Ajnabi, The Unknown

4- Who Will Save Hardik From Kabir?

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Hardik never knew what worrying was. Being alone, living alone had one boon— and it was Hardik never had to worry for anyone. But that night when Kabir didn't come home and was refusing to pick up any of their calls, Hardik felt like his heart would burst open, any moment now. 

Manthan looked at Hardik, and sighed. Kabir was never the one to be irresponsible. Something was wrong, or Kabir was simply stuck somewhere. But Hardik looked like he would pass out by the worry, any moment now. Manthan gently wrapped an arm around his younger brother and pulled him to his chest and kissed his forehead. 

"Baba aa jaayenge, Hari. He must be stuck somewhere." Manthan said, and Hardik looked at him with his light eyes. 

"Toh hum yaha kya kar rahe hai? We should go out and find him! What if he needs us?" Hardik asked Manthan, who swallowed his own fear and shook his head. 

Nikhil walked in, holding a glass of water, and handed it to Hardik. Hardik looked at Nikhil, even the young boy was at ease. Why was Hardik feeling so restless? Is this how worrying felt like? Hardik didn't know until that moment, and he was hating every moment of it. 

"Bhai shaant ho jaao. Mausam dekho bahar, aap log bahar jaaoge, aur fass jaaoge, toh hum help karne ke badle, khud musibat main pad jaayenge. Security gayi hai na? Khanna bhai sab bata denge. Aap please shaant ho jaao." Nikhil said, and Hardik shook his head. 

"Aap log yaha ruko, main jaata hu....." Hardik said, standing up from the couch, and Manthan pulled him back, shaking his head. 

"Hardik, breathe." Manthan said, his voice firm but gentle, and Hardik looked at his brother helplessly. 

When Hardik never had anyone to call his family, Hardik didn't know the pain and worry that accompanied the love. Now that Hardik was getting an experience of being in a family, he didn't know how to control his worry and panic. The feeling was new and foreign, it was too huge to be swallowed down. 

"Agar Khanna ka koi message nahi aaya na aadhe ghante main, Hari, I promise main khud baba ko dhundhne jaaunga. But please, tu shaant ho jaa. Don't panic. Baba theek hai, okay? Let's not think negatively, hm?" Manthan said, and Hardik shook his head, clasping Manthan's hands tightly. 

"Aap nahi jaaoge. The weather is too bad outside, bhaiya. Main jaaunga." Hardik said, and Manthan glared at him. 

"I didn't know the storm was your best-friend, Hardik!" Manthan snapped, and Hardik flinched, tears pooling his eyes, and Manthan closed his eyes and hugged Hardik tightly. 

"Sorry, sorry, please ro mat, Hari. Mausam bahut kharab hai, kaise gaadi chalayega tu? Please shaant ho jaa." Manthan said, and Nikhil blinked back his own tears and gently rubbed Hardik's arms, and Hardik closed his eyes. 

"Mujhe aadat hai aise mausam main bhi bike chalane ki. Kuch nahi hoga mujhe. Please jaane do." Hardik said, and Manthan's eyes widened as he heard Hardik's confession, but shook his head, still holding Hardik close. Living alone gave Hardik enough freedom to run wild. It was time Hardik learnt to embraced freedom without putting himself in danger.