Aniket rushed inside the hospital and looked around for Arnav. Arnav had called him and informed everything. Aniket was shocked with the turn of events and had rushed out leaving the client midway. He couldn't leave his Bhaiya to deal with everything all alone.
Arnav was getting restless by each passing second. It's been over two hours and the boy had not regained consciousness. Doctors told Arnav that Ayaansh was doing fine. He had brought Ayaansh to the hospital in the right time but Arnav couldn't rest till Ayaansh opened his eyes.
"Bhaiya!"
Arnav looked up at Aniket and relaxed.
"Kaisa hai woh, Bhaiya?"
"Doctors said he's fine, Ani but he hasn't opened his eyes yet."
Aniket held Arnav's hands. "Aap theek ho?"
"He had an allergy attack, Ani."
Aniket gasped.
His eyes filled up and he immediately hugged Arnav.
Arnav deepened the embrace.
Arnav pulled back when he saw the doctor coming their way.
"How's he, Rishaan?"
"He is doing fine, Bhai. You got him here in right time. But take care from next time. The boy seems to be severely allergic to whatever he ate last."
Dr. Rishaan Birla replied. Rishaan was their family doctor and it didn't hurt that he was Aniket's best friend. The help was available the moment they asked for it.
"We'll take care, Rishi. Can we meet him?" Aniket asked.
"Not yet, Ani. He hasn't opened his eyes yet. We'll monitor him for some more time." Rishan said and left as someone called him.
"He's fine, Bhaiya. Aap jyada stress mat lo, please."
Arnav nodded but he was worried. He looked at Aniket. He could always feel his brother's emotions.
"Tu theek hai, Bacha?"
Aniket blinked off the tears that rushed to his eyes.
Arnav hugged him. "Sab theek hai, Ani. Kuch nhi hua hai. Beeti baatein mat soch."
Aniket deepened the hug before pulling back. "Mai thik hoon, Bhaiya. Ayaansh bhi thik hai. Aap chinta mat karo."
Arnav nodded. Suddenly he remembered something. They had not informed Aryan.
Arnav looked at Aniket. "Tu ghar ja, Ani. It's already late. We haven't even informed Aru."
Aniket shook his head. "Mai aapko akela chod kar nhi jaunga, Bhaiya. Aru ko bol deta hoon we'll be late."
"Zidd mat kar, Ani. Aru darr jayega. Rishi ne kaha na sab thik hai. You look exhausted. Go home. I'll call you if needed."
"Bhaiya—"
"Go home, Aniket."
Aniket sighed. He knew Arnav was putting his own worry aside to make him feel better. He didn't want to leave but Arnav's stern voice always had the desired effect on them. They were sort of hardwired to obey Arnav whenever he took that tone.
Aniket was just going to the canteen to get some coffee for his Bhaiya when he collided with Rishaan.
"Acha hua tu mil gya, Ani." Rishaan said.
Aniket could read the worry on his face. "Kya hua, Rishi? Ayaansh thik.."
Rishaan shook his head. "Ayaansh abhi bilkul thik hai, Ani."
Aniket heaved a sigh of relief. "Phir se vaisa kuch Bhaiya bardaasht nhi kar paate, Rishi. He's already going through a lot and now—"
Aniket's blinked off his tears.
"Ani," Rishaan squeezed his hands.
Aniket nodded. "Kya batana chahta tha tu?"
Rishaan sighed. Aniket was already upset. He didn't want to add on to his best friend's miseries. The information could wait.
"Kuch nhi. Yahi bol rha tha ki Bhai ko kuch khila de. Shaam se yahi hai."
Aniket nodded.
It was shy of midnight and Ayaansh had still not gained consciousness. Arnav could feel the onset of a headache. He had had a hard time consoling Aryan over the phone call and convincing him to stay back home. The boy was feeling guilty for no apparent reason.
