Chapter 2

[MEMBERSONLY]

A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE

Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings

When Arnav had come to stay with them "permanently", Akash hadn't thrown a tantrum. He hadn't whined and said, "I won't give up my room." Because that's how he had been brought up. Contrary to the high and mighty upbringing of his cousin, Akash's humble roots had made him a simple, loving and accommodative fellow. He had immediately cleared out half of his barely-filled cupboard, taken down his favorite poster of the periodic-table that adorned the wall next to his mirror and tidied up his room. He knew his cousin.

Akash had always looked up to Arnav. Even when they were 6 year old kids, running around in the vast garden that was attached to Sheesh Mahal, Akash had always followed Arnav's movements.

Arnav, being well, himself, had always ignored his attention. He was not one to encourage such blind respect or devotion, and then his cousin looked a bit creepy. The fact that Arnav had effortlessly excelled at everything he tried, was oblivious to him; however Akash knew it. This had continued well into their pre-teens stopping only when their yearly visits to "Mamaji's" home or "Buaji's" Mahal had stopped.

And now 2 weeks after their arrival at the humble Raizada home, things were.. the same? Different?

Arnav still didn't talk to him. No surprises there. But he could feel the change in his cousin. He took up the challenge of making him spout words and was met with success.

"Be gentle with him," his Ma had warned. Gentleness is my middle name. Call me Akash Gentle Raizada.

Akash stared at Arnav. Then he looked around his room, now their room, and looked back at him. And he stared some more.

"You know, if you keep this up, your eyes might actually pop out of your skull?" Arnav couldn't handle the way his geeky-looking cousin was giving him a creepy once-, no, twice-over. Staying silent now would be to his own disadvantage, so he had broken his "vow of silence" and blurted what came to his mind.

Unbeknownst to him, that was exactly what Akash had wanted. He knew all about what had happened. Some parents would shy away from talking so frankly with their kids, but Kailash and Manorama had other things to worry about. They trusted their son with the responsibility of handling his difficult cousin and had told him everything he needed to know.

Arnav did not know what to say. That was one of the reasons he was quiet. Despite all the prodding and mollycoddling by his nani and mami, he refused to speak a word. Not even when his Di stood by his side crying. He knew he would say something bad, reveal a secret, or worse. Apart from the occasional "Ji Naniji", "I don't want to eat", "I will eat later", "I am okay"- he remained in his shell.

But Akash had to press the wrong buttons. And so, for the first time in many days, Malik spoke. His voice came out hoarse, he immediately coughed. But he spoke. The look of triumph that crossed Raizada's face did not go unnoticed.

Malik.

Raizada.

That's how it had always been. His father had taught him that Maliks were known by their surname, and he should be proud to say it. At the age of 8 he had squashed Akash's bhai with a glare, telling him that he was a Malik, while the latter was just a Raizada.

As Arnav kept looking at Akash, waiting for some explanation, he realised none would be given.

He sighed.

This wasn't how he had ever imagined how his life would be. Heck, this didn't feature in the worst of his nightmare until exactly 3 weeks back.

"Di, you look absolutely stunning. Shantanu bhai is so lucky!" Arnav said to a visibly glowing Anjali. "You know what? I'll just go and get dad's imported camera, the one that has that zoom lens. And click some beautiful pictures of you."

Without waiting for her response, he rushed out of the hall, up the stairs and right down the corridor to his parents' room.

How I wish I hadn't gone up! Or maybe, been 5 minutes late? Why did I reach there just THEN!

All he saw in front of him was his dad trying to catch hold of a gun his mom was waving in the air. "You are a bas***d. You vile man! How could you do this to me, to your family?" Kalyani practically screamed at her husband, oblivious to her son's presence. "Kali listen to me! It was years ago! And it was never so important! I had already told you about her, why don't you remember?"

"Don't you dare! I know you've been sneaking around my back, trying to be with her. Or maybe someone else. I don't care who it was or is. You are a cheat! And what about our money? How did she make you sign it over to your good-for-nothing brother? How? Or was that many years back too? I don't want to live with you for even a second! I don't wish to live at all!!" With a mighty heave, she caught hold of the gun and brought it to her temple. A shot rang out. A spray of red coated Arnav's dad.

"MAAA!!!"

Malik took one look at his son, mouthed sorry and brought the gun to his own face.

"Baba, no! Please, no!!! BABAAA!!"

This time, the pieces of Mr. Malik's brain coated the wall behind him.

Arnav was rooted to the spot. All that went through his mind was that his dad had cheated on his mom.. That his mom had taken her own life.. That his dad had been a bigger coward than her and decided to escape the consequences of everything..

"Why do you care what happens to my eyes? Are you saying that you are concerned?" Akash was one persistent fellow.

"Hah! Don't dream, Raizada! It was annoying me. That's it."

"You know, Malik? You need to go through the material we've covered so far in school. You are joining in the middle of the 5^th month, and even your superioirly-intelligent brain might not be able to keep up with the workload this time around."

