Dorr (Book 3 - Singhania Brothers)

Part 2

"Boliye naani, jaanti hai aap kon hai yeh?" Arnav's voice rang across the mansion.

"Aisa bhi kya hai isme, Arnav?" Meera threw a disgusted look at Aniket.

Arnav was infuriated. "Yeh wahi.."

"Bhaiya," Aniket held Arnav's arm and looked at him pleadingly. "Please,"

Arnav's eyes met Aniket's. Aniket shook his head mumbling something. Arnav had to close his eyes to calm down himself. He knew what Aniket wanted, but that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to throw the truth at Meera's face, but at the same time he had to respect Aniket's choice. He remembered the conversation they had had.

"Comfortable?" Arnav asked, after the nurse had left taking a few tests of Aniket.

"I'll be comfortable once I'm home," Aniket replied begrudgingly.

Arnav sighed. Aniket could be worse than a child when he was sick. He detested hospitals, and for all the right reasons. Arnav hoped he would stay in line otherwise Ashi would have his head.

"Three more days, Ani,"

"Three more?" Aniket's eyes widened in shock. "I'm alright now. Why do they want to keep me for three more days?"

"They are the doctors not you. So shut up." Arnav admonished.

"I wanna go home, Bhaiya," Aniket insisted.

"Rest, Aniket, you need that." Arnav said and sat down, dragging a chair beside Aniket's bed. Shivi had just gone back half an hour ago. He had to force her to go home and rest. He didn't want anyone else's health falling next.

"Bhaiya,"

Arnav hummed, resting his head at the back of chair, with his eyes closed.

"You're still upset, aren't you?"

A moment there, Arnav almost didn't acknowledge the question.

But Aniket didn't relent. "Bhaiya," He called out again. "Aap chaho toh daant lo aur, please chup mat raho,"

Straightening up, Arnav looked at him. "Mai kahan chup hoon, Ani? We talked already, didn't we?"

"I did. You didn't."

Arnav looked away. He had indeed been avoiding to touch the topic. It wasn't easy for him to verbalize what he was going through. And this wasn't even a first.

"I can't have you turning away from me, Bhaiya," Aniket's voice was weighed down by his emotions. "I know you're upset. I've given you all the reasons to be, but I can't have you putting me at distance. Aap jante ho na maine yeh sab kyun kiya? Aap chaho toh do thappad maar lo. I can't see you so upset.."

"I'm not upset, Ani," Arnav finally looked at him straight in the eye. "I'm scared."

"Huh?" Aniket blinked.

Arnav took a deep breath. "I'm scared that if situation arises, you'll do it again. I told you the same thing ten years back, and I'm saying it again, the thought of you leaving scares me. I don't wish to live with such fear. I know you love me a lot. Tu humesha kehta hai na Bhaiya aap mere liye sab kuch ho, toh tu bhi mere liye sab kuch hai, bachcha. Mai tujhe kaise samjhau..."

"You don't have to, Bhaiya," Aniket blinked off the moisture from his eyes. It was a deeper misery that they were even discussing this. Given any other circumstances, the words would have overwhelmed him, but right now it didn't make him feel any better.