Arnav rubbed off the sleepiness from his eyes and looked through the glass window. The boy had tugged at his heartstrings since the first day. He was so much like his brothers that he couldn't put him at a distance. And the realisation undid Arnav. He couldn't take a step back when his heart had already acknowledged the boy as his brother. Ayaansh was his brother, his family. And Arnav Singhania always stands with his family.
Ayaansh stirred a bit. Arnav noticed that and immediately entered the room.
Ayaansh slowly blinked his eyes and saw Arnav hazily.
Arnav sighed in relief and helped Ayaansh sit up.
"Aap yahan?" Ayaansh frowned. He remembered feeling uneasy and then falling asleep in his room.
"We're at hospital, Ayaansh." Arnav filled a glass of water for him.
Ayaansh's eyes widened. "Hospital? I was sleeping and—"
Ayaansh trailed off as he slowly realised what might have happened.
Arnav brought the glass of water to his lips. Ayaansh dare not look up.
"Have it, Ayaansh." Arnav made him take a few sips before putting the glass down.
Arnav could see how the boy was refusing to make an eye contact. Arnav sighed. He was done holding himself back from his own brother.
Arnav raised his hand to caress his face. "Abhi thik hai, ba—"
Ayaansh flinched back. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
Arnav was taken back to see the fear in his eyes.
"Yeh kya bol rha—"
Ayaansh shut his eyes tight and shook his head vehemently. "I'm sorry. I'll never do it again.
Please—"
Arnav was shocked to the core. The fear on Ayaansh's face was so alive that it scared Arnav.
Ayaansh kept muttering apologies untill he felt himself being pulled in a warm embrace. Arnav held him to his chest. Ayaansh struggled initially but calmed down after some time.
Arnav caressed his head. "Shh, shant ho ja, bacha."
Ayaansh's eyes filled up. He was feeling very agitated.
"I'm sorry, mai—"
"Baad me baat karte hai. Calm down. Phir se tabiyat kharab karni hai?"
Ayaansh shook his head a little. He didn't wanna trouble anyone. What he didn't realise was Arnav had a problem with him troubling himself!
"Abhi so ja. We can go home in the morning."
Arnav made Ayaansh lie down and went away to inform Aniket. Ayaansh soon drifted off due to the effect of medicines. Arnav was unsettled. He needed to know the reason behind the boy's behaviour. The fear in his eyes had triggered Arnav's worst nightmares. Those innocent eyes did not deserve to hold such fears.
"How are you feeling now, Ayaansh?" Rishaan asked.
"Better."
Arnav looked at Rishaan.
"All good, Bhai. You can take him home." Rishaan replied to Arnav's unasked question.
Arnav was relieved.
"Ayaansh, do you know what you're allergic to? Otherwise—"
Ayaansh looked down without giving an answer.
"Ayaansh," Arnav sterned his voice.
Ayaansh looked up immediately.
"Rishaan is asking you something."
No answer!
Arnav was having a hard time controlling himself. He was very close to lash out at the boy.
"START SPEAKING, AYAANSH."
Ayaansh flinched.
"Hazelnuts" He whispered looking down.
Arnav and Rishaan looked at each other in shock. What kind of coincidence was that?
Arnav looked at Ayaansh. "Are you sure, Ayaansh? Humare ghar me—"
"Mujhe khud ke baare me nhi pata hoga kya? Aapke ghar me kya hota hai kya nhi mujhe nhi pata, Mr. Singhania. Mujhe hazelnuts se allergy hai. Yahi jaanna na tha na aapko. Toh bata diya maine. Ab kya problem hai aapko?" Ayaansh snapped angrily. He was so done with the interrogation.
"Bhai, aap ek minute aao mere saath." Rishaan sighed and walked out.
Arnav nodded and went behind him. Ayaansh furiously wiped away his tears. The anger wasn't new for him. Then why did it hurt so much? Why did it make him react in such a way?
