Vignettes -12. From ... , with love - Page 32

Hello...

The sinusitis is slowly surrendering before antibiotics...hence the update!

Thank you, my dear readers...for all the wonderful comments. And thanks for your concern, I'm doing better now...

Now, a few specific replies -

- Bee, my darling...So good to have you back! You have redefined the meaning of long comments! :-) And that too comments that give me ideas for future works..

Btw, the pooja is only every evening, isme kya problem hai, meri behna? Aur Anjali. Payal and Khushi's cooking toh just imagine tht they're supervising all the different Ps, HP, JP, OP, etc...

And NK babua ij biji... :-D

- your comments actually help me fine-tune my work...so, thanks, dear!

- Missed having you around...but glad that you got to read them finally...and the Arnav-Khushi junkie in me is happy too!

- Thank you! Would've loved to see all this onscreen...but, as I said, in my head, this did happen!

- This will definitely run to a few more parts...

- Thank you, my fellow authoress! And, thanks for your concern as well...

- Finally someone asked about NK! He's a little busy, you see...scope for another Multi-shot! You'll get a clue in Part 8.

- Elbelesk! Thanks a lot, dearie! Lovely to see you here and overwhelmed by your feedback!

Here's part 7 - Enjoy!

And as always, please leave comments...

Loading all the materials in the car took a little while, but finally, they were on their way. Seated at the back with his Bhabi, Dhruv tried to relax and enjoy the ride, but the silence was starting to get on his nerves. For someone who was by nature quiet, and who usually stayed away from noisy people, the uncharacteristic silence of his Bhabi was surprisingly disturbing.

"Now I understnad why everyone gets concerned when she goes quiet", he thought.

A little while later, which they both spent staring out of their respective windows, Dhruv took a steadying breath and turned to her. "Bhabi, aur kitni der lagegi, wahan pahoonchne ke liye?"

Turning to him, Khushi replied, "Thodi der aur. City se kaafi door hain, Prateeksha. Kyun, bore ho raha hain?'

"No, nothing like that. Just asked, that's all."

Still looking at him, Khushi asked, "Dhruv, aap itna pareshaan kyun lag rahe ho?"

Getting more uncomfortable by the minute, he shifted in his seat, "Kuch nahin, Bhabi."

Turning to look back out of her window, she continued, "Aap yeh soch rahe honge ki hum aapko saath mein kyun leke jaa rahe hain. Thodi der aur intezaar kijiye, aap khud samjh payenge."

The rest of the journey too passing in silence, Dhruv however, was much more calm by the time they turned in at an archway. He gazed at the rambling cluster of buildings set amid lush orchards in surprise. This was far from what he had expected. This property looked well-maintained, and even resembled a holiday-resort.

Seeing his wondering look, Khushi said, "Aapke Bhaiyya ke kiye hue kamaal hain yeh sab. Pehle jab AR inke madad kar rahe the, tab yeh ek saadharan si jagah thi. Lekin Arnavji hi bahut saare naye naye suvidhayein banvaye yahan, padhaane ki dhang mein aur sukh-suvidhaon mein. Bol rahe the ki aise logon ko 'relaxed atmosphere' bahut zaroori hain. Tab hum samajh nahin paa rahe the ki woh apni hi anubhav se keh rahe the."

Startled, Dhruv looked up at his Bhabi to see her looking at him, the assessing gaze holding equal portions of fire and ice. Suddenly he understood that now, other than himself and his brother, a third person, who knew their history, also knew the entire details of their falling out. The fact that that third person was his Bhabi, who had been ready to give up her life for his brother, that too when they had supposedly not even known eachother properly, put him in a precarious position indeed.

Opting to keep silent so that a confrontation could be avoided for as long as possible, Dhruv turned to look at the buildings as the car rolled to a stop. An elderly couple came running out, wide smiles on their face as they saw their Khushi Madam. Smiling back, Khushi launched into an apology for arriving late, which was waved away by them, "Madam, aap waise bhi itna waqt dete ho humare bachchon ke liye, aap humein sharminda mat keejiye."

Seeing them eyeing Dhruv curiously, she turned to him with a slight smile and made the introductions. The minute they heard that he was their Arnav Sir's brother, their expressions changed and he was bestowed with beaming smiles. He smiled politely in return, feeling a little out of place. Sensing his discomfort, Khushi turned to Gautamji, who was the director of the institution, and said, "Gautamji, aap inhe sab kuch dikhaayiye naah, aaj pehli baar jo aaye hain. Dhruv, hum abhi humare class ke liye jaa rahe hain. Aapka ek round khatam hote hi aap bhi humare class mein aayiye, theek hain?"

Relieved to have her speaking normally, he smiled back, "Ji, Bhabi."

As he walked away, listening to Gautamji's commentary, he turned to glance back and saw his Bhabi laughing out loud as a gang of children came running out to hug her, while Mohan stood behind her smiling, holding packages wrapped in gay colours. He stood for a moment as she was surrounded by chattering children, each apparently more interested in talking to her rather than getting themselves one of the packets being handed out now by Mohan and Gautamji's wife.

