Big Brother was impressed by Aarshi's bold attitude. Aarshi asked him directly, "Aren't you really interested in this blind date?"
In response, Big Brother shook his head, pulling a comically sad, cute face. Aarshi blinked twice, caught off guard by his reaction. Momo laughed and chimed in, "Don't overthink it, Aarshi. I know our parents can force Big Brother into going on this date, but they can't force the girl's decision. If she rejects him, the problem will be solved easily."
Aarshi blurted out in disbelief, "How could any girl reject him?"
Big Brother let out a laugh, and Momo replied, "Well, I suppose that all depends on how the date goes."
"It's better if you guys don't stress over this matter," Big Brother advised.
"How can I not?" Aarshi countered.
Nearby, Ayaan looked thoroughly disgusted by the conversation. Seizing the moment, Aarshi declared, "I have a plan to ruin your date!"
Before she could say another word, Ayaan suddenly stepped in and clamped his palm firmly over her mouth, silencing her. Aarshi protested, flailing her arms wildly to break free, but she was no match for his strength. Momo immediately intervened, telling Ayaan to stop, and he released Aarshi at once.
Big Brother urged her, "Go ahead, spill the plan."
But Ayaan cut in sharply, "Keep quiet. If you share your words and ideas here, this man will just take them and make fun of you within his social circle."
Momo looked up, surprised by Ayaan's harsh words, while Big Brother remained entirely silent, offering no defense. Stunned by Ayaan's statement, Aarshi fell quiet. Ayaan then turned on his heel and retreated to his room.
A heavy disappointment settled over Momo, while Aarshi stood rooted to the spot, completely bewildered. Shortly after, Big Brother also retired to his room upstairs. Left standing in the hall with Momo, Aarshi's face was a map of unanswered questions.
Momo, reading Aarshi's expression effortlessly, sighed and said, "They have always been like that."
"From the very beginning?" Aarshi asked.
Momo shook her head and explained that during their childhood, Ayaan was the one Big Brother loved most.
"Then what happened?" Aarshi pressed.
"As they grew up, their bond began to fracture because of Ayaan's innocence and silliness," Momo revealed. "But I can't entirely blame Ayaan. Big Brother holds just as massive an ego as he does, so both are equally responsible for this chaos."
Aarshi tried her best to understand Momo's perspective, though what she truly wanted was to unearth the raw facts and the real history behind their fierce rivalry. However, she chose not to push any further.
Breaking the silence, Big Brother called down to Momo from his bedroom on the upper floor. The siblings' rooms were all located upstairs, while the ground floor housed the parents' master bedroom, a storage room, several guest rooms, and the main hall.
Momo headed upstairs, and Aarshi followed. Inside Big Brother's room, his suitcase lay wide open. Although Aarshi had been the one to carry his luggage up earlier, this was her first time taking a proper look around. It was easily the most attractive room she had ever seen—impeccably organized and so massively spacious that four people could comfortably stay there. All the furniture was brand new, purchased recently for their move. While the interior didn't strictly need any changes, Aarshi couldn't help but think a few personal touches would make it look even better.
Big Brother motioned for Aarshi to stand beside him. When she stepped closer, he handed her a cute stuffed rabbit along with an assortment of chocolates. Aarshi beamed, thrilled with the gifts.
He then turned to Momo and asked her to call Ayaan over.
"I know he won't come," Momo replied gently.
Understanding the situation, Big Brother placed a pair of luxury, branded sports shoes into Momo's hands. "Give these to Ayaan, then."
Momo nodded, wrapping her fingers around the box. "I'll give them to him later."
Suddenly remembering something else, Big Brother looked at Aarshi with a warm, knowing smile and began rummaging through his suitcase. Aarshi watched him, feeling a sudden wave of curiosity. He pulled out a premium, high-quality K-drama photo album. It was an expensive, collector's edition item filled with numerous photocards and authentic autographs from various K-drama actors.
Aarshi's jaw dropped. She was completely struck dumb.
"I know how much you love K-drama actors," Big Brother said with a smile. "So, this is a special gift I bought just for you."
A deep blush crept across Aarshi's face, turning her cheeks as red as tomatoes. Overjoyed, she began jumping up and down, clutching the album tightly to her chest. In her excitement, she burst directly into Ayaan's room right across the hall without knocking.
Ayaan was currently on the phone with his friends, holding a book in his hand, when Aarshi blindly launched herself at him and wrapped him in a tight, sudden hug. Caught completely off guard, Ayaan felt a jolt of shock. He immediately tried to push her away, but she released him on her own, squealing happily, "Look at this album! Big Brother bought it for me!"
Ayaan could easily tell it was a photo album just by looking at the cover. "That's it?" he asked flatly.
Aarshi nodded eagerly.
Forcing a glaringly fake smile, Ayaan said, "Well, I'm very happy for you. Now, please give me some personal space."
Undeterred, Aarshi nodded and went bouncing back out of his room, the bright smile never leaving her face. She rushed back into Big Brother's room to show the album to Momo all over again. Momo happily matched her excitement, celebrating the gift with her.
Finally, it was Momo's turn. Big Brother placed a magnificent diamond pendant into her hands. It was stunningly beautiful, looking like a treasure meant to enhance the grace of a Disney princess. Delighted for her, Aarshi urged Momo to try it on. The necklace beautifully complemented Momo's hands, which were remarkably soft and fragile, just like a real princess's. To top it off, Big Brother also handed Momo his debit card.
Looking at the gifts, Aarshi realized something and asked, "Did you only buy one gift for Ayaan?"
Big Brother shook his head. "I have another one for him, but he has to come and receive it himself."
"Let me go call him!" Aarshi offered.
But Big Brother held up a hand, stopping her from calling him over.