"Bhai, mujhe aapko pehle hi batana tha but I was quiet because I wasn't sure. Ayaansh has just confirmed my doubts." Rishaan said.
"Kya kehna chahta hai tu, Rishi? Saaf saaf bata."
"His case is exactly same as Ani's, Bhai. He could have gone through the same but you just saved him by bringing him in right time."
Arnav shut his eyes against the pain he felt. He could have never forgiven himself if something happened to the boy. He went through the pain once, he wasn't ready to relieve it once again.
"Bhai, I don't want to scare you. I'm just telling you so that you can be careful."
Arnav nodded. "I know, Rishi. I'll make sure the boy never touches hazelnuts again."
Rishaan knew Arnav would do just that. He had enough of experience himself.
Arnav took Ayaansh home with him. The whole ride was silent. Aryan came running to hug Ayaansh as soon as they stepped inside the house.
"Aapne kaise tabiyat kharab kar li, Bhai? Abhi thik ho aap?"
Ayaansh pulled back from Aryan and just nodded his head. He was still agitated with everything.
Aniket frowned. He could see the tension between Ayaansh and his Bhaiya.
Aryan was close to tears. Ayaansh had never hugged him back but he never pulled back either.
Arnav hugged him. Aryan buried himself in his Bhaiya's embrace.
"Woh thik hai, Aru. Kyu pareshan ho rha hai? Mai keh raha hoon na sab thik hai, hm?"
Aryan nodded and parted away. He believed Arnav. His Bhaiya never took any of their healths lightly.
"Ani, help Ayaansh to his room."
Aniket nodded and was about to go to Ayaansh but he took a step back. "I can walk myself. I don't need your help, Mr. Singhania."
"Ayaansh, listen—" Arnav tried to hold his hands
Ayaansh pushed Arnav back in anger. "Nhi, mujhe kuch nhi sunna, Mr, Singhania."
Aniket immediately held Arnav. He was shocked at the boy's behaviour.
Aryan looked at Ayaansh angrily. "Kaise baat kar rhe ho aap, Bhaiya se? Aur yeh Mr. Singhania kya hai, Bhaiya hai woh humare."
"Woh tumhare Bhaiya hai. Mere kuch nhi hai."
Aryan's eyes filled up. "Toh kya hum aapke kuch nhi lagte?"
Ayaansh looked away. Aryan's tears troubled him. He wasn't saying wrong. They meant nothing to him. Then why did the words hurt so much?
"Aru, bas bohot ho gya." Arnav intervened before they could hurt each other more.
"Kyu, Bhaiya? Aise kaise keh sakte hai Bhai?"
Arnav sighed and cupped Aryan's face. "Tu mera samajhdar bacha hai na, Aru? Bhaiya ki baat maan, abhi ja room me. We'll talk later."
Aryan shook his head and went to hug Ayaansh. "Aap bhi humare Bhai ho, Bhai. We're brothers. That makes us family. Aap—"
"I'm not your family, Aryan." Ayaansh spoke irritatedly and pulled away from him.
Aryan took a step towards him but Ayaansh rushed to his room. Aryan was disappointed.
Arnav pulled him in a hug. "Woh bohot pareshan hai, Bacha. Maine kaha tha na give him some time. Usse thoda waqt lagega sab kuch apnane me. He hasn't lived with us for sixteen years. How will he start treating us as family all of a sudden?"
Aryan nodded his head in understanding but he was still sad. He understood what his Bhaiya was saying but he felt sad knowing that his Bhai didn't consider them as family.
Arnav walked into Ayaansh's room with breakfast tray. The boy hadn't come down for breakfast again.
Ayaansh saw him coming in and turned away. He didn't want to face Arnav at all. The more he saw him the more he longed for something that he couldn't have.
"Have your breakfast, Ayaansh." Arnav put the tray in front of him and himself took a seat beside him.
Ayaansh waited for ten minutes before his patience gave up. He looked at Arnav with annoyance. "Aapko aane ki zaroorat nhi thi. Mai khud le leta. Aur ab aap ja sakte hai."
