About half an hour later…
Aditya stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying his hair with one hand. He wore only his fitted black pants, his upper body bare. Water droplets still clung to his skin, tracing down his toned chest and defined abs. His hair was damp, slightly messy, and a few strands fell onto his forehead — making him look effortlessly handsome.
There was something calm yet undeniably attractive about the way he casually walked over to his wardrobe, completely unaware of how dangerous he looked in that moment.
Then suddenly from the doorway, came a voice— "Well, well! What a hottie you’ve become!"
Aditya turned to see Ira standing there, a mischievous, cat-like grin on her face.
Closing the wardrobe, Aditya narrowed his eyes at her and said with slight irritation, "Why were you bothering Anamika?"
Ira walked in with a dramatic sigh and flopped onto his bed.
"Ah, what days I’m seeing! The boy who practically spent his whole life with me is now scolding me for a girl he met just two days ago!"
Aditya rolled his eyes and muttered, "There you go again with your drama! Just stop, Ira, or else—"
Ira raised an eyebrow with a wicked smile. "Or else what, hmm? What will you do, huh? Say it… come on, say it! Or should I tell her myself? That you used to bathe me, feed me, rock me to sleep in your lap?"
Aditya marched over and clamped his hand over her mouth. "You little devil! Where do you even learn this nonsense?!"
Ira bit his hand, making him pull back in pain. Sitting up with exaggerated elegance, she said,
"A few days ago, I told my dear brother about a trip. But he refused. When I asked why, he got all emotional and said he cares about me too much. Claimed he practically raised me—bathed me, fed me, pampered me. So now I think I must express my gratitude… especially to his special friends!"
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Aditya chuckled helplessly.
"Wow! After years of reunion, instead of talking nicely, my sister is plotting revenge!"
Ira made a face.
"Of course! And look at you… you brought back a whole extra package! You didn’t even bring a gift after so many years. Instead, you brought a girl... and now I have to share your love with her!"
Aditya smiled softly and tapped her forehead.
"You silly girl! Since when did this wild cat turn into a pet?"
Ira made a puppy face.
"Pat my forehead!"
Aditya laughed and gently patted her forehead — unaware that someone outside the room was listening.
Anamika.
She had followed Ira after spotting her in the hallway but didn’t have the courage to call out. So, she quietly followed her to Aditya's room.
But when she saw Aditya shirtless, she froze and quickly hid behind the wall.
She heard everything. The earlier conversation broke her heart — hearing that Aditya had bathed Ira, fed her, and cared for her since childhood made her feet feel heavy… but then the rest of the conversation made her heart flutter. She smiled silently, standing hidden, listening like a curious thief. Then, sneaking one last look inside, she quietly left.
Inside, Ira continued teasing her brother.
"So… tell me honestly! She’s not just a friend, is she?"
Aditya averted his eyes and walked toward the wardrobe again.
"There’s nothing like that!"
Ira crossed her arms dramatically.
"Okay, final chance. Confess now or I’ll spill it myself! My spy already told me the truth!"
Aditya sighed, whispering to himself, "Aniket, you traitor… I won’t spare you!"
Hearing this, Ira gasped.
"Hey! How dare you insult my spy?! First, you hide things from your innocent little sister, and now you’re badmouthing the one who told her the truth!"
Aditya let out a long breath and looked at her.
"Oh no… did I hurt your feelings?"
Ira gave him a pair of sad, puppy-dog eyes.
"Very much."
Aditya chuckled.
"Okay fine! Will an ice cream be enough for forgiveness?"
Ira scoffed.
"Such a tiny bribe for such a big betrayal!"
Aditya sat beside her, his eyes suddenly heavy with emotion as he looked down.
"What could I even tell you… when there’s no love story from her side, what was there to say to you?"
He smiled faintly, but Ira frowned and slapped his arm.
"Idiot! Moron! You’ve always been a hopeless romantic! Even as a kid, you were madly in love, and even now, you're stuck in the same one-sided mess!"
Aditya buttoned up his shirt slowly.
"Well… the love may be one-sided, but so is the reason behind it."
Ira squinted at him.
"What do you mean?"
Aditya tapped her forehead again and whispered, "You dummy… Anamika’s my childhood love."
With that, he got up and began walking away. Ira stared at his back and muttered, "Wait a second… she’s that same scaredy-cat girl who used to run from you, isn’t she?! Ugh, what a headache!"
Aditya paused and turned back slightly.
"Logically, it’s a hundred percent one-sided. But my heart… my heart says maybe she feels the same. Still, no matter how much your heart feels, it’s the brain that judges best. So… I’m listening to my brain. Anyway, let’s go downstairs."
He walked off.
Watching him leave, Ira rolled her eyes dramatically.
"God, please take away my brother’s brain! What a fool! I mean, first he followed his heart and fell in love with that strange girl… and now when it’s time to listen to the heart again, he’s hiding behind logic! Ugh! What do I do with him?! Guess I’ll have to do something myself now! What do they do in TV serials? Oh yeah… jealousy brings hidden feelings to the surface. And I… I’m an expert in making people jealous!"
Smiling wickedly, Ira stood up and ran out of the room like an excited kid.
But will Ira succeed in her plan?
Now that she knows the truth, will Anamika really get jealous for Aditya?
Does she truly love him… and will Ira be able to prove it?
Let the drama begin!
