The First Fifteen Days

The results were out, the deal was sealed, and the house felt a little heavier than usual.

When they reached home, Aarav’s mom immediately noticed their faces. Neil handed his result sheet, and her tired eyes lit up.
“Neil, 89? That’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you.”

Neil smiled, bowing his head slightly. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Then her gaze shifted toward Aarav, who clutched his bag loosely at his side. He didn’t say a word. Without meeting her eyes, he walked past them, heading upstairs. His footsteps felt heavier than usual.

Inside his room, Aarav threw himself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling fan. His thoughts swirled.

(Thoughts)
Let’s endure this for a month. I’m not that piece of trash who won’t keep his promise… at least.

He pulled the blanket over his head and let sleep swallow him.

The house was still dark. Outside, the street was silent, only the sound of early birds waking up.

Neil stood in Aarav’s doorway, fully dressed, hair combed, sneakers on, smelling faintly of perfume. A perfect little soldier.

“Brother,” Neil whispered, shaking him gently. “It’s morning.”

Aarav groaned, burying his face into the pillow.
“Mm… go away.”

Neil stood for a moment, then grinned. He picked up the glass of water from the table, filled it halfway, and without hesitation—splash!

Cold water poured across Aarav’s face.

Aarav shot up instantly, coughing.
“WHAT THE—!!”

Neil clasped his hands behind his back, tilting his head innocently.
“Good morning, big brother.”

His voice was sweet, but his grin was devilish.

Aarav wiped his face with the blanket, glaring.
“You’re insane.”

Neil shrugged.
“Not insane. Just keeping a promise. Now, let’s go for a run.”

Aarav flopped back down, groaning.
“Nah. I’d rather sleep.”

Neil leaned closer, his smile widening.
“You know it’s not a request.”

Aarav sat up slowly, muttering curses under his breath.
“…This kid is going to kill me.”

The streets were still waking up. A cool breeze carried the smell of wet earth and fresh bread from the bakery downstairs. Neil jogged lightly, his steps bouncy. Aarav dragged himself behind, yawning every three seconds.

Neil looked back.
“Come on, brother! Faster!”

Aarav waved him off.
“If I run faster, I’ll collapse.”

But after a few minutes, something changed. The air felt fresher, his legs grew lighter. He found himself keeping up without realizing. By the time they circled the park and reached home, Aarav was breathing hard but smiling faintly.

Neil grinned.
“See? You survived.”

Aarav chuckled weakly.
“Barely.”

It became a ritual. Push-ups in the living room, stretching on the balcony, running up and down the stairs. Neil counted loudly, clapping whenever Aarav hit a target.

“Ten push-ups, brother! You can do it!”

Aarav groaned halfway through.
“You’re enjoying this way too much.”

Neil beamed.
“Of course. It’s called sibling bonding.”

Even Aarav couldn’t stop a small laugh.

And slowly, his body felt less sluggish, his steps lighter.

In the afternoons, Neil sat at the desk with notebooks open, pencil case neatly arranged. Aarav leaned lazily on his chair, head tilted back.

“Okay,” Neil said, tapping the page. “Let’s do some physics. Kinematics.”

Aarav sighed. “You’re evil.”

But he leaned forward anyway. Neil explained patiently, doodling arrows and diagrams. Aarav frowned, tried a question, failed, then tried again. Hours passed.

Some days, Aarav nodded off, face pressed against the desk. Neil poked him awake with a pencil.
“Brother, focus.”

“Shut up,” Aarav mumbled, but he sat back up.

Other days, he surprised himself—solving a math problem correctly, or explaining a concept back to Neil. Those moments made his chest feel oddly… full.

(Thoughts)
It’s not that bad. Actually… maths and physics are kind of interesting. Maybe I’m not completely hopeless.

Neil made sure Aarav ate properly. No skipping meals, no junk only. They sat at the table together, Neil politely thanking his auntie every time, Aarav mumbling “thanks” only when Neil kicked him under the table.

His mom noticed the changes but didn’t comment. She just smiled quietly, watching the two of them bicker, something warm flickering in her tired eyes.

The days blurred into routine—wake up early, run, exercise, study, eat, repeat. Somewhere between the sarcastic comments and late-night problem solving, Aarav began to laugh more. He teased Neil often, calling him “sergeant” or “drill master,” but the anger in his voice was gone.

Lying in bed one night, staring at the ceiling, Aarav realized something.

(Thoughts)
It’s not that bad. Maybe… something inside me is healing. Slowly.

For the first time in months, he drifted to sleep with a small smile.

The deal wasn’t over yet. But something had already changed.