Without You- updated chapter 1, pg 3 [On Hold] - Page 2

CHAPTER 1

"Dhaara", yelled her mother.

"Coming Ma. One minute", yelled Dhaara, running down the stairs, only to crash land into someone. Familiar arms wrapped around Dhaara; she looked into the eyes of her best friend, Madhava.

"Kanha"

"Bhumi"

They both stared at each other, almost as if they were challenging the other to back down. Which of course, owing to Dhaara's stubborn nature, and Madhava's love to bug her, continued for two whole minutes. It would have continued for longer, if it hadn't been for...

"Satya! Where are you? And where is Kanha?", came the voice of Anant, the elder brother of Madhava.

"Coming Dau", said Madhava, telling Dhaara to back down with a look. She shook her head, as if it to tell him, impossible'.

"Ye lo! Are you two love birds done with your romance? Aunty is calling", said Anant, rolling his eyes at the childish fight.

"love birds? Hardly Dau. How can I be like that with Bhu? She is my best friend", said Madhava, observing Dhaara as he said it, mentally adding, Don't laugh Dau'.

Dhaara nodded her head vigorously, though the hurt in her eyes could not be hidden.

Kanha, you hurt her', said Anant, chiding his brother.

Dau, it has to be done. You know that', said Madhava, still staring at his best friend.

Dhaara couldn't bear the intensity of his gaze, and dropped her gaze.

Immediately Madhava, smiling mischievously, said, "See Dau, I won"

"Bye Madhava", said Dhaara, replying with her usual retort when she lost to Madhava.

"Bhu, come on", said Madhava. "Friendly fight"

"Forget it, Madhava", said Dhaara, rushing towards the dining hall.

"Kanha, do you really have to do that to her?", asked Anant, shaking his head at his brother.

"Yes Dau", said Madhava, before running toward the dining hall, leaving Anant to shake his head at his brother's games.

At the dining hall...

"Ma, can you not keep giving this one butter? He is going to get fat", said Dhaara.

"Oh, Bhu. You know I never get fat. I can eat as much butter as I want", said Madhava, grinning at his best friend. "Plus, Radhika aunty loves me"

"He is not wrong", said Radhika, Dhaara's mother.

"Ma, stop supporting him, will you?", said Dhaara, knowing she was in a losing argument. Her best friend had a charm that no one could resist, her included. She just pretended to resist him, and he knew that. He also knew she knew he knew.

"He is my darling", said her mother, like that sentence explained everything. Madhava was the darling, not just of Dhaara's mother, but also of the entire families, hers and his.

"Thanks aunty", said Madhava, smirking at his best friend, even as he happily ate the butter.

"Hi aunty", came Anant's voice.

"Hello again Anant", said Radhika.

"Arre! Little one, why is this kid brother of mine eating butter again?", asked Anant to Dhaara.

"I am not a kid", pouted Madhava.

"Your kid brother is getting fed by MA", said Dhaara, ignoring her best friend's dialogue.

"Aunty, Kanha is going to get fat", said Anant. "And he doesn't exercise.at ALL"

Anant loved to exercise. In fact, it was one of his favourite past times.

"Dhaara, Anant, stop ganging up on this kutti!", said Radhika. "Madhava, ignore them"

"I will, aunty", said he, grin-smirking at two of his favourite people in the world.

Anant and Dhaara exchanged looks, and rolled their eyes. Madhava always got all the support.

"Dhaara Didi! Satya Akka"

A bouncy young girl came running into the kitchen.

"Hi Radhika aunty, Dau, Bhaiya", she said excitedly. "Akka! Didiii!"

"Maya, calm down. Take deep breaths", said Dhaara, exchanging an amused look with both the brothers. Maya always had the habit of calling her both Didi and Akka together.

Once Maya had calmed down, Dhaara said, "Now tell me what you wanted to say"

"I just wanted to say that I can't wait to see Bhabhi", said Maya, bouncing.

"Bhabhi? Revathi?", asked Anant, his interest peaking.

"Anyone else there Dau, who this kid can call Bhabhi?", asked Dhaara, smirking.

"You are going to meet Revathi?", asked Anant, ignoring Dhaara's smirk.

"Yep!", said Dhaara, popping her p'. "We want to get to know Didi"

"You called her Bhabhi yesterday", said Madhava.

"I call her either of the two, Kanha. So, shush!", said Dhaara.

