Love is beautiful while siblings' love is stupefying

(Affu)

Everyone has a love story. Some just love their parents while some fall in love with a partner. But there's an extraordinary love which is of a sibling's love. That love is supportive and the most wanted because you know, let any door get closed in front of you but not your sibling's.

Our Nest

Boys' Room

Manvik: He could have told us, okay? He really could have!

He yelled before breaking throwing a vase at the mirror in their room which got broken into bits.

Karthik: Manvik, stop it! Mamma shouldn't know about it.

He tried to make his brother sit on the bed who shoved his hands away.

Manvik: You didn't tell us, either Bhai.

He stared at Karthik in agony who stared at him with his lips formed in a thin line, as if he was asking himself not to cry.

Manvik: You should have told the other night that you knew everything. What was the need of these riddles? You could have told us.

He looked away and punched in the wall making him to taste pain as he was still weak. Karthik pushed Manvik on the bed and covered him with the blanket.

Karthik: Sleep. You're not stable enough to think anything, now.

He was about to walk away when he felt a tug on his wrist. He turned to find it was Prathik's hold. He frowned as his little brother was busy in assaulting his punching bag till now.

Prathik: Should I also sleep?

Karthik: What?

Prathik: I'm sorry, Bhai.

The next second, Prathik punched in Karthik's jaws which just widened Manvik's eyes. Prathik never raised his hand to punch Karthik. It was always Manvik whom he used to punch to vent his anger. While Karthik looked up in shock.

Prathik: You. You hid it, Bhai. Like. You hid such a big truth from us.

Karthik looked away on not able to meet his gaze.

Prathik: Why can't you stop torturing yourself for once, Bhai?

Karthik snapped his head at Prathik in surprise who had tears in his eyes. He held Karthik's collars and more tears started to flow out of those eyes.

Prathik: He wasn't just mine or Manvik's father but yours too. He was your father too. Didn't you feel the pain, Bhai?

That was the moment, Karthik shed a tear drop and Prathik pushed him away.

Prathik (shouted): You broke yourself on the other night and let us to enjoy, Bhai. Dad matters to us but not more than you, okay? You drank all the pain inside and gave some stupid shit like riddles to us. Damn it, Karthik Malhotra! All you had to do was to yell at us and share the truth. But you didn't. How can you! After all, you're infamous for bearing everything alone.

He turned to Manvik whose gaze has softened by now.

Prathik: And you! Stupid Malhotra!

Manvik turned to face Prathik who moved ahead to punch in his face when Karthik stopped him making him to let a frustrated sigh out.

Prathik: You were blaming him? Our Bhai? Our Bhai who himself was broken to know about our father's truth. You think Bhai would hide such an important reality of our lives from us. Don't you know him, you imbecile? Place yourself in his place and think.

Manvik looked at Karthik with a blank look but his eyes held guilt.

Prathik: Your fu***** anger have to be on control, jerk! Just because of your anger and impulsiveness, you hurt our Bhai, today.

Karthik: Prathik!

Prathik: Shut up! I don't wanna talk with my brothers, today.

He walked out of the room in rage and Karthik stared at his retreating figure in pain.

Manvik: I'm sorry!

He turned to look at Manvik who was now looking the other side.

Karthik: Its fine.

And he too left the room making Manvik to cry out.

Manvik: You stupid Malhotra! How could you hurt your Bhai?! Prathi is right! Your anger is leading you to doom.

Outside the Room

Prathik was walking through the lobby when he bumped into someone. "Ouch" he heard the person shrieking in pain and he looked up to shout.

Prathik: Great! Why? Why am I meeting only you when I'm upset, Miss Thakkar?

Naila rubbed her forehead and then looked up to see Prathik's reddened face. She glared at him though she was in pain.

Naila: Was there any train coming to hit you that you didn't even look around before you started to walk?

Prathik: Yes! A train named Naila Thakkar is really into hitting me every now and then.

Naila (rolled her eyes): Try something better!