"Kuch toh hain inn mein, jo sab ko inke aur kheenchta hain. Shayad inke hasti hui chehra hi hain...ya inke baatein jo inke saaf dil ko sabke saamne ek open-book ki tarah rakhte hain...Jo bhi ho, Bhaiyya bahut lucky hain ki ek aisa insaan mila unko apne life-partner ke role mein", Dhruv thought as he turned back to walk after Gautamji.

**************

It took the better part of two hours for Dhruv to take a complete round of the facility and the associated buildings. Seeing the unmistakable 'ASR-touch' in the efficiency with which the institution was run and the gentler Arnav-touch, which not many had ever seen, in how the children and the other helpless souls were cared for, Dhruv came back to the main building, overwhelmed with emotions and memories.

As he walked quietly besides Gautamji, the older man looked over and asked, apprehension lacing his voice, "Koi problem hain kya, Sir?"

Looking up from his perusal of the footpath, Dhruv replied, "Nahin, Gautamji. Aisa kuch nahin hain. Aap log yeh sab amazingly handle kar rahe ho. Main bus kuch aur soch raha tha." Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Achcha yeh bataayiye, Arnav Bhaiyya aksar aate hain kya, yahan? Ya bus Bhabi hi aati hain?"

His face taking on a fond expression, the director replied, "Khushi Madam har hafte mein kamse-kam ek baar toh aati hain, humare khaas bachchon ke liye. Aur jab bhi woh aati hain, Arnav Sir ya Anjali Madam bhi saath mein aate hain. Aur humare inmates toh unke aane ki besabr intezaar karte hain. Dhruv Sir, aapke parivaar apni soch mein alag hain, iss liye ki woh samajhte hain ki paison se zyada, yahan ke logon ko normal zindagi mein wapas laane ke liye pyaar aur apnapan hi zaroori hain. Aur yeh dene ki zimmedaari poora Raizada parivaar kisi ke request kiye bina apne aap le liye hain. Aur yeh sab hua sirf Arnav Sir ke kaaran. Woh toh hum sab ke liye bhagwan se kam nahin hain."

Sending Dhruv a sideways smile, he continued, "Lekin aap please unse yeh mat kahiye ki maine aisa kaha. Bahut daant padega mujhe. Unki aisi kaam ko koi bhi notice kare ya praise karein, unhe pasand nahin hain. Aap toh jaante honge, naah?"

Thinking back about all that his brother had done for him matter-of-factly, getting irritated when someone praised him for helping out a dyslexic child, Dhruv murmured, "Haan, main jaanta hoon."

So lost in thought was he that he didn't notice when he reached the door of a classroom, until he was brought out of his reverie by the sound of his Bhabi's laughter. Gazing spellbound at the scene inside the room, he grinned invooluntarily. Apparently, his Bhabi believed in teaching through fun activites and currently, she was totally busy being a very thin pumpkin while the rest of the kids were an assortment of vegetables who had suddenly decided to become the coaches of a train and had started its journey around the classroom. Not missing a beat, the pumpkin had rushed up to don the role of the engine and was now emitting some impressive whistles.

Laughing gently next to him, Gautamji commented, "Yeh hungama dekhke kaun kahega ki yeh bachche disabled hain?"

Jerking around, Dhruv stared at him,"Matlab?"

Looking at him in surprise, Gautamji replied, "Aap shayad dhyan nahin diya hoga. Khushi Madam aur Arnav Sir yahan in bachchon ko padhane ke liye hi aate hain. Yeh sab diabled bachche hain, isi liye hi inhe school bhejne ke bajay yahan hi padhaa rahe hain. Kuch thoda retarded hain, toh kuch learning-disabled hain", and pointing to a child who was hugging himself and giggling, he continued, "Aur woh autistic hain."

Smiling now, he said, "Asal mein, Arnav Sir hi inke saath zyada der padhaayi mein bitaate hain. Khushi Madam toh inke liye apni badi didi jaisi hain jinke saath yeh khoob khelte hain, enjoy karte hain. Madam toh inko padhaana abhi-abhi shuroo kiye hain, shayad Arnav Sir inko jo training de rahe the, woh poora ho gaya."

Dhruv repeated after him numbly, "Training?"

Looking at him seriously, Gautamji said, "Ji. Hum bhi bahut hi surprised the ki woh learning-disabled bachchon ko kaise padhaathe hain, iske baare mein itna kuch kaise jaante hain. Woh hi Madam ko train kar rahe the taaki jab woh aa nahin paate, tab classes miss na ho, aur Madam continue karein."

He was about ask something when a shrill cry pierced the air. Turning around, they saw the autistic child squatting in a corner, swaying to-and-fro, shrieking. Dhruv watched in wonder as Khushi ran to him and making sure not to touch him, sat on the floor beside him. She continued sitting there, murmuring soothingly, till the shreiking stopped and she handed him a soft toy that he had been playing with earlier. Taking it from her, he subsided, the swaying also stopping slowly. After making sure that he was better, she stood up again, still making sure that neither she, nor anyone else touched him.

As she turned back to get back to the train that had stopped midway, the young boy put out his hand and grabbed hold of hers. Pausing, she smiled down at him, and understanding his silent need, she led him to the rest of the children, the train now getting an additional engine that walked side-by-side with the pumpkin.

