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Rahul has slept in the car while hugging Rohit who was continuously caressing his hair and rubbing his back. Rohit was having an uneasy feeling seeing him silent. He just wanted to talk to Virat to know what happened in the session. They reached home and Rohit woke Rahul up.

Rohit: Ghar aa gaya chalo Rah..

Rahul nodded in yes and they both went inside. Rahul sat on the sofa which almost looked like he collapsed on the sofa. Anu sat beside him with a glass of water and he drank it in a go.

Rohit: Rah you okay bachcha?

Rahul shook his head in no. Anu checked his forehead and got tensed.
This kid has again managed to get fever and this was something highly concerning for everyone.

Rohit called Dr Viren who told him that he was on his way only. Rohit took Rahul to his room and made him lay down on the bed.

Rohit: Rah.. kya hua bachcha?

Rahul hugged him tightly.

Rohit: Kisi ne kuchh kaha kya?

Rahul shook his head in no. Rohit got that Rahul was not in position to share so he didn't press more and just held him.

Rohit: Sleep okay..

Rahul once again fell asleep while Rohit was changing cold strips over his forehead. Viren came and once again greeted with the same scene of Rahul laying on the bed with fever. He has forgotten the count of how many times he has seen this kid going through hell because of his past experiences. He shrugged off the thoughts and went to Rahul and started checking him.

Viren: Pooja ne mujhe message kar diya tha ki ek baar isko dekhta chalu. Today's session was a bit high on him.

Rohit: Lekin aise baar baar fever..

Viren: Achchhi baat nahi hai. But he is taking a lot of stress. And it's more of his own things rather than any other. Your brother is matured enough to take stress of things which he has seen or experienced. His fears, insecurities everything are not that much easy to deal with. Bachpan ke ghaav kabhi kabhi nahi mitte. Who knows it better than you?

Rohit sighed.

Rohit: What should we do?

Viren: Just be with him. You guys are his strength. And I feel because he was a kid when everything has happened, the scars are way too much deeper and may not even ever heal but having you guys by his side can at least allow him to move on.

Virat came there running.

Viren: Hi Virat.. relax he is fine.

Virat nodded in yes. Anu gave him water which he drank in one go.

Anu: You okay?

Virat nodded in yes.

Virat: Call Ritz.. Mujhe ek important baat batani hai Rah ko leke

Anu nodded in yes and within no time Ritz, Anu, Rohit and Viren were there looking at him. Saroj was with Sammy.

Virat took a deep breath and shared whatever Rahul told about his fear of hospital and injection. All were shocked.

Rohit: Woh.. woh log aise to nahi the

Virat: It was a misunderstanding Ro. Rah himself said it but he was a kid. Woh dar baith gaya hai uske man me. The fear of.. of..

Rohit: Abandonment

Rohit completed with tears in his eyes. Virat nodded in yes.

Viren: He needs assurances as much as you guys can give. Even though he knows you guys won't leave him but still..

Rest all nodded in yes understanding that it's more of hurt a kid had felt which is now the worst fear of his life. The fear which has so much impact over him that he actually had fought with Rohit and Virat in the hotel which eventually had separated him from his brothers though temporarily but he couldn't handle all these.

Viren: Anyways, main injection de deta hoon. Fever utar jayega. Just make sure to make him feel part of the family. It will help him in calm down and not think about those days.

Saying so he prepared an injection and gave it to Rahul.

Rahul (in low voice): Aah..

Rohit: Kuchh nahi hai Rah.. Bhaiya yahi hai.. sleep okay..

Rohit patted on his chest with one hand and hold Rahul's hand with his other hand. Viren left after giving medicines. Once Rohit was sure that Rahul was in deep sleep he went from there. Virat too went after him.  Anu and Ritz sat beside Rahul at either side to take care of him.

Rohit and Virat both were at terrace. Rohit was pacing here and there and Virat was looking at his antics.

Virat: Ro.. calm down

Rohit (panicking): Vi.. Vi.. Rah was a kid.. usko.. usko aise kaise hospital me bhul sakte hai. Pata nahi usko kitna dar laga hoga.. You know na usko akele rehne se dar lagta hai. Yaad hai.. yaad hai jab woh aaya tha yaha tab bhi..

Virat could see that Rohit was panicking. Virat hold him by shoulders.

Virat: Ro listen to me.

Rohit (panicking): Vi.. you are not getting it. Hume Rah ko samjana hoga ki he is not alone. Hum hai uske sath aur hamesha rahenge. We have to make him feel like family again Vi.. We.. main.. hume..

Virat hugged him tightly rubbing his back.

Virat: Calm down Ro.. Calm down.

