Radhe Radhe readers💙🦚✨

Author

The night was eerily quiet, Ekaghra was sitting in his dimly lit home office. His brows furrowed and his concentration totally on the bunch of papers he had in hand. The sleeves of his black shirt folded perfectly right above his forearm, peeking through it were the veiny hands that could turn heads without even trying.

The air is thick with the scent of old books and a faint trace of cologne. He swiftly twirled the pen between his fingers, his focus unwavering until his phone beside him vibrates. An unknown number-it flashed. His brows furrowed as he picked it up, a flicker of irritation in his stormy gaze. It was late-too late for nonsense.

"Speak" He commanded in his authoritative voice, the darkness of his aura inflicting on his heavy voice. His gruff deep voice came through as his gaze remained fixated on the document he was reading previously.

"We found them Boss" Came the reply from other end.

Ekaghra's gaze flickered as he abandoned the documents in his hands. He left a long deep sigh before leaning back on his arm chair. He massaged his forehead a little, this was the only news he had been awaiting for years.

"You sure it's them Sunil?" Ekaghra crossed question though his tone didn't flickered even with the doubt in it.

"101% sure sir. It's them" Sunil said confidently, mentally cross checking every detail he had found about them.
Ekaghra sighed heavily,

"Send me the details"

-×-

The dim glow of the chandelier barely softened the darkness of the grand study. Ekaghra sat behind his desk, his fingers clasped together as he gazed at his two eldest sons standing before him.

Shivansh and Agastya.

His sharp, unreadable eyes flickered between them, the weight of his next words pressing heavily upon the room.

"Seventeen years" His voice was deep, calculated, carrying the weight of time itself.

"For seventeen years, I allowed her to hide from me. To keep away both my son and my new born." His jaw tightened slightly, but his tone remained composed maintaining his manly demeanour "But now, I've had enough."

Shivansh and Agastya stood still, glancing at each other for a second. They had never seen their dad this pissed in the last seventeen years.

Not after that incident atleast. He was the best dad one could ever wish for. He looked after them well even after their own mother decided to abandon them.

Yet seeing their Dad today made them realise the length of sufferings he had endured in these painful span of seventeen years.

When the love of his life decided to leave him and run away. Their expressions neutral but their eyes dark with the same restrained emotions-anger and loss.

Ekaghra leaned forward, his gaze burning into theirs. "It's time to bring them back." A pause settled in the room. The air felt heavier than it initially was. This was the moment each one of them had anticipated for the last years of their lives.

However today, their dad's decision felt unconvincing. Were they really ready to welcome back their mother and younger brothers? When one of them was even unborn when the lady decided to walk out of the Raizada mansion with their youngest brother.

Shivansh was the first to speak. He cleared his throat, gaining the attention of both his younger brother and his father "You're sure she's there?" His voice was deep resembling his father's though there was an edge of something else, something he would never admit.

Fear. Fear of abandonment.
Something that was so out of character for the mafia heir.

Ekaghra nodded. "I've confirmed it. She's been hiding there with your younger brother all these years." He exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. "Dhundho unhe tum dono. Aur ghar wapas leke aao to where they actually belong."
(Find them both of you)
(And bring them back home)

Agastya scoffed lightly, arms crossed. "Aur agar wo nhi maani aane ke liye toh?" Though he tried his best to hide but the uncertainty in his tone wasn't missed his father and elder brother.
(And what if she doesn't agree to come with us?)

The people who could read the boy-they had raised all these years. They could easily see through his piercing facade of indifference.

Ekaghra's expression remained unreadable, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You guys know what to do." Shivansh and Agastya immediately caught of what Ekaghra was hinting at. They just hoped that they didn't had to use 'one of those ways' to bring back their family.

Shivansh inhaled deeply, processing the weight of the command. It wasn't just about bringing their mother back.

It was about retrieving the brother they'd lost and the brother who had grown up without them. He just hoped that all three of them would agree-especially their mother.

Without another word, both brothers nodded. There was no need for further discussion. They had their orders from their dad-their actual boss. And nothing was going to stop them from fulfilling them.

