ANIKA'S POV

Beep!! Beep!! Beep!!

I groaned as the alarm beeped. I was about to slap it when I heard my father yelling,

"You bitch get your fat ass into the kitchen and make us an awesome breakfast. Your siblings need to leave for their college and me to work. "

I grabbed myself together from the day before 's beatings and moved to the kitchen.

As I stood in the living room I saw my brother waiting for me and I knew that I would be beaten so I mentally prepared myself and stood beside him.

But what he did next shocked me, he pulled me in a bone-crushing hug and whispered in my ear, thank god you are safe and sound and then he left for Dad's room.

I quickly grabbed the ingredients, prepared the breakfast placed them on the table and called everyone. My sister and dad came, had their fill and left. I was wondering where my brother was when Dad answered my unasked question. ...

Arjun has called in sick so he will be staying home. So prepare him a healthy lunch and make sure he has that. If he doesn't feel better then take him to the doctor and you know where the cash is. For now, take him the breakfast and we are leaving.

As soon as my dad left I ran upstairs with the breakfast and dashed into my brother's room. Thankfully the door wasn't locked otherwise I would have broken my nose. As soon as I entered I kept the plate on the nightstand and checked for any bruise or fever on my brother and while doing so he was looking at me with a new feeling, was it adoration I thought to myself......

Then I thought he was probably angry because I touched him without his permission. So I backed off.

But his words startled me,

Arjun : Still care for me haaaaa

Anika: That brother...... uhmmmm.....

Arjun: Dare u lie to your big brother. I know when u lie.

Anika: Sorry!!! But Dad said you were not feeling well so I thought of checking on you and .......

Arjun: I know sissy you still love me even though I have hurt u many times. I know I can't go into the past and erase those memories but from now on I will protect you like a big brother.

Anika: Hain!! Is this him or is he faking? But his eyes show the same love which was before Mom left us. I should better ask him.

And with that, I lunged on him so we were now on his bed with me on top of him but he hugged me closer to himself and was sniffing I guess. Because when I pulled up there were tears in his eyes.

Brother!!! U never cried like this. You are scaring me now. What is it?????

Arjun: It's u princess. After mom left us I.... I didn't want to lose you too. I don't know why but I don't get this protective feeling for Jan but for u it is 10 times stronger. Every time I see you getting beaten up by Dad or Jan I can't hold it back so I used to run away. But after what I heard about Sid's sister I am not letting you away from me. I will protect you from everyone until my last breath.

Anika : ( My brother was never so sensitive and that too over me it's just impossible. But something about sister has hit the brotherly chords of his mind and he is been a crying mess)

Bro why don't you eat something and rest for a while you will feel better, I said reasoning.

He instantly sat up and got the breakfast and nudged me to feed him. Whatever has happened to him, I'm happy as I got my long lost brother and I am happy.

I fed him with my own hands and vice versa.

After that, he snuggled in my lap and drifted off. I carefully placed his head on the pillow and covered him with the duvet.

Then I completed my other chores and was about to prepare dinner when my brother came from behind and started asking,

You cook well

You can stay alone

You don't fear unless for the nightmares

You very well manage the household

So I was thinking I should better take the opportunity of working overseas and they are ready to take me in and I can get you to come along.

Me: But brother what about dad and Jan. ...

Bhai:  As if they ever thought about you. Finally, you are coming with me. We might be moving by the end of next month. And here take this and mix it in Dad's and Jan's food.

Me: But what is it......

Bhai: You will come to know.....

He gave me his most amazing smirk and left talking on the phone, I guess was preparing to leave.

45 days are there to live with my family. And then it will be my brother and me. I am quite happy that he changed and is happy. But is it better to leave Dad and go?

Mind: He tortured u for years and you are caring for him.

Me: But he is my dad.

Mind: if he was then he wouldn't have hit you or burnt you or should I say attempted to kill you.

Me: I know but he was sad as he lost his wife.

Mind: but we too lost our mother and craved his love. And now we are getting it from our brother then why dwell in past?

Me: hmmmm. Bhai indeed is trying to mend our relationship. And I would love to be with my brother for the rest of my life.

So I have decided I'm moving with my brother.

That night I did as Arjun told me but never knew the side effects. Both Dad and Jan were snoring off their assess in their rooms and we were enjoying our bro-sis time.

He took me out for dinner and we visited places where we used to go with our mom. Bhai said that before leaving this place we would visit every place where mom would take us when we were kids.

Days rolled off quickly and we never knew it was one week before we left this place forever. Nights would pass with me and Bro having movie marathons, me singing his favourite songs and then cuddling to bed. Ever did you say that my brother is the best cuddly bear I could ever have? These days Dad never found out about our escape plan but Jan started having doubts.

As my overprotective brother would always be in sight whenever they used to be around which he never did in these days.

Now I am just waiting for that day to leave everything behind and start a new life ahead.

Bhai has promised me that he would enrol me in a college over there where I would pick up my studies.

Singing is my hobby and architecture and planning are my passion.

So he is getting me enrolled, so I could be independent.

For now, I have to follow him but later I will make him dance at my fingertips.

He had got his dream job but not his dream life and with me tagging along I don't think he would get one so I need to do it for him.......

Well, today I guess is the worst day of my life bcoz Bhai is out for work same as Dad but Jan is home and is tracing my each movement. I'm sure she has a doubt.

Never mind I have to do my duties. I was wondering how she would do without me bcoz neither does she know cooking nor managing a household. Whereas I could hold a degree over it.

I cleared our living room, cooked food (special one only for them) and was about to clean Bhai's room when Jan pulled my arm.

Jan: What are u doing?????

Me: I guess you heard Bhai saying to clear his room before leaving.....

Jan: yeah ..... I would help u a bit.

Me: Whoa..... Jan and help. never. I know she is here to keep a check on me. But Bhai had told me to try on the clothes he got for me when we left but now I think I should better clean the room and will try when Bhai arrives.

I soon cleared the mess and moved out with Jan hot on my heels.

Since it was time for the boys to arrive I got busy with my phone playing.

Soon bhai and Dad arrived. We had dinner and like every day it was me and my bhai left alive.

He pulled me with him to his room.

Bhai: did u try them...... If they don't fit I would get you other but let me know.

Me: I never tried. Jan was on my back the whole day. I guess she is suspicious of us. Even she accompanied me to help, me clean our room.

Bhai: cool sisy.... now u can try and I would like to see how my princess looks in them...

Anika: yep

I took them and hopped in the bathroom.

It was all leggings and tops. I guess my bro is not a fan of modern dresses. But I know he is caring and protective over me, so he wants to keep me all covered .......

I switched with the pink one and stood in front of my bhai who was busy with his laptop......

Bhai: U look awesome princess. But wait..... Haaaaa now it's perfect and never remove it unless u are at home or it's just us......

Me: As soon as he looked up... He stood from his sitting position moved into the bathroom and got the scarf which I had left to take. He placed it on my shoulder and told me to never remove it unless it was home or us...

I'm pretty sure I got my brother back but like he said 10x over protective brother...

Bhai what were you searching over there....

Oh yeah, I was finalising some apartments from which we would choose one.

Do I have a say.....

Yes, princess... I finalised a few but the final blow is yours.

After going over a few and instantly fell in love with the one in the woods near a lake. Its surroundings were almost calm. So I thought it would be best...

Haaaaa. ... I too was thinking about that......

So we are all done to leave and tomorrow night is it......

Now let's sleep.......