The challenge in his words was palpable. Malik accepted it.

"Give me your books. I will show you whether my brain is capable of handling this work or not."

Akash got up and gave him his school bag before asking him if he wanted something from the kitchen as he was going to get some water for himself.

"Can you get me something to eat? I am hungry." Arnav absent mindedly said to his cousin.

"He is going through my books right now and he says he is hungry. Ma, did I do well?"

Manorama smiled at her son's innocent question before looking towards her mother-in-law. "Sasuma, I think we should tempt him with his studies. Books, assignments, good marks.. that has always been what has motivated him. Remember how Kalyani didi used to mention his report cards?"

Devyani nodded. Her mind was chalking out the calculations for the money that would be required to help Arnav get a good education. As good as they could afford, that is. She wasn't a fool.

"The money that comes from our shop is a bit less. I think we should get rid of one of the workers. You and I can manage some of the sewing and work between us, while the rest can be handled by the other girl. And once Kailash is back from his Allahbad trip, we can see what new material he has brought along." Devyani and Manorama ran a tailoring shop together. Sometimes when the customer wished, they would sew on some embroidery or their Lucknowi chikan-kari.

The money they got went into their monthly expenses and a small, very small, saving pot that they had. Akash went to the best school in the area. Yes, it was a government institute but the medium of education was English, at least.

Manorama thought for a while, too. "Maybe if we can borrow the books from Maliniji's son, Akash could give his set to Arnav. Its practically brand new and Akash wouldn't mind an old, second-hand, used copy."

Maliniji was their next door friendly neighbor, whose son Amit had graduated from 12^th that same year. His mother had saved some his books for every year of high school. Memories for her. Help for someone else.

Akash butted in, "Ma! I know a senior in school who even has some guides that he had used. I can get some books from him too. And I'll give mine to bhai, don't worry. I know he's used to the best and won't like second-hand material, but mine are unmarked."

Devyani looked at her grandson proudly. Yes, this could work.

Arnav stood with tears in his eyes as he listened to what his nani and mami said. He had stepped outside wondering why Raizada was taking too long, when he heard it. And Raizada, no, Akash was being helpful too!

This was how Anjali found her younger brother. The brother who hadn't cried while lighting his mother's pyre. Who hadn't dropped a single tear on seeing his dad's dead body. That same brother had tears in his eyes.

"Chhote, what is the matter? Are you alright? Is it mom? Or dad? Please talk to me!!" She used her personal endearment for him.

"Di! Why did this happen, di? The people who were supposed to love us and take care of us threw us out. And the people who dad had said were beneath our class, they are giving us everything they have! Why Di?" Arnav's eyes held pain when he looked at her.

Anjali could only hug her brother as he continued, "Di, dad always told us they weren't good enough for our friendship. That I shouldn't be friendly with Akash. So why is it that HIS own BROTHER ditched us, while MY COUSIN is helping us? How could dad make such a huge mistake in not seeing through his own family's deceptions? Mom was right. He was a vile man. And a bad person. That is why his actions are haunting his children now.."

Anjali shook Arnav when he said the last bit, not bothering with loving endearments, "How dare you, Arnav? How dare you say something like this about Dad? He is dead! Doesn't that matter to you? Have you forgotten his love for you? How could you!!??"

"You don't know anything, Di! You weren't there! You didn't hear ma shout at him! You didn't hear what she had said before she killed herself! I was there, I heard everything!"

"What, Arnav? What did you hear? You know Ma was a weak lady! She believed the worst of everyone!"

"She said.. She.. She said that he was cheating on her, Di! That he didn't care for us. He had lost all our money because of some lady!"

Anjali prepared to slap him. Before she could, Arnav jerked back.

This time around, it was Devyani who came to Arnav and took hold of his arm. Leading him forcefully to her room, she locked it behind them and made Arnav sit on her bed. They'd heard the argument that both siblings were having. Manorama had stopped Akash from intervening, knowing that Arnav needed a release. But things had started to go out of hand. And even though Akash knew about the double-suicides, he did not know the reason.

Devyani turned and looked at her grandson. His face was tear streaked. His eyes were red around the rims. And he looked much younger than 14. Like a child waiting for someone to tell him everything would be okay.

That's not what Devyani did.

She calmly talked to him. About life. About his choices. His words. And their repercussions. And she saw that he listened well. God played such tricks! Making a 14 year old think like a man, while grown men behaved as kids! Arnav came out of the room a changed boy. The least was that his bitterness was now hidden from the world. He made a promise to himself never to talk about his parents' deaths or their reasons to kill themselves.

He would never share it with anyone.

There's an important note above the name of this chapter. Please go through it if you haven't done so already.

So, how was the first chapter? Like it? Not so good? Different, for sure! Well, I am glad you read it!! If you can, I would also love it if you like/comment and tell me how it was!

Thanks a lot!!

Chibi

Next: Chapter 2: Another hit