Arnav smiled. The boy had just a little patience just like Aniket. He could deal with him.
"I'm not going untill you finish your breakfast."
"Nhi khaunga, kya karoge?" Ayaansh snapped.
"Force the food down your throat."
Ayaansh paled. "You wouldn't do that."
"Try me, kid."
Ayaansh reluctantly started having his breakfast. Arnav relaxed once he saw him eating. Ayaansh finished eating and was about to get up when Arnav pulled him down and handed a glass of juice.
Ayaansh cringed. It looked like some vegetable juice and he absolutely hated them.
"Drink."
"Mujhe nhi peena."
"I didn't ask your opinion, Ayaansh. Drink it fast."
Ayaansh's eyes filled up with angry tears. Was this some new form of punishment? He grabbed the glass and gulped it down.
"Lo pi liya maine. Ab mujhe akela chhod dijiye."
Arnav's eyes gentled seeing the tears. He didn't want to scold the boy but he knew Ayaansh wouldn't listen to him untill he took that tone.
"Mai tujhe daant nhi rha tha, Ayaansh. I was—"
"I don't want you to do anything, Mr. Singhania. Stop torturing me like this. Apne ghar me rakhne ke ehsaan ke badle aap aise torture nhi kar sakte mujhe."
Hurt flashed in Arnav's eyes before he blinked it away. "Yeh tumhara ghar hai, Ayaansh. Koi tumpe ehsaan nhi kar rha. Rahi baat meri toh tum maano na maano we're brothers. And I won't leave you alone even if you ask me to. You'll have to get used to it."
Ayaansh looked up in shock as he Arnav's words.
"Kyu bol rhe ho aap yeh sab? Aapka mujhse jab koi rishta hi nhi hai toh mai aapka Bhai kaise?"
Arnav took a step towards him and made him sit. "Rishta manne na manne se mit nhi jata. Your mother was my mother too, Ayaansh. That makes us brothers. And—"
"Aur dad?"
Arnav froze at the question. That wasn't something he could tell to a sixteen year old child.
Ayaansh got his share of answer. All the pent up frustration and pain was coming out with a vengeance. "That makes us half brothers. Not brothers."
"Agar mumma aapki bhi mumma thi toh aap kabhi humse Milne kyu nhi aaye? Mumma se Milne kyu nhi aaye? Mumma se kya problem thi aapko?"
Arnav rubbed his forehead. His migraine was just getting worse. "Listen, Ayaansh—"
Ayaansh suddenly took a step back. "Ya aapko mujhse problem thi? Kya mai hoon aapki problem, Mr. Singhania?"
Arnav tried to hold Ayaansh but he was too agitated. "Nhi, Ayaansh.."
"Toh kyu? Kyu nhi the aap humare saath itne saalon se? Aur nhi the toh abhi achanak kyun aa gye? Isliye kyuki mai anaath hoon?"
"Ayaansh!" Arnav's eyes blazed.
"Yahi sach hai. Aapko kya pata mujhe kaisa mehsoos ho rha hai?" Ayaansh shouted but suddenly started feeling dizzy. He swayed.
Arnav rushed to hold him. He made him sit and patted his back. "Thik ho?"
Ayaansh wanted to get up but Arnav held him firmly. "I don't want to be near you, Mr. Singhania. I hate you. Leave me alone."
Arnav pulled him to his chest and started stroking his hair gently. Ayaansh ranted incoherently in his embrace for some time and gradually drifted off.
Arnav looked down and sighed when he found him sleeping soundly. He knew it was Ayaansh's hurt speaking. The boy was hurt and didn't want to build up expectations. Arnav caressed his face before putting his head on pillow and pulling over the comforter.
Arnav could wait for Ayaansh to accept them as his brothers but he had already accepted Ayaansh as his brother. Ayaansh had to realise that.
Write a comment ...