Chapter 18

CHAPTER 17:

Raj was back home and Ridhi was there with her usual smile. She was a great sister. She knew his needs more than anyone. There was no need of asking. she knew what he wanted by just looking in his eyes. But today the eyes showed some emotions that was new to her, maybe pain, guilt.. she was waiting for him to open up.

After dinner she was cleaning the dishes in the kitchen and he was waiting for her in the couch. Though he knew that he needed to talk to her, he was confused, worried he would hurt her. She came in with his favorite black coffee, which he had regularly at night. 

The sight that welcomed her was  a bit disturbing. He was looking onto the portrait of their parents hung on the wall. She slowly walked onto him and placed her hand on his shoulder calling him back. She gave him the coffee and he caught her hand, indicating to sit by him. She sat near to him and he sipped the coffee and placed it on the table nearby him. He tenderly took her hands in his hands and looked into her eyes. She could mixed emotions running through the eyes and saw a bit moist too.

"kya hua bhaiya?" she was really disturbed.

"I'm sorry beta.." his voice cracked a bit. She couldn't take it anymore. "but why? Please don't say sorry"

" I know that girls apne mom se bohot close hothe hai.. jisse wo apne dil ke har baath keh sakthe ho.. but hamare pass nahi hai.. but I did promise her ki mein tumhe kabhi unke kami nahi hone dunga.. it seems I have failed.." this was the first time she saw him broken.

"please bhai.. please aise math kahiye.. you are the best brother one could ever wish for.. aap sirf mere bhai hi nahi.. meri mom, dad, aur best friend ho.. please don't say that again.."

"if that is so.. fir tum apne di ke baath mujhe kyu nahi bathayi? Ithne din se chup ho? Something's bothering you very badly' and still mujhe nahi bathayi?"

She was shocked. What did he know? But hows that even possible? She had a lot of questions.. but didn't have the courage to ask him.. as if answering her unasked questions he said.  "Yes' I spoke to Shree today'"

She was feeling guilty. She didn't want ever to hurt her brother and yes she did it today.. tears welled her eyes and he placed his hands on her cheeks wiping them. She leaned onto his chest holding him by his waist.she wept silently for a while. 

"I'm sorry bhai' I'm really sorry.."

"are' sorry kyu paagal'" he took her and cupped her face wipping her tears again..

"Shree was really honest in his words.. ab mujhe tumhari baath sunna hai.. kaho.. kya kehna chahthe ho tum?"

"I don't know bhai.. ye sab ithnae jaldi hua.. mujhe kuch samaj mein nahi aaraha hai.. I was realy confused.. aur mein aap theenoko naraaz nahi karna chahthe the.. I'm sorry'"

"hey' Ridhi.. tumne koi crime nahi kiya hai.. just jo bhi dil mein hai bolo.. you'll feel better.."

She started speaking.. her first day when she met them all.. their talks.. his accident.. working with him'the kiss'" Raj was shocked now.

"hm.. uske baaren mein usne nahi bathaye'" he commented. She couldn't look at him. He found her uneasiness and made her look at him. "its ok' not that I'm happy.. but ..since Shree was honest with me till that part.. I think he is serious' but there is one thing that I wish to tell you.. this is the time that you all mistakes.. I don't want to you to make such mistakes.. think well before taking any step. And what ever is your decision please do inform me.. mujhe aur jhatke math dena.. please.." his smiled at her.. and she was relaxed after a long time.. she hugged him..

"thanks bhai.. thanks for understanding me.."

"are.. paagal.. agar mein  tumhe understand nahi karunga.. tho kaun karega?hm..?"

"bhai.. you are the best'"

"bas..bas.. aur zyada nahi.." he kissed her fore head' " tum Shree se baath nahi karthe ho kya? He is disturbed a lot.. kaam pe dhyaan nahi kar raha.. Arjun and Sam are really pissed.. usse kaho ke kaam pe dhyaan kare.. warna bohot bura hoga.."

She left his hug. "par.. bhai.. mein usse call karne wali nahi thi.." he smiled back.. "Ridhi..I may not have experience in love matter.. but still I'm your brother.." he knocked her head. "ouch'" she pouted her face.. and smiled. "and tell him to be here tomorrow at 7 30 for breakfast.."

"kyu?" she was worried again he smiled at her "daro math.. maarne keliye nahi.. I want to talk to him.. ok then good night.." he kissed her again and went to his room. Both of them were relieved.

She was back in her room with her phone. She was not sure what to speak to him. At last she called. There Shree was shocked to see her name on the screen he was happy and worried. He took the call and waited silently. After a few seconds, "Shree'"

He was so relieved to hear her voice . "hello..Ridzi'"  she was happy to hear that name again. "kaise ho?"

Ridhi waited for a while before answering. "teekh hu' how about you?"

"fine" yes he was fine now.

"bhai.. bol rahe the ke tum kaam pe dhyaan nahi derahe hai.. kyu? Arjun bhai ke haath marna hai kya?" she was smiling.

"kya..  Raj sir tumse baath kiya?? " he was worried for her.

"ha.. bohot.. aur mein bhi.." there was silence again. "dheko Shree I'm sorry.. ke main tumhare call nahi liya tha.. I was confused.. aur dar tha ke jab bhai  ko patha chalega tho kya hoga? Isiliye..I hope you understand.."

"of course Ridzi.. I can understand.."

"Shree I need some more time.. mujhe kuch samajh mein nahi aarahe hai.. till then can we be friends?  Its just that.. I want to understand myown feelings.. aur mein bhai ke bharoza nahi thodna chahthe'"

"its ok Ridzi.. take your time.. but please mujhse baathen karna.. I cant take your silence.. jo bhi tumhare jawab ho.. I'll accept it.. but please talk to me.."

"k' sure.. so we friends..?"

"ya .. friends.." both of them were happy..

"ok.. bhai kal tumhe breakfast pe bulaya hai.. be here at 7 30.. kuch baath karna hai.."

"what?? Kya baath karne??" she started laughing at his tension. "don't worry .. bhai is fine.. please be here.. ok..bye.."

"wait.. just a minute.. Ridzi' wo uss din keliye I'm sorry.." he was thinking about the kiss. "I know ke tumhe bura laga hai.."

"meine aise kab kaha?" the question put both of them shocked. She came out quick. "ok.. bye.. be here on time.. aur work pe dhyaan dena.. goodnight.."she cut the call "what did I just say now?" she was blushing.

Shree was so happy..that means wo naraaz nahi hai..yes' he punched the air.. good night Ridzi.. love you.. sweat dreams.. he fell onto his bed. "oh no.. ab sir se milna hai'" he was worried again.   

PRECAP:

Raj comes to know about ARIYA...

"WHAT???"

CHAPTER 18: PAGE 56