Third Person's POV

Afternoon sun rays were falling through the large window. They just had their lunch and Owi and her mother were watching some YouTube videos on TV. "The Mumbai floods have not only caused serious damage to the city and the people but have caused great damage to life. People have lost their family members, some are still missing. According to the sources, there are fewer chances for the missing people to be found as the opened gutters have flowed people along wit-"

"Enough Mom, when will you stop watching that stupid news!" Switching the TV off, Owi shouted looking at her mother. But regretted it the moment she saw her tears-filled face.

Sighing, she whipped her mother's tears and placed her head on her lap. With reflex, her mother's started caressing her head.

"Have faith in God, Mom. Remember what Vaine says? Everything that happens, happens for a reason."

Her mother nodded her head. Hoping the reason has a great purpose - mostly good.

••••

His business is going very well, in fact, it's more successful than before. It keeps on increasing. After all, it's his hard work that he achieved the position of his company to where it is right now.

It was a happy day of the week, Wednesday. It's a happy day for the Mahtre family because every Wednesday the eldest son of the family comes to their home from Pune, the city he had started working from. The entire week he leaves alone in Pune for work and on Wednesday evening he goes back to his family in Mumbai, spends some time with them, and on Thursday early morning at 5 am again leaves for Pune. This is what has been happening since the time Mallika left the home. No, no! Since the time Mallika was thrown out of her house by her husband.

Nahush was having dinner with his family with some talks and laughs in between. Laughs with his mother and sister Owi and some talks with his father. His mother made all his favourite food and as always, he completed all of his food in almost 10 minutes. This is how fast he eats his food. And as always, he did not acknowledge Nishant and his wife.

Spending some time with his parents after dinner with his head on his mother's lap with her caressing his head making him close his eyes. Bhakti placed her head on her husband's shoulder and looked above in his eyes, "What condition our baby is in now, Aaho." She let out a heavy breath. Hugging her shoulder sideways he stated, "It's his decision, my love."

Yes, it was my decision. What can he do when only his eyes were closed but sleep was far away.?

••••

He went to his room with a bottle of alcohol. He saw his dad looking at the alcohol bottle and then at him with sadness. He gave a small smile to his dad and moved to his room. Without switching on the light, he sat on the floor and gulped the complete alcohol bottle. He ordered more alcohol from the house helpers and kept drinking it.

Red eyes, dark circles, messy hair, loose tie, body stinking of sweat and alcohol; he looked a complete mess. He slept on the floor putting one leg on the sofa and the other on the floor, spreading his hands and holding the bottle of alcohol in one of his hands. A few drops of tears flowed from his eyes even in his sleep.

From the door of his room, Nishant once again saw the state of his elder brother. His condition kept worsening day by day. "I'm sorry, Dada." He murmured to himself and went from there with guilt and only guilt.

••••

Nishant, I'm so excited to join back the hospital! But you know what, I will miss you a lot! In this one month, I became completely habitual to you, and now staying these many months away from you would be so difficult for me."

With a sad tone, Avani hugged Nishant.

"I'm waiting for the internship to be completed and I will no longer have to stay away from you." A smile formed on her face while saying this.

"I know. It feels so good to be with you. To be near you. Now that when you would be gone, I would again feel lonely. All alone. No one to talk to. Just, alone." Nishant zoned out while saying this. His hold on her tightened with sadness.

Avni looked up, her chin on his chest, and exclaimed, "Why would you say that!? Mom, Dad, Aaji, Owi, all talk with you. Joke around. They are always there with you so how are you alone?"

"Dada? He doesn't."

Saying this he went to bed and slept on his front. Pressing his face in the mirror.

Signing, Avni turned the lights off. Lying beside him, she cuddled his back. Placing a kiss on the side of his neck she said, "He will, Nishant. He is sad now. He is not happy. I think, seeing you reminds him of the past. Try to understand him. Give him some time."

"Yes, I know, Avni. But what can I do? He is my Dada! I love him so much! He is my inspiration, my support, my strength! It hurts to see him so distant from me." A lone tear escaped his eye.

He turned to a side, now facing her.

"But he does talk to you. Even though it is less but still he does and that's a good thing, is it not? Bhauji also loves you, Nishant. You know that, right?"

Earning a soft nod.

Avni wiped his tears with a sad smile and kissed his forget with love. He again engulfed her in a tight hug, kissing the intersection of her cheek and ear, making a shiver run down her body.

"Ah, Nishant!" A low moan escaped her mouth.

"I'm sorry, Avni." he stopped.

She held his face lovingly, pulling his face for a kiss. Her fingers moved between his hair locks making him pull her hair with a little force and started kissing her neck and shoulder.

He stopped after a few minutes making her disappointed.

"Maza Bal, periods ahe na tula? Aaram kar. Majya chotusya Baiko chi paat masta choulun deto (my baby, aren't you on periods? Rest. I'll give a nice back massage to my little wife)." He winked and showed her the bottle of massage oil making her laugh.

Discarding her top and bra, he started giving her a nice massage. It was so pleasing that she slept peacefully.

Her peaceful face helped him to sleep as well by engulfing her in his embrace.

••••

It was 3:45 am, Nahush was ready and was about to leave his room. He turned at the sound of the door knock to find his Brother and his wife.

Hae eatkya lavkar kashae utla (How did they wake up so early)? Raising his brow in question, Nahush was about to switch off the room's lights.

"Dada, I want to talk to you!" Words left so fast from Nishant's mouth as if, if he is late for another second then he would lose a precious chance.

"Go ahead." That was enough approval from Nahush for Nishant to go and fall on his knees before Nahush who had just sat on the bed with Nishant's wife standing by his side.

Kneeling, he held the hands of Nahush in his and looked at his brother's blank eyes. Even today he received no reaction from him. How long has it been since that fateful day and the last day his Dada has talked to him normally? But can he complain? Huh, no...

Gathering lots of courage, he took a deep breath and said in a go, "Dada, please talk to me. I cannot bear your distance from me. Your distance is bothering me, Dada. Please..."

"Go to bed, Nishant. It's too early to wake up. Avni, you also go to sleep and take him with you." Nahush told Nishant in a plain tone and then looked a Avni.

"Dada, maza eik na please (Dada, please listen to me)." Nishant requested urgently.

"Bol (Say)."

Taking a deep breath, he started to say, "Dada, whatever I told you about Vahini was...was..."

His heartbeat was rising very fast. Not able to complete his words, he slowly looked at his brother but again found no reaction.

Stammering, Nishant said what he had to say with great difficulty. But whatever he said, his body didn't react to it. Calm... He was very calm. And Nishant feared his calmness. He could bear all the harshness of his Dada but not this. Not his calmness. Did he really make his brother lose his emotions? His calmness was making him scared and worried. Little did he know, his brother's heart was beating to a high beat even without his knowledge.

"Dada... Ple-please say...say something please..." He begged, holding his hands in his.

"I'm sorry, Dada. Plea-", he stopped when Nahush slowly removed his hand from Nishant's hold.

"I know."

°°°°°

Namaskar!

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Published on: 19-Feb-2024