Vignettes -12. From ... , with love - Page 6

Hi there...Surprise!

I got an unexpected off day from work, and , voila!

But officially, the update days will be Monday and Friday. In case I get time unexpectedly, I'll update on Wednesdays.

I've tried to capture the reactions realistically, do let me know what you think...

To those who missed the first part, please read it first before proceeding here.

Her stunned surprise giving way to a tearful smile, Anjali rushed forward to envelop her youngest brother in a bear-hug. For once returning it without complaint, Dhruv stood in the sanctuary of the kindest heart he had ever known - his Di. Eyes tearing at the thought of how much she had suffered in his absence, he squeezed her for all it was worth. He had always been her baby, tagging along after her, a full eight years younger to her that he was. Almost cringing in guilt as he felt his shoulders get wet with her silent tears, he stood quietly as long as she held on.

Finally stepping back, Anjali held him at arm's length, scanning her from top to bottom. The skype videos hadn't done justice to the change in him. No longer the smiley-faced boy who still hadn't lost his baby-fat, Dhruv Singh Raizada had become the splitting image of his brother, albeit a slightly shorter, darker, thinner version. Relieved that he didn't appear damaged or under-nourished, Anjali pulled him in for a final hug before she let loose a stream of complaints.

"Tum, yahaan?! Kisi ko bataaya kyun nahi ki tum aa rahe ho? Airport se taxi leke aaye ho? Aur kya haal banaa rakha hai apna? Kitni baar phone pe try kiye the hum pichle hafte mein bhi?"

Sobbing now, she continued, "Kyun, Dhruv? Itne saal...itna bhi kya kiye the hum sab ki tum humari taraf ek baar bhi mod ke nahin dekha..."

Grabbing hold of her hands, Dhruv said softly. "Ab toh mein aaya hoon nah, Di. Aap mujhe yaheen ghada karenge ya andar bhi aane doge?"

Straightening, a flustered Anjali turned to lead him in when he suddenly stiffened. Following his line of sight, she spotted Khushi and Payal standing a little behind her, rooted to their places as they took in the missing member of their family. Having seen photos of him, they had had no trouble recognising him. But not knowing the full story of why he had been away for so long, they were not very sure how to receive him.

Payal knew about the falling out he had had with the family, especially with Arnav. Akash had updated her about all the family members after their marriage. But realising that his younger brother was a very difficult subject for him to talk about, she hadn't asked for more information.

As for Khushi, she had only heard of him being mentioned whenever Di or Mami had a chat with him. Her Arnavji being the person he was, he had never encouraged a discussion when she had brought once up the matter of the missing brother. Not wanting to ruin his mood, she had never tried again. Fearing upsetting her Di, she hadn't tried with Anjali either. And, out of sight is out of mind, they say. Having never met him, the sisters had never really spared much thought on him.

Now, seeing their missing Dewar standing in front of them, a rush of questions surfaced in their minds, but wisely deciding to keep them for later, they stepped forward with welcoming smiles. Seeing the uncertain expressions on all three faces, Anjali decided to do the honours and break the ice.

"Dhruv, yeh rahein tumhari bhabhiyan." Gesturing to Payal, she said, "Yeh rahi Akash ki patni, Payalji", and turning to Khushi she continued, "Aur yeh hai Khushiji, tumhare Bhaiyya ke...". Trailing off, she turned to look at her brother.

Swallowing hard, Dhruv tried to smile it off. Bending down to pick up his bags, he said, "Di, andar chalein? Aur sab log kahaan hain? Ma, Papa, Dadi, Akash Bhai.."

Walking ahead and nodding to her sisters-in-law to follow her, Anjali replied, "Sab abhi aate hi honge." Turning to a teary-eyed Hariprakash who had been watching the long-lost Dhruv baba in delight, she smiled, "Hariprakashji, aap zara sab ko neeche bulaayiye. Lekin kehna mat, ki Dhurv aaya hua hain. Unhe bhi yeh ek surprise ho jaayein."

HP replied with a "Ji, Didi" scurried up the stairs to call everyone down as Anjali led her young brother to the living room, who was looking around, hungrily drinking in the sights that he had left behind three years ago.

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

"Hello Hi Bye-Bye! Ee kaa ho raha hai, Anjali? Ee Hariparkas itni jaldi se humein neeche kyun bulaya? Kauno toophaan aaya hai, kaa?" , Mami appeared first with her husband in tow. Busily arranging the flowers in her hair, she didn't look up as she walked down the steps. Realising that her husband had come to a stop behind her, she turned to look at him, only to see him stare ahead, face pale, eyes wet.

Shocked, she asked him, "Arre, kaa baat hai? Aap aise kyun ghade ho?"

The low whisper almost wrenched from his chest, Manohar said, "Dhruv".

Whipping around, she caught sight of her younger son, standing beside Anjali, looking up at her with a wobbly smile on his face.

"Dhruv...mera bachcha...mera bachcha...", racing full-tilt down the stairs, she crashed into his arms, crying out in pain and anger, all that she had kept bottled up for years. Running her hands over every available inch of him, she kept crying, mumbling words no one could catch.

