Author's note: Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on the last chapter. I am so glad most of you liked the last chapter!

The next chapter will be up soon.

The chapter is not edited

“Dadi, Dadu will be okay. The reports are much better than what we expected.” Rudra rubbed his grandmother's back as she cried in his arms.

“I shouldn't have left him alone,” Tanuja cried while berating herself.

Apurva asked Rudra to move so he could sit beside his mother. “It's not your fault, Maa. This could have happened even if you were there.”

“Uncle is right. We need to emotionally support Dadaji right now. When he wakes up and sees you crying, he'll be very upset,” Dhara added when Tanuja continued to cry.

“What if something happens to him?”

“Dadi, please don't be negative,” Rudra said as he crouched on the floor in front of Tanuja.

Chandni flanked Tanuja and held out a cup of water. “You haven't eaten or drunk anything for over 13 hours, Tanuja.” 

“No,” Tanuja shook her head and pushed the glass away. “Until Puru opens his eyes and talks to me. I won't eat or drink anything.”

“Maa,” Apurva clicked his tongue and took the glass from Chandni's hand and held it in front of his mother. “Please, don’t behave like a child. You need to take care of yourself.”

“No,” Tanuja pushed the glass away from his hand once again.

Before anyone could press Tanuja to listen to them, the door opened and the hospital nurse in charge of taking care of Purshottam appeared in the doorway.

“The patient is conscious now. If you like you can meet him, but only 2-3 people at a time. And he needs rest so please make this short.”

Tanuja, Apurva and Shipra were the first to go and meet Purshottam.

Nearly 5 minutes later, Apurva and Shipra exited the room letting Akash and Rudra visit.

“Not both you as well,” Purshottam weakly responded when the brothers entered the room. “Why are you looking so sad? I haven't died yet. Leave some tears for when I die.”

“Puru,”

“Dadu,”

“What?” he asked. “We all know that it is going to happen then why are you all behaving like it is a complete surprise?”

“Just keep quiet, Puru,” Tanuja scolded while trying to wipe her tears. “The nurse has told you not to talk.”

“It's true,” Purshottam argued. “And God has been kind enough to all of us by giving us a prior notice. So we can all mentally prepare ourselves.”

“Dadu,” Akash pushed past Rudra and hugged Purshottam. This was the first time he had said a word since coming to Dharamsala. “I am not going to let you go anywhere. There has to be a cure somewhere in this world. I am going to find it and treat you.”

Purshottam chuckled and patted Akash on his head. “I really appreciate your offer, Dr. Akash, but you don't need to do that.”

“I am going to. I don't care what you say or what Rudra says. Or any other doctor in the world says. I am going to find a cure for you.” Akash said adamantly and wiped away the tears.

Purshottam smiled at his younger grandson before beckoning Rudra closer to him.

“Dadu, how are you feeling now? Are you in pain?”

“I am fine.”

Rudra smiled and held Purshottam's frail hand in his. “Your reports came back normal. You just take rest and you'll be back home in no time.”

“Okay, Dr. Rudra.” Purshottam laughed but instantly gasped for breath.

Rudra pushed Akash out of the way and took a seat beside Purshottam. “Dadu, calm down and take a deep breath.”

Purshottam nodded and did as Rudra instructed.

“Now, you all go home and take some rest and I'll rest here,” Purshottam said looking at his wife.

“One person can stay here with you. So, I'll stay with you,” Rudra spoke before Tanuja could volunteer herself.

“No, I'll stay with him,” Akash argued.

Rudra frowned. “What are you going to do here?”

“Exactly what you are going to do here.”

“I am a doctor!”

“So am I!”

“There is a huge difference between being an actual doctor and holding a medical degree.”

“I don't-”

“Akash! Rudra!” Tanuja said a little louder than the normal tone one would use in a hospital. “Even right now, you both want to fight? How old are you both to behave so immaturely?”

Both Rudra and Akash bit their tongue not wanting to upset their grandparents.

There was a long moment of silence before Purshottam finally spoke, “Rudra, ask the nurse you hired for me to stay back and all of you will go home.”

“But-”

“Tanuja, please go home and get some rest. I am fine.”

She opened her mouth to argue; however, decided against it when she saw how upset Purshottam looked. “Are you sure?”

Purshottam nodded. “I am sure.”

