"Where are we going, Bhaiya?"
Ayaansh asked for the umpteenth time. Arnav was sure that was the highest number of sentences he had heard from Ayaansh in less than an hour. He gave his little brother a smile before bringing the car to a halt and gesturing him to come out.
Ayaansh was annoyed. His Bhaiya had been driving for more than half an hour without telling him where he was taking him. He got out and opened his mouth to ask the same question but Arnav silenced him and gave a pointed look to their front.
Ayaansh looked up to see what he was being shown and gasped as soon he saw the board in front of him.
NEW ERA MUSIC CLASSES!
That was the best music classes of the city. It had been Ayaansh's dream to learn music. He could never voice it out to his parents. He stood mesmerized looking at the building and then turned to look at his brother perplexed.
"Hum yahan kyun aaye hai, Bhaiya?"
Shaking his head, Arnav started walking towards him. "Ab mai toh classes lene ke liye thoda late hoon na toh tu hi bacha?"
It pained Arnav's heart beyond words that his brother merely had any expectations at such a tender age. He longed to hear a word of tantrum from his little brother.
Ayaansh's eyes sparkled as he heard Arnav. A heart warming smile spread across his face and he dashed into Arnav's arms without a second thought. Arnav stumbled back due to the force but held Ayaansh securely. Arnav smiled patting his head. "Pasand aaya?"
Ayaansh nodded his head in his chest. Arnav pulled him closer and could finally feel his own heartbeat after last night. Ayaansh pulled back excitedly. "Aap sach me mujhe music classes bhej rhe ho?"
"Haan, bachcha, music seekhna hai na tujhe?"
Ayaansh bobbed his head. "Aapko kaise pata chala?"
Arnav caressed his face. "Agar tu khud aake mujhe batata toh mujhe jyada acha lagta par abhi ke liye I just got a lucky guess after I heard you singing."
Ayaansh's smile dimmed. He could hear the disappointment in his brother's voice. There was a lot of things he needed to clear.
Arnav noticed his sadness and felt guilty for saying it out. Ayaansh would still need time to be comfortable enough to come to him. "Ab muh kyun utar gya tera? Mai toh tujhe khush karne laya tha. Tere dono bhai tera aisa chehra dekhenge toh sochenge mai tujhe do thappad laga ke laya tha. Save me the torture and smile, Ayu."
Arnav said to lighten up the mood and Ayaansh's laugh told him he had succeeded.
"Kya, Bhaiya, aap Aru aur Bhaiyu se darte ho?" Ayaansh was trying to not laugh out.
Arnav raised his eyebrows. "Tujhe badi curiosity ho rhi hai jaane ki?"
"Haww, matlab sachi darte ho aap unse?" Ayaansh asked teasingly.
"Ruk batata hoon tujhe main.." Arnav raised his hand to catch him but Ayaansh laughed and ran ahead.
Arnav couldn't resist the smile that adorned his face looking at Ayaansh laughing so heartily. It felt like a huge achievement for him to draw the smile out of Ayaansh.
Ayaansh came back when he realised his brother wasn't behind him. He came and nudged Arnav. Arnav ruffled his hair and held his hand, starting to walk ahead but Ayaansh stopped him. He turned back questioningly.
Ayaansh hesitated. He wanted to say it but was fighting with his conscience whether to say it or not.
Arnav crouched down before him and squeezed his hands, encouraging him to speak.
"Agar mai aapko bolta mujhe music seekhna hai toh aap maan jaate?"
Ayaansh looked down as he completed. He didn't even realise how futile the question was. His brother had fulfilled his wish without him voicing it out and he was questioning if he would have done the same, had he voiced it out before! It was his desperation to believe that his wishes were actually being acknowledged. Something that had never happened before!
"Tujhe shaq hai?" Arnav made him look up. "Tujhe lagta hai tu apni ichcha batayega aur mai use pura nhi karunga?"
Ayaansh didn't say anything. He wasn't used to the gentleness. The acknowledgement felt like a dream. No one had fulfilled his wishes before. He was just scared of his hopes crashing down mercilessly like every other time.
"Tujhe lagta hai agar kal ko Aru kahe use music seekhna hai toh mai mana kar doonga?" Arnav asked.
Ayaansh shook his head instantly. Arnav could hardly refuse Aryan of anything. His wishes mattered more than anything else for his brothers. Ayaansh knew Arnav would never sideline Aryan's wishes.
"Mai Aru ko mana nhi karunga aur tujhe kar doonga, yeh laga tujhe?"
Ayaansh's eyes filled up.
Arnav saw the tears and got agitated. He was hurt that Ayaansh was made to feel that way. He stood up and turned to walk away but couldn't. He understood Ayaansh's dilemma. He couldn't make himself walk away when he knew Ayaansh was hurting.
Ayaansh's heart sank when Arnav turned back. He thought his brother would leave. He closed his eyes against the rush of tears but opened them the moments he felt the familiar arms around him. Arnav rubbed his back in assurance. Ayaansh let the tears fall down, relieved that he wasn't being walked away from once again. That had happened to him for countless number of times but Arnav turning away hit a different corner of his heart, making it freeze in the coldness of the moment. His heart picked up the heartbeats after feeling Arnav's so close to its own.
