Qurbat, Near You

11- The Study Session

Kabir wanted to do nothing more than hide his child from the world and safely tuck him in his chest, where nobody could hurt him. The peaceful look on Adhir's face was so rare that Kabir couldn't stop himself from running his fingers through his hair, caressing his face. If anything could describe the look in Kabir's eyes, it would be pure adoration. 

Adhir looked so peaceful while sleeping that Kabir didn't have the heart to wake him up. But it was already past nine in the morning. There were so many things they had to discuss and talk about. Adhir needed to eat. He barely ate anything the night before.

Still in turmoil, Kabir let out a sigh and gently pressed a kiss on his forehead before waking him up. As expected, Adhir turned on his side and buried his face in Kabir's abdomen, wrapping his arms around the older one's waist, making Kabir chuckle.

"Get up, beta, you need to eat." Kabir said, and Adhir shook his head, pressing himself closer to his father's chest.

"I need you to put me back to sleep." Adhir countered in a sleepy voice, and Kabir shook his head before running his fingers through his locks once again.

"Uth ja, Beta." Kabir repeated, rubbing his back, almost encouraging him to comply, but his actions were so soothing that Adhir was feeling sleepy once again.

"If this is about your THE TALK, I'd rather sleep. Please." Adhir mimicked the 'please' in the same way his father used it last night.

"I need you to eat, Adhir. You barely had anything last night. Come on, up, baccha. We also need to talk." Kabir said, pressing a warm kiss on his cheek, and Adhir whined in protest once again.

"There's nothing to talk about." Adhir immediately protested, and Kabir rolled his eyes.

"But there's a lot to eat. Nikhil cooked today. Will you break your little brother's heart now?" Kabir asked, and Adhir groaned, glaring at his father, understanding the trick very well.

"Feed your victim before butchering his neck. Khila-khila ke mota kar do. Majal hai koi bhaag jaaye." Adhir taunted, sitting on the bed, stretching his limbs, and Kabir laughed at his words.

"I do wish to fatten you all up. And— and no need to be dramatic. It's not like I am going to guillotine you. I just need to talk." Kabir said, and Adhir rolled his eyes.

"Do you know how this sounds right now? 'The talk', I mean." Adhir asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes, and Kabir raised his hand to whack him but stopped mid-air.

His eyes fell on the boy's bruised face and a sigh escaped his lips. With gentle fingers, he caressed the bruised skin. His fingers rested on the kid's shoulders as he smiled softly, almost painfully.

"Still hurting?" Kabir asked in a gentle voice, and Adhir swallowed hard before shaking his head.

"I'm better." 

Adhir wasn't really lying. He wasn't perfectly fine, but he wasn't exactly miserable too. Touches are powerful. Some can make you feel dirty, and some can make you feel magical. Kabir's touch was soothing. There was something in his warmth that managed to heal even the deepest wounds, making sure to cover up the scars too. 

"Go and wash yourself then I'll apply some ointment, hm?" Kabir said, making Adhir nod his head in agreement. 

Just when he was about to get up from his bed, Adhir stopped. He looked at his father who was making a phone call. With a small voice, he called him. Kabir immediately disconnected the call, saying he would call later and smiled at the boy.