Second Chance Love

Siblings, Talks, and Not So Subtle Ribbing

Abhimanyu connects his mobile to his car's Bluetooth and clicks on his Spotify library before reversing the car from his parking spot. It is 11 at night and he is late than usual. The only good thing is that he does not have to deal with traffic so late at night and can reach home in 15 minutes. As the melodious voice of his favourite singer Asha Bhosale singing Chura liya hai tumne Jo dil ko fills the car, he finally relaxes. It has been a hectic day with three back to back surgeries and he is waiting to go home and crash. But then his tummy rumbles reminding him that he has to have dinner before he crashes anywhere.

As he hums along with the song, it stops abruptly, replaced by his phone's ringing. It looks at the caller id and grins. He accepts the call and just as he opens his mouth to talk, the caller bombards him with, "Dada. Are you free this weekend? Can you make a quick visit to Pune?"

"Oh hello, Miss Aarohi. How are you? I am good. Thanks for asking."

"Really Dada. It's 11 at night, I am still at the office working , and I don't have the time for your sarcasm."

"What is it, brat? Why is your BP high?"

"Do you know what Aai-Baba did today? I had booked a lab technician for home blood test as it is time for their full body checkup and you know they sent him away saying that it was a wrong booking. And they lied to me that no one came." Aarohi huffed exasperated.

Abhimanyu chuckled.

"You find this funny Dada? Right now I am stuck here in Bangalore. The project has got extended for two more weeks. And they are behaving like this. I thought I will visit Pune this weekend and get it done but the flight charges are exorbitant. And if Baba comes to know that I spent 20k on flight tickets then he will not let me live it down."

"Ok ok calm down. We will find a way. But I can't go this weekend as I have a major surgery on Saturday."

"Oh no. What to do now?"

"Brat, let me complete. I will tell Neil to go."

"But I told you know that Bangalore -pune flights are really expensive this weekend."

"Arre, but he is in Mumbai."

"Oh, how come?"

"You know that whole fiasco with the caretaker. He came to help us out."

"Ya, I heard you found someone."

Yes. And she is great. The kids love her and I am relieved. Anyway, so I will ask him if he can go this weekend. He should be able to. He is free most weekends."

Hmm. So, that monkey is in Mumbai. No wonder the Bangalore air feels so light."

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes. Neil and Aarohi couldn't see eye to eye right from the time the latter was born. It was as if that Aarohi had rubbed Neil the wrong way by her birth itself. Both the families were mostly amused but often exasperated with their silly and not so silly fights.

"Aaru, really."

"Ok ok. Anyway it is better if he goes. Aai Baba can never say no to their Neilu, especially Aai."She huffed again.

"Aaru, are you jealous or complimenting him?"

"I am never jealous of that monkey. And I will die before complimenting him."

"I really don't understand you guys. When will you guys grow up?"

"Ask him to grow up first. He is 4 years elder to me."

Abhimanyu could only shake his head to it. There was no coming in between these guys. So he decided to change the topic.

"Acha, Aaru. Baba told me that you are getting the opportunity to go to Sweden for a project."