Brother

Author’s POV

The next afternoon, Divyansh stood outside a quiet café near Avni’s office.

He checked his watch.

3:52 PM.

Eight minutes early.

Normally, he hated waiting.

But today he didn’t mind.

Because today he was meeting the most important person in Avni’s life.

Her brother.

Avyaan.

Divyansh adjusted the sleeves of his shirt for the third time.

“Relax,” he muttered to himself.

“You’re just meeting her brother.”

He paused.

“…not appearing for an interview.”

But honestly?

This felt exactly like an interview.

A very dangerous one.

He checked his phone again.

No new messages.

Avni had only sent one message in the morning.

“Don’t worry. Just be yourself.”

Divyansh sighed.

“Easy for you to say.”

Just then—

“Divyansh Singh?”

The voice behind him was calm but sharp.

Divyansh turned around.

A tall young man stood a few steps away.

Sharp jawline.

Serious eyes.

And an expression that clearly said:

I don’t trust you yet.

Avni’s brother.

Avyaan.

Divyansh straightened instantly.

“Yes.”

Avyaan looked him up and down.

Slowly.

Like a security scanner.

Then he spoke again.

“Chaliye.”

No smile.

No greeting.

Just that one word.

Divyansh nodded and followed him inside the café.

Inside the Café

They sat across from each other at a corner table.

The waiter approached.

“Sir, what would you like to order?”

Divyansh looked at Avyaan.

“Coffee?”

Avyaan didn’t even look at the menu.

“I didn’t come here for coffee.”

The waiter awkwardly stepped away.

Divyansh cleared his throat.

Great start.

For a moment Avyaan said nothing.

He just observed him.

Carefully.

Divyansh felt like he was being examined under a microscope.

Finally Avyaan leaned forward.

“I’ll ask direct questions.”

Divyansh nodded.

“Ji.”

“Why do you want to marry my sister?”

The question came without hesitation.

Divyansh didn’t rush his answer.

“Because I like her.”

Avyaan’s expression didn’t change.

“That’s not enough.”

Divyansh nodded.

“I know.”

He folded his hands on the table.

“I respect her.”

“I admire the life she built.”

“And I understand how important you are to her.”

That caught Avyaan’s attention.

“You understand?”

Divyansh nodded calmly.

“She raised you.”

Avyaan didn’t speak.

Divyansh continued.

“She managed her career and took care of you after your parents passed away.”

Silence.

A heavier one this time.

“And I know something else,” Divyansh added.

Avyaan raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

Divyansh spoke honestly.

“If I ever hurt her…”

He paused.

“You’ll probably break my bones.”

For a moment Avyaan stared at him.

Then the corner of his lips twitched.

Almost a smile.

“Good.”

“At least you understand the situation.”

Divyansh relaxed slightly.

Then Avyaan asked another question.

“You know she’s older than you.”

“Yes.”

“Five years.”

“I know.”

“And that doesn’t bother you?”

Divyansh shrugged.

“Not really.”

Avyaan frowned slightly.

“Why?”

Divyansh smiled a little.

“Actually… it helps.”

Avyaan looked confused.

“Helps?”

Divyansh nodded.

“She’s more mature than me.”

“So she’ll stop me from making stupid decisions.”

That made Avyaan chuckle softly.

“Smart answer.”

But his expression quickly became serious again.

“My sister has suffered a lot.”

Divyansh nodded quietly.

“I know.”

“She doesn’t show it,” Avyaan continued.

“She always acts strong.”

“But I’ve seen everything.”

His voice lowered.

“Every struggle.”

Divyansh listened carefully.

“So if you ever make her cry…”

Avyaan didn’t finish the sentence.

But the meaning was clear.

Divyansh spoke calmly.

“I won’t.”

Avyaan studied his face.

Looking for hesitation.

Looking for doubt.

But he found none.

“Tell me something,” Avyaan said.

Divyansh nodded.

“You asked her to marry you on the second meeting.”

Divyansh scratched his neck awkwardly.

“Yes.”

“Why so fast?”

Divyansh thought for a moment.

Then he answered honestly.

“Because I didn’t want to lose her.”

Avyaan narrowed his eyes.

“You barely know her.”

Divyansh smiled softly.

“That’s true.”

“But sometimes you don’t need years to recognize a good person.”

He leaned slightly forward.

“And your sister…”

He shook his head slightly.

“She’s rare.”

That answer made Avyaan quiet again.

After a few seconds he asked another question.

“You love her?”

Divyansh didn’t hesitate.

“Not yet.”

That surprised Avyaan.

Divyansh continued calmly.

“But I want to.”

“And I want to give her the kind of life where she never feels alone again.”

The sincerity in his voice was impossible to fake.

Avyaan slowly leaned back in his chair.

Then he crossed his arms.

Divyansh waited.

Finally Avyaan spoke.

“Alright.”

Divyansh blinked.

“Alright?”

Avyaan nodded.

“You passed.”

Divyansh let out a dramatic sigh.

“Thank God.”

Avyaan smirked slightly.

“But don’t celebrate yet.”

Divyansh frowned.

“Why?”

Avyaan stood up.

“You still have to survive my sister during arguments.”

Divyansh laughed.

“That sounds more dangerous.”

Avyaan walked toward the café exit.

“So… did I get your approval?”

Avyaan opened the café door.

Then he looked back at him.

“Let’s just say…”

He paused for dramatic effect.

“You’re not getting punched today.”

Divyansh laughed.

And for the first time since the meeting began

The tension between them disappeared.

But both of them knew something important.

This was just the beginning.

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