Gazing at them with a tremulous smile, Gautamji said, "Dekha aap ne? Khushi Madam ke haathon mein jaadu hain. Aur agar Arnav Sir aaj yahan hote, toh bahut khush hote. Pehle toh is bachche ko bus woh hi sambhaal paate the, lekin ab unko dekhke Madam bhi seekh liye hain."

Dhrub turned to him suddenly and thanking him for his time, took his leave. If he was startled by the sudden departure, Gautamji didn't show it and offered to take him to the porch. Declining, Dhruv took one last look at the classroom and at his Bhabi and walked outside, making a beeline for the car.

**************

Anjali was deep into a book when her mobile rang. Seeing "Chotte Mobile" on the display, she answered it with a smile, "Boliye, huzoor...hum aapke liye kya kar sakte hain?"

"Very funny, Di!" the reply came curt and crisp, but the smile behind it very much evident.

Giggling, she asked again, "Kya baat hain, Chotte? Phone kyun kiya?"

Leaning back in his chair, stretching finally after hours of meetings, he asked, "Khushi Prateeksha gayi hogi, right? Phone answer nahin kar rahi hain, must be busy with her class."

"Haan, Khushiji toh lunch karte hi chali gayi."

"Akele gayi hain naah? I just hope she has the sense to leave early. Itni jaldi andhera ho jaati hain ab..." he muttered, half to himself.

Sobering up suddenly, Anjali debated with herself whether she should tell him, and then decided that he would come to know anyway and replied, "Chotte, Khushiji actually Dhruv ko saath leke gayi hain."

"WHAT?" the answering roar was defening. "Why would she do that?' he thundered.

"Chotte, shaanth ho jao...humein lagta hain ki woh Dhruv se akele mein baat karna chaahti thi...shayad iss liye..." she trailed off, unnerved by the silence on the other side.

Taking deep breaths to try and keep his temper under check, Arnav thought of the way his wife had avoided his casual questions in the morning and realised that she had been planning this since last night, since he had told her of their past.

"Chotte..." his sister's hesistant voice breaking into his thoughts, he smiled wryly, "It's okay, Di...I'll talk to you later. Don't worry, main aapke Khushiji ko daantoonga nahin. By the way, what did she do to all of you? It's as if I'm the son-in-law and she's the daughter of the house. Sabko bus usski hi fikar hain!"

Relieved at his return from the land of fire, she grinned, "Aur hum sab jaante hain ki iss baat se sabse zyada khushi tumhe hain. Hain naah?"

"Yeah, right! I'll see you soon, Di. Bye."

Keeping the phone down, he sat back, remembering the blazing look of love he had seen on his wife's face last night and this morning, ready to rip off anything and anybody who would dare to hurt him, her protective instincts on full throttle. He smiled again, a wolfish smile that usually struck terror in the hearts of his competitors. His wife was planning to take on his brother, she was planning to make him answer for what he had put her husband through. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada was on the warpath.

"Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada! I hope ki tumhare saamna karne ke baad woh zinda hoga..."

It felt nice, to be the one who was being protected.

**************

"Aap yahan kyun ghade ho?" the question brought Dhruv out of his thoughts. Turning around, he looked at his Bhabi, not bothering to school his face into a neutral expression.

Her breath hitching at the look of naked pain on her young dewar's face, Khushi stood looking at him silently, her instincts telling her that for someone who was so like her Arnavji, silence would be the best medicine.

She had been a little shocked when she had been informed by a troubled-looking Gautamji that Dhruv had left abruptly. Not able to believe that a member of the usually-overprotective-Raizada-male gene-pool would actually do that, she had said her good-byes and walked over to where the car was parked. On asking, Mohan had informed her that Dhruv baba had walked off in the direction of the mango orchard an hour ago. She had quickly followed him there, realisation dawning on her that her plan had worked; Dhruv Sigh Riazada would have to talk to her now.

Watching him now, she couldn't but help be reminded of her husband, of how difficult it usually was for him to speak out his heart. It had taken them over a year to reach the place where they could tell eachother anything and everything. And Dhruv had known her for only a few days. But she was hoping that the emotional baggage he had been carrying around would have finally become too much to bear with this visit to Prateeksha.

Finally breaking his silence, he asked, his voice defeated, "Aap yeh sab kyun kar rahi ho, Bhabi? Aap mujhe yahan kyun laya?"

"Aapko kya lagta hain?" she asked back, just as somberly, even though her eyes had started blazing under repressed anger.

Looking up and meeting her eyes straight, he replied bluntly, "Mujhe apne kiye ka ehsaas dilaane ke liye...To make me feel even more guilty... For what I did to my brother, your husband."

The pain and weariness in that honest answer took the wind out of Khushi's sails and brought her back from the haze of anger that had started enveloping her senses. Her kind heart unable to see him in such a state, she put her hand on his shoulder and waited until he looked up at her again.

"Aisa kya hua tha, Dhruv? Ki tum apne Bhaiyya ko itna dukh pahoonchaane mein majboor ho gaya? Hum tumhe do din se dekh rahe hain. Har ek jhalak se humein pata chalta hain ki aapko apne Bhaiyya se kitna pyaar hain. Toh phir kya hua ki tum aise...tumhein andaaza bhi hain unpe kya beeta hain?" her voice broke as she remembered how bleak Arnav's voice had been when he had told her all.