Prathik: Just shut up, okay! And stop eating my head.

He was about to walk away when she held his hand in her grip halting him.

Naila: Why are your eyes so red?

Prathik looked away and took his hand from her grip.

Prathik: Its nothing that concerns you.

Naila: Well, it doesn't concern me but I was just confused. Kahi tumhe koi beemari tho nahi, I mean eye allergy?

Prathik glared at her and she kept staring in his eyes curiously.

Naila: Oh my God! Your eyes are so red. Come along.

She held his hand and tried to drag him.

Prathik: Oh hello! Where are you taking me to, Miss?

Naila: To Daddy. He's a doctor and will check your eyes. What if its some disease and what if its a communicable disease? Ashu is always around you. She'll also get it and I'm always around her so I can also get diagnosed with it. In that way, the entire house will be diagnosed with it. Nahi nahi, jaldh hi teek karna hain, chalo mere saath.

All this while, Prathik was staring at her dumbfounded.

Prathik: How do you manage to speak non-stop, girl?

Naila: That doesn't matter, now. Come with me.

Prathik: Oh God! I'm fine, girl. Its just I was angry that my eyes became red.

Naila: Oh, phir teek hain.

He stared at her in surprise who was dusting her hands.

Naila: Actually check kar raha tha. Seedhe pooch liya but you didn't tell me why your eyes are red, isiliye thoda drama kiya.

Prathik's anger increased and Naila waved her hands in air.

Naila: Ye red eyes jaake kisi aur ko dikhao, mujhe nahi, darthi nahi hun mein.

She started to walk away and Prathik muttered curses for her.

Naila: Waise.

She turned around to face him, who gave her a sarcastic grin.

Naila: You can just go to my Naanu if you're angry. He's good at calming one's anger. Experience hain unko.

And she walked away while Prathik stood staring at her retreating figure.

Prathik: Seems like, its time to meet Senior Malhotra!

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked towards Raj Malhotra's Bedroom

Raj and Nyonika's Bedroom

Knock Knock

Raj: Come in.

Raj looked up when he heard the door getting opened only to get surprised.

Raj: Uh, Prathik. Tum yaha?

Prathik stood with a blank look on his face.

Prathik: Can I come in?

Raj: Oh, I'm so sorry, sure beta. Come in.

Prathik walked inside and looked around to see Raj's family pictures hung on the wall. He stared at every picture and realized that their pictures were missing among them. Don't they deserve to be a part of this family?!

Raj: You can sit.

He observed Prathik keenly, who nodded at him before taking a seat.

Raj: Any problem?

Prathik stared at Raj confusingly who smiled at him.

Raj: I've never had a visitor named Prathik Malhotra before.

Prathik (sighed): I got something for you.

Raj frowned while Prathik took something from his trouser's pocket and forwarded it to Raj.

Prathik: I think its yours.

Raj looked at Prathik's hand and gasped in surprised.

Raj: That's my wedding ring.

He took it from Prathik smilingly.

Raj: I was looking for it. Oh man! Kaha se mila ye aapko?

Prathik: I got it from breakfast table. Seems like, its very important for you. I couldn't get a chance to give it to you.

Raj: Thank you so much, beta. Its really important for me. Agar Neyo ko patha chala tho mera khair nahi. Maar daalegi mujhe.

He spoke in a mere whisper tone at the end making Prathik to smile a bit.

Prathik: Scared of wife, eh?

Raj: You need to be a husband to know my emotions, little son!

Prathik had to smile at that endearment. Grandparents are something new to him. Though Adyant and Anjali are dear to them, they're not their own grandparents.

Prathik: I'm just 9 years old to be a husband, Mr. Malhotra.

Raj (laughed): My son planned to get married when he was just 5 years old, so age doesn't bother me.

Prathik sat bewildered at that statement for his father.

Prathik: Why isn't he still married, then?

His question took the smile from Raj's face. Prathik smiled at himself like he already knew the answer.

Raj: Um. He didn't like any girl yet.