The trio waited till Purshottam fell back asleep and then headed to go home, leaving him in the nurse's care.

Everyone's mood on the ride back and even when sat down to eat breakfast was solemn. Tanuja, Chandni, Haripraksh, and Apurva travelled in one car with Manoj while the rest of them took an Uber. No one spoke a word. While they were all relieved about Purshottam's health getting better, they were still shaken up by the event.

“Do you want some more upma?” Manoj asked Soumya as he nudged her with his elbow.

Soumya shook her head and continued to nibble on the food.

“I think we should shift Dadu back to Delhi as soon as possible,” Akash spoke, putting his spoon down. His plate still barely touched.

Tanuja looked up still in a daze. “What?”

“We shouldn't keep him here. If he is with us in Delhi then we'll be able to provide proper care for him. What if something like this were to happen again. I don't think we should risk it.”

“But, Papa wants to stay here,” Shipra argued.

“I don't think I should speak in your family matters, but I think Akash is right.” Soumya hesitantly added. “Shifting Dadaji to Delhi will be the safest option. Especially after today. It was good that we were able to get him to the hospital on time but next time who knows what the roads or traffic will be like.”

“Exactly! The nearest hospital equipped to treat Dadu is almost an hour and a half away for God's sake.”

“But, I don't know if Puru will agree,”

“That's because Dadu is not thinking about this practically. Only you can convince him. Please him, Dadi. I know I stood by his decision earlier but after today I don't think we can leave him here.”

“I don't...” Tanuja looked over and her other grandson and asked, “What do you think, Rudra?”

“Honestly, I would love nothing more than Dadu coming to Delhi so we can take care of him properly. But it should be his decision.  We can't-”

“Dad, what do you think?” Akash interrupted.

Apurva stayed silent as he contemplated and then finally said, “If Rudra thinks that we can-”

“Of course,” Akash scoffed as he stood up. “Now that Rudra has given his opinion why would it matter what I say?”

“That's not true, Akash. We just think-”

“It's always like this, Mom. Me against all of you. My opinion is never valued in this family.” Akash spoke as he tucked his chair in loudly before stomping away upstairs.

“Why don't you kids go and get some sleep as well?” Chandni suggested after a minute. Clearly, no one was in the mood to eat anyway.

Rudra nodded and walked away from the table assuming he would be camping in Dhara's room again. He could hear Dhara and Soumya follow him up the stairs, but he was too focused on his impending fight with Akash. Just as he approached the room, Akash didn't disappoint him. He was standing right by the doorway.

“Why are you always like this?” Akash demanded.

Rudra looked back at Soumya and Dhara who were standing right behind him. Neither of them said anything and neither did they move. But both of them did appear concerned. Trying to keep his voice level, he asked, “What do you mean?”

“Why do you not want Dadu to come back to Delhi?”

“If you bothered to listen instead of being a selfish entitled jerk then you would have heard. I agreed to your suggestion, but I didn't think that we should force him in any way.”

Akash huffed. “How the hell am I being selfish? I am just looking out for Dadu.”

Rudra rubbed his forehead with his hand and let out a humourless chuckle. “Right now, we should be focused on Dadu, but what are you doing? You want to massage your stupid ego.”

“Look who is talking. You are the most selfish and egoistic human being in this entire world.”

“Oh! I am selfish? Ever since we were children, who was it that took care of you. I made sure all my friends were friends with you as well. I tried to include you in everything I did.”

“Why did you then?” Akash screamed. “You should have just stopped if it was such a big inconvenience for you.”

“I should have! You know why? Because you're a loser. You could never do anything by yourself. I always had your back but when I needed you, you just one day decided to stop talking to me.” he yelled back.

“I am not a loser. You are the one who ruined my life.”

“Guys,” Dhara finally interrupted. “Please, take it down a notch? Everyone is already stressed.”

“No. No,” Rudra shook his head at Dhara. “I want to hear this. How exactly have I ruined your life?”

“I don't want to talk about it,” Akash said and tried to walk past Rudra.

However, Rudra didn't let him pass. “I don't care if you don't want to talk about it. But I want to. I want to find out all about what I did so wrong to you.”

“Ever since I was a child all you did was overshadow me in everything. Right from sports to studies. My accomplishments meant nothing to our family.”

“How is that my fault that I was good at things and you weren't? So what did you expect me to do? Be a loser like you.”

