The Silent Return

Arjun Mehra drove his sleek black car into the driveway of his family's grand estate. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the manicured garden. He turned off the engine and sat for a moment, staring ahead with his usual cold expression. Another long day at the university had drained him, but as always, he was prepared to face the quiet intensity of his family life. Stepping out of the car, Arjun adjusted his tie and walked into the house, his steps measured and precise. The Mehra household was lively as ever, but the moment he entered, an air of silence seemed to follow him.His younger brother Kabir, a college student, was lounging on the living room sofa, flipping through channels on the TV, while Ishitha, the law student, sat nearby with her books spread out on the table. They were laughing at some inside joke, but the moment they saw Arjun walk in, their laughter died down, replaced by a mix of respect and fear.

"Bhai's home," Kabir muttered under his breath, straightening up almost automatically.Ishitha shot Kabir a quick look and then pretended to be deeply absorbed in her textbooks. The two of them, despite being siblings, couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness whenever Arjun was around. His cold demeanor at home was no different than the way he carried himself at the university—a man of few words, strict, and rarely showing any emotion.

Their eldest brother, Raghav, who managed their family business, Mehra Enterprises, appeared from the dining room. Unlike the younger two, Raghav held a deep respect for Arjun, admiring his discipline and sense of responsibility."Arjun," Raghav greeted, nodding toward him.

 "Long day at the university?"

Arjun merely nodded in response, his sharp eyes scanning the room briefly before walking past them toward his room. He had long perfected the art of showing his care through actions rather than words. But to his siblings, his silence often felt like a wall they couldn't penetrate.As Arjun climbed the stairs, he heard Kabir whisper to Ishitha, 

"You think he ever smiles?"

Ishitha giggled softly. "I don't know. Maybe at night when no one's watching."Raghav, overhearing their quiet exchange, chuckled and shook his head. "You two are hopeless. He's just focused. You could learn a thing or two from him, you know."

Kabir rolled his eyes, leaning back on the sofa. "Yeah, yeah. You know we respect him, but a little smile here and there wouldn't hurt."Ishitha nodded in agreement. "He's like a walking iceberg."Just then, Nita, their sweet and wise grandmother, shuffled into the room, a gentle smile lighting up her wrinkled face. 

"What are you children whispering about now? Plotting against your elder brother, are you?"

"Nah, Dadi," Kabir said, standing up and offering her a seat beside him. "Just trying to figure out if Bhai's heart is made of stone or ice."Nita chuckled softly. 

"Your brother has a heart, don't you worry about that. He just doesn't wear it on his sleeve like you two do. Now, go call him down for dinner. He must be exhausted."

Kabir and Ishitha exchanged wary looks, neither wanting to be the one to summon Arjun."You go!" Kabir hissed to Ishitha."No, you go! I'll just—stay here and... pretend to study," Ishitha replied, hastily flipping through her book.Raghav sighed, getting up himself. "I'll call him. You two should be ashamed, scared of your own brother."Kabir shrugged, grinning. "Hey, someone's gotta keep the family tradition of survival alive."Raghav shot him a look before heading upstairs.

---

Arjun had already changed into more comfortable clothes, his stiff formality replaced by a casual yet still perfectly neat appearance. As Raghav knocked lightly on the door, Arjun looked up from the papers he was reviewing from his class earlier. "Dinner's ready," Raghav said simply, but his tone held a respect reserved only for Arjun. Arjun nodded, rising without a word. The two brothers headed downstairs together, with Raghav casting a sidelong glance at him.

 "You know, Kabir and Ishitha are terrified of you." 

"They should focus more on their studies instead of worrying about me," Arjun said coldly, though a faint trace of amusement flickered across his face, so brief that only Raghav could catch it. 

At the dinner table, Isha Sharma, his step-mother, had set a delicious spread, as always. She greeted Arjun with a gentle smile, but as usual, Arjun responded with only a polite nod. Despite his cold demeanor, Isha never took it personally. She knew her son cared deeply, even if he wasn't the type to show it openly. Rajeev, their father, sat at the head of the table, as stoic as his eldest son. He greeted Arjun with a respectful nod. Though Rajeev was strict, there was an unspoken understanding between him and Arjun—a silent bond of mutual respect and shared responsibility. 

The dinner was peaceful, with Kabir and Ishitha sneaking occasional glances at Arjun, careful not to say anything that would attract his attention. Raghav, always the mediator, kept the conversation light, discussing business matters with Rajeev and Isha while Arjun listened quietly. After dinner, Nita insisted that Arjun sit with her for a while, as she always did. Though she knew he was busy, she cherished the rare moments when he would indulge her with his presence ."Come sit, Arjun," Nita beckoned with her soft voice. "I won't keep you long. Just sit with your old grandmother for a bit." Arjun obliged, sitting beside her as she sipped her evening tea. For a moment, the hardness in his features softened ever so slightly. 

"You remind me so much of your father when he was young," Nita said, her voice filled with warmth.

 "Strong, responsible, always thinking of others." Arjun didn't reply, but Nita smiled, patting his hand gently.

 "I know you care deeply for this family, even if you don't say it. But don't forget to care for yourself too, my dear. 

"Arjun looked at her, his eyes softening briefly. 

"I'm fine, Dadi." She chuckled, a knowing look in her eyes. 

"Of course you are. You always are. "As Arjun rose to leave, Nita called out softly, "And don't be too hard on your siblings. They look up to you more than you know." Arjun gave her a small nod before heading upstairs, his cold exterior returning as he left the warmth of his grandmother's presence behind. The day had ended, and tomorrow would bring new challenges. But here, in the silence of his home, surrounded by family, he found a fleeting moment of peace, even if he never allowed himself to show it.---