Robbie and I got out of Ashton's house. Robbie's car was parked just outside the house. We got into the car in silence. I'd noticed that he was wearing a blazer but didn't ask him earlier as we were having a conversation with Ashton.

He started the car and played the fm where Louis Tomlinson's new song don't let it break your heart started to play. I loved that song. Actually, I loved all his songs.

I hummed along the song for a while. "You were at work?" I asked him out of the blue. He nodded. "I'm sorry, you had to—"

"Aana..." He chuckled, "I'm your big brother. It's my job to make sure that you're okay. It's fine, really. If you think that this a is great effort than you don't have any idea what we brothers can actually do for our sister,"

I smiled at his sweet gesture. "thank you,"

"Love you,"

I chuckled "love you too,"

•••

When we came home, it was only Mum in the living room waiting for us to arrive. I was embraced in a bear hug by my mother who was a little teary. I managed to make her understand that I was okay and that she didn't have to worry about anything.

Dad was still on bed rest, I wanted to meet him but Mum told me to just go freshen up first and then I can do whatever I want to. So I did what she wanted me to. I showered in warm water and slipper into a baby pink hoodie and comfortable grey joggers. I put my hairs in a pony tail and then when I was finally fresh, I went down. All of this took somewhat half an hour or more.

When I got down, the scene was a little uneasy. My dad was sitting on his wheelchair beside the couch. And on the couch, there were two police officers. One was a lady who seamed to be the head and a men who was probably working under her.

Then my Mum was standing beside dad. Even Venky was there, sitting on the coffie table and talking to the lady. The other guy was writing down on a note pad simultaneously.

I coughed to get their attention. I was successful in it too. Venky smiled at me and beckoned me over. I shyly walked up to him and sat beside him on the coffie table. He wrapped an arm around me and felt my palm with the other.

"You okay now?" He asked softly. I nodded with a reassuring smile.

The lady infront of us coughed. I looked at her already knowing what was about to come.

"Hello, Aana,"

"Hi," I said mildly.

"I'm officer Loren and I'll be working for the case your brother has filed in," case? I immediately understood it's about the pictures which got me and Ashton on the edge of our relationship.

I nodded merely.

"I have a few questions, Aana. I hope you're comfortable with it,"

"I am," I said quietly. The fact that someone was watching me was terrifying, but this investigation was more important that my sensitive heart.

Venky sensed my discomfort and squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"I'm ready to answer your questions Ms. Loren," I said sounding more confident.

She gave me a bright smile, "that's good. So let's start," she took a black small machine which looked oddly similar to a recording device which I usually see in TV shows. She started asking me questions like 'did you feel someone follow you?' Or 'do you suspect anyone?' And she also asked me if Tony was aware of this or not, ofcourse not. I myself found out about this like a night ago.

"We'll have to make sure your friend Tony is aware of this situation so that he can also be careful by his side," here, I felt bad for Tony. He had nothing to do with all of this.

She also told me to be safe and not to be alone on the streets. I loved my independence and this annoyed me to my limits. I couldn't believe that me and my boyfriend has been followed my some fucked up asshole. The tension in the room was visible. I was involuntarily fidgeting with the hem of Venky's blazer.

Venky took a handful of part in the conversation with the officer. My dad was equally engaged in it. Mum wasn't saying anything but I knew she was listening everything, she was a good observer and she was unpredictable something, I knew she was always brave in messed up situations, I wish I was too...

After the questions were asked, she kindly reassured my family that they'll find the stalker and excused herself.

I sighed. This was kinda too much for me.Was this some kind of punishment my life was gifting me? If so, no thanks my dear life I'm good.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that dad had to shout my name to get my attention. I flinched back when my name was barked so loudly.

"Hey, calm down, David," Mum patted dad's shoulder.

Dad was pissed as he spoke, "what's this I'm hearing? You stayed outside Ashton's door for three hours at freaking night? What were you thinking?"

Even in the wheelchair state. One hand fractured, he still managed good to be his imitating self. I was going to pee my pants because of those hard glares my dad was giving me.

"I-he...he wouldn't talk to me,"

"So?" He asked harshly.

"Dad," Venky interrupted, "she fought for her love. Isn't that enough of an answer?"

Dad clinged and unclinged his jaw in annoyance, "that's unsafe,"

True.

"True," Venky nodded and turned to me. "we're not expecting any apology from you. What we're expecting is if you could stay a little more careful, Aana. What you did wasn't a mindful step,"

"Careless and irresponsible," dad added.

Mum, who was quite the whole time walked forward and stood infront of me. Her face was soft with a gently smile lingered on her lips. She cupped my face in her soft hands, "enough boys," that was completely not for me. It quietened down the boys "I think she understands, right babe?"

I nodded, blinking back tears. My arms involuntarily wrapped around her waist as I buried my face into her stomach. I felt home when she wrapped her arms back around my neck and patted my hairs down.