“And after all this, you stole the woman I loved.” he spat out bitterly.

“What the hell are you talk-” he began condescendingly but stopped when he realized what Akash meant. “Sakshi?”

Akash shook his head. “I loved her since I was a child. She meant everything to me, but what happened? She too was enamoured by the great Rudra with his intelligence and personality while I was kicked off to the side again.”

“Oh shut up! Sakshi tried to keep in contact with you. It was you who decided to stop talking to both of us. All you want is attention all the time by playing the victim.”

“Yeah because I didn't want to be the asshole who had feelings for his brother's girlfriend, dumbass.”

Rudra didn't know what came over him and he punched Akash on his jaw. The action was sudden and unexpected that Akash stumbled and fell to the floor.

“Akash,” Dhara and Soumya both ran to his side.

“I am fine,” Akash stopped Dhara from touching him. Then he stood up and brushed past Rudra and this time he let him.

“Akash,” Soumya shook his head in disappointment at Rudra before following Akash as he ran to the terrace.

“Akash,” Soumya began as she walked closer to him.

Akash who was standing near the edge of the balcony quickly wiped his tears when he heard Soumya calling out his name.

“Let me see,” she instructed as she tried to check Akash's face.

Akash shook his head to stop her.

“Okay,” Soumya held up both her hands in surrender but didn't leave. She just stood beside him waiting for him to calm down.

“You must think I am a terrible brother, no?”

“Shouldn't you ask your brother that question and not me?” she teased with a small smile.

Akash scoffed. “Based on how I spoke to him and how he reacted. I think I have a very good idea what he thinks of me.”

“I can't believe I blamed him for my life problems.” Akash sat on the divan and buried his fingers in his head. “I am such an idiot. He is my brother for God's sake and I lashed out him for no fault of his own.”

Soumya sat down beside him and patted his back for support.

“It's not his fault that I wasn't good at anything when I was younger. What the hell was I expecting from him? Not do the things that I wasn't good at so I could get some praise from my own family? I put all the blame on his shoulders.”

“You know he didn't mean it when he called you a loser, right?” she asked softly.

“I wouldn't blame him. I am a loser,” he said shaking his head.

“That's not true. You should see the pride in Rudra's voice when he talks about you. I have seen it.”

“Well... that pride will disappear after my behaviour today. I was stressed out about Dadaji and I lashed out at him. Also, how could I have feelings for my brother's girlfriend? How? I am such a sick person.”

“Didn't you say you had feelings for her before she became your brother's girlfriend?”

“Yes, but-”

“No,” she said interrupting him. “I don't think you are a bad brother. You may not be perfect. But, you aren't a bad brother.”

“He'll never forgive me.”

“Why? He said mean things to you as well. Are you also not going to forgive him?”

“What he said was absolutely true.”

Soumya moved closer to him. “I know you are really upset and don't want to hear this, but you are not a bad brother yet. You will be though if you continue to sit here and not do anything about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you want to share a good relationship with your brother?”

“I don't think Rudra-”

“That's not what I am asking you. I am asking you if you want to have a good relationship with him?”

Akash nodded slowly. Of course, he did! Why was that even a question?

Soumya stood up, forcing him to look up at her. “Good then get up and let's go down and then you can punch your brother as hard he punched you then apologize to him for lashing out at him and then give him a tight hug.”

Akash chuckled past the pain in his jaw. “It's not that simple, Soumya.”

She smiled. “You tried complicated for all these years. Why don't you try simple this once and see if that solves your problem?”

“Rudra won't speak to me,” he mumbled.

“Of course he will. He is your brother. He loves you.”

“You seem to know an awful lot about my brother and his temperament,” Akash teased.

“I...I am just trying to help you.”

“Of course!”

“Akash,” she said his name as a warning.

Slowly he stood up. “You think he'll forgive me.”

“It doesn't matter. What matters is that you apologized and now you can sleep better knowing that you tried everything to make your relationship work.”

He took a deep breath before nodding.

Rudra entered Dhara's room and plopped himself on the bed. “How could I just punch him like that? God, I am such an idiot.”

“You're right. You shouldn't have done that,” Dhara agreed after a few minutes of letting him seethe. She went to stand against the wall behind him.

