18 – Sister’s Advice — Scene 1 – Saturday Morning Sunlight filtered through the curtains.
Dhruv was sitting on the balcony in a loose grey T-shirt and black shorts.
His hair was a complete mess after waking up, and he hadn’t even bothered to comb it.
A mug of tea rested on the table beside him.
His phone vibrated.
Mitsuu > I’m glad you’re feeling better.
😊 A small smile appeared on his face.
Before he could reply…
Urvi walked onto the balcony carrying another cup of tea.
She glanced at his phone.
“…Mitsuri?” Dhruv quickly locked the screen.
“…Yeah.” She sat beside him.
“So…” “Are you finally ready to tell me what’s been going on?” He stayed quiet.
The morning breeze filled the silence.
Finally…
“…I think I’m acting like an idiot.” — Scene 2 – Everything Comes Out Urvi didn’t interrupt.
She simply listened.
Dhruv looked toward the society garden below.
“I don’t like seeing Kabir with her.” “…” “I know he’s a good guy.” “He hasn’t done anything wrong.” “…” “Mitsuri hasn’t done anything wrong either.” He sighed.
“But every time I see them laughing together…” “…I don’t know.” “It irritates me.” “Not at them.” “At myself.” Urvi smiled.
“So…” “You’re jealous.” Dhruv covered his face with one hand.
“…Please don’t say it like that.” She laughed.
“Why?” “Because it sounds embarrassing.” “It is.” — Scene 3 – The Teasing Urvi couldn’t stop smiling.
“My little brother…” “…Is jealous.” Dhruv groaned.
“I already regret telling you.” She gently nudged his shoulder.
“You used to laugh whenever your friends talked about crushes.” “I know.” “And now?” “…Please stop.” She laughed even harder.
“Oh, this is priceless.” Dhruv looked away toward the road.
“I hate this conversation.” “I love this conversation.” — Scene 4 – The Advice After laughing for a while…
Urvi became serious.
“Dhruv.” He looked at her.
“Tell me honestly.” “Do you trust Mitsuri?” “…Yeah.” “Do you trust Kabir?” “…I think so.” “Has either of them lied to you?” “No.” “Then what’s the problem?” Dhruv stayed silent.
Urvi answered for him.
“The problem…” “…is that you’re scared.” He frowned.
“Scared?” “Scared that someone else might become more important to her than you.” The words hit him immediately.
“…” “…” He couldn’t deny it.
— Scene 5 – A Different Perspective Urvi continued quietly.
“Do you know what I think?” “What?” “I think you’re trying so hard to protect your goals…” “…that you’re pushing away someone who actually makes you happy.” Dhruv lowered his eyes.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt her.” “I know.” “But you did.” “…” “Not intentionally.” “But she noticed.” He remembered…
Mitsuri asking, “Are you avoiding me?” His chest felt heavy.
— Scene 6 – Cricket Ground That evening…
Dhruv walked to the society cricket ground.
The younger kids immediately ran toward him.
“Dhruv bhaiya!” Instead of batting…
He simply sat on the boundary rope.
Watching them play.
After a few minutes…
Deep arrived.
“You okay?” Dhruv nodded.
“…Yeah.” “No extra practice?” “No.” “No hundred push-ups?” Dhruv laughed quietly.
“…Not today.” Deep looked surprised.
“You’re smiling again.” “I guess.” — Scene 7 – The Walk As they walked back…
They saw Alya and Mitsuri returning from a nearby grocery store.
Mitsuri wore a simple lavender kurti.
Her long pink hair was tied into a loose braid over one shoulder.
She noticed Dhruv.
“…You’re outside.” He smiled.
“I got bored staying home.” There was an awkward silence.
Then…
Dhruv scratched the back of his neck.
“…Sorry.” She blinked.
“For what?” “I’ve been…
distant.” She looked at him for a few seconds.
Then smiled softly.
“I know.” “I’m just glad you’re talking to me again.” The tension between them quietly disappeared.
Deep looked toward the sky.
“…Finally.” Alya smiled.
“Took him long enough.” — Scene 8 – Night Back in his room…
Dhruv stood before the mirror while drying his hair after a shower.
He looked at his own reflection.
“…You’re an idiot.” Then he laughed.
“…A jealous idiot.” For the first time…
Saying it out loud didn’t feel embarrassing.
It felt…
Honest.
He picked up his phone.
Opened the group chat.
Dhruv: > Tomorrow morning, I’ll wait for you guys outside.
Deep replied instantly.
> THE KING HAS RETURNED.
Alya: > Please ignore him.
Mitsuri: > See you tomorrow.
😊 Dhruv looked at that last message for a moment.
Then placed his phone on the table.
Tomorrow…
They would walk to school together again.
Just like before.
Only this time…
Dhruv understood something important.
Running away from his feelings…
Had never actually helped him focus.
It had only made him lonelier.