Qurbat, Near You

10- Withering Flower

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It was one of those days where Adhir felt dead inside. It was one of those days Adhir spent away from people he loved or admired. He liked to stay away from everyone. It was neither intentional nor planned, but something that happened automatically. Everything triggered him in ways that ended up concluding his mood. Not wanting to hurt his family, Adhir always stayed busy, cooped up in work, barely acknowledging anyone. 

So, Adhir went to the cafe early that morning. He left a message saying he was required early and began cleaning the cafe. Each and every table. He cleaned the kitchen cabinets. He was washing the cutleries again and again. 

Cleaning everything like his life depended on it was one of the unhealthy ways Adhir dealt with his temper. The other way was smoking and drinking, something neither Kabir nor his brothers approved. And he wasn't even concerned about his family's approval, he simply didn't wish to smoke and drink in front of his youngest brother, and somehow lure him into the darkness he was suffering so much. 

So, despite the urge to smoke and drink, he chose to clean everything until his body could no longer take it. Sometimes wearing himself out was the only option Adhir saw. He worked so much that his body could barely mood and he would pass out from exhaustion. Anything. Adhir was ready to do everything and anything it took to keep his mind from overthinking. 

"Don't you have your exams in a month?" Adhir froze at the familiar feminine voice. His jaw clenched at the memories that flooded him at the familiar voice of his sister. Preeti was the last thing Adhir needed at that moment. 

He knew every moment with Preeti ended up as a haunting nightmare to him. A nightmare that conjured his mind for the next many days. 

Instead of answering her, he aggressively started cleaning the counter. The fact that it was too early for even the workers to be here was now turning out to be his nightmare. Staying alone with Preeti was becoming his biggest fear. Her words, like a dagger, always ended up finding his most vulnerable wound and attacking it countless times, until he could no longer take it.  

"I am asking you something, Adhir. You have your exams in a month, why the hell are you still working? Don't tell me Kabir is not providing for you." Preeti's concern always rubbed Adhir in a bad way. 

When Adhir ignored her once again, that was it for Preeti. There were so many things Preeti could endure and has endured all her life, but ignorance was something she never took well. Especially when it came from her younger brother. 

When Adhir kept wiping the counters silently, she turned him around. The concern now burning into anger, flames ready to burn whoever stepped out of the safety of their boundaries. Adhir happened to be standing on the red line, ready to endure the brunt of Preeti's anger, even if it was the last thing he wanted. 

"What's wrong with you? How can you ignore your own sister, Adhir!? I have raised you, provided for you, paid for your studies, sheltered you, and you still treat me like a trash! Do you know how hard it is for me to step out of the house without having people ask me about you? You made me look like a fool in front of everyone, and still you're not done. Huh? Do you know how embarrassing it is for me to face the world knowing I couldn't even keep my own brother in control!" Preeti's voice increased, and her words started piercing his heart. 

A cold smile formed on his face as he looked up, his eyes no longer on the ground. The sudden urge to give back as painfully as he was receiving overpowered him. Isn't it human nature? To hurt the other person in the same way, if not worse, to quench the thirst of pain and vengeance? Adhir was no different.