“I was just angry that he let Sakshi come in between our relationship. How could he do that? Why didn't he tell me? I didn't like Sakshi more than I love my brother, for heaven's sake.”

“That's probably why he didn't. He wanted you to be happy with her.”

“Well he is an idiot if he thought that I would ever choose my relationship with Sakshi over him,” he said over his shoulder. “I still can't believe this.”

“How did I not see that my brother was hurting all these years?”

“You were children, bhaiya, so you have a valid excuse for not knowing about Akash's insecurities. But, what happened today was wrong.”

“I know,” Rudra responded taking off his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose. “I didn't mean any of those things. I was angry and...”

“So, what are you going to do now?”

Rudra put on his glasses again. “My usual route is to pretend like it never happened and then take it one day at a time.”

“How has that worked out for you?”

Rudra scoffed. “Clearly not well.”

“Then maybe you can try something different this time,” Dhara suggested.

“Like what?”

“Well... you can begin by apologizing?”

“He won't forgive me.”

“I think he will.”

Rudra looked over his shoulder. “How do you know? Has he talked to you about this?”

She nodded. “A little.”

“I don't know how to start,” he confessed in all honesty.

“I know it's hard, but my go-to advice would be to start with I am sorry.”

Rudra chuckled. “That's some great advice,”

“Oh! I know. I am always giving away pearls of wisdom. Let me know when need it. My rates are a little higher than the industry standard, but I do deeply believe in quality.”

He laughed again. He really appreciated what Dhara was trying to do. Making him laugh did help him calm down a little. “Should I really take a different route?”

“I think you should.”

He inhaled deeply and then nodded.

Rudra stood up when he noticed Akash near the doorway. He slowly approached his brother as Akash walked into the room.

“I-”

“Soumya said I should punch you,” Akash said, cutting him off.

Rudra's jaw dropped and he looked between Akash and Soumya trying to figure out if they were being serious.

“I think it is only fair. Since you hit him, he gets to hit you back and then you'll be even.” Soumya replied leaning against the wall.

Rudra paused to think about his options for a few seconds before taking off his glasses. “Fine, get it done with. Just don't-” He was barely prepared for how hard Akash hit him.

“What the fuck, Akash! That was so hard,” Rudra yelled and flexed his jaw to relieve the pain.

Akash rolled his eyes. “It wasn't even half as hard as you hit me.”

“I did not even hit you that hard.”

“I fell to the floor and I am bleeding,” he said, pointing at his bruise.

Rudra touched Akash's face and all the irritation seeped away from him when he saw how hard he had hit Akash. “I did hit you really hard.”

Akash laughed and pushed Rudra's hand away. “Yeah you did but it's a good thing that I am strong and I am completely fine and not in pain at all. Clearly unlike you.”

Rudra stared at Akash and then burst out laughing, immediately flinching at the pain in his jaw.

“My, Ram-Lakshman. Please get this done with so I can get some sleep.” Dhara said from behind Rudra.

After a long moment of hesitation, the Rawat brothers finally hugged. Both of them could feel the weight on their chest disappearing.

“Sorry about lashing out at you and making you the villain when all you were trying to do was help me,” Akash said, trying to not cry.

“It's okay. I am sorry too. About all those things I said in my fit of rage. I didn't mean any of that. And I am sorry if I ever made you feel like you were a burden on me because you weren't.”

“I know. There is only one loser in our relationship and that's you when I used to kick your butt in Mario kart,” Akash retorted, making all four of them laugh.

Rudra pulled back from the hug and frowned. “That's only because I let you beat me.”

“Aww, Rudra. Is your ego hurt? When we go back home, I'll beat you again and prove to you that I am better.”

“Of course you can do that now. You're always playing video games. Let's have a game of chess,” Rudra suggested, folding his arms over his chest.

“Ugh! Boring. Basketball.”

“Football.”

“Basketball. Take it or leave it.”

“Of course you are going to pick a sport that you are already good at, you cheater.”

“Cheater? When have you seen me play basketball? Just admit that you are scared of losing to me.”

“Okay, guys. Good night.” Soumya announced from the other corner of the room. “Let's go, Dhara.”

Dhara rolled her eyes and followed Soumya out of the room.

Rudra and Akash exchanged a look before going back to their silly argument.

It would take them a while to get to where they were as kids, but this was a start. A start of a new dawn in their relationship.