Chapter 36: Big Brother

The first school bell echoed through the campus as students hurried towards their classrooms.

Ayat and Aarhan stood near the entrance, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings.

Not far away, Yash noticed them.

He stopped walking.

For a moment, he thought about taking another route.

"It'll be easier if I avoid them," he thought.

Just as he turned, two cheerful voices called out together.

Ayat: "Yash Bhaiya!"

Aarhan: "Bhaiya!"

Yash closed his eyes for a second before turning around.

Seeing their smiling faces, he couldn't ignore them.

He walked over.

Aarav, who had been standing nearby, joined them.

Yash looked at the two younger children.

Yash: "Listen..."

Ayat and Aarhan looked at him attentively.

Yash: "Aarav Bhaiya and I study here."

He spoke in his usual calm tone.

Yash: "If you need anything..."

He paused.

Yash: "...come to either of us, okay?"

Ayat's face lit up.

Ayat: "Okay, Bhaiya!"

Aarhan smiled shyly.

Aarhan: "Okay, Bhaiya."

Yash nodded.

Yash: "Come on."

He first walked Ayat to her classroom.

She waved happily before going inside.

Ayat: "Bye, Bhaiya!"

Yash smiled faintly.

Yash: "Study well."

Then he and Aarav walked Aarhan to the primary section.

Unlike Ayat, Aarhan was unusually quiet.

His little hand held tightly onto his school bag.

Yash noticed the nervousness on his face.

He stopped outside the classroom and knelt so that he was at Aarhan's eye level.

Yash: "Are you scared?"

Aarhan looked down and gave a tiny nod.

Yash smiled gently.

Yash: "It's a new school."

He placed a reassuring hand on Aarhan's shoulder.

Yash: "Feeling nervous is okay."

Aarhan looked at him.

Yash continued softly,

Yash: "I'm here."

He pointed towards the senior block.

Yash: "If anything happens..."

He then pointed towards Aarav.

Yash: "...or if you can't find me, go to Aarav Bhaiya."

Aarav smiled and nodded.

Aarav: "We'll come."

Yash looked back at Aarhan.

Yash: "Now go and enjoy your class."

Aarhan's nervous expression eased a little.

He gave a small smile.

Aarhan: "Okay, Bhai."

Yash gently patted his head.

Yash: "That's my brave boy."

With a little more confidence than before, Aarhan walked into his classroom.

Yash stood at the door for a few moments, making sure he had settled in.

Only then did he and Aarav turn towards their own classes.

As they walked away, Aarav glanced at his older brother.

Aarav: "Looks like we're really becoming big brothers."

Yash smiled quietly.

This time...

He didn't disagree.