The morning after Avni's punishment, the Oberoi household was unusually quiet. The usual banter and chaos were replaced with a sense of tension, as everyone seemed to be awaiting something. Avni, still processing the events of the previous day, was seated at the breakfast table, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Arnav, as usual, was the first to speak, his tone firm yet calm. "Avni, today, we’ll have a discussion about what happened yesterday. This isn’t just about the fight—it’s about your approach to handling situations."

Avni looked up from her plate, her face still flushed from the humiliation, but there was a hint of acceptance in her eyes. "I get it, Arnav. I overreacted, and I let my emotions take control. But can we please stop with the constant punishments? It’s not going to change me overnight."

Arnav’s gaze softened, but only slightly. "I’m not doing this to hurt you, Avni. I’m doing it because I care about you and your future. If you don’t learn how to control your reactions now, it will only get worse."

There was a moment of silence as everyone waited for Avni’s response. Finally, she sighed deeply. "Okay, I get it. I’ll try to do better. But... do we really need to go to extremes every time I make a mistake?"

Arnav’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her, considering her words. "We’re not going to extremes. You’re simply learning how to make better choices. But since you’ve admitted your mistake, we’ll call this lesson over. However, this doesn’t mean you’re off the hook when it comes to responsibility."

Avni nodded in agreement, feeling a mix of relief and dread. She didn’t want to be the cause of constant tension in the house, but at the same time, she hated being controlled so strictly.

A Shift in the Dynamic

The day went on, and the house began to feel like it was returning to normal. The usual routines of the household resumed, but something had shifted. Avni noticed that her siblings—especially Arnav—were being more patient with her, but it wasn’t the same as before. The respect they had for one another was now coupled with a deeper understanding.

After breakfast, Ayush and Aryan were hanging out in the living room, scrolling through their phones. Aryan had a mischievous grin on his face as he spoke up.

"Hey, Avni, you’re not the only one with problems at school, you know. I got into a bit of trouble with a teacher yesterday," he said, trying to lighten the mood.

Ayush raised an eyebrow. "What did you do now, Aryan?"

"I might’ve skipped class... again," Aryan replied sheepishly, a grin spreading across his face. "I thought I could get away with it. Guess I was wrong."

Avni couldn’t help but laugh. "At least you’re not hiding it like some people," she teased, looking over at Ayush, who was smirking.

Ayush leaned back in his chair. "What can I say? I’m a model student." He chuckled as he grabbed his books to go study.

Despite her frustrations earlier, Avni felt a sense of camaraderie with her brothers. Punishments aside, she realized they all had their own battles, and maybe she wasn’t the only one struggling.

Arnav’s Final Word

As the evening came, Arnav pulled Avni aside into his study. The weight of his presence was still felt, and she braced herself for another lecture. But instead of the harshness she expected, Arnav’s demeanor was calm, almost fatherly.

"Avni, I know it’s not easy to change your ways," he said, his voice softer than it had been in days. "But I believe you can do it. I believe you have more potential than you realize."

Avni met his gaze, her voice steady. "I know you want what’s best for me, Arnav. And I’m sorry for acting out. But it’s hard when no one understands... It’s hard when I feel like I’m not really seen."

Arnav’s expression softened. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I get that, Avni. I do. But you don’t have to fight everyone. You don’t have to do everything on your own. We’re a family, and you’re not alone in this. We may have our differences, but we can work through them together."

There was a moment of silence as Avni absorbed his words. She had spent so much time pushing against her family, especially Arnav, trying to assert her independence. But in that moment, she realized that perhaps strength didn’t always mean going it alone—it meant having the humility to ask for help.

"Thank you," she whispered, feeling a sense of relief that was long overdue. "I’ll try harder. I promise."

A New Beginning

The next few weeks were not without their challenges, but something had shifted within the Oberoi household. Arnav’s tough love had worked, not by breaking Avni, but by showing her that growth was a constant process.

Avni began to show signs of maturity, working on improving her attitude and becoming more open to the guidance of her brothers. She was still headstrong, still stubborn, but there was now a glimmer of something deeper beneath the surface—a willingness to learn and change.

And as the days passed, it became clear to everyone that Avni’s path to growth wouldn’t be easy—but at least now, she wasn’t walking it alone.

To be continued...