A Desperate Call

Ayush sat in his dark apartment, staring at his phone. The weight of his mistakes crushed him from all sides. His college was threatening expulsion, his internship had already been revoked, and his so-called friends had abandoned him the moment his money ran out.

He was alone. Truly alone.

For the first time since he had left home, the silence wasn’t freeing—it was suffocating.

His fingers hovered over his phone screen. He had only one option left. Anirudh.

Swallowing his pride, he finally pressed the call button.

It rang. Once. Twice.

Then a sharp voice answered. "Now you remember me?"

Ayush closed his eyes. "Anirudh…" His voice was hoarse, almost broken.

Anirudh’s tone immediately softened. "Where are you?"

Ayush hesitated. "I… I need help."

A pause. A long one. Then—"Stay where you are. I’m coming."

The call ended. Ayush exhaled shakily. He had expected anger, scolding, maybe even rejection. But instead, Anirudh had done what he always did—protected him.

The Rescue

Anirudh drove through the empty streets, his grip on the steering wheel tight. He had been waiting for this call for months, dreading it, yet knowing it would come.

The address Ayush had sent led him to a run-down apartment complex. When he knocked on the door, Ayush opened it, looking nothing like the arrogant, defiant brother who had left the mansion. His eyes were hollow, his face unshaven, and his usually confident posture was slumped in defeat.

For a moment, Anirudh just stared at him. Then, without a word, he stepped inside.

The apartment was a mess—empty beer bottles, crumpled papers, and clothes scattered everywhere. Anirudh’s jaw clenched. This was what his brother had been living in?

Ayush sat on the edge of the worn-out couch, rubbing his temples. "I screwed up."

Anirudh remained standing, arms crossed. "Yeah, you did."

Ayush let out a humorless chuckle. "Not even going to sugarcoat it, huh?"

"You don’t deserve sugarcoating," Anirudh shot back. "You were reckless, irresponsible, and stubborn. You thought you didn’t need us, but look where that got you."

Ayush flinched at the brutal honesty. But he didn’t argue.

Anirudh sighed, his tone softening. "But I’m still here, aren’t I?"

That hit Ayush harder than any insult could. Despite everything, Anirudh had come. He had never truly given up on him.

"I don’t know how to fix this," Ayush admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Anirudh looked at him for a long moment before speaking. "You start by coming home."

Ayush’s eyes widened slightly. "Arnav will—"

"I’ll handle Arnav," Anirudh interrupted. "But you need to get your life back together. And you’re not going to do it alone."

For the first time in months, Ayush felt like he could breathe. He nodded.

Anirudh placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Let’s go home, Ayush."

And for the first time, Ayush didn’t resist.

To Be Continued…