If it's their dad's wish, they had to fulfill it.
Anyhow

-×-

The mansion stood silent, drenched in the golden hues of dusk, but the tension in the air was palpable. Akshay was a businessman, though he liked keeping his identity a secret for obvious reasons yet he never compromised on his security.

He had a reason for building the mansion away from the crowded city area almost near the woods. The mansion was surrounded by tight security. The guards outside were vigilant, but they weren't ready for what was coming.

For seventeen years, Shivansh and Agastya had lived with unanswered questions, a void where their mother and younger brother should have been. And now, here they were at her doorstep, ready to take them back.

Ekaghra's words still echoed in their minds.

"Bring them home."

Shivansh closed his eyes, clenching his fists. He didn't wanted to take them by force and hence silently wanted them to agree without any chaos.

Yet who was he kidding, the Raizadas were a second name to chaos. Nothing in the Raizada family was done without a pinch of drama.

Agastya, on the other hand, remained unfazed. He wasn't thinking about anything but his mother. He was the closest to her before she left and the most heartbroken too when she did. He always questioned that why did she take Akshay instead of him?

Wasn't he good enough?
Did he trouble her too much by his presence?

He always blamed himself upon not finding the answers to his questions. Yet as the time passed, he grew up and understood that he wasn't anywhere wrong on his part.

It was always his mother's decision that was wrong. It was always her who broke the happy family he once loved. She was the reason of his sorrow.

With all these thoughts, Shivansh and Agastya stepped out of their car, their presence imposing.

Their men followed closely behind, their gazes scanning the mansion's security. Shivansh had ordered them of what is to be done if the situation seemed unfavorable at any point.

Agastya cracked his knuckles, his jaw tight. "Kaafi security laga rkhi hain bhaiya." He remarked while raising an eyebrow.
(They have stationed quite much security bhaiya)

Shivansh's eyes darkened as he too scanned the number of men standing outside the house,"That's not what bothers me right now."

Agastya frowned. He was about to ask his eldest brother of what was he talking about just then, "Stop right there." Someone warned.

Both the brothers halted in their ways, their demeanour darkening every second as the distance between them and the mansion kept on decreasing.

It was a guard, dressed in the formal black code with an ear piece hanging loosely. "Do you have permission sir?" He asked, his voice steady with the authority he was under. He was all armed, alert, and foolish enough to challenge them.

Agastya scoffed mockingly, a smirk forming on his lips as he mocked the guard's audacity to ask the Raizadas permission to meet their own family. Shivansh took a step further towards the door, not bothering to answer the tall man.

One of the men raised a gun. "Aap permision ke bina andar nhi jaa skte" He spoke blocking Shivansh's way infront of the door. Shivansh smirked, pulling off his blazer with slow precision.
(You guys can't go inside without permission)

This was the opportunity he didn't wanted to occur. "Permission?" He handed his blazer to Agastya, rolling up his sleeves.

He moved a step towards the guard before muttering lowly in a dangerous whisper, "We Raizadas don't need permission to meet our own family idiot"

The guards eyes widened but before he could react, Shivansh landed a sharp punch to his gut, sending him staggering backward. Chaos erupted. This was the sign.

Agastya moved swiftly, dodging an attack and slamming a man into the ground. Shivansh ordered his men, who were more than ready to attack.

The air filled with the sound of fists meeting flesh, bodies hitting the ground. Within minutes, the guards were disarmed, groaning on the floor.

Shivansh dusted off his hands. "Bas itna hi tha?" He looked around at the bodies of the previously stationed guards and the ones his men were still fighting.
(Only this much?)

Agastya shook his head. mocked arrongantly. "Disappointing." He definitely expected better from his younger brother.

Both the brothers moved in authority as
they pushed open the grand doors, stepping into the house with the confidence of men who owned it. The mansion was beautiful, living upto the standards. Though built away from city it was still magnificent.

They walked into the living area directly upon hearing some shuffling voices. Their steps slow and deliberate. They saw a figure keeping a cup of coffee on the table. As they moved closer they got a clearer view of her. And there she was.

