"Sometimes the strongest sign of love isn't anger—it's realizing you miss someone's attention the moment it belongs to someone else."

Sunday evening arrived with unusual excitement at Rathore Mansion.

The staff had been busy since morning.

Fresh flowers decorated the entrance.

The dining table was set beautifully.

Extra desserts had been prepared.

Aadhya looked around curiously.

"Papa, are we expecting guests?"

Vikram smiled.

"Yes."

"Our old family friends, the Khannas."

"They've been away in Singapore for a few years."

"They're finally visiting."

Vivaan gasped dramatically.

"Does that mean Uncle Raghav is coming?"

"And Aunty Meera?"

"And Aarav?"

Vikram nodded.

"All of them."

Within an hour...

The grand doors opened.

"Vikram!"

Raghav Khanna greeted warmly as he hugged his old friend.

"It's been too long."

"It certainly has."

The adults exchanged greetings while the brothers welcomed the guests.

Aadhya politely folded her hands.

"Namaste, Uncle."

"Namaste, Aunty."

Meera Khanna smiled affectionately.

"So you're Aadhya."

"We've heard so much about you."

Aadhya smiled shyly.

"I hope only good things."

Raghav laughed.

"Mostly."

Advik immediately interrupted.

"Don't believe him."

"We've told everyone she steals chocolates."

"Ahem!"

Aadhya glared at him.

The room erupted in laughter.

Just then...

A young boy stepped inside carrying a gift bag.

He looked around before his eyes suddenly widened.

"...Aadhya?"

She blinked.

"...Aarav?"

The two stared at each other for a second.

Then both smiled in surprise.

"You remember me?"

"Of course I do!"

"What are you doing here?"

Before anyone could answer...

Raghav smiled.

"You two know each other?"

Aarav nodded.

"We studied in the same school before Dad moved abroad."

"We weren't in the same class..."

"...but we met during art competitions and the school library."

Aadhya smiled.

"And you always borrowed mystery novels."

"You still remember?"

"You never returned one of mine."

Aarav laughed.

"I eventually did!"

"You reminded me every day."

The brothers quietly exchanged glances.

Vivaan leaned toward Advik.

"Who's he?"

Advik narrowed his eyes.

"I don't know."

"But he knows our sister."

"Too well."

As everyone settled in the living room...

The adults became busy catching up.

Naturally...

Aadhya and Aarav began talking about their old school.

"Do you remember Mrs. Fernandes?"

"The English teacher?"

Aarav laughed.

"The one who always caught us whispering in the library."

"And the annual art exhibition!"

"You won first prize."

"You came second."

"You still remember?"

"You made fun of me for losing by two points."

"I absolutely did."

Both burst into laughter.

Across the room...

Six pairs of eyes slowly turned toward them.

Vivaan frowned.

"Twinny has been talking to him for ten minutes."

Advik checked the clock.

"Ten minutes and twenty-three seconds."

Vihaan folded his arms.

"He's making her laugh."

"I don't like it."

Rudransh smiled helplessly.

"They're just old acquaintances."

Advik sighed dramatically.

"I know."

"But still..."

Aryaveer quietly sipped his coffee.

Without taking his eyes off the conversation, he calmly asked,

"What exactly is his full name?"

Vihaan blinked.

"Bhaiya..."

"Are you investigating him already?"

Aryaveer answered without hesitation.

"I prefer being informed."

Advik burst into laughter.

"Our CEO Bhaiya has started background verification."

Meanwhile...

Aadhya and Aarav continued talking.

"So..."

Aarav smiled.

"I heard you changed schools."

She nodded.

"A lot changed."

"I can see."

He looked around at the Rathore family.

"You seem... happy."

Aadhya looked toward her brothers.

Her smile softened.

"I really am."

Vivaan noticed that smile.

He immediately stood up.

"I'm thirsty."

No one believed him.

He walked straight toward them.

"Twinny!"

She turned.

"Yes?"

"Come."

"We're eating snacks."

She laughed.

"I'll come in a minute."

Vivaan looked at Aarav.

