The Tension Builds

The house was too quiet.

Which could only mean one thing—danger was near.

Aryan, Ayush, and Avni sat in the living room, staring at the sealed envelopes in their hands. Their exam results.

Aryan gulped. "Maybe if we burn them, no one will ever know."

Ayush sighed. "And then we’ll be burned alive by Anirudh and Arnav."

Avni groaned. "Why does life hate us?"

Just then—

Thud.

Anirudh dropped a thick file on the table. "Open them. Now."

Arnav leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Let’s see how badly you embarrassed the Oberoi name this time."

The three younger siblings exchanged nervous glances.

Reality Hits Hard

Aryan peeked at his result.

"Okay… okay… oh. Oh no."

Ayush looked at his.

"Shit."

Avni opened hers.

"I AM DEAD!"

Anirudh snatched the papers from them before they could run.

Arnav raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

Anirudh scanned the marks.

Aryan: 35 in Math.

Ayush: 40 in Economics.

Avni: 33 in Science.

Silence.

Then—

"YOU USELESS IDIOTS!" Anirudh slammed the papers on the table. "What were you doing the entire semester?!"

Aryan muttered, "Uh… bonding?"

"Bonding?! Bonding?!" Anirudh looked ready to kill. "You bonded so much that now you’ll be bonded to re-exams!"

Arnav sighed. "Disgraceful. You’re Oberois, not some failing street kids."

Ayush grinned nervously. "Technically, we passed. Barely."

Bad choice of words.

Because the next thing they knew—

Thwack!

Arnav smacked Ayush on the back of his head.

Anirudh grabbed Aryan by the ear. "You think this is funny?!"

Avni tried to sneak away.

"STOP RIGHT THERE." Arnav’s voice was dangerously calm.

She froze.

The Punishment Begins

Anirudh sighed. "Alright. You leave us no choice."

Aryan gulped. "Please… no Murga again."

Arnav smirked. "No. This time, it’s worse."

"WORSE?!"

The Next Day: Library Lockdown

The younger siblings found themselves trapped in the massive Oberoi library, surrounded by books.

Anirudh placed thick textbooks in front of them. "You will study every subject properly. No distractions."

Arnav added, "And if you fail again…"

Ayush gulped. "What?"

Arnav smirked. "Let’s just say… Murga punishment will feel like a vacation."

Aryan, Ayush, and Avni shuddered.

Studying had never felt more terrifying.

To Be Continued…