done with the kids. Quick!"

Both of them gave a firm nod before springing into action.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Arjun's number. He was out at a friend's house.

"Arjun, I need you home in the next ten minutes," I said firmly before hanging up. I knew better than to give him a chance to ask questions—I wasn't in the mood for his endless interrogation.

Next, I called Riyan. "Riyan, be home in ten minutes," I instructed, he answered an 'okay' and I hang up the call.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair before stepping out of my office to help my brothers. We worked swiftly, moving breakable items, locking certain doors, and making sure there was nothing dangerous lying around.

Exactly ten minutes later, Riyan arrived. Ever punctual—one of the reasons he was my favorite.

He looked around, his sharp eyes taking in the sudden activity. "What's going on?" he asked curiously.

Unlike Arjun, Riyan didn't know about the real nature of our business. He only knew we had heavy security because of business reasons, so our home was already relatively child-friendly, except for a few things.

"Nothing, buddy. Just freshen up. Baba Sa will be home soon," Shivansh told him casually.

Riyan nodded, though I noticed the flicker of suspicion in his eyes.

Arjun arrived not long after, his expression skeptical. "What's this about?" he questioned, eyeing us warily.

We fed him the same line, though he didn't buy it immediately. He huffed but eventually shrugged it off.

Soon, all five of us were seated in the living room, waiting for Baba Sa's arrival. 

We had already informed Arjun and Riyan about a "new Rathore," and as expected, Arjun was pissed, while Riyan remained his usual calm and collected self.

And so, the five of us sat in the living room, waiting. The air was thick with tension, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

None of us spoke.

We were waiting for Baba Sa.

And more importantly...

We were waiting to find out who the new Rathore was.

After some time, the doorbell rang.

The maid opened the door, and there stood Baba Sa—with a little girl cradled in his arms.

She was tiny, her petite frame almost disappearing against his chest. We couldn't see her face, but something about the way she clung to him stirred an unfamiliar warmth in me.

Beside me, Shivansh completely lost his composure.

"Aww, she's so cute," he squealed—yes, literally squealed.

The rest of us stared at Baba Sa in shock before snapping out of it and bombarding Baba Sa with questions.

"Who is she, Baba Sa?"

"Why did you bring her here?"

"Is she your stepdaughter?"

"Did you cheat on our mother?!"

That last one, unsurprisingly, came from Arjun—our ever-dramatic, ever-rebellious brother.

Baba Sa rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Keep quiet, all of you," he whispered sharply. "You'll wake her up. First, let me tuck her in, then I'll answer your questions."

With that, he turned and started walking upstairs, carrying the girl with utmost care.

And for some reason... we all followed.

I don't know what compelled us, but we silently trailed behind him, watching as he entered the guest room and gently laid the girl down on the bed.

As he tried to pry her tiny hands away from his shirt, she refused to let go. Even in sleep, she held on.

Something about that made my chest tighten.

I never thought I'd use words like adorable or precious, but right now, there was no other way to describe it.

After tucking her in and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, Baba Sa finally turned to see us standing at the doorway—watching.

Admiring.

I had never seen him this gentle with anyone... except Ma Sa.

Without a word, he stepped out of the room and headed downstairs. Once again, we followed.

As soon as we settled in the living room, Rudra opened his mouth, but Arjun—predictably—beat him to it.

"Don't tell me you cheated on our mother, had a one-night stand, and now this is your love child," he snapped, his voice filled with fury. His fists clenched at his sides.

Arjun loved Ma Sa fiercely, and even the thought of betrayal was enough to enrage him.

Baba Sa let out a tired sigh. "Arjun, let me speak first," he interjected firmly.

Arjun exhaled sharply but nodded, crossing his arms over his chest.

And then... Baba Sa began his explanation.

Baba Sa took a deep breath before speaking.

"As you all know, today is your Ma Sa's birthday. Like every year, I visited one of the branches of her orphanage—her favorite one in Delhi. And there, I met this girl. Her name is Ruhanika."

His voice softened as he continued.

"She was playing with a younger boy, smiling, but... that smile never reached her eyes. Those eyes were empty—like she had seen too much of this world's cruelty. She's just fourteen, yet the weight she carries... it's far beyond her years. I don't know why, but the moment I saw her, an overwhelming sense of protectiveness took over me. I had to do something. I wanted to do something. I wanted to love her, cherish her, protect her. And so..."

He paused for a moment, looking at each of us before delivering the final blow.

"I made a decision."

A heavy silence filled the room.

"I want to give her happiness. I want to bring back her shine. I want to give her a family. I want to be her father. I wanted her to by my daughter so I adopted her" His voice was firm yet filled with warmth. 

Another long, stunned silence.

We have a sister now.