Then back at Aadhya.

"...Now?"

Aarav couldn't help smiling.

"You haven't changed."

Vivaan blinked.

"What does that mean?"

Aarav chuckled.

"You were always protective."

Vivaan puffed out his chest proudly.

"I still am."

Before the conversation could continue...

Advik suddenly appeared carrying a plate.

"Munchkin."

"You forgot your favourite samosas."

"I didn't—"

"They're getting cold."

"Oh..."

"Come."

She smiled apologetically at Aarav.

"I'll be right back."

The moment she left...

Vihaan casually stood beside Aarav.

"So..."

"You know our sister?"

Aarav nodded politely.

"We were school friends."

Vihaan smiled.

"Good."

A short silence followed.

Then he added pleasantly,

"Just making sure."

Aarav looked slightly confused.

"Making sure of what?"

Advik answered with a grin.

"That you know she's our sister."

"Oh."

"I definitely know that now."

A few minutes later...

Aadhya returned with juice for everyone.

She handed one glass to Aarav.

"Here."

"Thank you."

Just then...

Another hand appeared.

Aryaveer.

Without saying a word, he accepted the second glass.

Then calmly stood beside Aadhya while discussing business with Raghav Uncle.

Advik whispered,

"Classic CEO move."

Vihaan nodded.

"Occupation: standing next to sister."

Dinner was announced.

Everyone moved toward the dining hall.

Aarav naturally pulled out a chair for Aadhya.

Before she could sit...

Six voices spoke almost together.

"She sits here."

Everyone froze.

Aadhya blinked.

"Um..."

Vivaan pointed.

"This seat is next to me."

Vihaan shook his head.

"No, next to me."

Advik objected.

"She promised to taste my dessert first."

Rudransh sighed.

"Can everyone relax?"

Veeransh quietly moved a chair beside him.

"Sit here, Chhoti."

Aryaveer simply smiled.

"Problem solved."

Aadhya couldn't stop laughing.

"You all are impossible."

The adults watched the entire scene with amused expressions.

Meera Khanna smiled at Vikram.

"They adore her."

Vikram looked proudly at his children.

"They do."

"And she adores them just as much."

After dinner...

The Khannas prepared to leave.

Aarav smiled at Aadhya.

"It was nice meeting you again."

She nodded.

"You too."

"Maybe we'll meet again."

Before she could answer...

Vivaan cheerfully stepped between them.

"We'll see."

Advik almost choked trying not to laugh.

Aarav smiled knowingly.

He looked at the six brothers.

Then laughed softly.

"I understand."

He folded his hands respectfully.

"It was lovely meeting all of you."

The brothers smiled politely.

"Same here."

As the cars disappeared through the mansion gates...

Advik immediately closed the main door.

Then turned dramatically toward everyone.

"Family meeting."

Vivaan pointed toward the driveway.

"He stole Twinny for almost an hour."

Vihaan nodded.

"She laughed at all his jokes."

Aryaveer looked thoughtful.

"I counted."

Everyone stared at him.

"You... counted?"

He cleared his throat.

"Twenty-three times."

Advik burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Our serious Bhaiya counted how many times Sunshine laughed!"

Even Veeransh smiled.

"I noticed too."

Rudransh shook his head with a chuckle.

"You all are unbelievable."

Just then...

Aadhya walked into the room carrying a bowl of ice cream.

She looked around.

"What are you all discussing?"

Six brothers immediately answered together.

"Nothing."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Hmm..."

"I don't believe you."

Vivaan quickly took a spoonful of her ice cream.

"Too late."

She gasped.

"My ice cream!"

A chase instantly began around the living room.

The brothers laughed as Aadhya ran after Vivaan.

Within minutes...

The mysterious "family meeting" had been completely forgotten.

Well...

Almost.

Because somewhere in six protective hearts...

A tiny thought remained the same—

It wasn't that they disliked Aarav.

He was polite.

Respectful.

And kind.

They simply weren't used to sharing their sister's attention.

And perhaps...

They never would be.

To Be Continued...