Tayam's house...
Taani was sitting in her room on Sunday morning thinking about what happened at college.
Taani Thinking - Did I do something wrong? Have I been rude lately?
Images of the comments the St.Louis students had posted flashed in her mind. Fresh tears began to form.
But what bothered her the most was that her Bhai yet hadn't come to see if she was okay.
???- Taani...may I come in?
T- Bhai?
R- No, it's me sweetheart.
T- Oh, you can come in.
Taani was disappointed that it wasn't her Bhai.
Rey sat down in front of Taani, he felt a pierce in his heart when he saw tears in her eyes. He cupped her face and wiped the tears away.
R- What's the matter sweetheart?
Taani couldn't believe her ears, didn't anyone understand her. She was slowly dying inside and no one seemed to give a damn!
T- Why have you come here Rey?
She looked away because she knew that she would burst into tears if she looked into Rey's eyes.
R- Taani, look at me. Please look at me, I want to know what's wrong.
T- Why should I look?
R- Taani just look at me god dammit.
He jerked her head towards him. New tears formed in Taani's eyes and she felt pain at her neck.
Rey stroked her cheeks with his thumb.
R- Taani, I can't see you like this. Please, you're hurting me...
Taani jumped up.
T- IM HURTING YOU? DOES EVERYONE ELSE HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET HURT, EXCEPT ME? LEAVE REY, I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU RIGHT NOW, PLEASE LEAVE!
Rey put his head down and walked out.
In meantime Swayam had come home.
T- Bhai, where were you?
Sw- I had to go help Sharon, is everything okay? And why are you crying?
T- Thanks Bhai for finally noticing.
Sw- What do you mean?
T- Bhai, you knew something was wrong and that's why you sent Rey to find out the problem, right?
Swayam looked at the floor guiltily.
T- Bhai, I'm not stupid okay? I may be younger than you, but I understand everything. Why Bhai? Am I a stranger to you? We were so close, but what happened now?
Sw- Listen Taani... The Gang Sharon..
Taani held her hand up to stop her Bhai from talking
T- Bhai, You know what hurts the most? You understand Sharon more than me. I'm alone in this world, and I have to deal with it. I agree that I'm acting hyper but atleast show some respect to my GS post.
Swayam walked up and held her shoulders.
Sw- The gang didn't mean any harm, it happens Taani. It's no big deal.
Taani's mind went blank. Her Bhai still didn't understand.
Taani went into her room and packed her bags. Swayam ran into her room.
Taani walked to the door with her bags.
Sw- Taani, where are you going?
T- Somewhere I am respected and appreciated. I'm not a kid anymore, Bhai.
With that she left Swayam to understand how wrong he was.
Swayam walked to Taani's laptop and saw all of the rude comments. Swayam fell on his knees, he was lost. He had no idea what to do.
14