Still not breaking his gaze, he replied, "Aur main? Mujhpe kya beeta hain? Haan maine bahut kuch kaha jo mujhe kabhi bhi kehna nahi chahiye tha, actually sochna bhi nahi chahiye tha...lekin uss samay, apne gusse mein, frustration mein, guilt mein bol diya! I can't control myself when I'm angry. Aur koi bhi samjhe ya na samjhe, aap toh yeh samajhenge, naah? Aap Bhaiyya ko itna jaanti ho...mein jab gussa hota hoon toh bilkul unke jaise ho jaata hoon! I can't help it!"

Raking his hand through his hair in frustration, he turned away. Staring at his back, Khushi slowly started understanding why the situation had worsened this much. Dhruv was just like her Arnavji in temper. She could very well imagine what would have happened when two ASRs confronted eachother in full steam. It must have been a bloodshed, she thought.

But that didnot explain why he had lied. Stepping up to him, she plowed ahead, "Dhruv, hum samajh sakte hain ki uss din baat bolte bolte bigad gaye honge. Lekin yeh batao ki tum apne Bhaiyya se jhoot kyun bola tha? Iss mein toh tumhare Bhaiyya ke ya tumhare temper ka koi dosh nahin hoga?"

He stiffened. This had been the question he had been dreading. Whatever chance he had of redeeming himself would be lost with this. It would prove to his Bhabi that inspite of knowing his brother this well, he had indeed been a ruthless, selfish, idiot to have hurt him so badly. But Dhruv was exhausted with the distances, misunderstandings and guilt-trips and decided to unburden himself.

Turning to her again, he took a steadying breath before meeting her eyes, "Bhabi, main assume kar raha hoon ki aap Bhaiyya ke baare mein sab kuch jaanti ho. Shayad hum sab se zyada. Aur iss liye shayad aapko pata hogi ki Bhaiyya ko paudhon ka aur gardening ka kitna shauk hain. Hum sab, especially me, just jaante hain ki he loves them, but reason kabhi nahin jaan paya. Bus itna jaanta hoon ki unke past se jude hue koi important baat hain."

Seeing the tender, wistful expression on her face and hearing her sharp intake of breath, he understood that she did know. Smiling ruefully, he continued, "Kya aap yeh bhi jaante ho ki jabse woh sapna dekhna shuroo kiye the, woh ek botanist banne ka, ek world-famous scientist banne ka sapna dekhta tha?"

Stunned now, Khushi shook her head. She hadn't known this, well, she had never even thought about what he would have become if he hadn't set up his business empire.

Eyes moist, Dhruv continued, "Whatever I knew about plants, I learned from him. Ek walking encyclopedia hain woh. In fact, mere classmates and professors used to be awestruck by my general knowledge...all because of him", his voice broke.

Taking a deep breath he said, "I don't think anyone else remembers. They all see only the ASR now. But I knew..."

Curling his fist, he almost snarled, "I knew because I was the one he spent most of his time on...coaching me, patiently learning with me, holding my hand, making me stand on my own...and in the process, mujhe, Di ko, apne family ko sambhaalte sambhaalte, unke apne sapnon ke baare mein woh bhool gaye."

Khushi actually took a step back at his roar, "No, he didn't forget, he sacrificed them! Because he couldn't afford to be a God-damn scientist if he had to take care of his family!"

Eyes tightly closed, he whispered, "But I could...because of all his sacrifices, I could! And I did! I dropped the course that he had paid for. I switched specialities to a subject that 'interested' me! The 'interest' that grew in me only because of the many. many hours he spent in helping me relax, helping me learn! I could afford to because he paid for it... paid for it with the money he made by forgetting his dreams!"

Tears now pooling in his eyes, he looked at his stricken Bhabi, "I couldn't bear to tell him that I was going to live the life he wanted for himself... I didn't have the courage to tell him that I wouldn't be joining him in his work, that I won't be his right-hand as I had been promising him ever since I could remember... I just couldn't forget the pride and joy on his face when I got admission to the very same college and course that he had ... So I lied, Bhabi, because it was the easy way out. And once I started, I couldn't stop."

As she made a move to come to him, he stepped back, denying himself the comfort she was offering, "Later, the guilt made me avoid him, Di, Ma, Bhai, everyone...they thought I was rebelling. I was just disgusted with myself for the lies, but I loved what I was learning." Smiling a pain-filled smile, he said, "Atleast iss mein main apne Bhaiyya ka chotta bhai saabit hua."

"Later, when he surprised me with a visit, he actually laughed at the letter he had gotfrom the Dean that said that I had quit my MBA! Such was his trust in me! And I lost it...I couldn't breathe in his presence, the enormity of what I had done to him, was doing to him, started crushing me. And it all just blew up."

He looked at her pale face and grimaced, "Bhabi, aapko pata hain, mujhe yaad bhi nahin hain ki maine aur Bhiayya ne kya kya kaha uss raat ko. Bus yeh ek sentence hi goonjti rehti hain mere kaanon mein, "I'm ashamed to call you my brother. To me, you're dead, Dhruv!"

Crumbling now, he leant on the fence he had been standing against, "Mere Bhaiyya ko maine aise bolne par majboor kiya! Even when he was screaming at me, I could see the pain in his face...I will never be able to forget that look...never..."

