The Aftermath

The battle with Siddharth Malhotra was over. For now.

The Oberoi brothers had returned home, bruised but victorious. The house was quiet, the tension still thick in the air.

And then, Arnav’s voice cut through the silence.

“Where is Avni?”

The question wasn’t loud. It wasn’t harsh.

But it sent a chill down everyone’s spine.

Ayush and Aryan exchanged a glance.

Anirudh crossed his arms. "She’s in her room. What happened now?"

Arnav didn’t answer. He simply turned and walked toward her room.

And when Arnav Oberoi walked with purpose—someone was about to regret their actions.

Confrontation

Avni sat on her bed, scrolling through her phone. The moment the door swung open, she knew.

She was in trouble.

Arnav stood in the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

She tried to act casual. "What’s up, Arnav bhai?"

He stepped inside. Closed the door behind him.

That’s when she knew—this was serious.

"You disobeyed me." His voice was calm, but dangerous.

Avni tensed. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Arnav took a slow step forward. "I told you to stay with Aryan. To get out of the house. But instead, you followed us to Siddharth’s mansion."

She swallowed. "I just wanted to help—"

"You could have been killed."

His voice was sharp, cutting through her excuses.

Avni’s mouth opened—but nothing came out.

Arnav stepped closer. "You think this is a game? You think our fights, our enemies, our problems are some kind of joke?"

"I just—"

"Enough."

The single word shut her up.

His eyes were burning with fury. "If anything had happened to you, Avni, do you even understand what that would have done to me? To us?"

Her chest tightened. "I—I didn’t think—"

"Exactly." His voice was dangerously low. "You didn’t think."

Silence stretched between them.

And then—

Arnav spoke again. "Get up."

Avni blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. Get up."

Reluctantly, she stood. "What are you—"

"Sit-ups. Start counting."

Her eyes widened. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

Arnav didn’t blink. "I don’t joke. Start."

Avni glared. "No way."

Arnav stepped closer, towering over her. "Then I’ll double it."

"Are you serious?"

"Triple it."

She groaned. "Fine!"

She dropped down and started.

One.

Two.

Her legs burned, but Arnav just stood there, watching.

Ayush and Aryan peeked through the doorway.

Ayush smirked. "Wow, Arnav bhai really went old-school today."

Aryan whispered, "I think I should record this."

Anirudh, standing behind them, smacked them both on the head. "Go do something useful."

Back inside, Avni was panting.

"How many?" Arnav asked.

"Twenty-five," she muttered.

He raised an eyebrow. "Good. Keep going."

Her eyes widened. "You didn’t say how many!"

Arnav’s smirk was cold. "Exactly."

She groaned but kept going.

By the time she hit fifty, her legs felt like jelly.

She collapsed on the floor. "I—hate—you—so—much."

Arnav crouched beside her. His voice softened, just a little. "Good. Maybe next time, you’ll listen."

She looked up at him, eyes burning. "You’re the worst."

Arnav leaned in slightly. "And you’re still alive because of me."

She didn’t respond.

He stood up, walking toward the door.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow, we train."

Her head snapped up. "What?!"

He glanced back. "You want to be part of this family? Start acting like it. You don’t get to be reckless, Avni. You want to fight? Then learn how to fight."

And then—he left.

Avni groaned, rolling onto her back.

"Great. Just what I needed. Boot camp with the dictator."

But for the first time—she understood.

Arnav wasn’t punishing her because he was cruel.

He was making sure she survived.

And maybe, just maybe—he wasn’t the worst after all.

To Be Continued…