I have a sister now.

The realization sank in slowly, but Rudra was the first to snap out of it.

"But Baba Sa, there are millions of such girls out there! We can't adopt every single one of them!" he shouted in frustration.

"I know that, Rudra," Baba Sa responded, his voice calm, unwavering. "But I felt something with her. A connection I can't explain. Even Asha Kaki was there—she told me I had done the right thing. She asked me to give Ruhanika love, to cherish her as my own."

Asha Kaki.

That name held weight in our family. She was a guiding force, someone we had always respected. We used to visit her often with Ma Sa, and her words carried wisdom.

"Baba Sa," I spoke up, my voice level but firm, "can you explain everything from the beginning?"

I  needed to understand. This wasn't just about emotions—it was about ensuring this girl meant no harm to our family.

Baba Sa exhaled heavily but nodded.

And so he told us everything.

Every single detail about what happened at the orphanage.

As he spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off—something more to the story. This Neeraj Bajaj... he was definitely hiding something.

I'd dig deeper.

But for now...

"I took it as a sign from your mother," Baba Sa concluded with a soft smile. "And I adopted her."

Baba Sa concluded, his voice carrying a rare happiness. His eyes—filled with a twinkle I hadn't seen since Ma Sa's death—told me everything I needed to know. He wasn't just content. He was genuinely happy.

"I know it might be difficult for you all to accept her," he continued, his tone teasing, "but I won't force you. Because I know none of you will be able to resist my princess's charm."

Rudra and Arjun both let out exasperated angry sighs before storming out.

I knew them too well.

It wasn't that they didn't want a sister. Deep down, they did. But after Ma Sa's death, they had locked away every ounce of softness inside them.

They just needed time.

Just then, Riyan, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. His voice held something I hadn't heard in years—genuine excitement.

"Baba Sa... you said she's fourteen? Does that mean she's the same age as me?"

Riyan had always been an introvert, but after Ma Sa's death, he had become even more withdrawn, rarely speaking. Yet here he was, eyes shining, his voice eager.

Baba Sa's expression softened, his eyes misting with emotion. He reached out, pulling Riyan into a warm embrace.

"Yes, mere chote sher," he murmured, ruffling his hair. "Ruhanika is your age. She's quiet, just like you, but I know the two of you will get along just fine."

[Yes my little lion]

Riyan beamed. "She'll be like my twin sister!" he declared, practically bouncing in excitement. "I'll make a list of things we can do together—watch movies, play pranks, and so much more!"

With that, he dashed off, leaving the rest of us stunned.

Baba Sa and Shivansh chuckled, while a small, involuntary smile crept onto my face.

"She hasn't even arrived yet, and she's already bringing change," I murmured.

Shivansh stretched his arms, a warm look in his eyes. "I'll go cook something for the little girl," he announced before heading toward the kitchen.

And just like that, it was just me and Baba Sa.

Baba Sa stood up, gesturing for me to follow him. Without a word, I complied, walking beside him as we stepped into the garden. 

The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of jasmine, and the moonlight bathed the surroundings in a soft glow.

He seemed lighter—happier—since returning home. A smile had been etched on his face ever since, one that refused to fade.

"You seem happy," I teased, watching as his grin widened. "Now that you finally have a daughter."

He turned to me with a knowing look, eyes twinkling. "Oh, and you don't?" he countered. "You seem quite happy yourself, finally having a sister."

I schooled my expression, suppressing the small smile threatening to escape. I was happy—more than I cared to admit. But I wouldn't say it out loud. Not yet.

Then, his voice softened, cracking slightly as he said, "She called me Baba."

My head snapped toward him. His words hung in the air, carrying a weight I could feel in my chest.

"Really?" I asked, trying to keep my grin at bay. "She actually called you Baba?"

Baba Sa's smile deepened, his eyes shining with raw emotion. "Yes. She told me she would give me a chance. Give us a chance. I just hope we don't let her down." He exhaled heavily, as if releasing the burden of uncertainty. "I believe Rudra and Arjun will come around soon. Shivansh will accept her too. And Riyan—well, there's no doubt anymore. Those two are going to be inseparable."

I nodded. It was easy to see that Riyan had already claimed her as his twin, his excitement breaking through the walls he had built around himself for years.

Then, I frowned slightly. He mentioned everyone—except me.

"And what about me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Baba Sa let out a hearty laugh. "You?" he mused. "I know you, my son. You'll be her first protector. You'll pamper her the most."

I sighed, shaking my head. He wasn't wrong.

"And why is that?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

His expression softened, the teasing glint in his eyes replaced with something far more profound. "Because you've always wanted a baby sister to love, cherish, and protect," he said, his voice laced with nostalgia. "I still remember whenever your mother was pregnant—you used to pray for a baby girl. You had so many plans, so many dreams of having a little sister. But when we found out it's a boy, you were the most disappointed out of all of us."

