• Eternal Night •

7

"Tada!"

Jhanvi placed the plate of Shivaay's favourite french toast in front of him. He loved the dish but loved that much more when she made it.

Shivaay was a little taken aback. "Wow, Badi Ma! Did you make it?"

Jhanvi's eyes twinkled. "Yes! Come now quickly polish it off."

"I will..." he chuckled and picked up the fork. "Thank you so much for making it!"

Patting his back, Jhanvi went back to the kitchen. Tej knew it had less to do with the food and more to wipe off her tears. Even Kalyani and Pinky were missing from the breakfast table and Shakti looked forlorn. He took a deep breath. And then, he could also read the hint of recognition in Shivaay's eyes. But when his eyes met Tej's, Shivaay smiled.

"Mom..." Rudra said to Jhanvi when she brought back a few other bowls. Rudra stabbed the french toast and commented, "Sometimes make something for me as well. Bhaiya has his own mother to fulfil his wishes. He does not need you to do the same."    

"Rudra!" Jhanvi yelled. "How dare you?"

Seeing red, Tej let his spoon fall on the table. "If you say that again, I will slap you Rudra. And I won't care about the audience."

"Bade Papa!" Shivaay caught hold of his hand. "No. Please."

"No!" Tej shouted. "He is getting out of hand. He does not know how to do one thing well. And then has the audacity to get jealous of his own brother like this."

"Of course!" Rudra pushed back his chair angrily and got up. "Nothing I do will ever be worth it. Nothing O does will ever be worth it. Till the time Shivaay Bhaiya exists, we will never get anything. Not even your love!"

Saying that he stormed off. Tej yelled, "Rudra! Stop!"

But Rudra didn't listen to him. Dejected, Tej stared at Jhanvi. Jhanvi sighed. Both of them really had no idea how to deal with their children.

Tej rubbed his forehead, "What's wrong with this guy?"

Calmly stirring his coffee, Om mused, "Well. He isn't completely wrong. Is he?"

Gauri gasped. "Om! Don't."

"Why?" he questioned. "Rudy isn't wrong, Gauri. Shivaay always has got prime importance in this house. His reaction is normal."

"Please, Om..." Gauri pleaded. "You guys aren't kids to not see how everyone is equal in the eyes of our parents. Stop this foolishness."

"Yea, you tell him that!" Jhanvi tiredly sat down on the chair. She held her head and said, "Honestly Om, when have I ever differentiated between any of you? What's this new crap you have two have been feeding on?"

"Badi Ma..." Shivaay sighed. "Please let it be. Let's not get into this."

Shivaay grabbed a few tissues, he put the french toasts in them and wrapped the paper around them. Then he gave a look to Annika who had quietly sat through the whole argument and with a smirk, whispered, "Still think that you married the wrong brother?"

Before she could react, he got up and smiled at everyone. "I am getting late for the office. Thanks for the toast again, Badi Ma. It's lovely. I will see you guys. Bye."