Strings of Fate

Chapter 3: Ashes of Worry

The evening air was thick with the scent of jasmine and incense, but it did nothing to mask the tension in Reetwik's posture. He stood at the balcony, leaning against the cold railing, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. His usually bright eyes were clouded with something heavier—something that didn't sit right with Aarav.

With a sigh, Aarav strode over. Without a word, he plucked the cigarette from Reetwik's grasp and crushed it under his shoe.

Reetwik groaned. "Aarav, seriously?"

"You know I don't like this," Aarav said coolly, folding his arms.

Reetwik ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "It helps."

"It doesn't."

Reyansh, who had been silently standing a few feet away, observed the interaction with mild intrigue. His sharp eyes caught the way Aarav's jaw tightened, the silent but firm authority in his actions.

Reetwik let out a slow exhale. "It's my last night before marriage, Aarav. Everything's changing. I feel like I'm losing myself."

Aarav's expression softened for a fraction of a second. But before he could say anything, Reetwik pulled out another cigarette, lighting it up with a practiced motion.

Aarav didn't stop him this time. Instead, in a move that made Reetwik's heart drop, Aarav snatched the cigarette from his fingers and—without hesitation—brought it to his own lips.

Reetwik's eyes widened in horror. "Aarav! What the hell are you doing?"

Reyansh's gaze darkened, his stance shifting slightly, as if sensing something was wrong.

Reetwik quickly grabbed Aarav's wrist. "Are you insane?! You have asthma!"

Aarav exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his expression unreadable. "If you won't stop, why should I?"

Reetwik's hands trembled. "Aarav, please, stop it. This isn't funny."

The slight wheeze in Aarav's breath was barely noticeable, but Reyansh caught it instantly. His trained instincts kicked in, and before Reetwik could panic further, Reyansh stepped forward, swiftly snatching the cigarette from Aarav and crushing it beneath his foot.

His voice was firm, controlled. "That's enough."

Aarav glared at him but said nothing, his chest rising and falling just a bit too fast.

Reetwik turned to Reyansh, his voice desperate. "Bhai, do something! He's—he's going to get an attack."

Reyansh's sharp gaze flickered to Aarav. "Where's your inhaler?"

Aarav clenched his jaw. "I don't need—"

"Where. Is. It."

There was something commanding in Reyansh's tone, something that even Aarav couldn't ignore. Gritting his teeth, Aarav reached into his pocket and tossed the inhaler toward Reetwik.

Reyansh didn't let Reetwik handle it. Instead, he grabbed it himself, stepping closer to Aarav, holding it up with a no-nonsense expression.

"Breathe," he ordered.

Aarav scowled but, feeling the tightness in his chest, took the inhaler and used it begrudgingly.

Reetwik ran a hand down his face, looking shaken. "Aarav, you absolute idiot."

Aarav exhaled slowly, his breathing finally stabilizing. "See? I'm fine."

Reyansh scoffed. "You're reckless."

Aarav shot him a glare, but Reyansh had already turned away, his attention still on Reetwik.

"You," Reyansh said to his younger brother, "are done with smoking."

Reetwik swallowed hard and nodded.

Aarav chuckled weakly. "Good. If I almost die every time you smoke, maybe you'll finally quit."

Reetwik scowled. "Not funny."

But in the quiet night air, as the tension faded, Aarav knew Reetwik had gotten the message.

To be continued...