Riya

The house was engulfed with the smell of camphor, and the smoke from the hawan made everyone teary-eyed. Beads of sweat clung to my forehead due to the heat, and I wiped it for nth time with my white dupatta, hoping it wouldn't leave a mark on it.

It was Dhruv's birthday, and he was nowhere to be seen. I could see the disappointment in his mother's eyes as she continued the puja.

I was sitting behind her while pundit ji chanted mantras. His absence didn't surprise me. He wasn't home last night. He must've been with his friends. It was the new tradition he had taken up to stay outside on the eve of his birthday and spend it with his friends, drinking.

I picked up Chachi's phone and tried calling him again. I wasn't going to call him from my phone. Yesterday's anger was still burning. It wasn't easy to let go of the fact that the person you considered your closest was drifting apart.

He didn't pick up his call.

My eyes went to Chachi's face as she put the hawan samagri in the fire. Why couldn't he just be on time for once?

The look on everyone's face was making me angry. He wasn't here, but his mother continued the tradition.

"It doesn't matter if he's here or not, beta. It's a mother's duty to keep the traditions alive, especially the ones that bind us together. I understand he's growing up, and his priorities are changing. It's okay."

I remembered her words from a few hours ago.

I kept her phone down and picked mine up, which was lying beside me. I got up and walked inside the kitchen while looking for the contact I needed, and dialed her number.

She picked up after a few rings.

"Riya? What's up?" Angie's voice came from the other side.

"I need a little help," I replied.

"Yeah?"

"Do you know where Dhruv could be?"

"What? How would I know that?"

"Angie. I need to know where he is." There was a sternness in my voice.

"Why?"

"So I can drag him back home, and possibly punch him while doing so."

"Oh, you're pissed." she laughed. "I don't know where is he, but he usually drinks and passes out at Abhay's place."

Knew it. Abhay was everywhere. Why did every single one of my problems revolve around him?

"Do you have Abhay's number?" I asked, and she laughed as if I had said the stupidest thing of all.

"No."

"Where does he live?"

"You're not planning on going there, are you?" Concerned dripped from her tone.

"Yes. I am."

"Can I change your mind?"

"Nope."

"I don't think you should go there. Not a good idea."

"Why?"

"Dhruv wouldn't like that. He already doesn't like the way this whole thing is going." She stated, and I felt a pang.

She knew more than she let on. I felt betrayed. But I tried not to dwell on it. It wasn't her fault my brother preferred to divulge the information about our fights to a third person.

"At this point, I don't really care what he thinks."

Her sigh echoed from the other end. "I'll come with you."

We stood in front of a building that was supposed to be Abhay's home.

The building rose with a quiet dignity. An old-world charm nestled in the middle of a bustling metropolis. It didn't feel like we were in the same city. It was away from the usual dust-laden air.

The building, though aged, was well-maintained, with the stonework displaying intricate carvings that hinted at its rich history. Dark tendrils of some unknown climber clung to its sides, climbing toward the upper floors. Sia would've known what climbers it was.

My eyes followed the large windows. They possibly invited natural light to spill into each apartment.

I looked at Angie to confirm we were at the right place. She wore her usual shorts and a T-shirt, but I was decked up in my white Anarkali suit. I should've changed. I felt too overdressed.

"Still wanna go inside?" Angie smirked. She had brought her scooty. It was a long journey of more than an hour. I told her we could go by train, but no.

"Which floor?" I straightened up.

She laughed. "I think 6th."

"You think?" This girl.

"What? I forgot which floor it was."

"You've been here?" I asked, looking around at the trees and greenery around.

The building stood right along the road, with a metro line running overhead. Beyond the metro, a forest stretched alongside. It gave the place a calm vibe.

The calm vibe did nothing to calm the turmoil inside.

Were those dragonflies? What was this place?

"Nope...Dhruv told me." There was an awkwardness in her voice.

"Ohh. let's go inside."

We gave our names to the guard and went inside. I pressed six on the lift hoping that it wouldn't take us to a random person's home.

While my mind contemplated how cool this elevator was to ignore the second thoughts I was having, we reached the sixth floor. The floor had only two flats, and both had the same name.

Abhay Raichand.

So, he owned the whole floor. I blinked to digest the fact. No big deal.