Staring at the trembling boy in front of her, Khushi wiped her streaming eyes, her husband's voice echoing in her ears, "I shouted at him, asked him why he couldn't show the minimum guts to tell the truth and he shouted back that he didn't need my approval for every decision...Shayad main aisa hi tha, pehle. But never, ever with him. Not with my Dhruv... He said that he wouldn't be able to breathe if he was around me, Khushi...Jab bhi main use dekhta hoon, uski woh aakhiri sentence mere kaanon mein goonjta hain. I can't take that, Khushi..."

Waiting till his sobs subsided, Khushi walked up to him. Putting out her hand, she stroked his head gently. Involuntarily leaning into her touch, he shuddered, the weight off his chest. Slowly it dawned on him that it was his brother's wife that he had been pouring his heart out to, the very same person who's soulmate had been ripped apart by his actions, his words.

Straightening, he stood before her, ready to take on her anger, her loathing. Dhruv however, was again reduced to sobs when she cupped his face and wiped his tears, sympathy, understanding and love evident on her face. He grabbed her hands and leaned his forehead on them, seeking forgiveness from his very being.

As for Khushi, she was wonderstruck at the bond that had existed between the brothers, the bond that still refused to break. As she stood there, silently comforting her young dewar, she made a promise to him and to her Arnavji that she wouldn't rest until they mended their fences. Love like this couldn't be left to wither away...

**************

A while later, they were almost halfway back home when her phone rang. The ringtone caused Dhruv to jerk up from where he had been sitting, lost in thought. It was his Bhaiyya, he knew.

Flicking a glance at him from the opposite end of the seat, Khushi picked up, "Hello?"

"Hello to yourself! Kahan ho tum? Kabse main wait kar raha hoon?" Arnav's husky voice fell on her ears.

Eyes tearing up as she listened to that dear voice, she smiled, "Aa rahe hain, Arnavji...bus thodi der aur intezaar keejiye. Hum aap hi ke paas toh aa rahe hain..."

How was it, guys? Matched up to the build-up?

It was a difficult chapter for me to write...because, when I write, I live those scenes in my head...and I could feel their pain...where their breaths hitch, mine does too...

So I hope I did justice to Arnav, Khushi and Dhruv...And I hope it does the same for you guys too...

If you liked my work, please do visit My Index

P.S: To those who ask for PMs, please take the effort to send me a buddy request. And if you turn out to be a silent reader, you'll not get a PM.

Loading all the materials in the car took a little while, but finally, they were on their way. Seated at the back with his Bhabi, Dhruv tried to relax and enjoy the ride, but the silence was starting to get on his nerves. For someone who was by nature quiet, and who usually stayed away from noisy people, the uncharacteristic silence of his Bhabi was surprisingly disturbing.

"Now I understnad why everyone gets concerned when she goes quiet", he thought.

A little while later, which they both spent staring out of their respective windows, Dhruv took a steadying breath and turned to her. "Bhabi, how much longer will it take, to reach?"

Turning to him, Khushi replied, "It'll be a while yet. It's quite far from the City. Why, bored already?'

"No, nothing like that. Just asked, that's all."

Still looking at him, Khushi asked, "Dhruv, why do seem worried?"

Getting more uncomfortable by the minute, he shifted in his seat, "No, nothing, Bhabi."

Turning to look back out of her window, she continued, "You must be wondering why I brought you along. Wait for a little while, you'll get to know yourself."

The rest of the journey too passing in silence, Dhruv however, was much more calm by the time they turned in at an archway. He gazed at the rambling cluster of buildings set amid lush orchards in surprise. This was far from what he had expected. This property looked well-maintained, and even resembled a holiday-resort.

Seeing his wondering look, Khushi said, "It's all your Bhaiyya's doing. Earlier, when AR had just begun helping them, it was an ordinary facility. But Arnavji brought in a lot of changes in its amenities as well as in the methods of learning. He stressed on providing a 'relaxed atmosphere' . I hadn't understood then that he was talking from experience, from his work with a disabled child."

Startled, Dhruv looked up at his Bhabi to see her looking at him, the assessing gaze holding equal portions of fire and ice. Suddenly he understood that now, other than himself and his brother, a third person, who knew their history, also knew the entire details of their falling out. The fact that that third person was his Bhabi, who had been ready to give up her life for his brother, that too when they had supposedly not even known eachother properly, put him in a precarious position indeed.

Opting to keep silent so that a confrontation could be avoided for as long as possible, Dhruv turned to look at the buildings as the car rolled to a stop. An elderly couple came running out, wide smiles on their face as they saw their Khushi Madam. Smiling back, Khushi launched into an apology for arriving late, which was waved away by them, "Madam, you spend so much time here. Please don't apologise and emabarass us."

Seeing them eyeing Dhruv curiously, she turned to him with a slight smile and made the introductions. The minute they heard that he was their Arnav Sir's brother, their expressions changed and he was bestowed with beaming smiles. He smiled politely in return, feeling a little out of place. Sensing his discomfort, Khushi turned to Gautamji, who was the director of the institution, and said, "Gautamji, why don't you show him around, it's his first visit, naah? Dhruv, I'll be in my class. Why don't you join me once your tour is done?"

