Rahul called Aarav, but he wasn't picking up the call. Sometime later, Aarav entered the house, seeing Rahul's car in the garage, and his heart began to race.
He thought of checking on Ania first, so he went straight to her room, only to find Rahul seated next to her, gently tapping her head.
"Beta, itni jaldi kyun aa gaye?" Rahul asked, his tone was casual.
Aarav gulped and looked down.
"Bhaiya..."
"Save it. Go to my room, I'm coming," Rahul interrupted.
Aarav nodded and left. Rahul tucked Ania into her duvet as she slept, then made his way to his room.
As he entered, he saw Aarav pacing nervously, maintaining a safe distance.
"Kahan gaye the?" Rahul asked in a dangerously low voice.
"Cafe gaya tha, bhaiya" Aarav replied quietly.
"Main tumhe specifically kya bol ke gaya tha?" Rahul said firmly.
Aarav looked down.
"Aarav, I'm very thin on patience. Kuch puch raha hoon toh jawab do," he snapped harshly.
"Sorry," Aarav mumbled.
"Aik aur dafa sorry nikla, I swear I'll lose it," Rahul's voice raised.
"Kyun gaye thay?" he asked, more calmly but the anger behind it was evident
"Dost ne bulaya tha," Aarav replied honestly as he was unable to lie.
"Aisa konsa zaroori kaam tha jo Anu ko ghar akela chhod ke chale gaye tum?" Rahul yelled.
Aarav remained silent. Rahul moved forward and held his jaw in a firm grip. "Kuch puch raha hoon na main?"
"Bhaiya, bas aise hi milne," Aarav replied slowly.
"Aarav, dost ghar pe bhi aa sakte hain!Yahan bhi mil sakte ho! What was the point of leaving her alone? Pata hai woh darti hai! Pata hai na? Phir bhi usay akela chhod ke chale gaye." Rahul yelled, releasing Aarav's jaw roughly.
"She was a crying mess, Aarav! Hadh se zayada dari hui the woh! Tabiat kharab ho jaati toh! You know kitni mushkil se sab kuch normal hua hai. She was about to get an attack phir se."
"Bhaiya, Anu theek hai na?" Aarav asked, concerned.
"Why do you care? Pata tha na mausam kharab hai! Main wahan se aa gaya, tumse idhar se nahi aaya gaya!" Rahul said harshly.
Aarav looked down.
"Uper dekho!" Rahul said loudly and he looked up
"irresponsibility ki bhi hadh hoti hai. Maine pichli baar kuch nahi bola toh you did it again. Aur phone kahan hai tumhara?" Rahul's voice was sharp yet determined.
"Phone?" Aarav questioned.
"Han ji, phone nikalo foran" Rahul demanded, and Aarav took out his phone.
"Kidhar tha ye jab gaye hue they tum?" Rahul's voice raised.
"Mere paas," Aarav replied in a low voice. He didn't noticed the calls as he was busy talking to his friends and the phone was on silent mode
"Pass tha toh uthaya kyun nahi! 10 saal ke bache ho tum? Tumhe idea hai what could have happened! Jab pata tha mausam kharab hai, toh foran aana chahiye tha na! Main ye soch ke sakoon se baitha tha ke uske paas tum ho aur tum! You knew that ghar pe koi nahi hai phir bhi nahi aaye!" Rahul yelled, causing Aarav to flinch.
"Sorry," Aarav mumbled.
"What am I suppose to do with your sorry! Pata hai uski tabiyat kitni kharab ho jaati hai. Kia bolte mama ko tum, huh? Pata hai na woh kitni zyada pareshan rehti hain Anu ke liye," Rahul snapped harshly, and tears filled Aarav's eyes.
YOU ARE READING
Nearest & Dearest
RomanceIt's a family story , a desi family story . A 28 years old boy , Rahul taking the care of his younger siblings , a younger sister and a younger brother while managing his business after the death of his father . A family saga with lots of drama .
