Tying The Knot With Ex's Brother

HEARTBREAK

"What? He's quit his job? But he leaves for work daily." Ragini was talking on the phone.

"Folks stared at him and gossiped around. Afterall everyone thought you guys were getting married. I'd be embarrassed to death if such a thing happened to me. I'm thinking of getting him a job at my company," said Sush from the other side of the phone.

Ragini knew about the meeting Sush and Sid had a few days ago. Sush had told her everything, leaving nothing hidden. That 'escaping from the responsibilities' part amazed her a bit, but it didn't matter anymore. She was happily married with Sparsh and so nothing from the past could affect her. In fact she was glad to know that Sid felt much lighter and relaxed after confessing it all.

It was dinnertime and everyone was on the table, including Sparsh who was home earlier than usual. Sparsh stared at Sid until he realized it and demanded the reason.

"You seem different! I mean, it's been months and you keep acting strange. You said it was work and we believed it but I doubt it's something else. What is it? Tell me!" Sparsh seemed really worried.

Sid sneaked a peek at Ragini and then replied, "I quit my job!"

"Let's eat for now. We'll talk about that later," said Sparsh. No one said anything after that and the family had their dinner amidst silence.

"Follow me!" Sparsh stormed upstairs followed by hesitant Sid.

Ma exchanged looks with Papa who was equally shocked. Ragini learned about this a few days ago and felt guilty for not being able to inform them earlier.

"Did they fire you or it was you who resigned?" asked Sparsh.

"I handed them my resignation letter!"

"Why don't you come and sit over here? We need to talk and it's gonna take some time."

Sid settled down beside Sparsh, his eyes fixed on the floor.

"Was it tough for you there? Did something happen at your office? I thought you enjoyed your work and you said your colleagues were good. Would you mind telling me why you suddenly resigned?"

Sid didn't talk for seconds so Sparsh continued, "We're all worried about you. It's completely fine if you wanna take a break from work, we won't force you in any way. I just wanna know what happened and what's bothering you."

"There was too much work and I was stressed. Nothing else."

Sparsh nodded. "Did you quit today?"

Sid shook his head and said, "It's been a month."

Sparsh's eyes widened at his words. He didn't know what all his brother was suffering through. "But you were going to office daily."

"I didn't wanna trouble you all."

"What are you talking about stupid? You should've told us earlier." Sparsh patted his shoulder and said, "You used to share each and every small thing with me, why didn't you this time?"

"Because you were happy!"

Sid's words pierced through Sparsh's heart. He was so much lost in his happiness that he didn't pay attention to his younger brother. He felt ashamed and guilty unaware of the real situation.

"Now that you've resigned, will I be able to see my brother smiling again?" Sparsh had a smile on his face.

Sid's emotionless and pale face scared his older brother, as if he was a completely different person, a stranger Sparsh had never met.

"Are you hiding something from me? Is there something else you're worried about? Tell me!"

"It's nothing."

Sid's answer didn't satisfy Sparsh. "Did you break up with your girlfriend, by any chance?"

Sid's eyes finally moved from the ground, he looked straight into Sparsh's eyes and nodded.

"Now I know. Is that the reason you look like a dead dog?" A smile erupted on Sparsh's face which soon diminished at the sight of teary-eyed Sid. "Why did you break up?"

Sid took a breath and said, "Because I'm a loser!"

"Hey! Who said that? Loser, my brother? Never! You, my champ, can never be the loser! What happened? Why did you break up? You guys were dating since first year of college, right!"

Sid nodded.

"Did you quit your job because of her? Was she uncomfortable with you working there too?"

"She quit before me."

"Did you quit because that place reminds you of her?"

Sid nodded and said, "I still love her but she doesn't."

"I think..." Sparsh was talking when Ragini entered the room.

"Oh, you guys were here. I didn't know, I'll leave you alone to talk."

Sparsh grabbed her by her wrist when she was about to leave. "Since you're already here, answer my question. What do you think about my handsome brother? Don't you think he's 'the' boyfriend material? Women must be crazy for him, I'm sure of that."

Ragini exchanged glances with Sid before nodding with a fake smile.

"I suddenly realized I've never seen both of you talking to each other. Sid, you said you'll team up with my wife and annoy me a lot but it seems you guys don't even talk. You've been absentminded since before our marriage so I guess you didn't find time, now that you're on a break, stay at home, relax your mind and be friends with her. You guys are similar in age," said Sparsh, not knowing anything.

Ragini could do nothing but smile foolishly at the innocence of her pure-hearted husband.

"And you, there are plenty of women in this world. Don't waste your life over one. Forget her and move on. Got it!"

Sid had left and the couple was in the bed, entangled in each other's arms. Ragini's mind was a tornado of unsettling thoughts. She realised she could never find peace unless she witnesses Sid being himself again because she knew her husband was worried about his brother.

"I've never seen him like this before. I wonder who that woman is who made my brother like this. He seems so heartbroken. He loves her too much," said Sparsh followed by a sigh.

"How do you know that?"

"Because he said so. He used to talk on phone for hours. He smiled at his phone while chatting with her. He said he would introduce her to us at my wedding as it would be his turn next." Sparsh giggled at his brother's innocence.

"He'll get better with time. Don't worry!" said Ragini to Sparsh as well as herself.