Krithika's pov

As she closed her eyes, the only thing Krithika Shah thought about was:

"Where is my daughter?" She demanded of the man in front of her.

Years ago, this man was the definition of love to her. His floppy, silky black hair over his eyes, and god, she fell in love with those eyes. One brown, one blue. It used to be beautiful. But now all she could see when she looked into those eyes was red.

"Your daughter? I had not realized, my dear Krithika, that she was still your daughter. After all, you've left her all alone all these years" Suy- no The Sleeper said.

"Just answer the question, you lazy mutt!" Krithika barked at him, her blood boiling. She hated that every word he had dared to utter was true.

She was a sorry excuse for a woman, and much less of a mother. But nonetheless, whenever Krithika returned home from her journeys seeking what could help this psychotic man, Aru always welcomed her back with a hug that always lifted her energy.

Aru would stare up at Krithika with those bright, brown and round eyes of hers that could make anyone's heart warm. A smile that could save the world from ending.

And now that she's in college, continuing with her ever successful life, Krithika didn't even have that to look forward to.

"Oh so cold, Krithika" The Sleeper laughed humorlessly. "What a rude nickname you have for me. 'Lazy mutt'"

"It's true, is it not?" Krithika replied, deathly calm. "Otherwise why would you call yourself the Sleeper? I will not ask you again, WHERE IS ARU?"

"In a hospital bed" Suyodhana said, dismissively.

"WHAT?!" Krithika asked. She gathered up his collar, and spoke right into his face. "If you are lying, you are dead"

"I'm not" The Sleeper said, unfazed.. "I sent my faithful servant to get her. I thought it was a good time for a family reunion."

"But alas, that stupid boy and another equally stupid boy knocked him unconscious. What a shame"

"Aru has a boy in her life?" Krithika said happily.

"Unfortunately, I cannot even say he's ugly. Even his genes are good. He's the son of the ever rich Malini, so I can't say that he's poor either" The Sleeper said, counting off his fingers. "And then he actually makes her happy, as evidently shown when they were in the snow alone, and-"

"Suyodhana Shah, are you stalking my daughter?" Krithika asked.

"Can't blame me. I have been looking forward to the day I can be an overprotective parent"

"Dad" said a voice from behind.

"Kara, dear" The Sleeper said fondly. Krithika's eyes widened and she stiffened.

"It's my turn to talk with mom"

"But of course" and he left the room.

"Hello dear mother. How is Aru doing?" Kara asked politely.

LINEBREAK-------------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------------------------

Rudy's pov

I gasped when I heard what happened to Shah. How dare someone do this to her?

Shah's always been like a little sister to me. It didn't matter that we were the same age. Age didn't matter.

I rushed out the house and drove to the hospital. I ended up nearly running over a cat which I took as my que to calm down.

It's Aru Shah, for god's sake. Arundhati Shah. Lover of Lord of the Rings and Swedish fish. She can survive anything.

But when I got there, the nurse said "family only"

A sting erupted in my chest. "They won't come" I said firmly.

"Then who's that tall muscular girl, the long brown haired girl and short glasses girl?"

"Well, they are her family but not-"

"Please see yourself out"

"But-"

"I will call authorities"

"But I'm-"

"Goodbye"

"Ms. Nurse? Please allow him in. He's Aru's brother" said a voice I had grown to love.

"Oh? Okay I guess go in" The nurse said sheepishly.

I didn't need them to tell me again as I rushed in and checked on her.

"Look what it is. It's a snake" Brynne smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Hey, Rudy" Hira said quietly.

"She's not okay, Rudy. She's not okay!" cried Mini as she wiped tears. My eyes had started welling up too. I would kill anyone who did this to her.

I looked at Mini. I know this is inappropriate to the situation at hand, but was it bad I wanted to kiss her so bad right now?

Alas, we heard the nurse arguing with someone outside for only a second before letting the person in.

Who was none other than my cousin.

"How come she only chewed at you for a second? I was ripped at, torn apart and cooked man!" I exclaimed.

"Meh. I looked straight at her face, she seemed entranced and let me in" Aiden shrugged. And then he saw Aru and his face paled. "How is she doing?"

"Just freaking peachy dude. She's only knocked out, her head was bleeding a little bit, but hey we've been through worse right? After all, you stubbed your toe in the morning. Way worse" Brynne said her voice dripping in sarcasm.

"Brynne, cool it" Mini said coldly. "We're all hurting. Aru wouldn't of liked this"

"She would probably laugh and join me" Brynne shot back.

"What if she's suffering something really bad? What if she never wakes up? Oh my gods, Rudy, if that happens I-"

I kissed her.

On the lips.

W h a t

w a s

l i f e

She was shocked, and I pulled back.

The others were way more shocked.

Aiden snapped a picture.

"Awww. But disgusting" Brynne deadpanned. And then horrible realization struck her face. "And now I owe Aru 50 bucks"

But no one heard her.

Mini started a lecture "Do you know how much ger-"

"Girl don't. Just don't" Hira groaned. I felt so giddy, but half of me was like 'DUDE THAT WAS SO RANDOM WHY DID YOU DO THAT ARU'S LITERALLY IN A COMA AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DO??'

9 more days passed. I didn't know what I was going to do.

And then one day, we were back in the room as the nurse told us their reports.

"-no concussions or any sign of head injuries" she finished. God finally. The nurse left the room. Party time.

"Meaning?" Brynne said. She probably didn't even listen. Not like I did either.

"Meaning Aru has an extremely hard head" Mini said.

"Nothing less expected. I'm glad she does though" I said as I looked at her. 'Wake up Shah. Retort at me.'

Nothing.

"I'm happy she's alive! I'm so glad" Said Hira, looking the happiest she's been in days.

"Guys, stop talking about me behind my back" Said a voice. 'Oh so you respond to Hira but not me?' I thought. 'Rude'

Everyone quieted. Mini had tears in her eyes, and I felt my own slip down. Brynne brightened up instantly. Hira looked so happy she might burst.

"Don't worry Shah, we're right in front of you" Aiden grinned, breaking the silence.







WHEW.

Cool so, I did my best on Rudy's pov.

I really thought it'd be super wholesome if Rudy and Aru had a Brother-sister relationship. It would be so cute.

Like freaking adorable.

And when I was writing this chap I tried to weave in as much of sibling love as I could.





What do you think of Krithika and Rudy's pov?



-Loife