Mafia's Heartbeat

chapter 15

JoohaIsMyPoha u finally got your wish of slapping komal

The living room of the haveli was warm, glowing softly in the golden afternoon light. Everyone was lounging after lunch-Rahul reading the paper, Anjali sorting photos, Kritika sipping juice, Nikhil scrolling through the family group chat, and Nishant sitting cross-legged on the carpet. Aarav was sprawled on the floor with Tanuj tucked against his side, dozing gently with a pacifier between his lips and his hand fisted in Aarav's shirt.

A moment of peace.

Until Komal's voice broke the stillness.

"Can I ask something... without everyone attacking me for it?"

No one answered. That was answer enough.

But Komal pushed anyway. Her eyes flicked to the small figure curled in Aarav's lap.

"Why does he ,Tanuj still act like a child? Always sucking a pacifier, carrying those toys, needing lullabies... He's what, nineteen ?"

The air turned brittle.

Tanuj stirred slightly, but didn't register the words. His world was soft he didn't understand sharp things anymore.

Aarav didn't even look at Komal. His voice was low but firm. "Because something broke him. And he chose to live in a place where he feels safe. A place this world never gave him."

Rahul lowered his paper. Anjali set the album down. Even Kritika put her glass aside.

Komal blinked, unsure. "But that's not healthy. I mean, it's... childish. He should grow up-"

SLAP.

Kritika's hand met Komal's cheek before anyone could stop her.

"You don't get to say that," she spat. "Not when you don't know what he's survived."

Tanuj flinched at the sound, confused. He looked up at Aarav with teary eyes.

"b-bhai?" he whimpered.

Aarav instantly shifted, brushing Tanuj's curls back and murmuring softly. "Shh, sweetheart. Everything's okay. You're safe. Bhaiya's here."

Nikhil rose from his place and knelt beside Aarav. "Tanuj, look." He smiled, offering a soft plush bunny. "Bunbun missed you."

Tanuj smiled sleepily and took it, giggling as Nikhil kissed his forehead.

No one said anything for a moment.

Then, softly, Aarav spoke again. Eyes locked with Komal's.

"He was six. I wasn't home. Our father dragged me out to punish me for speaking back. While I was gone, our mother... she locked him in a dark room. Beat him. Threw away his toys. Told him he shouldn't exist."

Tanuj hummed quietly, stroking his plushie. He didn't remember the words. But his body did.

Aarav swallowed. "By the time I found him, he had stopped crying. Just rocking. Whispering a lullaby to himself. He wasn't six anymore. He wasn't anything. He stayed in that little space to survive."

Silence.

Rahul's eyes were damp. Anjali was quietly weeping, her hand over her mouth.

Nikhil ran his fingers through Tanuj's hair, voice gentle. "You don't need to grow up, Tanuj. Not for anyone. We'll protect your little world."

And behind them all, quiet but burning inside, stood Nishant.

His fists clenched.

His jaw tight.