Shivanya

The woman who gave birth to them.
Their mother.

Shivanya's gaze turned towards him. She gasped, clutching the cloth near her chest on shock. Her breath hitched, choking in her throat for second as she took a clear view of them.

"Shivansh" She looked at her eldest, all grownup into a handsome man. Just like his father. Her eyes teared up as she moved her gaze towards her second eldest.

"Agastya" she muttered, her voice almost a whisper as she struggled with her words. It almost felt like a dream to her.

Seeing her two elder sons after full seventeen years. She felt both ecstatic and threatened at the same time. The presence of her two sons meant only one thing-her husband had found her.

"Good morning Mrs.Raizada, Surprise!" Chills ran down her spine as her eldest addressed her in his cold tone. The cup from her hand slipped, shattering into pieces as it touched the floor.

Shivanya didn't react, didn't answer. She remained stiff in her place. Still registering every event that was happening.

Agastya crossed his arms, looking her up and down. "Aapko dekh kar toh nahi lagta ki aap itne saalon ke liye guilty feel kar rahi hain" He commented looking at his mother.
(Seeing you doesn't feels like you were even feeling guilty for so many years)

Shivanya's eyes teared up as she shook her head frantically,"Aisa nhi h beta-". She was about to step further but by then Shivansh's men had already surrounded the place.
(It's not like that son-)

As Shivanya tried to take a step towards them, all the guns went up right in her direction. Aiming at her. Shivansh though wanted to order his guards to keep their guns down but he couldn't bring himself to do that.

He couldn't trust the woman who had once managed to run away. Shivanya's lips parted slightly, but before she could speak-

"Leave her." A cold, authoritative voice cut through the air. Though his voice had deepened over the years yet his brothers could recognize it. It was their youngest brother,

Akshay

Akshay entered the scene unfazed, holding his gun up. He stood at the entrance, his suit immaculate, his face unknowingly calm. But the storm in his eyes was evident.

His eyes flickered to the two men in black suit standing tall and they widened in realisation as his hold loosened on the gun. "Bhaiya" the word felt foreign as it left his mouth. It had been years he had addressed someone with that.

Shivansh's eyes flickered with an emotion. He looked towards Agastya, who mirrored his expressions though masking it well.

This was their same brother. The youngest amongst them. One they had pampered beyond limits.

Akshay's gun instantly went down as he entered the scene, shocked by his elder brothers' presence.

"Drop the guns" Shivansh ordered, voice was firm, laced with warning.

Agastya rolled his eyes, taking a seat on the sofa,"Chalo accha h dono log khud hi aa gye. Mehnat kam krni padi" He leaned back a little, sitting comfortably as if he owned the place.
(It's good that both of you came on your own. We had to put in less hardwork atleast)

Shivansh stood firm, unwavering. "Hum aapko lene aaye h Mrs.Raizada."The formal way he addressed her-Mrs. Raizada-cut through her like a knife.
(We have come to take you with us Mrs.Raizada)

She flinched internally, her lips parting as if to say something, to argue, to explain. But before she could, Shivansh's voice came again, harder this time.

"It's dad's order Mrs.Raizada" The determination in Shivansh's voice echoed his actions and words. He was a true resemblance of his father, Ekaghra Singh Raizada-the man she still loves with all her heart.

Shivansh and Agastya stood before her, tall and imposing, the weight of seventeen years of separation settling between them like an unspoken storm.

Their faces were carved with hard lines, their eyes holding emotions too deep to be expressed in words-pain, betrayal, longing, and an unshakabe determination.

"And we don't disobey him." Agastya spoke harshly, his tone unforgiving laced with utter amount of bitterness that he held in his heart for the woman,"Atleast not for the person who left us years ago."

Shivanya's eyes teared up at the accusations in her own son's voice. His fingers curled into fists, emotions swirling in her chest. They don't understand why she did that. They never will.