Arnav wiped away Ayaansh's tears and spoke gently. "Chal andar chalte hai. Admission me bhi time lagega."
Ayaansh held his hands to stop him. His brother had given him something he hadn't ever expected. Arnav's words conveyed the message explicitly. Him saying that he wouldn't differentiate between Ayaansh and Aryan meant the world to Ayaansh. Ayaansh had been seeking assurance but never once had he seeked the kind of assurance which Arnav gave him without a hiccup!
Arnav looked at him.
"I'm sorry, Bhaiya, mai aapko hurt nhi karna chahta tha."
Arnav sighed. It wasn't about him. He wished he could make the boy understand that. "Mai hurt nhi hoon, Ayu. Chal."
Ayaansh shook hi head. "Aap ho, I can see aap upset ho." He looked at Arnav with eyes full of emotions. "Maine kabhi kaha nhi but mujhe aap pe bharosa hai, Bhaiya. Aap jitna pyaar karte ho maine kabhi kisi ko karte nhi dekha. Mujhe aadat nhi hai, Bhaiya, aur isliye samajh nhi aata kaise react karna hai. Isse pehle kabhi kisi ne mujhse meri ichchha nhi puchhi thi, I got overwhelmed when you did. I didn't want to hurt you, Bhaiya, sach me."
Arnav's heart overflowed with emotions hearing Ayaansh. He had never seen a child of his age speaking with so much maturity. He pulled Ayaansh to his chest. The look in his eyes undid Arnav. He could see the love and respect in those eyes. It was the same look that Aryan and Aniket had for him. The look of sincerity and surender!
Ayaansh blinked back his tears. He was a fool to let his apprehensions dictate law for him. He had faith in his heart, he just needed to put the same faith in his words and actions.
Arnav pulled back, wiped Ayaansh's face with his hands, fixed his collar and patted his cheeks, leading him inside. Ayaansh saw the way Arnav had held his hands and smiled. His Bhaiya might have turned back but he knew he would never turn his back on him!
"Kaha busy tha?"
Rishaan smiled on the other side. "Kaise yaad aa gyi, wakil sahab?"
Aniket rolled his eyes. "Yeh toh Hume puchhna chahiye Doctor sahab. Mujhe laga tha appointment leni padegi baat karne ke liye."
Rishaan laughed. "I don't give appointments to family, Ani."
Aniket smiled. "Bhaiya ki engagement hai do din me."
"Sach me? Congrats yaar. Finally Bhai ready ho gye. Ashi was also waiting for a long time now."
"Haan yaar, finally everything is falling back in place. Acha, Bhai aa gye wapas NYC se?"
"He'll be back tomorrow. Mai bata doonga Bhai ko."
"As far as I think, Bhaiya ne bata diya hoga abhi tak. Ritvik Bhai would just kill him if he hasn't."
Rishaan laughed. That was true. Arnav and his Bhaiya were as thick as thieves. There was nothing they didn't know about each other's life. Getting engaged without telling Ritvik would be a far fetched dream for Arnav.
"How's Ayaansh coping up, Ani?"
Aniket sighed. "He's fine, Rishi. But the boy had gone through a lot."
Rishaan didn't ask further. He knew about Arnav and Aniket already. He didn't need an explanation of what Aniket meant by a lot.
"Why don't you come over with Rihaan? Ayaansh would like some friends." Aniket spoke.
Rishaan sighed. "He's grounded, Ani. It'll be miracle if Bhaiya lets him come for the engagement."
Aniket shook his head. "Why are our younger siblings so fond of being grounded yaar?"
Rishaan smiled. "May be because they are our siblings?"
"Ashi di, aap?"
Aashika smiled at Aryan, ruffling his hairs. "Kheer banayi thi toh socha le aau tere liye."
Aryan's eyes twinkled. "Kheer layi ho aap mere liye?"
"Haan, aaja deti hoon." Aashika walked to the kitchen and served kheer in a bowl. "Yeh le aur bata kaisi bani hai?"
Aryan had it immediately and hugged her. "Aapke haathon me toh jaadu hai, di."
Aashika laughed. "Aur tere Bhaiya ke haathon me?"
Aryan pretended to think. "Unke haathon me bhi hai par aapke haath me different wala hai."
"Bas baatein karwa lo tujhse, haina?" Aniket came from behind.
Aashika served another bowl and passed it to him.
Aryan glared at him. "Aapko kya? Aap bas jealous ho ki di loves me more."
"Aise kaise, Ashi meri best friend hai."
"Haan par meri toh Bhabhi hai na!" Aryan smiled widely.
Aashika's heart warmed up. Aryan was the first one to give a name to their relationship. Aryan tugged at her dupatta. "Hai na, di?"
Aniket whacked him. "Bhabhi hai toh di kyun bula rha hai?"
"Usme kya hai, Bhaiyu, ab se Bhabhi bolunga. Kyun, Bhabhi?" Aryan turned to Aashika with a smile.
