||CHAPTER -1||
Three years was a long time.
Three whole years with no laughter, mischief and mayhem.
He had wished for a moment of silence and peace from the incessant chattering of his baby brother before. But never had he dreamt that the silence left behind by the absence of his brother would be quite this loud.
"Shivaay..."
Shivaay blinked owlishly from his staring contest with the ceiling to regard his beautiful wife beside him. His Biwi. His only solace after the fateful demise of his brother. She had been there through it all; his Anika.
Things had changed around him; his family, acquaintances and even his brother Om. And through the storm only his Anika seemed to be a constant.
"Shivaay, is time to get ready for work". He felt her hand run through his unkept hair. Her eyes shone of adoration and Shivaay was glad for being spared of the pity that gets thrown his way every time he steps out of the mansion.
"Shivaay". He felt her nudge against his ribs, egging him on to face the world; to live one more meaningless day without his brother. "I hope you haven't forgotten what day it is..." she continued with hesitance. Shivaay snorted and finally managed to pull himself out of bed and away from the warm embrace of his love.
The business was going fine, his Bade Papa and Papa had assured him of that. And Om was travelling all over the world, visiting and opening exhibits along with Bade Maa; all for a lost cause. Gauri had taken Dadi on a pilgrimage along with...
Shivaay swallowed the resentment that rose up his throat. She could go on a pilgrimage all around the world but Shivaay swore that no amount of alms or prayers were going to cleanse Pinky Singh Oberoi of her sins.
"Do you think Rudy would mind if I change the curtains in his room?" Shivaay blinked and turned to look at Anika who was busy examining catalogues of brightly colored abominations in her laptop. "I mean, I don't mind the yellow, but I think baby blue would go with bean bag we got him last week, don't you think?"
Shivaay sighed. He was not having this discussion with her right now. "Do whatever you like". He grumbled.
"I think fluorescent green is a good color". Shivaay almost choked at her suggestion.
"Or may be black or we could have chalk white and have Rudra doodle on it! Or mayb--"
"Baby blue will do!" Shivaay snapped irritably, running a tired had over his face. He deftly ignored the smug glance she threw his way and promptly set out to get ready for the day.
She had been adamant to let him move on, accusing him of giving up too easily. And she relished in having him participate in things concerning to Rudra's room, his food, his gym equipment, his interest and practically anything that screamed his baby brother's name.
She had refused to mourn for his baby brother and detained him from doing so.
And no matter what they've been through, he knew she would not understand his reasons; just like Om. She thought she was being clever with her subtle hints but before he shut the door to the bathroom, he had one more thing to throw at his sneaky wife.
"Ah, Anika?" he called out to her retreating back. "I've arranged for Rudra's anniversary. Please get the offerings ready". He sneered before promptly shutting the door on her gaping face.
He finally let out a deep breath and slid down onto the tiled bathroom floor with his back to the door. Three years was long but not long enough to forget.
Once he heard the distinct sound of Anika stomping away in frustration, he pulled his knees to his chest and buried his face in his hands. His lack of sleep was getting to him and he knew it was only a matter of time before he collapsed again.
He snorted humorlessly and got to his feet. It was almost a ritual now. Him not eating and sleeping for days before this special day. Anika should be used to his melodramatics by now.
He'd remember looking in the mirror and questioning his sanity sometimes. Anika had once coolly stated that he had lost it long back when he married her and calmly pointed out that he wasn't even sane to begin with. But that didn't stop him from questioning his existence in front of the mirror now.
Tired, hollow eyes and a thick bearded chin with a permanent frown on the face met him head on. He would have qualified for a convincing hermit and Shivaay decided, it was just not his style. If he were here, Rudra would have laughed his ass of at him.
He swallowed hard, not willing to let himself feel the burn in his eyes.
Rudra. The very name brought with it so much joy and innocence. A smile that rivalled the sun and eyes that would put the stars to shame. And he, Shivaay Singh Oberoi, had failed to guard and cherish him!
Shivaay closed his eyes and took in deep, steady breaths.
In. Out.
'Bhaiya...'
He decided to count backwards to repress the assault of memories and emotions.
'My Superman Bhaiya...'
He shook his head as a phantom of mischievous giggles bombarded him from all directions. Shivaay desperately held in the hot tears that threatened to slip down his cheeks. His throat ached, and his heart twisted painfully at his pathetic attempts to quench his sobs.
'I'm not a cry baby, I am your baby!'
"No! Stop!!" Shivaay clutched his head and breathed through his gritted teeth. "Leave me alone!" he screamed at the mirror. He closed his eyes tight and willed the voices in his head to fade away.
'BHAIYA...!' And there it was, clear as the day in front of his eyes, the shattered and bloodied body of his brother amidst broken glasses.
"Ru..." His voice broke at the mantra of a name that slipped past his quivering lips. "Why did you do this to me Rudy?" He hiccupped.
Three. Years.
But it seemed like just yesterday he had held on to his baby brother and his booming laughter, his antics and sad pouts and most of all, his bear hugs.
Shivaay let his forehead rest against the cool surface of the mirror. "H-happy Birthday, Baby R-ru", he mumbled as he lost the battle with his tears and let them flow down his face.
"W-wherever you a-are. Happy B-birthday, my love."
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Naagin 7