A small chuckle escaped me, the memory flashing vividly in my mind. It was true. I had longed for a sister back then, imagining a tiny girl I could dote on. Instead, life had given me four annoying brothers—whom I loved endlessly, but still.

"I don't know," I muttered, shrugging. "Maybe you're right."

Baba Sa clapped a hand on my shoulder, his teasing grin returning. "Not maybe, son. I'm a hundred percent right."

And with that, he walked away, leaving me alone in the garden with my thoughts.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and I found myself staring at the sky, lost in the moment.

A sister.

My sister.

For the first time in years, I felt something shift within me. A silent promise settled in my heart—one I hadn't spoken aloud, but one I knew I would keep.

No matter what, I would protect her.

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

I was sleeping peacefully when I suddenly started stirring—another nightmare. My deadly companion that stole my sleep, weakened my body, and left my mind restless.

My eyes fluttered open as I sat up abruptly, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Placing a trembling hand over my heart, I took deep breaths, trying to steady myself. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my sleeve, forcing myself to calm down.

As I regained my composure, I glanced around, only to realize I was in unfamiliar surroundings. Panic surged through me again, my breathing turning erratic—until reality hit me.

I am no longer an orphan.

I am adopted. I am a Rathore.

The thought settled inside me like a warm but uncertain truth. I took in the large room around me—grand yet devoid of personal touch. Still, it felt... warmer than any place I had ever called home before.

Slowly, I stepped down from the bed and walked toward the door. As I opened it and peeked outside, the unfamiliar hallway made fear tighten its grip around my heart. Where am I?

I wanted Baba.

At the orphanage, Kaki used to comfort me after my nightmares. In my last foster home, he did. But now... I had someone new to run to.

It felt strange—having a real parent. A loving parent. A part of me felt good, but another part? Terrified.

What if his sons—my to-be brothers—didn't like me?

Would they punish me? Would they send me back? Would they abandon me?

With a million thoughts crowding my mind, I found myself descending the stairs, unsure of where I was headed. I was lost in this house... mansion... or whatever this place was.

I should have stayed in my room, I scolded myself. What if they didn't like me wandering around?

Then I sighed. Ab itni door aa hi gayi hoon to let's see what happens. 

[Since I've already come this far]

As I walked further, my eyes landed on a beautiful painting in the hallway. It caught my attention instantly, and I stood before it, mesmerized.

The artwork spoke volumes—it was of a young boy sitting on the edge of a mountain cliff, his hair flowing with the wind. His eyes carried so much emotion... relief, peace, a quiet surrender.

It felt like he was letting the wind take away all his fears, his pain, his misery.

"What are you doing here?"

A sharp, cold voice cut through the silence, making me flinch. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms to stop the panic attack brewing inside me.

I turned my head slightly and saw a man—or rather, a boy—who looked eerily similar to the one in the painting. His eyes were cold, his face unreadable.

Might be one of my to-be brothers.

"I-I was l-looking at the painting," I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. I kept my gaze down, too afraid to meet his eyes. What if he punishes me for this?

"Really?" he asked, his tone still cold as he took a step forward.

I flinched again.

He halted.

When I dared to look up, his expression had shifted slightly—was that... worry? But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, replaced by a neutral mask.

I don't know where I got the courage, but I asked, "You drew this painting?"

His eyes widened in surprise before he masked it with a nod. "Yes. How did you know?"

A small smile played on my lips as I looked at the painting again. "The boy resembles you a lot," I replied honestly.

For a second, he looked nervous. I tilted my head slightly, silently asking what? He gestured towards my right, and I understood. I nodded.

A small smile cracked on his face before he stepped beside me, his gaze softening as he admired his own artwork.

"What do you see in the painting?" he asked, his voice no longer cold.

"A boy sitting on the cliff of life, letting all his pain, fear, and worries fly away with the wind," I answered with a slight smile.

His lips twitched as he looked at me, amused. "You're quite smart for your age, little girl," he remarked.

I shrugged. "I know. You love painting?" I asked, genuinely curious.

He nodded. "Yes. It helps me escape—from reality, from pain. What about you, little girl? You seem to know how to admire art."

I grinned and nodded. "It's true—I love painting and drawing too. But I'm not good at it. I just admire it a lot. Whenever I make art, I don't realize where my time flies. It's like they say, when we do something we genuinely love, we lose track of time."

It was true—I loved art. I just wasn't good at it.

"Do you want me to teach you?" he asked after a moment of silence.

I brightened instantly, nodding eagerly. "Yes! Yes, please!"

