28 years ago

Sanjay was pacing in hospital as his wife was in labor giving birth to twins.

He saw Rishi sleeping on his grandmother's lap. Rishi insisted his parents on allowing him to be here, as he also wanted to see his brother and sister.

After an hour, the doctor informed Sanjay that his wife was conscious, and he could meet her. The doctor also asked him to be careful as she was fragile right now.

Sanjay went into the room only to find his wife with closed eyes. But she sensed his presence and opened her eyes slowly. A weak smile adorned her lips when she asked him, "hey Jaan, where are the babies. Are they fine?"

"Yes, the baby is perfectly alright." He said with a sad smile and grazed her cheeks lovingly. She gave him a beautiful smile, and he added, "You know, you are the strongest person I have ever met. You have done a great job. The baby is lovely. No need to worry."

This statement made Kashaf sigh in relief, but soon she noticed his worried expression. And then his words hit her.

"What do you mean by the baby is fine? It's babies, hon? We had babies." She said but got no response from him. "Please tell me what happened? Sanjay, say something!" She warned.

Sanjay informed her that she gave birth to a boy and a girl, but only the girl survived. The boy didn't make it.

As soon as Kashaf perceived this, she didn't cry. She became numb.

"Kashaf, our boy didn't survive. But,... but our girl survived. I am so... so sorry."

Sanjay saw how she got paled. That is when the nurse came holding their baby girl. She needed to be fed. The moment she looks at her daughter, she felt nothing. She fed the baby, and soon Rishi entered the room, saying, " Maa, papa is not letting me hold the baby. Please ask him to let me hold the baby just for once. He is saying that I may hurt her."

Kashaf didn't reply. Sanjay, who had noticed this, asked Rishi to go home as his mother is exhausted, and he could play with his baby sister at home.

Days passed, but Kashaf and Sanjay were still trying to cope with their son's death.

Whenever Kashaf saw her daughter, she felt guilty. She recalled what she had lost that day.

Though she tried her best to hold the baby, she couldn't find any connection with her daughter.

Sanjay, who didn't want his wife to fall into depression, decided to keep her in front of his eyes all the time. And giving her a managerial post at his company was the best shot he could come up with.

That worked partly because now she started ignoring her daughter as well as Rishi. All their needs were fulfilled, but they didn't get the attention of their parents...

Rishi, who never once was neglected by his parents, ended up blaming Rishika.

Years passed, and a lot changed. Rishi was 13 years old, and Rishika was 9 years old. Their parents were still ignorant of them.

But Rishi and Rishika's bond strengthened. Rishi learned this a long time ago that it was never Rishika's fault that their brother didn't survive. Ever since Rishika could recall anything, it was always her brother who was home to her.

Rishika believed that her mother hated her and Rishi, but could never find a reason behind this. All of this made her quite possessive of her brother. She never liked her mother. Although Rishi tried to explain to her that she was a loving mother, she thought her brother was so innocent to see the things.

It was easy for her to live without their love and attention because she had no idea what parental love was, but it was hard for Rish. Whenever he saw Rishika, he felt that his whole world was complete. He couldn't imagine his life without her.

It was Rishi's birthday, and he was waiting for the gift his parents had planned for him. He was not expecting much. Rishika gave him a handmade card, in which she boosted how lucky he was to have a sister like her. Rishika also gave him a t-shirt with their pictures printed, and in the end, it wrote- the world's best sister.

When Rishi saw this, he started laughing. "Looks like it's not my birthday. It's yours."

When he found Rishika stuffing her mouth with cake and licking her fingers, he went to join and helped her clean the mess. They ordered Rishika's favorite cake and lunch and ended up watching The Beauty and Beast for the third time. "Don't Bhai, and I have already seen that scene." She yelled when he put his hand on her eyes at the kissing scene.

Rishika knew Rishi was a bit sad as their parents had not celebrated his birthday with him.

"Oh! I forgot. Papa asked me to give you this watch. He said he had a crucial meeting today, so he could not give it to you in person." She earlier bought this gift when she came back from school with her driver alone because Rishi had some late school projects.