Tears fell from Rohit's eyes.

Rohit: Vi.. HAMARA Bhai Vi.. Usne.. usne pata nahi aur kya kya saha hai

Virat broke the hug and cupped his face.

Virat: We will get through this together okay.

Rohit nodded in yes and they both came downstairs to Rahul's room. Anu and Ritz went from there giving brothers sometime. Rohit sat beside Rahul and caressed his hair. He kissed on his forehead.

Rahul (mumbling): Mujhe nahi Jana kahi.. Bhaiya.. Vi Bhai.. main.. main nahi jaunga. Main.. main..

Rohit and Virat both were shocked hearing all this.

Virat: Rah.. kiddo kahi nahi ja rahe tum. Yahi rahoge Bhaiya aur Vi Bhai ke sath okay. You are an adult now. Ab koi nahi leke ja sakta tumhe

Rohit: Haan Rah. Calm down bachcha.

Rahul was again sleeping peacefully making RohiRat sighed in relief.

On that entire day Rohit and Virat made sure that one of them was with Rahul almost all the time so that he feels protected and it worked too. His hyperness got reduced considerably and he didn't get fever again.

Virat was sleeping when Anu came to room.. She sat beside him and caressed his hair.

Anu: I wish tum wapas se mujse apni sari baatein comfortably share kar pao Vi. I wish hum wapas se sath ho jaye jaise pehle tha. I really love you Vi and I can't live without you. Bas sab jaldi se theek ho jaye.

She continued caressing his hair for a while and then slept at her side. Virat opened his eyes as he was just laying down when Anu came and spoke her heart out. He could see that she was giving him time and space.. he could see that she was not forcing him for anything. She was just there.. just there for him.. backing him silently.. She was like this only.. So what has changed? Her.. of course not then? He himself? May be..

For the next two days, Pooja used to come SK Mansion to take sessions as they wanted Rahul to feel secured, comfortable and protected as much as they could as impact of those memories and fears was huge on his physical and mental fitness.

Right now Pooja and Virat were talking on some random topic when Virat finally spoke.

Virat: Can I say something?

Pooja nodded in yes

Virat: Why am I not able to forgive Ro and Nushkie? Even though I have forgiven you

Pooja: Because they are your family Virat and I.. well I am not

Virat was about to say something but Pooja continued.

Pooja: Virat.. but why do you want to forgive them?

Virat: Because..

Pooja: Because..

Virat: They were right at their place. Agar main hota to main bhi yahi karta.

Pooja: Then may be you have forgiven them already but just not able to express it.

Virat: Hmm may be..

Pooja: Then express it. Phir dekho tumhare dono pillar of strength ke faces pe kaise million dollars smile aati hai

Virat: Lekin I am not sure

Pooja: Maaf Kiya ya nahi iss bare me?

Virat nodded in yes

Pooja: Virat.. it's okay to get angry. It's okay to feel hurt. It's okay to even fail sometimes. Failures teach you what you should not do. But you need to understand what you felt was failure, disappointment or hurt

Virat: Initially I was hurt. But eventually it felt like they couldn't trust me enough to share with me.. I felt disappointed. But I have seen them putting efforts.

Pooja: Virat.. there is nothing to get confused. You want to be with them but you really are not ready to get disappointed again. And that's completely natural.

Virat: To ab?

Pooja: What do you want?

Virat: I.. I want them back in my life the way they were. I.. I just can't function without them

Pooja smiled

Pooja: You already have them Virat. Just say it. Kabhi kabhi baar baar kehna padta hai.. Samnewale ko yaad dilana padta hai ki woh kitne important hai hamare liye.

Virat remembered Rohit was almost always used to address Rahul as THEIR brother instead of HIS even though they both were related by blood. And that sole thing was giving him the equal right as Rohit over Rahul.. That sole thing always indicates that Virat was, is and will always be Rahul's elder brother just as he was before they got to know the truth.

Pooja sighed which broke Virat's chain of thoughts.

Pooja: I would suggest dono ko bata do ki kitne important hai tumhare liye woh. Go step by step and don't rush. Just the way you allowed Rahul and Rohit to come closer by keeping your eyes on them. (Quite lost) Bol do Virat.. kabhi kabhi ek tarfa efforts insaan ko andar se tod ke rakh dete hai aur phir dooriyan itni badh jati hai ki koi chah ke bhi kam nahi kar pata.. Aur anth me bahut der ho jati hai..

Virat looked at her and frowned seeing her lost. She was looking disturbed and he could see that.. but he decided not to interfere in her personal life and fake coughed to bring her back to the session. Pooja cleared her throat and looked at him.