Relieved to have her speaking normally, he smiled back, "Ji, Bhabi."

As he walked away, listening to Gautamji's commentary, he turned to glance back and saw his Bhabi laughing out loud as a gang of children came running out to hug her, while Mohan stood behind her smiling, holding packages wrapped in gay colours. He stood for a moment as she was surrounded by chattering children, each apparently more interested in talking to her rather than getting themselves one of the packets being handed out now by Mohan and Gautamji's wife.

"There's something in her that pulls people to her. Maybe it is her smiling face...or maybe her gentle heart that becomes evident as soon as you meet her...Whatever it is, Bhaiyya is lucky to have someone like her as his life-partner", Dhruv thought as he turned back to walk after Gautamji.

**************

It took the better part of two hours for Dhruv to take a complete round of the facility and the associated buildings. Seeing the unmistakable 'ASR-touch' in the efficiency with which the institution was run and the gentler Arnav-touch, which not many had ever seen, in how the children and the other helpless souls were cared for, Dhruv came back to the main building, overwhelmed with emotions and memories.

As he walked quietly besides Gautamji, the older man looked over and asked, apprehension lacing his voice, "Any problem , Sir?"

Looking up from his perusal of the footpath, Dhruv replied, "No, Gautamji. Nothing. You handle everything amazingly well. I was just thinking of something else." Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Bythe way, does Arnav Bhaiyya visit often? Or it it just Bhabi who comes?"

His face taking on a fond expression, the director replied, "Khushi Madam comes atleast once a week for our special children. And whenever she comes, Arnav Sir or Anjali Madam comes with her. Our inmates wait for their visits impatiently. Dhruv Sir, you family is unique in its approach to us. They understnad that more than money, its their presence and love that helps us. And they have taken it upon themselves without any compulsion, without any inhibition. It was all made possible by Arnav Sir. He's nothing short of a miracle."

Sending Dhruv a sideways smile, he continued, "But please don't tell him I said so. He'll shout at me. He just hates being noticed or praised for this work. But you know that, don't you?"

Thinking back about all that his brother had done for him matter-of-factly, getting irritated when someone praised him for helping out a dyslexic child, Dhruv murmured, "Yes...I know."

So lost in thought was he that he didn't notice when he reached the door of a classroom, until he was brought out of his reverie by the sound of his Bhabi's laughter. Gazing spellbound at the scene inside the room, he grinned invooluntarily. Apparently, his Bhabi believed in teaching through fun activites and currently, she was totally busy being a very thin pumpkin while the rest of the kids were an assortment of vegetables who had suddenly decided to become the coaches of a train and had started its journey around the classroom. Not missing a beat, the pumpkin had rushed up to don the role of the engine and was now emitting some impressive whistles.

Laughing gently next to him, Gautamji commented, "Who'll ever guess that these are disabled kids?"

Jerking around, Dhruv stared at him,"What?"

Looking at him in surprise, Gautamji replied, "Maybe you didn't notice. Khushi Madam and Arnav Sir comes especially to coach those who can't be sent to regular school. Some are retarded, some learning-disabled ", and pointing to a child who was hugging himself and giggling, he continued, "And he's autistic."

Smiling now, he said, "Actually, Arnav Sir is the one who spends time in teaching them. Khushi Madam is like an elder sister who plays with them and makes them enjoy their studies. Madam has just started helping in their teaching. Maybe Arnav Sir's training is over."

Dhruv repeated after him numbly, "Training?"

Looking at him seriously, Gautamji said, "Ji. We were all very surprised that he knows so much about coaching learning-disabled children. And he had started training Madam so that in case he's unable to come, classes are not missed and Madam can continue."

He was about ask something when a shrill cry pierced the air. Turning around, they saw the autistic child squatting in a corner, swaying to-and-fro, shrieking. Dhruv watched in wonder as Khushi ran to him and making sure not to touch him, sat on the floor beside him. She continued sitting there, murmuring soothingly, till the shreiking stopped and she handed him a soft toy that he had been playing with earlier. Taking it from her, he subsided, the swaying also stopping slowly. After making sure that he was better, she stood up again, still making sure that neither she, nor anyone else touched him.

As she turned back to get back to the train that had stopped midway, the young boy put out his hand and grabbed hold of hers. Pausing, she smiled down at him, and understanding his silent need, she led him to the rest of the children, the train now getting an additional engine that walked side-by-side with the pumpkin.

Gazing at them with a tremulous smile, Gautamji said, "Did you see that? Khushi Madam has magic in her hands. If Arnav Sir had been here, he would've been very happy. Earlier, only he was able to manage that child. But now, Madam has also learnt from him."

Dhrub turned to him suddenly and thanking him for his time, took his leave. If he was startled by the sudden departure, Gautamji didn't show it and offered to take him to the porch. Declining, Dhruv took one last look at the classroom and at his Bhabi and walked outside, making a beeline for the car.

**************

Anjali was deep into a book when her mobile rang. Seeing "Chotte Mobile" on the display, she answered it with a smile, "Yes, my Lord...what can I do for you?"

"Very funny, Di!" the reply came curt and crisp, but the smile behind it very much evident.

Giggling, she asked again, "What is it, Chotte? Why did you call?"