Rishi knew the truth and hugged her sister and thought she was the best thing that ever happened in his life.

He started crying and hugging her when Rishika realized this.

"I hate to see you cry, and I hate tears. Please don't cry..." Before she could continue, Rishi heard her mother laugh.

They dashed to the living room and found his parents holding a 2-year-old girl's hand and playing with her.

Rishi was filled with joy and excitement as he saw his old mother back. He remembered how his mother used to adore him. And now she comes back with the same smile.

Rishika saw her mother smile for the first time. She was awed by her mother's beauty.

Kashaf calls Rishi and Rishika and said, "Rishi and Rishika, look what I have brought for you. I have brought a younger sister for you two. Her name is Avantika. From now on she will stay with us. You have to take care of her, too, Rishi. She is the daughter of your uncle Anil."

Rishi went near Avantika and picked her up. Rishika listened carefully, but watching Rishi's affection to someone else instantly put her mood off.

"Stay away from my brother. He is my brother only, not yours." She told Avantika who didn't listen to her and just looked at Rishi. Rishika glared at her mother "If you want a daughter, you can have her. But we don't want her. I am enough for Rishi."

Soon she felt a sting on her cheek and saw her father slapped her. She was shocked, and Rishi was scared. He never saw his father this angry.

Sanjay's voice roared, "How dare you to raise your voice at your mother? Who are you to decide who is going to stay here? Say sorry to your mother. Now!"

Rishika curtly replied, "Which mother? Who still hasn't wished her son on his birthday because she forgets? And you too, Dad!" She scoffed.

Sanjay looked at Rishika. He didn't know where she was learning such things. But he knew he needed to teach her a lesson.

All he cared right now was his wife because the last thing he wanted for Kashaf to went back from where they started. He started dragging Rishika and locked her in the storeroom. It was not the first time that Sanjay locked her in a storeroom. Rishi ran towards Sanjay, "Dad! Please leave her! I will say sorry to mother, but please, You know she is scared of darkness. Please, Dad. Please. I'll make her understand. She listens to me, and I'll make sure she will accept Avantika."

Sanjay reluctantly freed Rishika and asked her to behave. Sanjay knew whatever she said was right, but he was helpless. Kashaf went into depression whenever she saw Rishika. It was like a reminder that she lost a son.

Sanjay believed that he had lost her. Until Kashaf's friend, Anil asked them to meet him. Anil was in love with Kashaf in their college time. But Kashaf declined the proposal as she was in love with Sanjay. But they promised to be friends.

Anil informed them that his wife passed away, and they went for the funeral. Kashaf noticed a little girl, Avantika, who was crying like hell.

She can feel her pain. She requested Anil to give her his baby as she needs to move on... Anil was not ready for this, but then he agreed as he thought that his daughter is better off without him...

Sanjay, for the first time, felt that maybe Avantika was the key to get back her lost wife. That's why he decided to adopt her.

Sanjay went to Rishi's room. Rishika was crying like hell, and Rishi was comforting her. "Promise me that you will not accept Avantika. You will not give her my place. I cannot lose you. I don't care about our parents. But you cannot accept her. Please, Bhai, say something."

"Awww, my baby sister is jealous of Avantika. Don't worry. No one can take your place." He said. But the moment he saw her pouted mouth, he added, "You are part of me. How can I replace you?" This statement made her smile instantly.

"Jealous...ha ...who is jealous? Why would I be jealous of that girl? She is no one to us. She means nothing to us." She said, giving him an evil smile. She knew she was getting there. All she needs to do is to press him a little more.

Sanjay outside the door was smiling, listening to their talk that he found sweet at this time, and went into their room.

"I hope it's not too late to wish you a happy birthday, Rishi, my son." Before Rishi could reply, Rishika said," Actually, it's too late. But still, thank you."

Rishi looked at Rishika and huffed, "Dad, please don't mind her. On my birthday she always lost her mind. She thinks it's her birthday. But still, thank you, dad."

Sanjay smiled and said, "I want to talk to you alone, Rishi, can I?" Before Sanjay could continue...

