Hey my lovely readers! As promised, Chapter 6 is here! Please do read if you have the time, and comment if you can 😃 Enjoy the remaining weekend! 😳
_________________________________________________________________________________
Drying my damp hair with a towel, I walked towards the dining table. Daasi was reading the newspaper with Aakash casually flipping through his phone. However, Daadi and Taiji were awfully quiet, staring at the table and wall. Rachna's sweet humming from the kitchen was audible in the silence. I sat down next to Aakash with a puzzled look towards both Taiji and Daadi.
Neither of them noticed me. Shifting my gaze towards Bhai's bedroom, the door was still firmly closed. The earlier loud and desperate voices replayed in my mind and I felt uneasy. Daadi had stopped anyone of us from intruding them, it was their private life. True, but it was hard to suppress the urge to barge in and pacify them. But, I badly wanted them to mend the broken relationship, so I did as Daadi said.
Rachna started setting up the breakfast on the table and smacked Aakash's hand when he tried to grab a roti. "Abhi Bhai and Pragya Di have not come." was all she warned him. I smiled at their cute antics and recalled Bulbul. She panicked when I informed her of Bhai's condition, but I didn't permit her to come last night as it was late. Being relentless, she messaged me this morning and said she was coming.
Bulbul desperately wanted to apologize to Bhai. She was helping Pragya Di and was involved right from the beginning with both Di and Daadi. Heck, even I joined their team with a mission to save Bhai, later on. He was hurt when he found out. As a chotte bhai, he had expected me to be on his side and not lie to him. I couldn't fault him for believing that as it was my duty to do so. But, I didn't.
My begging for forgiveness didn't stir up a response or reaction I wanted. Bhai did distance himself from all of us, even me. Despite that, being the donkey I am, I clung to him like a leech whenever I could. Searching for him, calling him, banging on doors, shouting and yelling at him, talking to him even when he coldly or barely replied me, everything, was my way of convincing him that I was still his Purab.
Suddenly, the unlocking of Bhai's door snapped me out of my thoughts. Everyone looked up to a sight we had so dearly prayed to witness. Pragya Di walked out with Bhai, hand in hand. The both of them looked refreshed, energized and most of all their bright smiles reassured happiness. "Bhai?", I stood up and went forwards. "Are you alright now?", I asked him with worry.
"Mein theek hoon Purab.", he said. "You got me so worried Bhai.", I looked away. "Haan Bhai, I'm with Purab Bhai on this.", Aakash had come to stand beside me. "I'm sorry. Really sorry. I promise this will never happen again. Theek hai?", Bhai said holding Aakash by the cheek. They embraced each other. It should have made me happy, but all I was feeling was sadness. When will I get my brother's love?
"Purab.", I heard his deep voice stop me as I walked away. "Haan Bhai?", I feebly replied him turning to meet his gaze. "Won't you forgive your Bhai and give him a hug?", he asked me. That was all I needed to rush forward. "No Bhai. Please don't ask me for forgiveness. It's you who should forgive me.", I sobbed on his shoulder. "It's been so hard to be with you like old times, because you never did.", I said.
"I promise that I will never hide anything from you. Just please be my brother again.", I cried like a child. A hand came to rest on my head. "Purab, let's not talk about the past. Just remember, I have always been and will always be your brother. No one and nothing can ever change that.", his voiced rumbled in my ears. We released each other and he lightly punched my chest for being a baby.
Pragya Di was beaming brightly at us. I had longed to see her smile from her heart and my wish was fulfilled today. In the serene happiness of getting my Bhai back, I hugged her. Although she was my Bhabhi, I saw a mother in her. "Bhabhi, this is not fair! What about me?!", an exasperated voice escaped Aakash and we laughed at him. Di held out her other hand and he joined in the embrace.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Content and peace filled my healing heart when I watched them. But, my mind shifted to think about the most important person. Daadi. She was standing at the table, watching us with a mixture of emotions. I could sense that she wanted to come forward, however, a cloud of uncertainty was visible in her eyes. It was staring at me, fully unguarded. I knew why and it was time to end it.
"Daadi?", I said as I came to stand in front of her. "Did you miss me?", I asked her with my old quirkiness. "I'm still angry with you.", I declared with a pout. She gave me a sad smile as a stream of tears glistened her face. "Beta, I know my actions and lies have caused you immense pain, more than anyone else. My mind has vivid memories of your horrific expression from that fateful day.", she told me.