Prathik: But Mr. Thakkar said he used to love someone.

Raj (shocked): What? Abhi..Abhi ne kaha?

Prathik: Yeah. He said that Mr. Malhotra was deeply in love with someone but broken up with her due to some personal issues.

Prathik hid his smirk while Raj stared at him in horror. How come Abhimanyu shares something so secretive about Manik to some kid?!

Raj: Er..I don't know what he meant but Manik is single and he..he never liked any girl.

Prathik: Oh! Maybe, Mr. Thakkar was messing with me. Its fine, anyhow. Honestly speaking, I wondered which girl would say yes to him! I mean, he's always into mocking at people. He hates kids like us too while girls love kids.

Raj looked offended with it. Someone was speaking against his son which is so not desirable to him.

Raj: My son isn't bad, okay. He is a very good guy. And he loves kids. He had planned to have a very big family once he gets married too. Circumstance ithna acha nahi tha mere bete keliye warna abhi thak wo baap bann chuka hotha. And let me tell you, he would be the world's best husband and best father.

Prathik smiled on remembering the care that he had for them. The way he supported them when Manvik got hit by the car and the way his eyes held immense pain on seeing Manvik in pain, the way he looks at their mother with only love in his eyes. Everything, everything about him meant only one thing-that he loves them.

But why isn't he with them?

That's for them to find out and they will!

Prathik: Well, the best father in him should be ready to fight now!

He got up and moved towards the door while Raj stared at his back confusingly.

Prathik: And yeah. Your son isn't bad, either.

He spoke before walking out of the room and Raj sighed.

Raj: Did he just speak like my Manik?

He shook his head at himself before getting busy in his work.

Karthik's Room

Nandini: Sabka laundry bhi idhar udhar hain.

She muttered to herself when she walked inside Karthik's room to get his clothes for laundry. Her sons never let any workers inside their room if its not for cleaning. They don't like anyone touching those which belong to them except for their mother, therefore, its always Nandini who do their laundry too.

Nandini: Karti?

She whispered when she saw him sitting near to the glass window looking outside. She walked ahead and settled beside him.

Nandini: Kuch hua hai kya?

He snapped his head at her, who was staring at him in worry.

Karthik: Mom? You? When did you come?

She sighed before cupping his cheeks.

Nandini: Subah se dekh rahi hun, kya hua theenon ko? You guys are lost somewhere. And now, you're sitting in here alone? Kabse Manvik chodna shuru kiya tumne? You didn't let him be alone since the moment he was hospitalized, phir ab kya hua?

Karthik gulped and nodded in No.

Karthik: Nothing, Mamma. Nothing.

Nandini: Kabhi kabhi share karna padtha hai Karti. Kaafi behthar feel karoge tum. Is something bothering my babies?

She asked so lovingly that he crashed in her chest to cry making her stiff in her place. Slowly, she started to ruffle his hairs and she got to hear him sniffing.

Karthik: He..he thought..I was hiding it..from him, Mamma. He thought, I could hide it. I..I was just scared for him. You know right, he's not well and I..I thought, if I say about it, he might fall sick again. I..you know right, I can't see them in pain. You do know right? And Prathik, he is so sensitive and I feared that he might blurt everything out if I..if I share with him.

He looked up at her with tears flowing out of his eyes.

Karthik: I'll never think..bad for them, Mamma. They're my brothers. Do you think that I'll hurt them ever? I'm sorry, Mamma. I don't know how to share, Mamma. I don't know. I don't know why I'm so bad. I'm hurting everyone. I'm so bad, r..

Nandini: Shhh. Karti. Stop it, kisne kaha that my baby is bad? Huh. Kisne kaha? Whoever said it, is wrong. My baby isn't bad. You're my strong baby and I know my baby will never do anything that will hurt his loved ones. Aur tum tho tumhare brothers ko kabhi bhi hurt nahi kar paega. Okay? So stop crying and bothering yourself. My baby is strong enough to fight every demons in his life. Hai na?

