Milan- Rawte Brothers Book 1

4. Learning to blend

It was already past midnight when Abhimanyu finally decided to grace his presence in the house. He had left the moment the kid and his mother left to their room. Even when he told he was okay, he knew he was anything but that. The place had many beautiful memories which was making its presence known as the darkness invaded his heart was torturing him with those blissful moments.

He had left on the context of work and he was even successful in keeping himself distracted with those meetings and files but now that he was finally stepping inside the stonewall he could feel the gravity of the situation pulling him and burdening him with mixed emotions. Emotions he still has not opened up about not because he didn't want to but because the one with whom he does that was not with him anymore. He was sure if he had been here he would have taken the news well. But unfortunately his personal listener and his brother was not even in this country to share his worries. And the worst thing was he could not even call him back.

He sighed before entering the house. Somethings never change and there was absolutely no use of crying over split milk. He would have directly entered his room if he was not startled by the silhouette of a lean figure sitting on the sofa. He gently went near the figure only to realise it was Avantika. He was confused about his actions, should he just wake her up and ask the reason for her late night venture or just let it be and leave to his room.

At last his humanity won and also he definitely didn't want her to wake up with sore back. Humanity. That was the only reason he reminded himself before gently waking her up.

But soon he realised that waking her up was a bad move, very very bad move when in the next second he found himself falling on the ground whimpering slightly holding his stomach.

Avantika widened her eyes. She had just punched him. Years of defence have made her sensitive even in her sleep. She had to because she needed the sleep and she wasn't even sure when someone would try to harm them. She hurriedly sat beside her hurting child and held him slightly.

Avantika concerned- "Tu thik hai na beta, sorry mujhe pata nahi tha, I am sorry bacha."

Abhimanyu shook his head trying to assure her. She gently helped him to sit back on the sofa.

Avantika-"Tu pakka thik hai na Mannu" she asked him again being althoughmore worried. Abhimanyu who was about to reply stilled for a second. For a fact he clearly remembers it was only her who ever called him with nicknames special the name 'Mannu'. Mr Rawte was never fond of nicknames. But he always insisted on being called with nicknames because it makes him feel loved and cared for.

Abhimanyu composing himself- "I am fine waise app yaha is time par kya kar rahi hai, apko apne kamre main hona chahiye tha."

Avantika-"Aur kya kar rahi hongi bata, tera intezaar kar rahi thi."

It was moments like that helped Abhimanyu heal. There was no one who ever made sure to wait for him and question him about his habits. It was always the other way around. This was something he had always missed. He could feel his heart melting slightly but then the fear again made its way replacing the love. Suddenly his eyes turned steely, he was a devil and devils don't know the language of love in fact they are ambassadors of hate.

Avantika frowned noticing the change in him. His eyes were still expressive just like it was in his childhood. She was about to ask him but stepped back not waiting to overstep her boundaries. Instead she was about to ask him for dinner when he stood up to leave.

Avantika- "Beta Abhimanyu, tumhe khana nahi khana kya"

Abhimanyu-"Ji nahi maine already kha liya hai, apko tension leni ki zaroorat nahi hai."