Pooja: Ek kam karte hai.  Let's go downstairs and tum khud bata do unko jo bolna chahte ho

Virat nodded in yes and they came downstairs. All looked at them. Virat looked at Pooja who signed him to say. Virat took a deep breath but he couldn't say anything. He went to Ritz and took Sammy from her.

Virat: Sammy.. apni budhdhu Nushkie Chachi ko bolo ki I want to.. want to start fresh with her.

Anu looked at him with moist eyes.

Anu (whispered): Vi..

Virat looked into her eyes directly.

Virat: Aur iss baar Bina kisi baggage ke. Bina kisi guilt ke.. Bina yeh soche ki tum jo kar rahi ho woh mujhe Daya kha ke kar rahi ho.. Bina yeh soche ki mujhe tumhe khush rakhna hai. I.. I want us to be us Nushkie.  I love you and even I can't live without you MY LOVE

Anu ran to him and hugged him from a side as he was holding Sammy.

Anu: I love you too

Virat: Lekin.. I will need time to be completely normal Nushkie. I want to be but I..

Anu: I know Vi and I understand. But we will get through this together.. AS US..

Virat smiled widely at her. Rahul and Rohit both whistled making Anu quite blushed and Virat chuckled.

Pooja: See... Kitna easy hai. You just have to take the step.

Virat nodded in yes. He again took a deep breath.

Virat: Sammy.. Tell Panda that I am missing him a lot. I want him in my life the way he was. Bolo usko mere samne itna mature banne ki koshish na kare jab ho nahi pata.

Rohit: Sammy.. tell your Vi  Chachu to talk directly

Virat: Sammy tell your Dada to.. tell OUR DADA to help me getting my Ro back and help me in functioning properly

Rohit ran to him hearing this and stopped just in front of him. He lightly slapped him.

Rohit: Sammy tell your Vi Chachu and Vi Bhaiya that he Ro and HIS DADA are here only.  Woh kahi nahi gaye usko chhod ke aur na kabhi Jane ka soch sakte hai. Even he can't function without his idiot Rabbit.

There was a silence for a while

Rohit: I am sorry Vi. I should have told you at least after Sammy was born if not earlier. But considering your overthinking level, I just couldn't. I am sorry

Virat: I am sorry too Ro. I should have been considerate about your situations too.. Yeh bhi nahi socha ki doctor ne mana kiya hai phir kaise tum log bataoge. And frankly, now I could understand a little of how you have felt when I hid the decision of leaving.

They both hugged each other taking care of Sammy.

Virat (whispering): Thank you for being My Dada Ro..

Rohit (whispering): Thank you for considering me like that Vi. I'll try not to disappoint you again

They broke the hug.

Virat: But I'll need time to..

Rohit cut him gently.

Rohit: I know Vi and I understand. It's not easy to handle everything. Let's try to be as much normal as we could okay. I am with you always. Never ever think you are alone Vi..

Virat nodded in yes with a smile on his face.

Pooja: Okay so you guys carry on. Main chalti hoon and yes kal session nahi hai. Chhutti kal. I'll take session the day after tomorrow

Rahul: Why so? Aap busy ho kya?

Pooja: I have some work so parso session lungi. And you start cricket practice by playing 2-3 overs okay

Rahul nodded in yes and Pooja went from there.

Rahul (shouting, clapping and jumping): I am so happy yeeeeeee....

Simba too was happily barking and jumping.

Rahul: Aap dono na hamesha aise hi raha karo. Aap dono jab ladte ho na mujhe bilkul achchha nahi lagta and Vi Bhai.. dare you trouble my bhabhi once again. Apko apke ghar se nikal dunga Haan

Virat: Okay baba. Age se aisa kabhi nahi hoga. Main apko mujhe mere hi ghar se nikalna pade aisa kuchh karne ka mauka hi nahi dunga.

Rahul: Good boy..

All chuckled at the drama.

Rahul: This calls for a celebration. Let's dance..

Saying so he started music and then started dancing with Ritz and Anu who both were chuckling and laughing. He took Sammy too and now was dancing with Ritz. Rohit and Virat too joined them. Saroj mentally prayed to keep them always happy and together.

The Shettys come there in the evening and found everyone spending some quality time as a family in the hall.

Sunil: Good Evening everyone

Rohit: Good Evening uncle.. Aaiye na aap log

Rahul looked behind Sunil and Mana but couldn't find Athiya with them. He sighed and made a face as she didn't come. But the he shifted his focus back on Shettys. Rahul went to them and took their blessings.

Sunil: Khush raho beta waise iski koi zarurat nahi thi.

Rahul though smiled but felt weird hearing this. He has always taken their blessings specially after his alliance was fixed with Athiya and they have never asked him to not do that.