"Bhaiya atleast listen to mom. Let her explain" Akshay intervened clearly aware of the turmoil his brothers must be suffering from. He had been in that place years ago but now he had understood the reason behind everything.
(Bhaiya atleast listen to mom)

Shivansh's gaze burned in his, the ferocity his eyes betraying the soft corner he held in his heart for his youngest brother, "Kyun sunu mai Aksh?" Shivansh spoke making Akshay speechless. "Satra saal se aap dono chhup ke baithe ho. Bas ab aur nhi."
(Why should I listen to her Aksh?

For seventeen years you guys have been hiding from us. But today it's enough)

His voice was firm clearly giving out the decision. The weight of those seventeen years echoed in his voice. Years where they had waited. Years where they had searched. Years where they had hated her for leaving.

Shivansh's eyes darted towards his mother, "Dad wants the whole family together now and you guys are coming with us." He announced through the sheer silence in the room. The finality in his tone left no room for argument.

"And even our youngest brother." Agastya's voice held scoff, a lingering resentment that couldn't be masked.

"Jisse aapne chupa ke rakha hai humse." Shivanya's breath hitched at this annoucement. How can she forget that they didn't know about her?
(The one you have hidden from us)

Both Shivanya and Akshay shared a brief look that wasn't missed by the brothers. Shivanya fiddled with her fingers taking in a deep breath. Akshay opened his mouth to utter something but was interrupted by a gasp,

All the eyes turned towards the sound,

"Dada"

A soft hesitant voice came.

The world stopped for Shivansh and Agastya. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. A girl stood at the top of the staircase. But what was she doing in their mother's house?

Shivansh frowned and looked at Agastya, who shared his look. Both of them were utterly confused. What was a girl possibly doing in the house, she wasn't even looking Akshay's age to assume something.

And then, before they could make sense of anything, the girl suddenly rushed down the stairs, her feets moving too fast according to the staircase. Their hearts lurched with panic when she stumbled on the last steps.

"Nikki!" Akshay's panicked voice rang through the air, thick with concern.

Shivansh felt his own heart stop for a second. His body moved on instinct, a step forward, his hands almost reaching out. But before he could react, the girl managed to steady herself at the last moment, standing upright. Relief flooded him.

The girl had made him scared to no end.
But why?

The girl-Nikki-didn't seem to notice their reactions. She ran straight into Akshay's arms, wrapping herself around his torso as if seeking comfort, as if she had done this a hundred times before.

Akshay, with the same instinct, placed a protective hand on her head, his touch gentle, reassuring. Shivanya squeezed her eyes closed at the realisation-they know the truth now. The truth, her and Akshay were hiding from seventeen years.

As Shivansh noticed the way she ran to Akshay, realisation drowned upon him.
He had noticed that she had called someone 'Dada' and now it made sense who it was actually. Agastya too looked infront of him horrified.

She was a girl. Not a boy. They weren't sure what they were thinking was true or not. Did they spend their seventeen years in the wrap of a misconception?

If yes then Akshay's protective hold around the girl made sense.

As Shivanya opened her eyes, her gaze met with the two pair of eyes staring right at her with a questionable look. Their jaws were clenched and their eyes fixed at her and Akshay.

But Shivansh felt his heart skip a beat as his eyes met hers-the same eye colour as his. In his family, everyone had their mother's black eye colour except him. He had inherited his father's golden brown orbs.

And now so did the girl standing infront of him.

Agastya too noticed it and both the brothers looked at their mother with the same question concealed in their eyes.

The tension in the room ceased when Shivanya-finding no way to hide this more-nodded her head in positive.

The moment of realization sinks in-Shivansh and Agastya couldn't help but turn their gaze towards the girl clinging onto Akshay, as if her life depended on him.

Not a brother.

But they had a little sister.

Both the brothers still couldn't believe the fact that their mother and younger brother have managed to hide their sister from them for seventeen years. Shivansh though being the eldest remains composed yet the strom of questions inside him betraying the outward composure.

Agastya, the hot headed amongst all his brothers-his thoughts swirl around with betrayals. Why did their mother lie to them? Why did she keep such a big truth away from them? What was the reason Akshay helped her in all this?
He clenched his fists, closing his eyes for a second as the questions in his mind remain unanswered.