Aashika kissed his forehead. "Haan, bacha, tujhe ho bolna hai tu bol."
Aniket shook his head. She had always pampered Aryan just like Arnav. Aryan ruled all of their hearts without even trying to.
"Aapko pata hai, Bhabhi, kitna pareshan kiya Bhaiya ne mujhe? Mujhe bahar nhi jane diya aur......."
Aniket pressed his lips to not laugh out when he heard his younger brother start with his long list of complaints. Aashika's look told him she wasn't very impressed. Aniket sat down on chair with the bowl of Kheer in his hands. He was enjoying the show.
"Aane de tere Bhaiya ko, Aru.."
Aashika had just started speaking when they saw Arnav and Ayaansh coming inside. Aryan rushed to Ayaansh's side.
"Kahan gye the aap dono?"
"Music classes." Aniket replied with a smile. "Pasand aaya tujhe?" He asked Ayaansh.
Ayaansh nodded happily.
"Aap bhi music seekhte ho, Bhai?" Aryan asked.
"Mai bhi?" Ayaansh frowned.
Aryan nodded giving him a huge smile. "Aapko nhi pata? Bhaiyu is a rockstar."
Ayaansh was surprised at the information. "Haan, Bhaiyu?"
Aniket nodded with a smile. Music was his passion. He had recorded many songs under anonymous names. Not many people were aware of his other side.
"Par Maine aapko kabhi gaate toh nhi suna ab tak?"
Aryan sighed dramatically. "Aapko nhi pata, Bhai. Bhaiyu ko gaate sunne ke liye kitne haath pair jodne padte hai inke. Big superstars you know...ouch" He looked back when Aniket whacked him.
"Sahi toh keh raha hai woh, use kyun maar rahe ho?" Aashika said pulling Aryan towards her.
"Yeh toh galat baat hai, Bhaiyu." Ayaansh joined in.
"Yaar sab milke team up kar rhe ho tum log toh." Aniket turned to glare at Arnav. "Aapko kuch nhi kehna inse?"
Arnav smiled. "Truth is truth, Ani."
Everyone bursted out laughing. Aniket glared at them but ended up laughing with them.
"Ashi, chachu ko bolna saare arrangements ho gye hai. He doesn't need to stress himself." Arnav smiled at Aashika.
Aashika smiled back and nodded.
Aryan nudged at her. She looked at him with confusion, he signed her something and she looked back at Arnav with a glare. Arnav narrowed his eyes at the interaction.
"Yeh mai kya sun rhi hoon, Arnav? Kyun Aru ko pareshan kar rhe hai aap?"
Aniket bit back his smile and picked up his bowl of Kheer once again. Aryan nudged him to feed him as well. Aniket happily obliged and the brothers looked on excited. He looked at Ayaansh and pulled him to sit and handed him another bowl, winking at him.
Arnav rubbed his forehead and looked at his younger brother who was trying to hide himself in Aashika's dupatta.
"Bache ko mat ghuro aap. Uski Bhai ki sagai hai, woh apni marzi nhi chalayega toh kon chalayega?" Aashika shielded Aryan and looked at Arnav.
"Tumhara baccha grounded tha, Ashi. I told him he could choose designs at home..."
"Apni punishment baad me continue kariyega, Arnav. I want Aru to do everything as he wishes. Please, Arnav?" Aashika gentled her tone.
Arnav sighed. He had relented already. His brother was just enjoying his plight. He took a step closer to Ashi. "Tum jaisa chahogi, vaisa hi hoga, Ashi."
Aashika smiled. That was the person she fell in love with. He was the most successful businessman yet he was obliging to her wishes. Arnav held her hands and pressed a gentle kiss on it.
"Awwwww" The boys interrupted on purpose and pretended to look away when the couple turned to them. "Humne kuch nhi dekha."
Aashika looked away embarassed and Arnav just shook his head. "Kuch kaam nhi hai tum logo ko?"
"Nhi hai, Bhaiya, aapko problem hai humare yahan rehne se?" Aniket asked innocently.
Aryan hugged Aashika and looked at Arnav teasingly. "Dekho, Bhabhi, Bhaiya hume Jane ko keh rhe hai."
Arnav glared at them but then smiled. He didn't know his little brother had taken to calling Ashi as Bhabhi. He was glad his family was so comfortable with Ashi. He looked how Ashi was being hugged by both Aryan and Ayaansh by either sides as she gave hi five to Aniket. Even Ayaansh looked so happy around her.
Ayaansh saw his brother looking at them and approached him. He wanted to tell him something. "Bhaiya?"
Arnav smiled at him. "Haan, bacha?"
"Kal mere boards ka result hai, Bhaiya." Ayaansh spoke.
"Kal?"
Ayaansh nodded. He was scared for his results.
Arnav ruffled his hair. "I'll come home early. We'll open the results together, okay?"
Ayaansh again nodded.
"Kya hua, Ayu? Darr lag rha hai?"
Ayaansh nodded slightly.
"Results jo bhi ho, we'll see to it. Abhi pareshan mat ho, hm?"
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