Laksh Here's your gift!đł
This story is dedicated to Lakshmi-Chulbul!đ
(Apologies for being late)- "der aaye , tandurst aaye"đđ
This story resumes after Om returns, and learns what had happened in his absence.
The Return Of His Superman
Superman! That was what Rudra called Shivaay. And he was one in truest sense. It had always been Shivaay for them. He was their superhero always. Today, what he witnessed tore him apart. So much hatred for that one man, who always chose family over himself. His biological father's views had never mattered to him, but his mother's words did. What broke more was to see his little Rudy boy broken. Gauri had narrated to him what had happened in his absence when Shivaay had left. He was sure if he was there instead of Shivaay he would have done exactly the same. Even thinkingof Rudra at gunpoint made him tremble. But, he was even afraid to even imagine, what he would have done if he was in the shoes of Rudra. It tormented to even approximate the plight of his brothers heart. He eased the gear, sighing.
He hadn't informed anyone but Daadi that he was leaving. Home din't seem complete without him. Rudra wasn't even talking properly, after he had scolded him for not going along with Shivaay. He ran his index finger over his forehead, resting his hand on the window case, while his other hand held the steering wheel. He should have informed Gauri. Although he had left a letter for her, he felt bad for not telling her personally. She had left for the temple and he couldn't wait for her to be back.
Gauri entered her room to find it dimly illuminated. She called out to Omkara but got no response. She made her way to his work table. The age old drawing books he had been admiring were there but he wasn't. She had tried talking to him but he was lost in memories, as he looked at his old drawings. She knew they were memories of his childhood and memoirs of brotherhood written in his art.
She found a letter bearing her name on top of the pile. She opened it and read the message he had left for her.
Gauri,
I am sorry ,bina bataaye jaa raha hoon. But, Shiv ke bina OmRu adhoore hain.
I m going to get him back to his rightful place.
Shivaay ko lekar hi lautunga. Wo ziddi hai, par uski zid Obro-Code ke aage zyaada der nahi tikegi.
Rudra ka khayal rakhna, tell him I will get his Superman back! Parivaar ka bhi khyal rakhna.
Ek aur apni zimmedaari tumhe de kar jaa raha hoon,
.
.
.
Apna Khayal Rakhna!
~Omkara
She cried and hugged the letter. No matter how strong he appeared at the outside. She knew he was terribly broken, but was standing still upright for the sake of his family- which was at the verge of falling apart. She quickly made her way to Rudra's room. She had to hold it all in her tiny hands, until the Preserver of the family returned.
He changed the gear, speeding his car round the curved roads. The trees that flocked the road's either side seemed to be waving at him to return soon with HIM. The roads called out to him to not just reach his destination, but return Home!
~~~
"Rudra! he asked in a mere whisper. "Where is he?
It had been two weeks- fourteen whole days, since he had seen his brother. He had reached half an hour back and was greeted by the entire family. Finally he had been successful in throwing Shwetlana out of their lives forever. Omkara had stayed with them all along. He felt terrible that Rudra had been left out, all alone. He hadn't even spoken to them. His kanji eyes searched for his younger brother's glimpse but were deprived of even a single. Gauri informed that he was in his room. Omkara and Shivaay walked up the stairs, while Gauri was by Anika's side.
Omkara's eyes caught Rudra, walking over to his room from the terrace gym."Rudra!" he called out getting to his side. A sudden happiness gripped his heart. He hugged Rudra, "He is back!" he whispered happily in Rudra's ears, as tears made way to his eyes! He pulled him by his hand and made him stand before Shivaay. Happiness flashing in his eyes, as he anticipated Rudra's joy on seeing Shivaay.
Immense joy surged through his body on seeing his Ru-rooh in rightest sense. He took a step closer to embrace him- his little boy in his arms. Rudra's next move left him startled. He looked at him accusingly and made his way to his room.
"Rudra!" Omkara and Shivaay called out to him in unison.
"He is angry," trailed Shivaay's voice, as he tapped Omkara's shoulder.
Om nodded slightly disappointed by Rudra's behaviour.
He kept on hitting the punching bag, his eyes focussed. A hand held the bag, it took him no time recognise that hand. It was that hand that had held his little finger delicately when he barely could walk. That hand that would wipe his tears, that would feed him when he refused to eat, that would always be there to pick him up when he fell. The hand that would continue holding his; even on the sidewalk after they had crossed. His Superman's hand.
"Gussa hai?" he asked. Rudra looked aside.
"Okay.Fine.Gussa hai, naaraz hai. Par baat bhi nahi karega?" Shivaay asked trying to meet his eyes.
"Rudra? " he held his shoulder turning him to face him.
"Baat karne ka kya faydaa aap sunte hain kya?" He stared right back into his eyes, Hurt evident in his glistening eyes. Shivaay sighed.
"Sab theek hai ab, Rudra. Sab kuch pehel jaisa ..."
"Superman fail ho jaaye koi gam nahi, mere liye toh bhai fail hogaya. "
"Rudra?" Shivaay gasped clearly hurt at his words. But, he knew it was those wounds still afresh which made Rudra speak that. And wasn't in a way he right. He had broken his promise. He had left him.
