BROTHERHOOD
"Pinky, you are such an hypocrite. Accused Tej Singh Oberoi pointing his finger at his sister in law.
"Oh Puhleese!! Jethji, I am only stating the fact.
"What fact?
"All those years when I argued that Omkara should be given the right of the heir since I am the eldest, you were against it saying that Shivay is elder than Om and he should be given priority. Now when I repeat your words, you are backing from your self-formed logic?
"Jethji, Now what did I do? asked Pinky faking innocence.
"Ved is elder to Ansh by one whole here. Doesn't matter if he is younger Oberoi, Omkara's son, Ved will only do the arthi.
"But, Jethji, Shivay is elder son. So, his beta Ansh should only do the arthi.
"Oh For god sake Shakti put some sense in your wife's head. Said Tej
Omkara, Rudra and Shivay were looking at their parents with a hopeless expression.
"They have become grandparents and yet they have not come past these silly fights. Said Shivay
"And I am sure they will never come past it. Om said
"Strangely my name always stayed out of such arguments and now even Rishi's name will be out of their arguments. Said Rudra referring to his ten year old son.
"Will they ever understand that these silly things don't matter to us? asked Shivay
"Never. said his brothers.
As Shivay walked to his room not wanting to witness anymore of the elder's argument, slight doubts raised in his mind. It is true that Oberoi brothers never cared about being heir or priority. They lived by, All for one, one for all. Rule. But, can he say the same for their sons? He has seen Ved, Ansh and Rishi's interactions. They were friendly, amicable and always watched each other's back. But, again they did have their differences. The other day Ved and Ansh had a fight regarding the use of their common cricket kit. It initially sounded silly but when it extended for a couple of days, he and Om had to intervene to solve the differences. They are just teenage boys, Shivay reasoned to himself. Fifteen and fourteen respectively. But, deep inside his heart revealed that teenage Shivay and Om never fought. Is younger generation as closely bound as them? Shivay didn't want to think about it, as he was afraid that there could be possibility for a negative answer. Shivay shook his head as if to clear his thoughts as he entered his room.
"Ready, Annika? he asked his wife as he went to the dressing table to pick his watch.
"Yeah, Shivay. I am ready. She said standing beside him. "I am going to check if everything is good in kitchen. So, can you go to Ansh's room and tie this turban?
"Turban? asked Shivay narrowing his eyes.
"Yeah, Pinky aunty gave this to me saying that the one who does the arthi should wear this.
Our son will not do the arthi, Shivay wanted to tell his wife. He had never discussed with his wife, but he thought she understood that though Ved is Omkara's son, for him and even Rudra for that matter Ved is their eldest son. Shivay thought like him even his wife Annika didn't believe in all this priority crap and considered Ved her own son.
"Annika, I...
"Go, Shivay. He is waiting for you.
Shivay looked at his retreating wife's back holding a turban in his hand that weighed heavier than usual.
Omkara returned to his room with a dejected heart. He wasn't able to return his wife's bright smile. He was wondering if he should have blindly refused his Gauri's insistence to tie turban on Ved's head. " Arrey, go, do it fast. It is a ritual for the first born to wear this while doing the arthi. His wife said and Omkara was caught off guard. He was convinced that Gauri really didn't care about all that and he was hoping to let Ansh do the arthi. Ever since, it was decided that the younger generation would take on the arthi ritual of the house, Om has been thinking to let Ansh do it. That would have satisfied his choti maa and Om didn't really care what his so called father felt about it. Now, he wondered if things were messed beyond repair.
Shivay knew Om was walking behind him, but he didn't slow his steps for his brother to join him.
Om was trailing behind Shivay consciously maintaining his pace to make sure not to catch up with his brother.
"Bhaiyya!! O!! they both halted hearing Rudra's voice. "Going down for puja? asked Rudra as he caught up with both his brothers and smiled at them widely.
Shivay and Om just hummed their answers avoiding each other's eyes.
"It was funny to watch choti maa and papa fight, haina? Anyway even I am eager to find out who is going to do the Arthi chota tadibaaz or chota O?
"Whatever happens we should always remember that we are brothers before anything. Said Shivay
"And nothing can come between us. Added Om
"Arrey! Why are you both making such serious declarations? I was just joking about it.
Rudra just laughed off oblivious to serious promise filled gaze shared by his elder brothers.
All the Oberoi husbands took the place near their wives. Few hearts was filled with anticipation, few with impatience and two hearts with strange ache.
Shivay patted Ansh's hair while his eyes were searching for Ved. Omkara smiled at Ansh while putting his hand around Ved and pulling him closer.
"Ansh puttar!! Chalo go do the arthi before auspicious time elapses. Said Pinky with extra joyous voice.
"Ved, come on, take the honour. Said Tej
Shivay noticed his son look at his mother who nodded at him with a smile.
Omkara heard his wife voice a quiet chalo' to their son.
Ved Singh Oberoi walked to the arthi placed in front of the God's idol ignoring the shard gasp of his choti daadi. He lifted the arthi and looked back at no one in particular, but the whole family. Shivay closed his eyes as he saw that his mother was about to shout something that was sure to create havoc in the peaceful environment. When seconds later, no sound reached his ears, he opened his eyes to witness the sight of his son walking towards Ved followed by a grinning Rishi.
Everyone gathered in the living room watched with battered breath at the sight of three young Oberois, exact replica of their fathers, performing the arthi. Tej, Shakti, Jhanvi and Pinky had to blink their eyes extra sharply to differentiate between the image of present from the similar sight they witnessed years ago involving Shivay, Omkara and Rudra.
Shivay was even afraid to blink fearing the blissful image will leave his eyes. Omkara's mouth fell open witnessing the younger Oberois stand as statue of brotherhood. Rudra, who, unlike his brothers, had no doubt on the bond of the younger Oberois looked at the vision with pride evident in his eyes.
Annika, Gauri and Bhavya couldn't help but hold each other giggling as their young sons stood in front of them personifying power, love, devotion and unity.
Once the arthi was over the younger Oberois rushed to their parents with satisfied grin.
"Papa, did you see that I held that huge arthi. But bhaiyyas helped me. Said Rishi hugging his father.
"I know, big boy. Very strong you are. That is why I always insist you to come to gym with me. Said Rudra earning a whack from Bhavya.
"Papa. Called Ansh standing near Shivay, who immediately hugged his son. " I am sorry. He mumbled.
"Kyun, bade papa? You thought we would let something as small as this arthi come between us? asked Ved, one with clear sense like his father.
"I... Shivay was at loss of words.
"Papa, I understand the rapport I share with Ved is different from what you have with chote papa. Yes, we fight and argue. But at the end of the day Ved and Rishi are my brothers. Spoke Ansh like the big boy that he has grown into
"I am sorry boys. I think old age is getting into us that is putting these weird ideas in our heads. Confessed Om
"Om, speak for yourself. Said Annika flipping her hair. "No one except you and your Shivay bhaiya is getting old.
"Yeah, because we already knew that our sons will do this. Nothing surprising. Said Gauri as she bent down to kiss Ved, Ansh and Rishi on their cheeks.
"Our bad. We misunderstood you guys. We are sorry. Said Shivay.
"You should all remember that we have our ideologies intact. Said Ved looking at his brothers.
"What is it? asked Shivay
"All for one, one for all. Chorused Ved, Ansh and Rishi
Who Didn't Think About Such A Scenario Ever Since You Saw The First Arthi Scene From Ishqbaaz?
Financial markets and global economy
Hindi TV Shows
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