He chuckled at my excitement. "You're cute," he said, making me blush slightly.

"Thank you, sir," I muttered. But then I heard him take a sharp breath.

"Bhai," he corrected.

I looked at him, confused.

"I am your bhai, Ruhanika. Your Arjun Bhai," he said, a warm smile on his face.

I blinked. "You accept me?" I asked hesitantly.

He nodded. "Not earlier when Baba Sa told us about you. But now, after talking to you, I realize he was right. You're irresistible." He sighed dramatically, making me giggle.

He looked at me with amusement before extending his hand. "Come on, I'll take you to dinner. You must be hungry."

I hesitated for a moment but then placed my small hand in his.

This feels like a fresh start.

One down, four more to go.

As we walked toward the dining area, he helped me down the stairs, making small conversation along the way. 

Baba told me Arjun Bhai may be rude and cold at first, but I found him gentle and warm.

When we entered the dining area—a grand space that could easily fit twenty people—all eyes turned to us. Their gazes locked onto our intertwined hands. Some looked shocked, others surprised—was that jealousy? And one person... he looked angry.

Might be Rudra Rathore—the toughest nut to crack, as Baba Sa had said.

Another face caught my attention—one with an emotionless expression, but his eyes held something unreadable. Surprise? Jealousy?

That must be Veerendra Rathore—my eldest to-be brother.

But none of them mattered in that moment because my eyes found him.

Baba.

He was watching me with warmth and pride.

"Baba!" I called excitedly, releasing Arjun Bhai's hand and rushing into Baba's open arms.

His embrace was warm—so warm. It made me feel safe, protected, and loved.

Baba chuckled, wrapping his arms around me. "Slept well, princess?" he asked, pulling back slightly to look at me.

I nodded. But then I noticed all the eyes still on us, and suddenly, I felt shy. I hid myself in Baba's embrace again, making him chuckle.

"Aww!"

I peeked up to see a boy who resembled Baba but had Aryavi Ma's features. Kaki showed me her photos. He was holding a phone, clicking a picture of us, his eyes full of warmth.

Baba smiled, "Come, princess, let me introduce you to your brothers."

I hesitated, too shy and nervous to meet anyone's gaze.

Baba sighed, cupping my face. "Don't worry, princess. I'm here. Okay?"

I nodded, letting out a small huff. Baba chuckled, amused.

I don't know where this sudden sense of comfort is coming from; I guess it's just because I feel so at ease with Baba.

I looked up to see five pairs of eyes watching us in amusement. When I say five, that includes Rudra Rathore Sir and Veerendra Rathore Sir too.

"Come on, boys, introduce yourselves to her," Baba said to everyone, making Rudra Sir sigh angrily.

"Hello, I'm Veerendra Rathore," my to-be eldest brother said in a stoic voice, his tone emotionless, as if he were conducting some business.

Is this some kind of business meeting? I muttered under my breath, but unfortunately, I heard a few chuckles and snickers. Veerendra Sir caught my gaze with an amused look, and Baba chuckled too.

I gave him a sheepish smile, and he shook his head, barely hiding his smile.

"Hello, sunshine, I'm Shivansh Rathore. I'll be your favorite brother," Shivansh Sir—well, I mean, Bhai—said excitedly. He pulled me into a warm hug, but I flinched and stiffened. Thankfully, no one noticed... or so I thought. Then, I caught the eye of Shivendra Rathore, who was watching us with skeptical eyes.

The hug felt uncomfortable at first, but slowly I allowed myself to relax, not fully, but a little.

"Hi," I muttered softly, and Shivansh Bhai chuckled, patting my head after breaking the hug.

Next came Rudra Sir, who scoffed before muttering angrily, "Rudra," and sat down, clearly uninterested in being there.

Oh, so happy, I muttered, but unfortunately, everyone heard me, and they burst into laughter. Rudra Sir shot me an angry look, but his eyes held a glimmer of amusement.

Then Arjun Bhai stepped forward, smiling, "Oh, you already know me, little girl. I'm your Arjun Bhai, and I'll be your favorite brother only," he said, throwing a teasing look at Shivansh Bhai, who scowled at him.

Finally, there was the boy who looked about my age, Riyan. Baba had told me he was introverted and closed off, just like me.

"Hi, twinny! I know we're not real twins, but since we're the same age, we'll become twins," he said excitedly, making everyone smile or chuckle. Even Rudra Sir cracked a small smile.

"Buddy, at least tell her your name first," Shivansh Bhai said with a chuckle, making Riyan's eyes widen.

"Oh, yeah, sorry, I'm Riyan Rathore," he said shyly, his excitement still evident, and I couldn't help but giggle.

"You're cute," I exclaimed, giggling louder than I intended, and all eyes turned to me.

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•