KHWAB : A Distant Dream

Chapter-7

It was already 6 by the time they all reached Kapoor Mansion. As they entered the gates, Anika looked around in awe. The Mansion was truly beautiful. It looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale. Aru looked at her with a smile, 'Welcome home Anika.' He said to her.

Anika turned towards him and nodded with a sad smile. She wished it was true. She was just a responsibility here, she reminded herself. As if reading her thoughts, Aru just patted her head. This gesture filled Anika with warmth.

Soon the car stopped and they entered the mansion. Anika was nervous and didn't realise that she was sticking close to Aru. Seeing this Aru smiled and recalled the conversation he had with her.

———————-FLASHBACK————————

Anika was listening to music when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw that it was her other brother. She hadn't talked to him. She removed her ear phone's and looked at him questioningly. 'Mind if I join you?' Aru asked her. Seeing her shrug he took a seat opposite her. 'Are you always this quiet or it's just for us'? He asked her teasingly.

She raised her eyebrow at him, 'Are you always this insufferable or it's just a special effect.?' she answered back. Listening to her Aru started laughing. His laugh was contagious and a small smile played on her lips too.

'So, I didn't get a chance to talk to you properly. I am assuming that you knew about Bhaiya by your reaction earlier. Hamara kya? Hamari jaan pehechan hai.? He asked with a smile. He already liked her, since the moment he had seen her her enter the lawyer's office.

'I knew about Mr Kapoor since I was a little kid. And yes, Aap ke baare main bhi kuch khair khabar hai mujhe.' She replied. Anika already liked Aru, but was hesitant. She didn't knew where she stood with him and she didn't want to make any assumptions or cross a line.

'Ooh. Really? Jara hame bhi bataye aap kya janti hain?' Aru asked in an amused tone. 'Aap Mr Ranvijay Kapoor ke chote bhai ke chote bete hain. I just don't know which twin are you. .... Ooh and you respect Mr Kapoor more than a brother.' Aru was clearly shocked and impressed by her.

'I am Arhaan. The younger twin and the most cool one too.' Aru said with a proud smile and Anika shook her head with a smile. 'Vaise tum bhaiya ko Mr Kapoor kyun bulati ho? Bhai hain vo tumhare.' Aru said curiously.

Anika gave him a sad smile and said, 'Kisi bhi rishte main do log hote hain bhaiya, aur jabh vo hamare rishte ko hi nahi mante to...' saying this she trailed off and Aru understood what she was trying to say.

'Unhe thoda waqt do Anika. He'll come around....ek min tumnhe mujhe abhi kya bulaya.' Aru asked bewildered.  Anika immediately realised what she had said. 'I am sorry... vo bus galti se...' and she trailed off seeing his smile. She gave him a confused look.

'Tumhe mujhe bhaiya bulane ki jarurat nahi hai.' Anika was again hurt but Aru's next word shocked her, 'It sounds too old aur vo bhaiya ke liye hi thik hai.' Aru finished with a smile.

Anika couldn't believe her ears for a moment.
'Aap naraz nahi hain?' She questioned him hesitantly. She had thought that he did not like her addressing him as bhaiya. Aru looked at her for a moment. He somewhat understood her thoughts.

He sighed, 'Anika, hamare manne ya na manne se rishte nahi jhuthlaye jaa sakte na. Aur sach yeh hai ki tum meri Bhen ho. I know hum strangers hain, but ek dusre ko jaane ki koshish to kar sakte hain na.?' Aru asked her seriously.

Anika looked at him and searched his eyes for a hint of lie but couldn't find it. She closed her eyes and decided to take a leap of faith. He had been nothing but supportive of her since they had met, and she for once wanted to believe that some one genuinely wanted to know her.