Love Me Like You Do

Do you know who holds the cards?

Only Mamiji and Mamaji were at the table at the time. Mamiji had told her husband of the afternoon drama. It had been hard to accept Shyam's truth for him, so he was silent.

Arnav had not been eating properly.

"Finish your food." Lavanya ordered Arnav.

"Mind your business, okay!" Arnav yelled back and left.

Lavanya ran to him and stopped him. "I am minding my business." Lavanya yelled back.

People came out to see what was happening.

"No, it isn't. You are not my girlfriend anymore. This is my family. My problems. We can deal with it."

"Chhote!" Anjali reprimanded him.

Lavanya didn't flinch. She knew his anger too well. "Well news flash, this is my family too. You made sure of that. So, I am minding my business. I am taking care of the family I have."

Arnav looked at her, surprised that Lavanya was standing her ground.

"Bhai... kya hua hai?" (Translation: Brother, what has happened?)

"Kuch nahi Akash", Arnav left for his room. (Translation: Nothing Akash)

"Lavanya bitiya, kya ho gaya Chhote ko?" Nani asked. (Translation: Lavanya, what happened to Arnav?)

"Dekhiye na Nani, khana bhi thik se nahi khaya. Pura time office wala face bana ke baitha tha. I am getting worried for him. I have never seen him like this." (Translation: Nani, he is not eating properly. All through dinner he had his office face on)

"Don't worry so much, bitiya. Hum baat karte hain unse. Aapne khana kha liya?" (Translation: I will talk to him. Did you have dinner?)

"Haan Nani." (Translation: Yes Nani)

"Aap rest kijiye, hum dekhat hain Chhote ko." (Translation: You take rest. I will see to Arnav)

Nani went to Arnav's room.

***

"Chhote, hum hain." (Translation: It's me, Arnav!)

Arnav rolled his eyes. Why couldn't they leave him alone? Lavanya had been fluttering around him all day and he had yelled at her. Now Nani... He opened his door and let her in. He went back to the bed and sat down. 

Nani sat beside him. "Aapko Lavanya se aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi." (Translation: You shouldn't have talked to Lavanya that way.)

He knew that.

"Kal sulah kar lijiyega." (Translation: Make up tomorrow)

Arnav nodded.

"Khana kyu nahi khaya?" (Translation: Why didn't you eat?)

"I don't want to."

"Par hum to khilaenge." Anjali was at the door with his unfinished food plate. (Translation: But I will feed you anyway)

"Di, aap..." (Translation: Sister, you...)

Just then his phone rang.

Actually, unaware of how the family would handle Arnav, Lavanya had called up Khushi and told her that Arnav wasn't eating properly. Worried, Khushi called him immediately.

Arnav saw her name and went out immediately. He couldn't let his family know about them.

"Ye hum kya sun rahe hain. You're not eating properly? Why can't you take care of yourself!" (Translation: What am I hearing...)