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Hello My Gummy Bears🧸

Hope you all are amazing.

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Aarav's POV

The fluorescent lights of my father's cabin hummed, a monotonous drone that seemed to amplify the tension in the room. He'd summoned me with an urgency that set my teeth on edge. "A last-minute meeting," he declared, his voice devoid of its usual warmth. "Clients rescheduled. Something unavoidable."

I nodded, the familiar knot of frustration tightening in my stomach. Last-minute changes disrupted everything. But arguing was pointless. I'd learned long ago that questioning Dad's decisions was a waste of breath. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something more was going on, something they weren't telling me.

The meeting was a blur of technical jargon and forced smiles. My mind wandered, replaying the strange look on Dad's face, the way Uncle had avoided my gaze. The moment I stepped back into the office, I was met with a sight that confirmed my suspicions. Dad and Uncle were grinning like Cheshire cats, their eyes gleaming with an unnerving excitement. It wasn't the usual prideful smile of successful businessmen; it was something else, something secretive.

Returning home only deepened the mystery. The house, usually a haven of calm, crackled with an odd energy. Whispers followed me, and everyone seemed to freeze whenever I entered a room. I tried to dismiss it, blaming my overactive imagination, but the unease persisted.

The next morning, the gym offered a brief respite, a chance to clear my head. But the moment I stepped back into the house, the strange behaviour returned in full force. Everyone was gathered in the living room, their conversation dying abruptly as I entered.

"Good morning," I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrayed my suspicion. "What's going on?"

"What do you mean, bhai?" Akarsh asked, his eyes wide with feigned innocence.

"Don't play dumb," I retorted, my patience wearing thin. "You're all acting weird."

"We're just discussing Aditya's wedding," Maa interjected, her voice too smooth, too rehearsed. "He asked us to attend all the functions."

"Right," I said, unconvinced. "Of course."

The day at the office was a chaotic mess, a relentless barrage of meetings and phone calls. By evening, I was exhausted, my head pounding. Then, Maa called, requesting I pick up dresses from the mall. It was a strange request, but I agreed, wanting to get it over with.

The mall was crowded, the air thick with the scent of perfume and the murmur of shoppers. As I walked towards the store, my phone rang. It was a business call, and I answered, my attention momentarily diverted.

Then, I saw it: a ladder swaying precariously above a woman. Without thinking, I reacted, pulling her towards me just as the ladder crashed to the ground. The impact sent us tumbling, and I found myself staring into her eyes.

Her eyes were unlike anything I'd ever seen, a warm, honey-brown that seemed to pull me in, to hold me captive. I felt a jolt, a strange connection, as if time had stopped. It was a fleeting moment, but it felt significant, like the beginning of something I couldn't comprehend.

The moment was shattered by a scream, and I realized she was still on top of me. She scrambled up, her friend helping her to her feet.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"I'm fine," she stammered, her eyes still wide.

"Did you get hurt?" she asked, her voice soft.

"I'm fine," I replied.

The employees rushed over, apologizing profusely. I dismissed their apologies and walked away, but I could feel her gaze on my back, a strange warmth that lingered.

Back home, I found Aditya lounging on the living room sofa, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Finally," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Why are you here?" I asked, my frustration still simmering from the chaotic day.

"Can't I visit my best friend?" he retorted, his grin widening. "Or am I only allowed when you need help with some financial report?"

"You know that's not what I meant," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's been a long day."

"Well, I'm here to cheer you up," he said, patting the sofa beside him. "Though, I sense something's bothering you. Spill."

"Nothing," I mumbled, heading towards my room. "Just tired."

"Don't give me that," he called after me. "I know you better than that."

I ignored him, wanting nothing more than to escape the strange energy that seemed to permeate the house. I changed into comfortable clothes and headed to the dining room, where the rest of the family was gathering.

Dinner was a minefield. Each clink of cutlery against porcelain seemed amplified. I was acutely aware of the strange glances exchanged between my family members.

"So, how was your day, Aarav?" Maa asked, casually.

"Busy," I replied, keeping my tone clipped. "Meetings, paperwork, the usual."

"You seem... preoccupied," Dad observed, his brow furrowed.

I shrugged. "Just tired."

I was about to change the subject when I remembered Maa's request to pick up the dresses. "Oh, I did go to the mall," I said, deciding to use it as a distraction. "To get those dresses you wanted."

"Ah, yes," Maa said, her voice softening. "Thank you, beta."

"It was... eventful," I added, a hint of wryness in my voice.

"Eventful?" Uncle asked, his curiosity piqued.

"A ladder almost fell on someone," I said, keeping my tone matter-of-fact. "I pulled her out of the way."

The reaction was immediate and intense. Gasps filled the room. Maa's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Dad's face paled, and even Akarsh's playful demeanor vanished.

"Aarav!" Maa exclaimed, her voice laced with worry. "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?"

"I'm fine," I reassured her, surprised by their reaction. "It happened quickly."

"And the girl?" Dad asked, his voice stern. "Was she alright?"

"Yes," I replied, avoiding eye contact. "She was fine."

"That's... that's quite something," Uncle said, his voice laced with a mixture of relief and admiration. "You saved her."

"It was instinct," I repeated, trying to downplay the incident. "Anyone would have done the same."

"Not everyone has your reflexes," Akarsh said, his eyes wide. "That's pretty heroic, bhai."

I rolled my eyes, feeling uncomfortable with their praise. "It's over. No one was hurt."

I still omitted the details of the woman's eyes. The way they held mine, the strange, almost magnetic pull I felt – that was something I couldn't explain. It was a fleeting moment, a brief flicker of something I couldn't name, and I wasn't about to share it with them. It felt too personal, too... inexplicable.

Later, as I was going over some files in my room, the silence was broken by a knock on the door. It was Aditya. "Can we talk?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically serious.

I eyed him warily. "About what?"

"About... things," he said, his gaze shifting.

"Things?" I repeated, my suspicion growing. "What kind of things?"

"Just... things," he insisted. "Can I come in?"

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