Chapter 15

CHAPTER 14

                              Don't you all agree that when one's enjoying oneself, time acquires wings from God knows where, and starts flying at breakneck speed. Okay, well that was an exaggeration. They did not age overnight or graduate the next day. What exactly happened was that by the time all were done with dinner and chit-chatting and pulling pranks on each other, they realized it was quite late. Wishing the duo goodnight everyone trickled out one after the other.

                    There were a lot of things Swayam wanted to talk to Niyati about, but realized they were going to have a long time to do just that. "Raat kaafi ho chuki hai. Tu bhi thak gayi hogi. Tera kamra ready kardiya hai. Rest kar. ok? Baad mein baat karlenge."

Swayam noticed Niyati's shoulders relax a bit as he said that and both the siblings parted their ways. Turning in for the night, Swayam thought he had his work cut out to bring Niyati out of her shell. After all, what she had been through wasn't an easy thing to forget. But for now, he was contended to have his sister back in his life.

 

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                              Swayam knocked at his sister's door. He was unsure whether she would want to begin college from today or just take a day off. He had deliberated on both possibilities for quite sometime, before giving up and letting her deicide. And if she really wanted to begin college, she would have to get up and about immediately. When he didn't get any response after a couple of attempts, he slowly ventured inside her room. The bed was neatly made, but there was no Neeti in sight. He knocked at her bathroom door, then hesitantly peeked inside, but even that was empty.

 

          Itni subah kahan chali gayi hogi Swayam thought scratching his end. Just then, the aroma of freshly cooked food hit him and he understood where his sister had been. Making a beeline for the dining table, he was just in time to see Niyati, fully dressed, come out of the kitchen holding two coffee mugs in each hand.

"Morning bhai! Breakfast? " She asked gesturing to the array of dishes currently sitting on the table. "Tu aate hi shuru hogayi Neeti?" Swayam asked reproachfully.

"Kya? Sirf nashta hi toh banaya hai. kaunsi dawat ki tayyari ki hai?" She defended.

"Haan.. but ye sab karne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai." Niyati was about to argue back when he stalled her. "Dekh, I would appreciate it more agar tu in sab se zyada apni padhai aur career par concentrate kare. Tu yahan ek fresh start ke liye aayi hai. hai na?" Niyati nodded. "Bas usi par focus kar."

"Thik hai bhai. Main koshish karoongi."

"That's like my behna!" Both silently ate their breakfast while Swayam looked for an opening to discuss something that had been bothering him since last night. Thinking it was wiser to get it over with than wait in trepidation, he cleared his throat, " Dekh Neeti, I know you are strong and tu sab handle kar sakti hai akele. But I want you to know that you are not alone." Niyati looked down and stopped eating. She opened her mouth but Swayam beat her to it.

"Dekh, main bas yahi chahta hoon ke ab se kabhi bhi, koi bhi baat ho, I don't care woh choti ho ya badi, tu mujhse share kar. Main tera bhai hoon and I'm here for you. Koi bhi difficulty ho, kuch bhi tujhe pareshan kare, please let me know. Don't keep me out again."

Hearing the vulnerability in his voice, Niyati's head shot up. She quickly held her brother's hand and hurried to reassure him. "Please Bhai! Aap.. aap aisa mat sochiye. I know I like to keep things to myself. But main aapko promise karti hoon, main is baar poori koshish karoongi. Apne ateet ko apne future par haavi nahin hone doongi. Apni purani aadatein main Kota mein hi chod aayi hoon. It's a new start"

 

He caressed his sister's head with his free hand while thinking I hope so too. He fell silent for a minute mulling over his thoughts.

 

"Bhai..agar aapki antar-aatma se aapki baatcheet khatam ho chuki ho toh hum college chalein? We are already late", Niyati teased.

"Crap!! Utho utho!! Kya yaar Neeti? Pehle nahin bol sakti thi kya?? Tujhe bolna chahiye tha!"

 

Precap: Niyati's first day at college

[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]

anu142016-02-03 17:39:24