Silent Downfall

Chapter Seventeen

A brief sigh flew out of Mayank, who was inundated by the insipid stillness of the night. His grip choked the rusted bars of the window for one last time before he relinquished his posture and turned around. His exasperated eyes rested on the center of the bed, where sat Fayzan, curiously examining the leaves he picked up during the day. The all-rounder's annoyance intensified at the peaceful sight.

"Looking for some fellow worms, huh?" 

The boy shot him a quick yet bold glare. "Don't disturb me, kid. Go and play outside. I am busy."

Mayank raised an eyebrow. "Really, parasite?"

"I am not talking to you."

"I'm sure I can't be lucky enough to have a worm-free day."

The boy crossed his arms as he locked the all-rounder under his furious eyes. "Oh yeah? Nobody is ever going to come to your rescue if you put all your luck in a pot, seal the opening, and let it flow down a river."

"What?"

"It doesn't take a genius to realize that you are being a brilliant definition of stupidity."

Mayank narrowed his eyes. "Stop being a philosophical worm. You are a stinky little diaper. Act like one."

Fayzan frowned. "You lost your way while fleeing from the bad guys, and now you are simply ashamed of it! I hate it here, Mayank! No mobile phone, no internet, no video game, no laptop, no toy, no chocolate, no AC, no nothing, and—"

"And no Waseef Bhaiya," he added with a sigh. "Or Nayif Bhaiya, or any other boys."

"How spoilt are you, worm?"

"Just as spoilt as your kids would be. I'm sure you wouldn't be denying them any of the things I have mentioned. These are basic human needs. And so is my big brother."

Mayank smirked as he walked to the bed and claimed a seat. "If that captain worm had loved you for real, he would have never let you live with that guy."

"I have told you before. He doesn't even know that Sajid mistreats me sometimes."

"An idiot can guess that. Proves that your cousin is worse. Admit it already."

"There's no way he could have guessed anything. I mean, you wouldn't expect that either if you were paying a big, fat amount for something."

"Your own brother gets paid to look after you?"

"Waseef Bhaiya pays him in the hope that he will treat me well when he isn't around. Sajid will do anything for money. But he knows I will keep my mouth shut, no matter what. So, he isn't afraid of being a jerk to me."

"And why do you keep your mouth shut?"

Fayzan fidgeted in his seat. "If Waseef Bhaiya comes to know that I suffer in his absence, he will probably stop playing cricket. Anyway, his fiancé retired recently, and they will be married soon. I will become their kid then, and I won't have to live with Sajid anymore."

Mayank smirked. "Not that you are going back."

"Ugh!" the boy cried in frustration. "I want to go home. There's nothing in here! Not even my brother. I have searched for him everywhere!"

"The worm wasn't supposed to be here."

"I am not talking about Waseef Bhaiya."

Curiosity played across Mayank's raised eyebrow. "Who is this other brother you keep talking about?"

Fayzan sighed. "Want to hear the story?" 

"Can't guarantee. I'll ask you to shut up if I don't like it."