Anurakti

23: Roar

Sahaj stood there, in the middle of their drawing room with his fists clenched and jaw tight. It was still just 8:30 in the morning and he was not ready to face the worst thing in his life.

His father.

Aditya Kashyap has purposefully blocked his son's way even though he knew how much he was hated.

"Good morning Sahaj. Come. Let's eat together."

"I'd rather die."
Was his cold, heartless response as he stepped forward continuing to walk out.

"It that how you talk to your father?!"
Aditya Kashyap seethed, anger bubbling up in him. He was no less than his son. Or maybe, Sahaj got his anger from him only.

He stopped in his tracks. A chuckle left his lips, converting into a full blown laughter.

"Father?"
He said to himself laughing some more. Turning around to face his old man, who was looking at him with confusion he repeated

"Father?"

He stepped forward towards his dad, threateningly. He was just the same height as him, but his father had a wider bone structure than him. And that was maybe the only thing that kept Sahaj from looking like his carbon copy.

"Father? Let us see, hmmm, why don't I remember my father coming to my PTM's?"

He was met with silence .

"Why can't I remember my father seeing and appreciating the cards my 7 year old self made on the father's day."

"Saha-"
Aditya stared with a guilty look but he was cut off by Sahaj.

"Why can't I remember my father coming to see my five minute performance on the annual day?"

Sahaj seethed and Aditya's face showed more guilt than anger.

"Our company was growing then. I had wor-"

"Why can't I remember even a single minute you were with me?! Just a minute?! Why?! You were not even there when I cried myself to sleep. Your company was always more important to you.! "
Sahaj shouted, his eyes reddening and getting glassy. Aditya shut his eyes tight, his fist as tight as rock.

'Don't. He's your son. He's just a teenager. He can't understand.'

He told his brain when Sahaj's tone got as harsh as thorns.

"Sahaj I-"

"Don't Mr. Kashyap. Don't. Don't do formalities. It's just one more year. Once I get into an IIT, you will never have to see me again or pretend to be my father. Have a day as good as you can sir. And congratulations! You've successfully ruined my day to as worst as it can get."
Sahaj smiled, his smile sickly sweet. Aditya wanted to throw up.
Turning around, Sahaj left, rearranging his bag on his back. Way to ruin the day!

Aditya stood there with his eyes closed and anger bubbling up inside him. Yes, he made a mistake. But would he never be able to correct it? Would he never be even given a chance to?

___________________________________

Samidha sat there, writing something and humming a melody to herself. She was a good singer and an even better hummer.

That was when the door burst open, banging on the wall and almost shaking the whole building.

Woah!

It was Sahaj. His eyes met hers and she gulped. He looked.................rather angry. Way too angry.

Thankfully, he did not say anything. But he did look at her as if she was the most disgusting thing on the planet and walked to the end of the class, leaving all the other empty benches.