"Daant mujhe, haq hai tera, par baat toh kar, aise mooh mod lega kya bhai se?"
"Nahi hai aap bhai! Aap... " he broke into tears. " You failed me Bhaiya! I was screaming, shouting crying, and you left me like that! Chale gaye aap. You left me broken, Bhaiya. Ru tut gayya. Your Ru broke." He cried miserably pushing away Shivaay's hand that came forward to him.
"Rudra..Shivaay's voice shook as he tried explaining to him.
"No!" he shouted, nodding vigorously. "Nahi . I won't listen. Aap ne sunaa thaa, chilaa raha thaa main."
Shivaay stared at him in tears. He had miserably failed. He had done much damage when he left, much than he had ever thought. He gulped in guilt, looking at his brother crestfallen.
"Main phirse tutnaa nahi chahta hoon! " he spoke, anger evident in his eyes. Shivaay took a step back at those words that hit straight at his heart.
The next moment there was a slap against Rudra's face. Omkara stared at him angrily.
"Aise baat karte hain? What's wrong with you Rudra.. " Om screamed.
"Om!" shouted Shivaay, pulling back Omkara, immediately hugging Rudra. While his hand caressed Rudra's head pulling him close to his chest, his eyes stared at Omkara. Tears streamed down his own eyes. But he tried calming Rudra down.
"Shhh.."
Rudra had missed his brother's warm hugs, that caressing hand over his head, that protective hold of his arms!
"Mujhe hamesha lagtaa thaa, duniya idhar ki udhar ho jaaye par sirf Bhaiya hamesha rahenge.. But,...aap...aap bhi chale gaye" he sobbed.
"I failed." Whispered Shivaay, stepping back.
Rudra looked down, not able to see his Superman like that.
" Your superman lost. " Shivaay spoke with tears in his eyes and stepped still backward, turning to leave.
He had taken only five steps towards the door when Rudra's hands took him into an embrace. He hugged his brother as though his mere existence depended on him!
"Phir se jaa rahe ho?" he cried placing his cheek against his brother's blazer. Shivaay turned immediately and pulled Rudra to himself, capturing him in a bone-crushing hug, sobbing into his own sleeve. Omkara simply stood there crying. The pang in his heart came out in the form of a silent scream. His dark lashes brimmed heavy with tears, he rubbed them smiling.
Rudra pulled away extending his hand to Shivaay, holding upright his little finger, "Promise me...you..will never leave, Never? Rudra spoke in between his sobs.
Shivaay smiled amidst his tears, that drizzled down his eyes, "Koi apni Rooh ke bina reh sakta hai kya? Pinky Promise! Superman fail ho jaayega Bhai nahi- I promise." He said locking his tiny finger with his brother's.
"My superman never fails!" said Rudra proudly.
As smiles flashed on faces in that room, there was no doubt as to which was the widest. It was Om's! His tears now fell like precious pearls as his eyes witnessed the most priceless bond of the world. Their world had turned grey, with Shivaay's absence. Colors were slowly fading back in, into their lives, with HIS Superman's Return! More precisely, Their Superman!
"O, invitation chaaiye kya aapko? Phir bolna mat mere-bina-Obro-Moment!" ( đ)
Shivaay chuckled, Om came forward as though to hit on Rudra's head but kissed him their instead. He wiped the tears that were still streaming down the two idiots' eyes. While they wiped his. Laughing they hugged and time forgot to tick, for once breaking it's very own rules.
After what seemed a while Om's voice broke the silence.Guys, ab tak emotional thaa..
"Par ab awkward hai!" Completed Shivaay.
Both the men stepped back while Rudra frowned. "Hum log fourteen days baad mil rahe hain...aur aap dono ko awkward lag raha hai! " The other two broke into giggles.
"Married men do find it awkward!" teased Om., high-fiving Shivaay.
"This is cheating...theek hain aaj raat, hum teeno saath soyenge!" he declared excitedly. "And...bhaabhi's will be on my side! he ran out excitedly to his bhaabhi's!
Om smiled, and so did Shivaay. "pagal hai!" Sighed Rudra adorably. "Tu kam nahi hai!" exclaimed Om, putting his hand around his brother's shoulder.
Shivaay looked at Om cheekily. Those times when Om made him feel the younger one! "Ok bhaiya!" he mimicked Rudra. Om laughed heartily, tears of joy shining in his eyes.
"Offo...aren't you guys hungry!" Rudra entered back in, and dragged his two brothers out.
"Rudra, sambhal ke!" exclaimed Omkara.
"O ..please, aapke baal theek hain!"
"Hey watch it, lag jaati mujhe!" Said Shivaay almost missing to hit his head to the door.
"Arey yaar, Aapki height kam nahi hoyegi!"
...And there continued what had always been -
One For All, All For One
Kyunki,
Dil Bole OBROS- Forever !
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Hope you all liked itđł
Do leave back your thoughts and comments!
( I m Khidki these days - ols USName annikaa )
