THE LOVE BIRDS [COMPLETED]

15. VIHANG

"Mamma why is Vihu Bhai in his room since morning?" I heard Sid asking Charu maa. I was in my room because I didn't want to talk to anyone. Every year on this day my dad and I go to the temple early morning and do a puja. But this year my dad had to go on a business trip. Sid came to my room with a chocolate. "Vihu Bhai mamma told me everything. I'm sorry that I irritated you. You can have my chocolate." Sid said giving me his chocolate. Somehow the innocence my ten year old brother melted his fourteen year old brother's anger. I opened the packet and gave him half chocolate and he hugged me.

A knock at my door brought me back to reality. Sid and Vartika were standing with a bottle of one of my favorite scotch which I'm sure was Vartika's idea. "Guys I appreciate but you don't have to. I'll be fine." I told them but they ignored me and came in anyways. I rolled my eyes and closed the door. I know why they are here. It is my mother's birthday today. Not my Charu maa's birthday but my birth mother's. "Vihu you don't have to pretend with us you know that." Vartika said and opened the bottle. When I was three, my mother passed away and dad got married to Charu maa. "Thank you guys for doing this." I told them and both of them hugged me.

"Vihu beta wake up. Don't you have college today?" I woke up to my mother's voice. I usually wake up early but after drinking last night I got late today. Maa probably knew it but just as always she'll never say anything. Charu maa never made me feel like I was not her son. In fact she has always loved me more than Sid. 

"Maa what are you doing? I'll clean my room after college." I said when I saw her picking my clothes and folding them. I never let anyone do anything for me specially maa. I always felt that I had to be the perfect son although both my parents have never pressured on anything. "Beta don't argue with your mother. Go and get dressed or you'll be late." She said and continued arranging my room. Maa kept scolding me for keeping my room dirty so I hugged her and went to take a shower.

Most of my classes were cancelled due to the upcoming annual fest. It was a university level event with more than fifteen activities and competitions. My basketball competition was also happening in the same fest. "Panchi you need dance partner and you know that." I heard Jasmine saying when I was passing by the rehearsal room. Truth be told I was just checking in on Panchi. And of course my brother. 

Jasmine was the president of the theatre club but she was still a year junior to me. I didn't like the way she was talking to my girl so without thinking I entered the hall and everyone turned in my direction. "Is there a problem Jasmine?" I asked her and her face turned pale. I was her senior and I had a reputation not even teachers could question. She kept staring at me for a minute before speaking. "You are God's gift Vihang. Will you be Panchi's dance partner? Oh why am I asking you are already her partner in life." She said without giving anyone a chance to speak.