Chapter Two
It was getting late in the night. Maaneet were in dada-dadi's room. Unable to sleep, they were having fun with each other.
Unknown to the shocking fact that the very moment, their child was going through extremely unbearable pain.
In the other room:
Gumaan was sitting in her wide balcony, staring dreamily into the distance. The cool breeze and moonlit night was providing a slight solace to her troubled mind and heart.
She wondered whether she had been a bad lil' sister. But she always loved and trusted her bro so much. Where did she fail in her responsibility of being a sister?
Should she really tell her family about it, she wondered. Would they believe her words, will they trust her?
Then gumaan recalled how her dad accepted her mom even when she was pregnant with a stranger's baby. She was reminded of the story daarji told her.
Taking a deep breath, gumaan decided to inform her family. She would watch their reactions and try to convince them, if needed.
In spite of knowing she had no solid proof or evidence, the girl made up her mind to face the situation as calmly as possible.
Making up her mind, gumaan got up and slowly made her way towards dadaji's room. She knew her whole family was there.
Hearing a knock on the door, geet got up to open it. Seeing her baby she smiled and beckoned her inside. Everyone quickly made space for gumaan to sit on the bed.
Daadi and daadaji took her in their arms. Maaneet sat near them, threading gumaan's hair lovingly. Quickly retrieving a box from the locker, Daadi ma opened it and held out to gumaan.
Seeing her favorite chocolates, for a moment the girl extended her hand, but stopped midway. Her face was serious due to worry and confusion.
Seeing her unusual reaction, everyone felt worried. Normally gumaan would snatch the chocolates, she loved them so much.
She just snuggled more into daadi ma's arms and maan decided to break the silence.
"Kya hua beta, aap ko chocolate nahi khani?" He asked his doll slowly. But gumaan simply shook her head and looked down.
Dadaji took the lead and said, "Gummy puttar, kya baat hai? You seem upset! Kuch hai jiske liye hum aap ki madad kar sakte hain?"
The love and warmth in her parents' voices wrung the girl's innocent lil' heart. Few tears escaped her eyes and geet was scared.
Quickly side-hugging her baby, she softly said, "Bachha, jo bhi kehna hai, khul ke bata. You know ki tu hum par bharosa kar sakti hai.!"
Feeling reassured, gumaan took a deep breath and said," Mom-dad, dadi-dadji, agar main aap logo se bolu ki armaan bura ho gaya hai, badal gaya hai, to aap kya bolenge?"
At once they understood gumaan was upset about something her bhai did. She called armaan by his name when she was either angry or upset with him.
"Kya baat hai beta, armaan aap ko pareshaan kar raha thaa hostel mein?" Maan prodded gumaan further.
As on the cue, gumaan began to narrate all that she'd overheard from armaan's room.
As she finished, shock and disgust was visible on every face in the room. Tears were falling from geet and dadi ma's eyes.
Maan and dadaji were scarlet with anger. They just couldn't believe that their own blood would stoop so low.
Being a brother he was supposed to protect his sister, but here he himself was making a mockery of her dignity and the pure relationship they shared.
Taking gumaan into his strong arms, maan caressed her head lovingly and said, "Beta aap bilkul pareshaan mat hona."
"Haan beta, geet continued. "Hum sab tumhare saath hain. Armaan aur uske dono dosto ko bahot kadi aur bhayanak saza milegi unke gunaah ke liye."
A smile of relief and satisfaction crept on gumaan's little face. Now that she had unburdened her mind to her family, she felt easy and light-hearted.
Basking in her parents' affection and warmth, the girl slowly drifted to sleep, hoping for a happy time ahead.
The next morning:
The whole family was seated in the drawing room after finishing their morning walks and breakfast. Pinky and adi had come over with their son arpit.
He was the same age as armaan, and his bosom friend. He loved gumaan like his own sister. He called her chotu and was the "hero" of his behena.
Laughter was ringing in the room when the doorbell rang. Gumaan got up to answer the call. Going forward, she opened the door softly.
Looking at the person in front, she stood shell shocked. She couldn't believe that the same despicable person was standing in front of her eyes.
As if trying to protect herself, she took a step back. The person came in with a big smile and hugged her tightly. But gumaan felt as if insects were crawling over her body.
She quickly removed his arms from her body, making his smile fade a bit.
Armaan, her so-called brother, was standing in front of her.
Here's part two. Me has typed a long part, so want long responsive comments.
WILL READERS PLEASE PROVE THAT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY READ MY STORY? 😡😡😡
Jhanak
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