"Now, where does he live?" I asked, looking between both the flats.

"Who cares," Angie said and rang the bell on both.

"Angie!" I whispered. "What if his family lived in one?"

"Then he would be one dumb fuck to have his place this close to his family."

Even after a few minutes, no one opened the door. I sighed and went to the one on the right side.

I rang the bell again. Nothing happened. My frustration was rising, and I started ringing the bell continuously.

The love for your family made you do dumb stuff.

After a few seconds of feeling like a psychopath for ringing the bell, the door flew open.

And there stood an angry Abhay.

"What the-" His angry shout stopped mid-way as he tried to take in the situation.

The guy must've woken up to a horrible sound and opened it to see the person he hated on his doorstep. I didn't pity him though.

I didn't believe in violence, but he could choke on a cactus.

He wore a gray sweatpants and a black rumpled t-shirt. His tousled hair told me he was sleeping.

Sleep still lingered in his eyes as he furrowed his brows and stared at me for a while as if in disbelief.

"Is Dhruv here?" I asked, folding my hands in front, done with his staring.

He looked me up and down, probably thinking I looked like a cartoon. I didn't look bad, did I?

"Lost him again, didn't you?" The sleep in his voice made his voice a tad bit deeper.

"Answer the question." I gritted out.

"Yeah, he's inside. Passed out." He stepped inside, leaving the door open for me to follow.

I looked at Angie, "Let's go."

"I'll wait here." There was a finality in her voice.

"What, why?"

"Just because. Now, go."

I sighed. I was surrounded by stubborn people.

I followed Abhay inside. His living room was shrouded in darkness, and it took me a second to adjust my eyes. The smell of alcohol hung in the air, and I scrunched up my nose.

My eyes took in the big curtains that were blocking the sunlight. It was around 12, but in the room, it felt like the middle of the night. Abhay switched on the light, and my eyes slowly adjusted to find Dhruv passed out on the couch.

I would've admired the collection of paintings on Abhay's wall or the contrast of his black couches with the pristine white walls, but the view of Dhruv passed out brought back the feeling from this morning.

I left the puja in the middle to witness this.

"How did you come here?" Abhay asked. Sleep was gone from his eyes as he stood with his hands in his pockets. The genuine concern in his voice took me aback.

"I asked Angie." It was easier to talk to him now. He had seen me crying, called me ugly, and called me a Vetaal. What more could he say?

I called Dhruv's name, but he didn't wake up.

"Dhruv." I shook him lightly. He groaned and then went back to sleep.

"He drank around four bottles. He's not going to wake up," Abhay said. "Even if you pour a bucket of water." He said, and I remembered the night he dropped off a drunk Dhruv.

It felt like ages ago.

My mind started thinking of the ways I could resolve this. I had traveled for an hour. I couldn't just go back alone. But I didn't want to shake him up.

I wasn't ready to accept it, but I didn't know this Dhruv.

"How is he when he's drunk?" I asked Abhay, who still stood at the same place. "Is he an angry drunk?"

He was quiet for a while, and I thought he wouldn't reply. I wondered what he thought of this situation.

"A mean one." He replied. "He would be pissed that you're here." Why was everyone saying that?

I sighed, looking at Dhruv. "He's my brother. I can't just leave him because he'll be pissed." A sad smile spread on my face.

I wanted to ask Abhay. How was his relationship with his brother? Did he face the problems? But I held my tongue.

While I was having my internal dilemma, Abhay kept staring at my face. Probably thought I was a gone case. But he should've understood how I feel, right?

I looked at him, and our eyes met.

No, I couldn't assume he understood. And why did it even matter if he understood or not?

"Can you help me out?" I cleared my throat to get rid of the awkwardness. "Umm...waking him up," I asked, hoping he wouldn't see the helplessness on my face.

After staring at my face for a while, Abhay disappeared into what seemed to be the kitchen, and I contemplated how to wake this monster who was snoring on the sofa.

After a few seconds, Abhay reappeared with a bottle of cold water with beads of condensation rolling on it. Without a word, he opened the cap and with a casual flick of his wrist, poured it over Dhruv's face.

Dhruv woke up with a jolt with his fist clenched to his sides, ready to kill someone.

"Happy birthday," I said after a beat as his eyes fell on me. 

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