Following more slowly behind her, Manohar Singh Raizada, came up to his son, suddenly looking frail and exhausted. Running his hand over his son's hair, he finally said, "Toh tum wapis aa hi gaye, bitwa."

His fathers quiet love touching him more than his mothers wracking sobs, Dhruv released his mother to bend down and touch his father's feet, only to be pulled up into a crushing hug.

Crying at the scene unfolding before their eyes, Anjali, Khushi and Payal didn't see Devyani Singh Raizada enter the living room. Erect, she walked to her youngest grandson, her anguish revealed only by her trembling lips. Catching sight of his Dadi, Dhruv moved over to her, staring at the woman behind whom he used to wander around all day, everyday. Losing his self-control as she cupped his face with both hands, he surrendered to her hug, silent tears making their way down his face, quietly apologising for the pain he had put her through.

Stepping back finally, Devyani was about to ask him something when they heard another voice from upstairs , "Kya ho raha hain subah-subah. Hariprakash mujhse aake kaha ki Di neeche urgently bula rahi hain aur abhi-abhi mujhe kisi ki rone ki aawaas sunayi di."

Dhruv and Devyani hidden from his view as he climbed down the stairs, he spotted his mother's tear-streaked face and the rest of the family standing around with varying expressions of sorrow. Rushing to his mother, he exclaimed, "Maa! Kya hua? Aap ro kyun rahi hain?"

As Manorama stood mute, overcome with emotions, he turned to his wife and asked, "Arre, baat kya hain? Koi toh.."

A soft voice interrupted him ,"Bhai..."

Stiffening as he heard that much-missed voice, he looked down at his mother for a second. Her tremulous smile confirming it, he jerked around to see his younger brother stand before him. Staring at him as if he couldn't believe his eyes, Akash stood tall, silent in his anguish. Unnerved by his brother's silence, Dhruv called out again, "Bhai..."

"NO!" The reply was an angry shout. "No! Not after three years! Not after the hell that you put us through! Not after you refusing to meet me when I came after you!"

Turning around, he walked to the window, trying to compose himself.

Everyone standing shocked by the outburst from the usually even-tempered Akash, Dhruv looked at each of his family members for help. Realising that they were all equally stumped, he made to step forward to walk to his brother, only to stop uncertainly. Catching movement from the corner of his eyes, he looked sideways to see his Bhabhi, Payal, motion to him to appraoch his Bhai. As he looked over at Akash's stiff posture and glanced back at her uncertainly, she nodded her encouragement. Deciding to trust her judgement, he walked up to his brother and without saying anything, put his hand out and touched his shoulder hesitantly.

Not getting a response, he called out softly, his voice coming out raspy, "Bhai..."

Drawing a deep breath, Akash turned around slowly, taking in the abject apology that his brother was portraying through his posture. Gazing at him steadily until Dhruv lifted his eyes, Akash pulled him into a tight hug. Conveying all his pain through the shuddering breaths that he drew in as he hugged his baby brother, Akash stood silent, forgiving him for the hurt he had caused him.

Understanding the silent exchange that had just taken place, Anjali motioned to the rest of the family that they too should join the brothers. The tear-filled group hug session that found two fascinated spectators in Khushi and Payal, extended for a while. Finally extricating themselves from the melee, Anjali and Devyani headed over to the dining area, getting breakfast ready for the prodigal son.

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

As they began setting the table, happily smiling and talking among themselves of how good it felt to have Dhruv home again, Khushi walked up to them and asked, "Di, hum Arnavji ko phone karke bataa doon? Ki Dhruv aaya hain? Shaayad woh jaldi wapas aa jaayenge."

Looking up at her, Anjali quickly replied, "Nahin, Khushiji. Chotte ko aane do. Aake baat karne do, Dhruv se. Agar aane se pehle pataa chala toh woh shaayad gusse mein..." .Trailing off, she looked at her Nani helplessly. Reassuring her with a slight nod of her head, Nani said, "Aap chinta naahi kijiye, Anjali bitiya. Sab theek ho jaayega. Khushi bitiya hain naah, Chotte ko sambhaalne ke liye."

Turning to Nani, Khushi said, "Naniji, ab toh humein bataayiye ki baat kya hain. Humein toh itna hi pataa hain ki Dhruv aur Arnavji ke beech mein koi jhagda hua tha. Unke beech ka rishta itna kaise bigad gaya?"

Nani looked over at Dhruv who now stood in the embrace of his father and smiled sadly. She was about to reply when the main door swung open with the characteristic yell, "Khushi..."

Striding in to see every member of his family standing around, Arnav didnot notice the additional person. Spotting Khushi near the dining table, looking anxious, he immediately changed direction to go to her, and that was when he caught sight of the last person he had expected to see in his house.

His shock giving away to anger and then anguish in a split second, all he could do was just stand there as memories washed over him. Lips thinning as he took in his youngest brother's disheveled state, his heart called out, "Dhruv!"

It is official, this MS will extend to a fourth and fifth part!

I just hope it doesn't grow beyond that as well...you see, once I start on a track, the characters have a habit of taking over! They decide when I stop!

Let me know your opinion...

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