The main question still was-

How will their dad react to this?

In their thoughts, they didn't realize that their eyes remained fixated on a certain soul for too long. Nikki looks up at Akshay-her arms still caging his torso-and then shifts on foot to another clearly giving away her discomfort. The guys infront of her were scary.

Akshay, sensing Nikki's discomfort, tightens his grip on her protectively. "Bas." He speaks loudly,"Enough. Don't look at her like that." His voice was sharp, heavy with concern for his sister as the two brothers snap out of their trance.
(Enough)

Shivansh seeing the situation, clears his throat gaining everyone's attention, "We'll talk about this at home"

He announces but as he sees Shivanya was about to protest he says raising an eyebrow in warning at her,"Let's go now. Dad must be waiting"

Shivanya and Akshay look at each other, after a while Akshay nods his head and they were about to follow the two brothers when Akshay stopped feeling a tug on his wrist.

"Mai nhi jaungi" Nikki's voice echoed in the silence of the room. Every pair of eyes turned towards her.
(I am not going)

She was looking at Akshay, whose gaze softened as his gaze met her expressions. He knew this expression.

"Mai nhi jaungi kahin Dada" she repeated herself firmly once averting her gaze at the two unfamiliar men standing in the room, only to avert when she saw Agastya raise a brow at her.
(I am not going anywhere Dada)

The guy was scary.

Akshay crouched down to her level, his hands gently resting on her shoulders. "Nikki Bacche" he called out softly, his voice laced with the same warmth she had always known. But Nikki only shook her head stubbornly, her grip tightening on her Dada.

"I don't want to go," she whispered, a hint of fear in her voice. Her gaze flickered towards the two unfamiliar men and then their guns, she pressed herself closer to Akshay, her small frame shadowed under his tall frame. This was noticed by Shivansh who felt a deep ache in his heart at her reaction.

Agastya rolled his eyes slightly, stepping back with crossed arms. He wasn't going to entertain the tantrum of a child, especially not when his patience was already running thin.

Shivansh, on the other hand, observed quietly, waiting to see how will Akshay handle the situation with the girl.

Akshay sighed, brushing a few strands of Nikki's hair back. "Nikki, listen to me," he spoke softly, "these people are here come for us bacche. We have to go with them." Her brows furrowed, and she shook her head again, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"But why, Dada? Hume kyun jaana h inke saath? Kaun h ye log?" She stole a glance at Shivanya, looking for support. "Mumma Hum yahaan theek hain na?"

(Why should we go with them Dada?
Who are they?)
(Mom, we're fine here, right?)

Shivanya inhaled deeply, stepping forward and crouching a little beside her. Her hand gently caressed Nikki's cheek as she smiled, though there was an unspoken sadness behind it.

"Beta, we are. But there are certain things which you don't know right now and I promise I will tell you them soon but right now" she assured her. "We have to go with them."

"But we don't even know them," Nikki argued mumbling as her gaze shifted to the less scary one-Shivansh. According to her judgement, he was just serious but wasn't scary at all.

"Nikki I told you na, there are things you don't even know bacche. Just trust us, baby" Shivanya said a little firmly this time.

"But who are they-" Nikki turned towards her mother, yet was interrupted by a sharp reprimand. "Nikki" Akshay said in his sharp voice.

Shivansh, who observed the change in voice was a little taken aback by how much his youngest brother had changed over the years. He sounded so much like them.

Nikki shut her mouth instantly seeing Akshay's stern gaze. "Akshay," Shivanya instantly reprimanded back her second youngest who looked at her dumbfounded.

Seeing her glare, he stepped back,"Fine, I am not scolding your Princess." he huffed. Nikki passed him a teasing smirk which wasn't missed by Shivansh as he looked at her amused.

Shivanya nodded. Shivansh who had been observing this conversation had a now a small almost invisible smile on his face.

"I know this is sudden, and I know you're scared, but you trust me and your Dada, right?" Shivanya asked

Nikki hesitated. Her mind screamed to protest again, to cling onto the comfort of her known world, but when she looked into Akshay's eyes-the ones that had always protected her, always reassured her-something in her resolve weakened. His stern gaze was enough.

