The Birlas' - IKSHANA

Chapter 11: Past Comes Back To Haunt

Abhir and Neil had the ride of their life. Neil was just happy that Abhir was smiling and he actually didn't pay attention the signals he jumped. Not until his Dad called him up to alert him about the same. Neil saw the call and turned the speaker on.

"Hey Dad! Wassup? Rohan Bhai keh rahe the meeting bahut achi gayi. You haven't lost your touch haan!" Neil teased.

"But you will soon be yearning to touch the wheel, if you go ahead breaking signals like this" Harsh sassed back. Neil slowed down as soon as the realization hit him.

"Tere saath kaun hain? Bache toh nahi hai na?" Harsh's tone was laced with concern and Neil felt ashamed of his recklessness.

"Gramps! Main hu saath mein and abhi abhi Di ko music class mein drop kiya" Abhir chipped in when Neil took too long to answer.

"Have you lost it Neil? Bacha hai saath mein. Is this how you drive? Kya sikha raha hai tu use?" Harsh chided on principle.

He knew that Neil was never careless with kids. Something must have happened for him to lose control. But he couldn't let Abhir feel that it's okay to jump signals. So, he did what he should be doing.

"Neil! last time hai yeh...I will appoint a driver agar phir se aisa hua toh" Harsh warned him.

"Dad! It won't happen again. I will take care. Pakka" Neil responded.

"I am paying the fine for now and Abhir jab tum gadi chalane lagoge na tab aisa karne ki sochna bhi mat. Maine toh phir bhi warn karke chod diya, Abhimanyu aisa nahi karega. I hope you know that" Harsh addressed Abhir.

"Ofcourse Gramps! Main Chachu jaisa budhu nahi hoon. I follow rules and I am a responsible citizen" Abhir stated proudly.

"Toh Betaji! Jab aapke saath wale rules break kare toh unhe rokna bhi responsible citizen ka hi kaam hota hai" Harsh taunted and Abhir shut up.

"Neil! Ahista chala. Mujhe waise bhi late hoga. Main Roohi ko lete hue aaunga. I will text her" Harsh spoke.

"Ok Dad! Bye" Neil hung up.

He immediately received a message on his phone from Harsh which read - I know you are not careless. Baad mein batadena kya baat hain. I will wait on the terrace after dinner. See you soon Neelu. Neil smiled and sent a thumbs up emoji.

That's the bond Neil and Harsh forged over time. Neil was absolutely clear with Harsh right from the word go that he didn't need a father because he could never see anyone else as his father other than Abhimanyu. Even when Abhimanyu took a step back, he stuck to that. But Harsh made a great friend. He even addressed him as Harshu when the kids weren't around and also definitely not in front of his Bhaiyya.

When Neil called him Dad, Harsh understood that he needed to watch his words and they have audience. They chilled together, bickered about sports and had movie nights with movies only they could like. Neil enjoyed this side of his Dad a lot and they did make up a lot for the time they missed out with each other. They shared a rough past but when Abhimanyu accepted Harsh back into the family, Neil couldn't make himself resent him.

He promised to redeem himself and he did. His parents got their love story quite late but he had first-hand experience of how beautiful it can be and how magical it felt when it's with the right person. But with the wrong person, it will kill you a little day by day. If for some reason you can't let yourself die because of responsibilities, then it's torture for life. Not everyone can handle so much pain and still survive. Not everyone can be Abhimanyu Birla.