"When you discovered that it was your very own Daadi who masterminded the plan, I couldn't bear to see your face which reflected utter torment and disbelief.", she said closing her eyes. "A tongue has no bones, but it can break a heart Daadi.", I said collapsing on the chair as tears blurred my vision. "I'm sorry, but I turned my heart to stone because I wanted to protect you.", she quietly said.
"I was doing everything I could to expose the cancer which encircled you. Pragya was against my plans, however desperate measures called for desperate actions. Every step we took, in some way or the other inflicted you with dread. I was confident that you would find solace on my shoulder and lap. But when both places were still left cold, it dawned on me that you had bottled up everything.", she said.
"My Abhi must have thought his Daadi would be suffering as well and being the child with a heart of gold, you didn't want to burden me.", she said caressing my head. "When you know me inside out, why didn't you stop to think what all this would do to me Daadi?", I whimpered. "Abhi, when the enemies are camouflaged like a chameleon, it is necessary to change ourselves into one.", she grimly said.
"You know how I came to discover the truth. After Pragya was discharged, she wanted to come and tell you everything. I stopped her because I wanted her to teach those who destroyed your lives a lesson. I instigated her to fight, like a predator. What seemed like cruel and heartless from one angle, was actually the only way of protecting you.", she said holding my face to look at her.
"From the first time I cradled you in my arms when your Papa gave you to me, I realized you became my soul. Life gave me strength and for you, I would cross any lengths, no matter how far or treacherous. Even before your Mama and Papa were taken, I promised myself that I will hold you tight, guide you, teach you, support you, hug you, protect you and shower you with all my love.", she wiped my tears.
"From your very first heartbeat till my very last.", her voice shocked me. "Daadi, please.", I held her wrinkled hands and kissed them. "You are a treasure and a blessing from above. You are my laughter, warmth and special charm. You bring a special joy from deep inside and when you grew into a man, I was filled with pride. Through all your hardships, you fought and emerged victorious.", she smiled at me.
"Every year that passed, you became more special. Through every stage and every age, I loved you even more. No words can describe the memories, the gratitude and pride of having a grandson like you. I didn't raise you for you to be sacrificed. Even Death would have to go through me to claim you. Did you think I'll let Aaliya and her puppets go scot free?", her stern voice pricked my ears.
"Before the horrible accident, your Mama and Papa asked me to take care and be there for you and Aaliya. I don't know why they said such a statement, probably they knew it was their last day on this earth. Till my last breath, I promised to do just that. But Aaliya lost the right to be your Mama's and Papa's daughter and even my granddaughter the day she vowed to destroy you. My only concern after that point was you beta, because you are the reason for my existence.",she kissed my forehead.
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I buried my face in her chest, quenching my thirst for her love and comfort. There was no place I would be in this world than in her arms. My muffled cries grew louder and my Daadi's grip tightened, protecting me. Just then I heard a voice. "Abhi.", Taiji called me. Releasing Daadi, I faced her expression which had guilt and regret written all over.
"I don't deserve to ask you for forgiveness and I completely understand if you choose not to forgive me. However, for my own peace of mind and to escape the plaguing memories, I am begging for your forgiveness from the bottom of my heart. I'm sorry for all the years of insensitiveness, greed and selfishness.", she put her hands together. Wiping my face, I stood up and made my way towards her.
"It takes a strong person to say sorry.", I held her hands in mine. "I'm a coward Abhi. I can never repay for all that you have done and I can never bring justice for the sins we committed to you.", she weeped. "Taiji, listen to me, the past can never change. But by saying sorry, you can change the future.", I told her. "I'm going to forgive you because I know it takes a stronger person to forgive.", I said.
"My Daadi raised me as a strong person. Besides, I know what it's like to mess up and ask sorry. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and handcuffs of hatred. It is the power that breaks the chains of bitterness and shackles of selfishness. I want to move on from all this, Taiji. I can't reach out for anything new if my hands are full of yesterday's junk.", I said with a deep sigh.
"Although I lived like a recluse, I watched you. You turned over a new leaf and I respect that. So, from now on, let's bury the hatchet and start afresh as a family. How's that?", I winked at her. She smiled through her tears and hugged me. It was the first time in years and it felt strange, but in a good way. I embraced her back, as a son would. She may have lost Raj, but I was here, if she ever needed me.
________________________________________________________________________________
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
622