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Anant's POV

I've never seen Dhruv like this. He's always been the pillar of our house-the one who never shakes, never doubts. Seeing him walk through the front door with that hollow look in his eyes felt like watching a mountain crumble.

Mom and Dad tried their best, but their words of "destiny" and "staying strong" seemed to bounce off him like he was made of stone. He didn't argue; he just walked to his room in a silence that was louder than any scream.

I followed him. I didn't knock. I just walked in and saw him sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at his gym bag.

"Dhruv," I said, sitting on the chair across from him. "You're still the strongest person in this house. An inner ear issue doesn't change the fact that you cleared every physical test they threw at you. You beat the system, even if the system can't take you."

He didn't look up. "It's ten years, Anant. Ten years of breathing, eating, and sleeping for one goal. Now... what am I? Just a guy who's good at lifting weights?"

"No," I said firmly, leaning forward. "You're the guy who taught me what discipline looks like.Don't you dare sit here and act like your hard work turned to ashes. Your discipline and dedication doesn't have a medical disqualification, bro."

I saw his jaw tighten. Finally, he looked at me, and I saw a tiny spark of life return to his eyes. "You're getting surprisingly good at these 'hero' speeches, Anant. Is Krithika rubbing off on you?"

I let out a short laugh, relieved to see the shadow lift even a little. "Maybe. Now get up. I've got a project presentation tomorrow, and I'm not winning it without my brother in the front row."

Dhruv gave a small, weary nod. "I'll be there."

Author's POV

The school auditorium was buzzing. It was the day of the Science Project Final, the culmination of months of research, arguments, and unexpected partnerships.

Krithika and Anant stood on the stage, the heavy velvet curtains behind them. They looked like a power duo-the two "Titans" finally standing on the same side of the battlefield.

In the third row, Dhruv sat next to Mannu. He was still quiet, his heart still healing, but he was there. Mannu kept reaching over to squeeze his hand whenever the silence got too heavy, her presence a silent anchor.

When Anant and Krithika began their presentation, the room went dead silent. Their chemistry was undeniable. They moved in sync, finishing each other's sentences, their data flawless and their delivery effortless. For the first time, their competitive energy wasn't being used to tear each other down-it was being used to build something brilliant.

Krithika's POV

When the judges announced the winners, I felt a rush of adrenaline that had nothing to do with a rank.

"First Place: Krithika Sharma and Anant Mishra."

The applause was deafening. I looked at Anant, and for once, I didn't see a rival I wanted to beat. I saw a partner. He grinned at me-a real, unscripted smile-and held out his hand for a high-five that turned into a brief, triumphant shoulder squeeze.

I looked into the crowd. I saw Mannu jumping up and down, whistling loudly enough to embarrass me, and next to her, Dhruv was clapping. He was smiling. It was a small smile, but it was there. Seeing him cheer for us, despite the heartbreak he was carrying, made the victory feel a hundred times sweeter.

Anant's POV

We did it. Best Science Project in the history of the department.

As we walked off the stage with our trophies, Dhruv and Mannu rushed toward us. Mannu practically tackled Krithika in a hug, screaming about "The Topper Sisters," while Dhruv walked up to me.

"Proud of you, Anant," Dhruv said, pulling me into a brief hug. "You really did run in the same direction this time."

"Couldn't have done it without the 'hero speech' inspiration," I joked, though I meant it.

I looked at Krithika, who was laughing with Mannu, her eyes sparkling with a joy I'd never seen during our "Cold War" days. The project was over, but as we all stood there-two brothers and two sisters-I realized that the real prize wasn't the trophy in my hand. It was the fact that we were finally, truly, on the same team.

The scoreboard has changed, but everyone is winning. Stay tuned guys! Please leave a vote if you like the chapter.Every vote matters