It was a Thursday. Arnav was restlessly walking back and forth in the backyard of his mansion, smoking cigarettes consecutively.
Mohan Kaka was observing him silently all this time before he mustered up the courage to approach and talk to him.
He stood before Arnav, who promptly halted his steps upon perceiving his presence, and respectfully lowered his gaze, "Beta.. aap abhi bhi naraz ho? Maaf kijiye humein (Are you still angry? Forgive me). I crossed the line."
"Main kisi se naraz nahi hu (I'm not mad at anyone)," he replied with a slight frown, "Now leave me alone."
"If you're not mad at me, then why are you not talking to me?" Mohan Kaka asked innocently, his eyes teary.
Arnav let out a sigh, filled with regret for causing his Kaka to shed tears, as in the past, it was his Kaka who had always been there to console him and wipe away his own tears.
Flashbacks..
Mohan Kaka entered the room and saw little Arnav sitting on the floor in a corner of his room, crying with his face buried in his knees.
Mohan hurried towards him and sat on the floor beside him. He gently lifted the little boy onto his lap and wiped away his tears, "Kya hua mera baccha? Ro kyun rahe ho? (What happened my son? Why are you crying?)"
"Dad stepped on my painting with his shoes!" Arnav cried bitterly, resting his face on Mohan's shoulder.
Mohan Kaka briefly closed his eyes. He couldn't help but feel frustrated with his Bade Malik's parenting approach. It seems like his Bade Malik gets irritated whenever he sees Arnav doing something that makes him happy. He simply desired for Arnav to conduct himself in the manner he deemed correct.
"It's okay, beta. Don't worry, we can always create another painting. Please calm down and stop crying," Mohan Kaka gently stroked the back of his hair with affection.
Arnav glanced up at him with big fat tears
in his eyes, he shook his head vigorously, "No. If Dad comes to know about this, he will punish you as well, Kaka!"
"He won't find out about this, if we keep it between ourselves, right?" Mohan Kaka smiled a little, tickling his tummy.
Arnav giggled feeling ticklish, "Yes. It's our secret!"
Flashback ends..
"Don't cry, Kaka!" he looked at Kaka with regret, "The issue isn't with you, it's with me," he closed his eyes for a moment, clenching his fist, struggling to find the right words to explain himself, "I... I'm just like this. When something troubles me, I tend to distance myself from everyone. I prefer to be alone. So don't think I'm avoiding you."
"If you prefer solitude, why do you still appear restless to me?" Kaka inquired, noticing an unusual aspect in his behaviour.
Arnav darted a deer caught in headlights look at Kaka before he looked away. Khushi's beautiful face flashing in his mind. He frowned slightly contemplating over Kaka's question. He was right. He had always found solace in solitude, darkness, and silence. Then why is he not at peace now? Why are Khushi's thoughts always on his mind? Why is he feeling restless now that he is not on speaking terms with her?
"Kya hua beta? Sab theek hai?" Kaka placed a hand on his shoulder, staring at him from behind with a concerned look.
He turned to look at Mohan Kaka dropping his ruthless and cold mask, his eyes vulnerable like the 5-year-old Arnav that Kaka was well acquainted with. He slightly shook his head and said, "Kuch theek nahi hai, Kaka," he looked away, staring at nothing in particular. He felt his heart racing at the mere thought of Khushi. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes as he confessed to his Kaka, "Khushi ki yaad mujhe baar baar sata rahi hai (Khushi's memory keeps haunting me repeatedly!)."