Rishika replied, "We are alone. No one is listening to us anyway. Please pretend that I'm not here as you always do," Rishika sarcastically replied and looked to her dad.

Rishi elbowed his sister and asked her to be quiet. Rishika left the room to let them talk.

Sanjay makes Rishi understand that why Avantika is essential to them. And how can she bring her old motherly feelings back for Kashaf? He asks Rishi to make Rishika understand and give them a chance once again...

"Dad, don't worry. I'll talk to Rishika. She listens to me."

"I know, son, and I'm proud of you." he continued, "Rishika, come inside. I know you are eavesdropping."

Rishika rolled her eyes and gave them their puppy look. She knew this look always work on them.

She also promised that she would try to behave with Avantika for her mother. Because deep down, she was also craving for her mother's love and blamed herself for her brother's death and Rishi's vulnerable state. She wanted Rishi to have what he longed for, the old caring mother.

After two years

For Rishi, things were positive. His mother started loving him. He was very thankful to Avantika. He considered her as his sister and was very possessive about her. However, he was losing Rishika. She started behaving like a brat lately. She would do anything to get his attention. Even, she started lying a lot. No matter how many times he taught her to never lie for anything. What's worse, he often found her bullying Avantika and her classmates.

For Rishika, everything changed. She had to share her brother's love with someone else. She hated Avantika.

Rishika was eagerly waiting for the Rakhi festival as she promised herself to ask Rishi not to love Avantika and ignore her.

Avantika made Rakhi for Rishi. She loved Rishi very much as he was always very kind to her. She considered Kashaf and Sanjay as parents but found Rishika a little intimidating.

Rishika has started looking for best the Rakhi from the last one week. She wanted to give Rishi the best one, but she was not as creative as Avantika, who made a Rakhi by simple but colorful threads.

When she couldn't find the best Rakhi, she ordered it to be made. They informed her that she would get that Rakhi on the festival. Everyone was busy celebrating Rakhi, but Rishika was getting to that shop with her driver.

Rishi was waiting for Rishika to tie the Rakhi, but she called him to inform him of the traffic jam.

When Rishika reached home, she made Rishi sit in front of her—asked him to put his hand in front of her, but when saw one Rakhi was already tied on his hand. Tears welled up from her eyes and rolled down from her cheeks.

"What's wrong, Rishika? Why are you crying?" asked Rishi.

She looked at Avantika, pushing her away and shouting at her, "How dare you? You know it is my right, but you always try to snatch things from me. Why don't you just go and die?"

Taken aback by her behavior, he slapped Rishika. "What the hell is wrong with you, Rishika? Say sorry to her. Enough! I always ignore your mistakes. But I am wrong. You are becoming a spoilt brat. Say sorry to her. Otherwise, I will never let you tie a Rakhi."

Rishika didn't even comprehend what happened precisely. She could not believe Rishi had slapped her; she couldn't move from her place.

Then Rishi dragged her and locked her in the storeroom.

Avantika was crying like hell. Rishi was trying to console her and decided to take her for a long drive.

He bought Avantika her favorite sweets, and when she finally felt better, they reached home and saw the ambulance was there. They were carrying Rishika. Her head was bleeding. Servants informed him that she jumped from the storeroom's window. His parents were out of the station.

He felt guilty for hitting Rishika and tried to call his parents.

When they reached the hospital, the doctor informed them that she had a rare blood group AB-. It was not a piece of news for him. He always knew that she has a unique blood type.

Rishi was cursing himself. He knew how much she was scared of darkness.

Suddenly, he remembered a name who also has the same blood type and didn't waste any time to dial his number, "Hello, Uncle Anil? I need your help."

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Author note:

Hey, guys! I know you were not expecting the past from this update, and you want the story to be progressive...

Trust me... These are very important for every character...

So that you can understand why these characters have reacted in such a way in the future.

As you can see that Rishika is very fiesty here whereas Rishi is a very sincere and adoring brother.

But how their relationship changes will be revealed in further updates... Please have patience.

And leave your opinions...

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My co-author: ashlehqueen