Siblings: Not by Blood

Embers of Conflict

As time went by, Rishita's anger towards the family began to subside, thanks to Suman's efforts. However, Rishita still wasn't talking to Darshan properly, and on the other hand, Shiva's growing resentment towards Rishita intensified. He couldn't stand Rishita's presence in his home, fearing she might ruin everything. He's negative feelings towards Rishita were further fueled when, at a young age, one of he's relatives instilled a deep sense of hatred in him by saying, 'She has come to take you away from your family, and once she succeeds, she will destroy this family too.' These words left a lasting impact on he's mind.

Both Shiva and Rishita have joined the same college, with Rishita being a senior to Shiva, currently in her last year.

After college classes end, Rishita heads to a nearby café as she has some important documents to submit at the college, and going home and returning in time isn't feasible. At the same time, right in front of the college, there is a small tea stall where Shiva is sitting with his friends. Some of his friends are smoking cigarettes, which Shiva dislikes, and he says, 'I've told you guys multiple times that I don't like cigarettes, yet you continue smoking in front of me.' One of his friends responds, 'Just give it a try; you might like it,' and hands Shiva a cigarette. Just then, Rishita happens to pass by as she is on her way to the tea stall, and she sees Shiva with the cigarette in his hand and feels upset. She briskly walks and reaches the tea stall.

Rishita speaks to Shiva, 'tere haanth me ye cigarette hai? aur tu smoke karta hai?' Shiva's mood worsens upon seeing Rishita, so he keeps his face turned away from her, but when she directly asks him, he angrily turns his face towards her and retorts, 'tu ekbaar apne aankh ka ilaaz karwa le, aur koi haath m cigarette smoke k liye hi rakhta h. Isse painting to nhi kar skte'. Hearing his response, Rishita becomes angry and says while trying to snatch the cigarette from his hand, 'You shouldn't do this; it's not right for you'. Shiva tightly holds onto the cigarette, making it difficult for her to take it away, and he says, 'You don't need to worry about what's right or wrong for me'. Rishita persists, 'You won't smoke it, or else...' Shiva interrupts, 'Or else what?' Rishita looks around, then says, 'Or else...' Shiva asks, 'Say it, what?' Rishita glances at Shiva's friend and goes towards him. Shiva looks at her, puzzled. Rishita takes the cigarette box from his friend's hand and declares, 'Or else, I'll smoke one too'.

Shiva mutters to himself, 'Now what new trouble is this?' Meanwhile, Rishita scolds Shiva's friend and says, 'Now your ghost will bring the matchstick', and his friend nervously replies, ' I'm coming back with it'. He takes a matchstick and is about to approach Rishita when he suddenly notices Shiva glaring at him in anger. Fearful, he quickly returns to his seat. Rishita asks him, 'What happened? Why did you run back? Give me the matchstick.' Timidly, he says, 'You can take it yourself.' Rishita then looks back at Shiva, who is still glaring at his friend in frustration. Rishita chuckles softly and says, 'No need to be scared; he's also a smoker.' However, as Shiva's friend tries to give Rishita the matchstick with a pleading expression, she hesitates for a moment before taking it from him.

Then, she takes out a cigarette from the pack and asks, 'How do you light it?' Shiva's friend excitedly approaches her and says, 'Let me show you,' but then his gaze falls on Shiva, who is now looking at him with even more anger. Afraid, he returns to his seat and says, 'No, no, I don't know how to light a cigarette.' Rishita is in the process of lighting the cigarette when Shiva snatches it from her hand, along with the cigarette pack and the matchstick box, and throws them all into the dustbin.

Then, Shiva takes hold of Rishita's hand and leads her outside the tea shop. He signals an auto-rickshaw to stop and motions for Rishita to get in. Without saying a word, Rishita complies and takes a seat in the auto. Shiva gives instructions to the auto driver and says, 'Don't stop anywhere before reaching the address, or else next time, you won't be able to drive this auto again.' The auto driver becomes nervous after hearing Shiva's stern words, and Rishita intervenes, saying, 'Don't worry; my brother has a habit of teasing'.

Shiva looks at Rishita, annoyed by her words, and Rishita smiles back at him. She then says to the auto driver, 'Bhaiya, don't take his words seriously. Please, just drive.' Shiva continues to glare at Rishita while she playfully teases him, and she adds, 'By the way, you should buy another pack of cigarettes because the previous one is now in the dustbin.' Shiva looks at her with even more irritation, but Rishita turns to the auto driver and says, 'Let's go, bhaiya.' The auto starts moving, and Shiva watches as they drive away.

Has small conflicts brought progress in their relation or will it lead to further distance between them?

Will they be able to stay together like the rest of the siblings?.

Hope you all like this chapter.
See you in the next one!.
Thanks for reading❤️