After a long pause, Nikki finally gave a slow, reluctant nod. "Okay fine," she murmured, barely audible.

-×-

In the car, Shivansh sat on driving seat, while Agastya sat beside him on the passenger one. Shivanya and Akshay occupied the backseats with Nikki still clinging onto Akshay. Akshay had his arm wrapped around her, patting her back from time to time.

Shivansh sat quietly, the atmosphere of the car was tensed with thickness in the air increasing with every passing second. Agastya, on the other hand was opposite. He was the one who usually never lets emotions show, was now fuming-not at Nikki, but at the situation.

His patience wears thin as he utters through gritted teeth, "Why did you do all this, Mrs.Raizada?" The years of hatred surfaced in his voice automatically.

Shivanya nearly flinched at his tone. Agastya turned towards her, his eyes dark with rage. He eyed Nikki before averting his gaze at his mother, "Why did you hide such a big truth from us?"

"Didn't I said we'll talk about this later, Agastya?" Shivansh's voice boomed in the car but Agastya didn't budge. "I want to know the truth right know, Bhaiya."

His voice was firm. Shivanya looked down, her lips pressed into a thin line, refusing to meet Agastya's furious gaze.

Akshay's hold on Nikki instinctively tightened, as if shielding her from the storm brewing inside the car. He knew that Agastya's temper wasn't something to be tested.

He had always been this hot headed. Even the smallest of the arguments led to fist fights when he was in school.

Agastya let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. "Of course. No answers. No explanations. Just silence. Just like always. But afsoos aap abhi yahan se bhaag nhi skti humesha ki tarah," he spat, his fingers curling into fists on his lap.

(Unfortunately you cannot run away from this situation like you always do"

"Seventeen years, Mrs. Raizada. Satra saal. Do you even realize what you've done?" His voice was laced with something dangerous-betrayal.
(Seventeen years)

"Agastya, bas," Shivansh warned again, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. This wasn't the best time to discuss all this.
(Enough)

"Seriously, Bhaiya? Abhi bhi aap mujhe hi rokenge?" Agastya snapped. Nikki flinched slightly not expecting this reaction. Her hands gripping Akshay's shirt tightly.
(Seriously bhaiya? You'll still stop me?)

"Hum inse kyun nhi puchte ki kyun ye hume itne saal pehle chhodh ke gyi? Kyun inhone humse humari life ka itna bada sach chupaya?" Agastya's enraged gaze flickered to Nikki before directing back to his mother," Kyun ye hume aur dad ko akela chhodh ke gyi?"

(Why don't we ask her why did she leave us years ago? Why did she hide such a big truth of our lives from us?

Why did she leave us and das alone?)

Akshay shot his second eldest brother a warning glare, his hold on his sister protective. "Lower your voice, Bhaiyu," he said, his tone eerily calm.

His sister won't say but she was getting uncomfortable. "Don't you dare call me that, Akshay!" Agastya snapped back at him, catching the other off guard. He didn't notice Nikita.

Suddenly a thought striked Agastya and he scoffed with a smirk,"You lived with her(Shivanya), didn't you? You knew everything. You had the truth. And you never thought that maybe, just maybe, we had the right to know?"

Akshay remained speechless with the look in Agastya's eyes. He couldn't hold the glare coming his way and just averted his gaze.

Akshay's jaw tensed. He didn't respond, he had no answers to his question. His silence was an answer in itself, and that only made Agastya's blood boil further.

The car suddenly came to halt as Shivansh abruptly pressed the break.

"Will you both just shut up?" Shivansh yelled in a low gritted tone. His silent warning conveying to both his brothers. This wasn't the time to fight and he wanted his foolish brothers to understand it.

"We will discuss this at home and if you guys dare utter a word now then you'll face the consequences" Akshay nodded his head while Agastya just rolled his eyes sinking back into his car seat with a huff.

Shivansh took a quick glance at both of them and then at his sister who was saying something to Akshay-which he couldn't hear-before starting the car again.

-×-