Leaning back in his chair, stretching finally after hours of meetings, he asked, "Khushi must have gone to Prateeksha, right? She's not answering her phone, must be busy with her class."

"Yes, Khushiji went after lunch."

"Alone? I just hope she has the sense to leave early. It gets dark earlier these days..." he muttered, half to himself.

Sobering up suddenly, Anjali debated with herself whether she should tell him, and then decided that he would come to know anyway and replied, "Chotte, Khushiji actually took Dhruv with her."

"WHAT?" the answering roar was defening. "Why would she do that?' he thundered.

"Chotte, calm down...I think she took Dhruv along to talk to him..." she trailed off, unnerved by the silence on the other side.

Taking deep breaths to try and keep his temper under check, Arnav thought of the way his wife had avoided his casual questions in the morning and realised that she had been planning this since last night, since he had told her of their past.

"Chotte..." his sister's hesistant voice breaking into his thoughts, he smiled wryly, "It's okay, Di...I'll talk to you later. Don't worry, I won't yell at your Khushiji. By the way, what did she do to all of you? It's as if I'm the son-in-law and she's the daughter of the house. Everyone thinks of her first!"

Relieved at his return from the land of fire, she grinned, "And we all know that you're the one who's happiest with the situation. Right?"

"Yeah, right! I'll see you soon, Di. Bye."

Keeping the phone down, he sat back, remembering the blazing look of love he had seen on his wife's face last night and this morning, ready to rip off anything and anybody who would dare to hurt him, her protective instincts on full throttle. He smiled again, a wolfish smile that usually struck terror in the hearts of his competitors. His wife was planning to take on his brother, she was planning to make him answer for what he had put her husband through. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada was on the warpath.

"Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada! I hope he survives the confrontation..."

It felt nice, to be the one who was being protected.

**************

"Why are you standing here?" the question brought Dhruv out of his thoughts. Turning around, he looked at his Bhabi, not bothering to school his face into a neutral expression.

Her breath hitching at the look of naked pain on her young dewar's face, Khushi stood looking at him silently, her instincts telling her that for someone who was so like her Arnavji, silence would be the best medicine.

She had been a little shocked when she had been informed by a troubled-looking Gautamji that Dhruv had left abruptly. Not able to believe that a member of the usually-overprotective-Raizada-male gene-pool would actually do that, she had said her good-byes and walked over to where the car was parked. On asking, Mohan had informed her that Dhruv baba had walked off in the direction of the mango orchard an hour ago. She had quickly followed him there, realisation dawning on her that her plan had worked; Dhruv Sigh Riazada would have to talk to her now.

Watching him now, she couldn't but help be reminded of her husband, of how difficult it usually was for him to speak out his heart. It had taken them over a year to reach the place where they could tell eachother anything and everything. And Dhruv had known her for only a few days. But she was hoping that the emotional baggage he had been carrying around would have finally become too much to bear with this visit to Prateeksha.

Finally breaking his silence, he asked, his voice defeated, "Why are you doing this, Bhabi? Why did you bring me here?"

"What do you think?" she asked back, just as somberly, even though her eyes had started blazing under repressed anger.

Looking up and meeting her eyes straight, he replied bluntly, "To make me realise what I have done...To make me feel even more guilty... For what I did to my brother, your husband."

The pain and weariness in that honest answer took the wind out of Khushi's sails and brought her back from the haze of anger that had started enveloping her senses. Her kind heart unable to see him in such a state, she put her hand on his shoulder and waited until he looked up at her again.

"What had happened, Dhruv? Why did you end up hurting your Bhaiyya so bad? The y past days have been enough for me to see how much you love him. Then what made you...do you even realise how much you have hurt him?" her voice broke as she remembered how bleak Arnav's voice had been when he had told her all.

Still not breaking his gaze, he replied, "And me? What about me? Yes I said things that I should never have said, never should have even thought...but at that time, in my anger, frustration, and guilt, I just blurted them out! I can't control myself when I'm angry. And even if no one else understands, you can, right Bhabi? You know Bhaiyya...and I lose it just like he does when I'm angry! I can't help it!"

Raking his hand through his hair in frustration, he turned away. Staring at his back, Khushi slowly started understanding why the situation had worsened this much. Dhruv was just like her Arnavji in temper. She could very well imagine what would have happened when two ASRs confronted eachother in full steam. It must have been a bloodshed, she thought.

But that didnot explain why he had lied. Stepping up to him, she plowed ahead, "Dhruv, I can accept that what was said was said in anger and that it went downhill from there. But why did you lie to your Bhaiyya? Neither your Bhaiyya's nor your temper had any role in that?"

He stiffened. This had been the question he had been dreading. Whatever chance he had of redeeming himself would be lost with this. It would prove to his Bhabi that inspite of knowing his brother this well, he had indeed been a ruthless, selfish, idiot to have hurt him so badly. But Dhruv was exhausted with the distances, misunderstandings and guilt-trips and decided to unburden himself.

Turning to her again, he took a steadying breath before meeting her eyes, "Bhabi, I'm assuming that you know everything about Bhaiyya. Maybe more than we do. And you must know how much Bhaiyya loves his plants and gardening. We, especially me, just know that he loves them, but not the reason. We just know that it had something to do with his past, something important."