Karthik bobbed his head at her and she kissed his forehead before clearing his tears away.

Nandini: Ab listen. I don't know what's the issue par ithna zaroor kahungi, jab life mein problems aathe hai tho fight karna padtha hain, par akele nahi, saath saath karna hain. When you three were born, I had only one wish. To see you guys together in everything you do. Mene kabhi kisi ek ko pyar nahi kiya par theenon ko pyar kiya thaaki theenon ek saath sab kuch kare, kisi ek ko zyada pyar nahi diya, theenon ko zyada pyar diya so that you never complain that your mum loved someone more than you and end up leaving each other. Love is there where is togetherness. Aayi samaj mein baath?

"Yes Mamma" she turned to find Prathik at the door who was also smiling at her.

Nandini: Baaki kaha reh gaya?

Prathik: In his room.

Nandini: Then, what the hell are you guys doing here?

She spoke to both the boys who looked down.

"I'm here, Mamma" Manvik joined Prathik, who looked at him and then at Karthik before holding Manvik's hand. Karthik stood up and strolled towards Manvik and held his other hand to support him to stand. They took him inside and made him sit on the bed while Nandini stare at them smilingly.

Nandini: Aaj butter chicken kisko khana hain?

They grinned at her while raising their hands in air. She laughed and moved towards them and kissed their heads.

Nandini (whispered): Always, be together. Even if Mamma stops saying it, be together.

They nodded at her and she walked out leaving the brothers behind to solve their issue.

Karthik: You need to sleep now, Manvik. You always sleep before lunch, right. Prathik, come along.

Before he could leave, Manvik hugged him tightly and Prathik smiled at it.

Manvik: You need to stop avoiding me. I'm your brother right. Your younger brother? So, you hold the right to beat me up when I speak shits. Beat the hell out of me, Bhai. But don't ever stop talking to me. I'll never forgive myself, then.

They pulled away and Karthik cupped his cheeks while nodding in positive.

Karthik: You gave me the right, now I won't stop myself before punishing you.

Manvik: All yours!

And they hugged each other again.

Prathik: Hey! Not fair. I'm your baby brother and babies deserve much love.

They chuckled before pulling him for anther hug who reciprocated to it smilingly.

Prathik: Now! Why don't we do something useful?!

Prathik spoke while pulling away from the hug and both Karthik and Manvik stared at him confusingly.

Prathik: You know! Its time for Manik Malhotra to confess, now.

And this time, their faces had that smirks back on it.

Manik's Room

Abhimanyu: Red? Or black? Or white? Or even better..Pink?!

Manik threw a pillow at Abhimanyu which hit his face badly.

Abhimanyu: Oww. What the fudge, Malhotra!

Manik: Suits you better. Now, stop disturbing and get the hell out of my face!

Abhimanyu: Oh hello! Kaha disturb kiya mene? I was just asking for help! Dost se help maangna gunah hai kya?!

Manik: Of course not. But its really a sin to ask your best friend to help you choose a boxer.

Abhimanyu: Aye! Its not the first time I'm asking you to help me with it. I always get confused on which color to wear.

Manik: Chimpanzee Thakkar, pitega tu!

Abhimanyu: Cool. Aajkal mujhe chimpanzee pasand aane laga.

Manik (frustrated): Ugh...Someone should murder him.

Abhimanyu: So you want your sister to be a widow?

Manik kicked the chair nearby and huffed while Abhimanyu chuckled.

Abhimanyu: See! You still are the same. Its so easy to annoy you.

Manik glared at Abhimanyu who got busy in selecting a perfect boxer for him.

Abhimanyu: Waise, Manik.

Manik: You open your mouth for one more time, I'll forget that Mukti was my sister and end up killing you.

Abhimanyu (rolled his eyes): Friends ek doosre ko murder nahi karthe so I don't believe in your dhamki. Ab sunn, ek important baath karna hain.

Manik: Haa, important bath hi hoga. To select a perfect swimsuit for you.