Venky who was sitting beside me on the coffie table rubbed soothing circles on my back. The physical contact from my family made me feel so safe and warm, I was almost not afraid of the creep anymore.

I broke the hug when suddenly the door bell rang. Who would it be? A visitor is rare for our house. "I'll get it," Mum said and walked towards the door.

"Good afternoon, Ma," Ashton's voice made me snap my head at his direction.

Ashton was tired, his eyes said it all. He was wearing a plain grey cotton t-shirt and black shorts which stopped right below his knees. His hairs were a visible mess, yet they were presentable enough to walk on the streets without getting judgemental remarks.

"Come in, Ashton," dad said in a heavy voice. The vibe that I was getting wasn't good. I was suddenly nervous.

"Don't worry, come on in sweety," Mum whispered but it was clearly heard by everyone. Ashton walked in, his eyes were only on me. His grey pupil were intense and were boring into my brown ones.

He stopped where the armrest of the couch began. I couldn't take my eyes off him, he couldn't too. The emotions were mutual and raw.

There were moments beside me. I decided to ignore them. But I had to snap out of it when Mum called dad's name loudly.

"No!" Mom shouted. Dad was standing up, which was unhealthy for him in this state.

My eyes were wide in horror.

"P-papa.." I muttered.

"Dad, please calm dow-" Venky couldn't even finish his sentence because dad had limped his way towards Ashton and held his collar tightly.

"You fucking looser," dad barked on Ashton's face. Ash's expressions were neutral.

"Dad please!" I yelled, tears streaming down my face by now.

"You fucking hurt my daughter you fucking asshole,"

"I'm sorry, sir," Ashton said gently. "I accept my mistake and I've learnt from it. Please trust me. I'll never do anything that'll possibly hurt Aana. I'm sorry."

Dad was looking straight into Ashton's eyes, his jaw was clinging. He suddenly let go Ashton's t-shirt. Venky immediately took the lead and helped dad back on his chair.

I didn't know whom to go to first. My dad needed to calm down and my boyfriend needed mental support.

"You boy," dad pointed a finger at Ashton. "she forgave you too early and too easily,"

I know for a fact that it was true. I had a forgiving nature and my dad mostly didn't like it.

"Aana," dad called me. "how many times do I have to tell you to be strong. Learn to maintain a grudge. Your forgiving nature is way to sweet for this horrible world." his voice ended up softening at the end of the sentence as he eyes showed emotions such as worry.

I nodded looking down.

"Let's start with why we've called you here, Ashton," Venky said smiling at Ashton.

One thing me and Venky had in common was calmness, we got it from our mother. Dad and Rayan were the aggressive ones. The had a short fuse and no resistence in it at all. Robbie and Ishan were the neutral ones. Robbie had a bad temper but he knew when to suppress it and when to express it. Ishan had a soft heart, it was easy for him to tear up, yet his anger was bad too.

Ashton nodded and took a seat on the couch. I wanted to hold his hand so badly. But dad's presence stopped me from doing that. Because That would be awkward.

"Ashton," Mum started. "darling, you're like another child to me," Ashton nodded looking at her. Paying attention like a good student. "Please, take card of Aana. I know you're a good kid. Always stay together, kids. Never, never let go eachother's side,"

Ashton and I looked at eachother and nodded.

"Ashton, Aana," Both of us looked at Venky. He made his way towards me and made me sit back on the coffie table and then sat beside me.

Wrapping an arm around me and nuzzling me against his side he spoke "now when it's the hard time going on. I want the both of you to be there for eachother no matter what. Ashton, listen to me carefully. We had to call the cops. They're going to look after this case. But we can't depend on them. We also need to be there for eachother. That's what love is, it's all about trust." After Venky's long, inspiring speech, I was so overwhelmed. All those words hit me hard and I was so emotional. He was so right, love was all about trust.

I buried my face into my brother's shoulder."You okay there?" Venky whispered and patted my back.

"Yes," my voice came out muffled against his blazer.

"I understand," I heard Ashton say. "I'll be there for Aana no matter what. Always and always."

Venky rubbed my back and replied to Ashton, "that's good. You both are very young. Just take the advantage of being this young and make your life memorable which will make you feel proud in your old years,"

I parted from Venky and rubbed my eyes.

"Thank you," I said.

"Aana, come here," dad said, his voice was soft as ever. I stood up and walked up to him. He immediately took my hands in his. I looked him in the eyes and found deep emotions in them. "Aana, even the thought of you getting hurt is nerve-wracking. Promise me you'll be safe,"

I nodded, "I promise, pappa."

"Good girl," he smiled and pulled my hands down making me bend and he kissed my forehead.

All of a sudden, the door flung open and an angry Rayan came in. And I was too tired to go through this over again. "You bastard!" Rayan barked at Ashton. Ashton visible gulped and stood up looking at the devil.

"C'mon, not again!" I whined and stomped a little.

Why are they so protective?

•••