Seeing the tender, wistful expression on her face and hearing her sharp intake of breath, he understood that she did know. Smiling ruefully, he continued, "Did you also know that ever since he could remember, he wanted to become a botanist, a world-famous scientist, that he dreamed of it?"

Stunned now, Khushi shook her head. She hadn't known this, well, she had never even thought about what he would have become if he hadn't set up his business empire.

Eyes moist, Dhruv continued, "Whatever I knew about plants, I learned from him. He's a walking encyclopedia. In fact, my classmates and professors used to be awestruck by my general knowledge...all because of him", his voice broke.

Taking a deep breath he said, "I don't think anyone else remembers. They all see only the ASR now. But I knew..."

Curling his fist, he almost snarled, "I knew because I was the one he spent most of his time on...coaching me, patiently learning with me, holding my hand, making me stand on my own...and in the process, to look after me, Di, our family, he forgot about his dreams."

Khushi actually took a step back at his roar, "No, he didn't forget, he sacrificed them! Because he couldn't afford to be a God-damn scientist if he had to take care of his family!"

Eyes tightly closed, he whispered, "But I could...because of all his sacrifices, I could! And I did! I dropped the course that he had paid for. I switched specialities to a subject that 'interested' me! The 'interest' that grew in me only because of the many. many hours he spent in helping me relax, helping me learn! I could afford to because he paid for it... paid for it with the money he made by forgetting his dreams!"

Tears now pooling in his eyes, he looked at his stricken Bhabi, "I couldn't bear to tell him that I was going to live the life he wanted for himself... I didn't have the courage to tell him that I wouldn't be joining him in his work, that I won't be his right-hand as I had been promising him ever since I could remember... I just couldn't forget the pride and joy on his face when I got admission to the very same college and course that he had ... So I lied, Bhabi, because it was the easy way out. And once I started, I couldn't stop."

As she made a move to come to him, he stepped back, denying himself the comfort she was offering, "Later, the guilt made me avoid him, Di, Ma, Bhai, everyone...they thought I was rebelling. I was just disgusted with myself for the lies, but I loved what I was learning." Smiling a pain-filled smile, he said, "Atleast in this, I proved to be Bhaiyya's kid brother!"

"Later, when he surprised me with a visit, he actually laughed at the letter he had gotfrom the Dean that said that I had quit my MBA! Such was his trust in me! And I lost it...I couldn't breathe in his presence, the enormity of what I had done to him, was doing to him, started crushing me. And it all just blew up."

He looked at her pale face and grimaced, "Bhabi, aapko pata hain, mujhe yaad bhi nahin hain ki maine aur Bhiayya ne kya kya kaha uss raat ko. Bus yeh ek sentence hi goonjti rehti hain mere kaanon mein, "I'm ashamed to call you my brother. To me, you're dead, Dhruv!"

Crumbling now, he leant on the fence he had been standing against, "I drove him to saying it! Even when he was screaming at me, I could see the pain in his face...I will never be able to forget that look...never..."

Staring at the trembling boy in front of her, Khushi wiped her streaming eyes, her husband's voice echoing in her ears, "I shouted at him, asked him why he couldn't show the minimum guts to tell the truth and he shouted back that he didn't need my approval for every decision...Maybe I was. But never, ever with him. Not with my Dhruv... He said that he wouldn't be able to breathe if he was around me, Khushi...And whenever I see him, that last sentence starts echoing in my ears. I can't take that, Khushi..."

Waiting till his sobs subsided, Khushi walked up to him. Putting out her hand, she stroked his head gently. Involuntarily leaning into her touch, he shuddered, the weight off his chest. Slowly it dawned on him that it was his brother's wife that he had been pouring his heart out to, the very same person who's soulmate had been ripped apart by his actions, his words.

Straightening, he stood before her, ready to take on her anger, her loathing. Dhruv however, was again reduced to sobs when she cupped his face and wiped his tears, sympathy, understanding and love evident on her face. He grabbed her hands and leaned his forehead on them, seeking forgiveness from his very being.

As for Khushi, she was wonderstruck at the bond that had existed between the brothers, the bond that still refused to break. As she stood there, silently comforting her young dewar, she made a promise to him and to her Arnavji that she wouldn't rest until they mended their fences. Love like this couldn't be left to wither away...

**************

A while later, they were almost halfway back home when her phone rang. The ringtone caused Dhruv to jerk up from where he had been sitting, lost in thought. It was his Bhaiyya, he knew.

Flicking a glance at him from the opposite end of the seat, Khushi picked up, "Hello?"

"Hello to yourself! Where are you? Do you know for how long I've been waiting for you?" Arnav's husky voice fell on her ears.

Eyes tearing up as she listened to that dear voice, she smiled, "We're coming, Arnavji...just a little while longer. We're coming back to you..."

How was it, guys? Matched up to the build-up?

It was a difficult chapter for me to write...because, when I write, I live those scenes in my head...and I could feel their pain...where their breaths hitch, mine does too...

So I hope I did justice to Arnav, Khushi and Dhruv...And I hope it does the same for you guys too...

If you liked my work, please do visit My Index

P.S: To those who ask for PMs, please take the effort to send me a buddy request. And if you turn out to be a silent reader, you'll not get a PM.

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