Abhimanyu: Filhaal swim nahi karnewala. So, stop with your sarcastic comments.

Manik ignored him and got busy in completing his office work.

Abhimanyu: Tere bete ke line bilkul bhi teek nahi jaa raha hain.

He sounded serious and Manik looked up at Abhimanyu, who was sighing.

Manik: Mere teen bete hain, if you don't know so kindly tell me which one you're referring to.

Abhimanyu: Prathik Manik Malhotra.

Manik (shrugged): Uska line thoda teda hain. I always felt that he's more like the Manik you guys knew.

Abhimanyu: Par wo Manik kabhi ladki ke route mein nahi gaya na.

Manik: What are you even talking about, dude?

Abhimanyu: Dekh tu, beta tera hai isiliye abhi thak pitaai nahi hui warna I would have taken him to Jurassic World for eyeing my daughter.

Manik's jaws dropped down in shock while Abhimanyu huffed in frustration. How could someone just eye his 7 years old daughter?!

Manik: What?

Abhimanyu (annoyed): My daughter held your son's hand today. Do you even realize it? My little daughter was never into boys and today, I saw her holding Prathik's hand. I mean, rishthe dekhliya tho shadi bhi ho saktha hain and I'm never gonna let my daughter marry your son. I'm going to find a calm guy for my flower like daughter.

And Manik busted out in laughter which just increased Abhimanyu's anger.

Abhimanyu: What's wrong with you, idiot? Yaha mein frustration nikaal raha hun aur tu hai ki has raha hain.

Manik: I can't believe it. Nandu and Mukti should have heard it.

Abhimanyu: Dare you tell them! They were crazy that they even planned to get their kids married in future.

Manik: Aye! Problem kya hain mere bete mein?

Abhimanyu: Problem kya nahi, ye pooch?

Manik (pissed): Chimpanzee, stop irritating me. My sons are the best anyone could ask for, okay?

Abhimanyu: I don't care, okay. Tere har ek beta mujhe dominate kartha rehtha hain aur ab unmein se ek ko meri beti dena hain? Nooooo.

He shouted horrifyingly making Manik to laugh out again. Their argument was brought to halt by a knock at the door.

Manik: Yes?

Someone opened the door and entered inside. Well, it wasn't someone.

Manik: Tum theeno yaha?

He looked at his sons who looked at their father with a blank look on their faces before looking at each other.

Manik: And why are you out of your room?

He looked at Manvik and was about to move towards him when he got settled on a couch and beside him sat, Karthik and Prathik. Abhimanyu stared at their with his eyebrows raised and then gave a look to Manik.

Abhimanyu: Tujhpe hi gaye hain.

He whispered to Manik with a sarcastic grin plastered on his face to which Manik glared at him.

Manik: Koi kaam?

Karthik: Oh yeah. Between, why are you standing? You guys can take a seat.

He spoke while eyeing Manik and Abhimanyu, who looked at each other before taking their places.

Abhimanyu: Oh, actually, we thought it was Manik's room so..

Manvik: So?

Abhimanyu: So..nobody needs to ask us to sit.

Prathik: To be honest, this isn't even your best friend's room. I mean, this is not Malhotras' place, so you're not sitting in your best friend's room but our room.

Prathik spoke while staring at Abhimanyu intently who gulped before glaring at Manik.

Abhimanyu: Phir teek.

He stood up to leave.

Manvik: Oh hello! Where to?

Abhimanyu: By looking at your face, anyone can say that you're here for a serious discussion and I'm not up for anything "serious".

Karthik: How did he become your friend?

He stared at Manik who shrugged his shoulders at him.

Karthik: He doesn't suit your character at all. You're hyper every hour while he's calm for the entire life.

Both Manik and Abhimanyu glared at the boys.

Manik/Abhimanyu: Aye! Not on our friendship!

They smirked while the boys too had smirks on their faces.

Manvik: Seems like, we got it.

His gaze was at Abhimanyu and the rest two mirrored the same while Manik and Abhimanyu sat clueless.

To be continued..