"I won't"

"Kanha"

"Bhu"

"Kanhaa"

"Bhuu"

"Shyam"

"Satya"

"Shyam"

"Satya"

"Madhava"

"Dhaara"

"Madhava"

"Dhaara"

"Children, stop!", yelled Anant, knowing that the two of them could go on for a very long time.

"But why Dau?", they both whined.

"You both are giving me a headache", said Anant, rubbing his temples for effect.

"Then Dau, stay home and relax", said Madhava, smirking mischievously. "Bhu and I will go with Choti to see Bhabhi"

"Kanha!"

"Dau!"

"You are going to get it from me"

Saying this, Anant started chasing Madhava around the kitchen.

"Not in my kitchen boys", said Dhaara's mother.

"Okay aunty", said Madhava, zooming into the hall, Anant close on his heels.

The two girls looked at each other and laughed. These two will never change.

A while later...

"Get in Shra. I don't know why, but this Kanha is in a great hurry to go", moaned Dhaara.

"Relax Tyaa", said Shraddha, getting into Anant's car.

The two brothers were riding in the front, with the three girls behind.

"Hi Chutki", chorused the brothers.

"Hi Bhai, Dau", said Shraddha. "Hi Choti!"

"Hi Akka", said Maya, smiling cutely.

"What's going on, people? Can we go to meet Revathi Akka?", asked Shraddha.

"We are going there only Aadhu. But this Madhava is there know. He spoiled all plans and told Dau off", said Dhaara, pouting.

"Don't pout this often, Bhu. Your lips will fall off", said Madhava, smirking.

"Shyam!", yelled Dhaara, glaring at him.

"What? I am saying the truth", said Madhava, smirking further.

Dhaara angrily looked out of the window.

About 20 minutes, and many plans to try to get an angry Dhaara to talk...

"Dhaara"

"Tyaa"

"Didi"

"Little one"

Madhava alone kept silent, his eyes on Dhaara's angry face through the rear view mirror. He knew she was pretending. It was rare that she could actually stay angry with him. He urged her mentally to look at him. Her head turned, and met his eyes in the mirror. His eyes changed expression, and now held a tender look, which made Dhaara blush. Suddenly, she took a deep breath, and turned her head, resuming staring out of the window.

Arre! This mad girl', thought Madhava.

"Satyaa", said Madhava, in a low, soothing tone.

"Madhava", she replied, softening slightly.

"Come on, Satya. Don't be angry. I was joking", said Madhava.

"Whatever Madhava", said Dhaara, though her anger was only a facade.

"Dhaara", started Madhava.

"We are here", said Anant, parking the car, and jumping out of it.

"Dau", said Madhava, rolling his eyes at his elder brother.

Shraddha and Maya laughed and exited the car; Dhaara quietly got out of the car. As they all moved towards the house, named Dwaravati, Dhaara felt a hand catch her wrist. She turned and looked into the eyes of her best friend. Madhava now had a pleading look in his eyes, as well as a pouty look; his lips had a pout forming in them. His silent plea melted Dhaara, as always, and she said, "You and your eyes. Stop using it so much Madhava! You are exactly like Neela Megha Shyam"

"Lord Krishna? Your Lord Krishna?", asked Madhava, smirking.

"Yes. Him only", said Dhaara, a slight dreamy look on her face.

"If that is the case", started Madhava, "then does that mean you are in love with me as you are with Him?"

"Shyam!", said Dhaara, blushing. "How can you even... No. He is my Arya, you are my best friend"

Don't lie', said her inner voice. Your dreams have your Arya as the Lord and your best friend; sometimes, your best friend only is the Lord Himself. Dhaara, don't lie to yourself'

I am not', she told herself. I am just not admitting the truth'

At the same time, Madhava thought, Bhu, don't hide from me'

"I am waiting for an answer, Dhaara", said Madhava, staring intently at her.

"Kanha! Little one! Come on", came Anant's booming voice.

Dhaara sighed with relief, and yelled out, "Coming Dau"

She turned to go, when she realized that her hand was still in Kanha's. She tugged it away, but he held on to it, staring at her intensely.

"Kanha, let go of my hand", said Dhaara, pouting at him.

"Give me the answer, and I will let go", said Madhava.

"Kanha, please", said Dhaara, eyes filled with desperation to get away from it, and to hide her secret deep within her, where no one can find it.

He released her hand, as he heard his elder brother call them again. He gave her a I will get this out of you; not now, but sometime in the future' look.

She sighed in relief, and followed her best friend into Revathi Didi's house.