Ritz: Aap log akele aaye? Athu aur Ahan ko bhi Lana chahiye tha na

Mana: Ji woh dono to shopping pe gaye hai Aman ke sath. Aur hum yaha aa gaye aap logo ko invite karne.

Rahul (in mind): Aman?? Yeh to wahi hai jisko Tia uss din hotel me I love you bol rahi thi.. Appa bhi jante hai Aman ke bare me..

Virat: Invite..?? Lekin kis liye?

Sunil: Aap log to jante ho ki Tia ki Bua ki wajah se hi sab atka hua tha. Lekin ab Aman aur Tia ne mana liya hai unko. Ab Tia ki Bua bhale kaisi bhi hai lekin Tia ko pyaar bahut karti hai. Bas Maan li uski baat.

Rohit: Well that's.. that's a great news..

Mana: Haan aur ab bachcho ki kundli ke hisab se Sagai ka muhurt ek hafte baad ka nikla hai. Yeh apka card..

Ritz took it.

Sunil: Aap sab ko aana hai.

Mana: Haan.. Tia aur Aman ko bahut khushi hogi aap log ayenge to.

Anu: Hum zaroor ayenge. And Mana aunty.. koi bhi kam ho bejijak hoke batana

Mana: Zaroor beta.. Thank you..

Sunil: Achchha ab hum chalte hai. Kafi aur bhi jagah Jana hai

Anu: Are aise kaise.. aap log betho main chai nashta leke aati hoon.

Mana: Are nahi

Ritz: Nahi nahi kya.. aap log betho aur yeh lo.. Sammy ke sath khelo.. main aur Anu abhi aaye..

Saying so she gave Sammy to her and went to kitchen.

Virat: Waise Aman kafi sulja hua ladka hai

Sunil: Haan so to hai.. Maine to Tia ko bol diya that she is blessed to have him as her life partner

Rahul made a fist hearing this.

Rahul (in mind): Sulja hua ladka.. Blessed to have him as life partner.. my foot.. main kya sulja hua nahi hoon.. Vi Bhai bhi na..

Rahul made a face but composed himself.

Rahul: Ek hafta.. kuchh zyada hi jaldi nahi hai?

Ritz and Anu came there with snacks and Tea, Coffee.

Sunil: Are beta tum to jante ho na Tia ki Bua ko. Thode purana khayalo wali hai. Ab pata chala ki Tia aur Aman pyaar karte hai ek dusare se to pehle to naraz Hui..

Rahul smiled hearing this

Sunil: Lekin phir Tia ne mana hi liya unhe. Aur ab baki sab to tumhare samne hi hai. Ladka ladki sagai ke baad sath me dikhenge to unko chalega lekin Bina rishta Tay hue unko nahi jamta na..

Rahul: Ji..

Rahul made a pout.

Mana: Achchha ab hum chalte hai. Bahut khila diya aap logo ne. Hume aur bhi jagah Jana hai aur haan please Tia aur Aman ki engagement me zaroor aaiyega..

They went from there. Rahul directly went to his room. He threw pillows and cushions here and there. Simba barked at him.

Rahul: Tum chup raho abhi Simba warna main tumpe chilla dunga

Simba jumped on bed and sat beside Rahul quietly. Rahul sighed and hold the ring which was there in his chain.

Rahul: Promise Kiya tha Tia ko ki hamesha usko khush rakhunga. Aur maine hi usko explore karne ko bola tha.. Aur ab dekho.. she is getting engaged to Aman.. her classmate.

Simba barked lightly. Rahul sighed sadly.

Rahul: I guess.. I guess mujhe.. mujhe usko pehle hi bol Dena chahiye tha ki main theek hoon.. I mean pehle se better hoon. Hai na..

Simba barked in agreement.

Rahul: But I can't be selfish na Simba.. Apne liye.. uski khushiya daav pe kaise laga doon? You are seeing na.. how much health issues I am having.. agar kisi din kuchh..

Simba barked angrily.

Rahul: Sorry but I was protecting her Simba. At least according to me I was doing that. She was not that strong.. at least I used to think like that until I saw her keep fighting even though she was scared for me. But I was the one who freed her.. who asked her to explore without thinking that if she really likes someone else than I have to let her go

Simba barked

Rahul: I know I love her Simba But she loves him.. Main apne andhere ki wajah se usko kafi dukh diye hai Simba.. At least let her have her happiness with Aman.

Rahul's eyes become moist.

Rahul: Shayad hamara sath yahi tak ka tha. I guess.. I guess it's An End of RahIya..

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Okay so here is the next chapter. Hope you guys will like it

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