Big Little Brother

21. Little Brother!!...

Vishal is rolled in the emergency as Ridhima and Atharva wait anxiously outside.... Atharva sits beside Ridhima, who is silently crying ... He hugs her, and in seconds, she breaks down completely, overwhelmed by her husband's condition and the events that unfolded earlier....

Atharva - Mumma, please shant ho jaiye aap...

Ridhima crying - I am scared, Atharva....Vishal thik toh ho jayenge naa?...

Atharva has no definitive answer, unsure of what the future holds for them....Vishal was immediately taken under the doctor's care, but no updates have been given yet....Seeing his mother's state, he tries to offer comfort....

Atharva  gently holding her hand-  Mumma, please try to calm down....The doctors are doing everything they can...

Atharva comforted his mother, as she continued to cry silently beside him.... He wrapped his arms around her, gently rubbing her back in an attempt to calm her down....

Meanwhile, the other two boys arrived... Akshat was holding Aditya's hand, who js walking like a robot with the help of Akshat.... Akshat left Aditya's hand and went near Atharva....

Akshat distress - Kya hua, Atharva??....What did the doctor say??...

Atharva shaking his head slightly - They haven't come out yet...

Akshat nodded... Ridhima lifted her head to look at her son who looked away... It hurt's her how he had not talked with her, not even a single word.... She was ready for his anger but not for his silence....
It was not his anger but his silence that shatters her heart.... It hurt her beyond anything....

Their line of thoughts was interrupted by a voice... They turned towards the voice only to see a lady in her mid-forties standing in front of Aditya....While Aditya's face turned to the other side,  and his hand over his cheek....

They recognized the woman as she is a renowned songwriter and producer, Vaishali Bhatt the only sister of Vishal Bhardwaj.... But what she did shock the oberoi's ... She straight away slapped him...

Vaishali snap roughly - Agar mere bhai ko kuch bhi hua na, Aditya, toh main bhul jaungi ki hamare beech koi rishta hai... I know , aaj bhaiya yahan par hain toh sirf tere wajah se.... Pehle apni maa ko maar diya aur ab apne baap ke peeche pada hai.... You are just cursed Aditya....Bhagwan kare aisi aulad kisi ko na de...

Her every word was like a dagger to Aditya's heart.... He looked at her and could only see hatred, unconditional hatred for him.... But in a way, she was right , He was the one responsible for his father's condition.... Only if he had kept his mouth shut, just like he had for past 18 years.....

Vaishali had gone too far in her anger to even realize she was breaking an already vulnerable boy.... She is blaming the one who is already blaming himself for his father's condition, and her words were only rubbing salt to his wound.....

Vaishali- You are not needed here, Aditya.... Jaha tu yahan se....Teri shakal se ghin aati hai mujhe.... Main nahi chahti ki teri parchai bhi mere bhai ke aas pass bhatke....

Vaishali grabbed his arm and pushed him away.... Aditya loosed his balance and was about to fall but Atharva held him from his shoulder,on time before he could fall...

Atharva hissed in anger - Enough, Mrs. Bhatt.... Koi aapko kuch bol nahi raha iska matlab yeh nahi ki aapke mann mein jo aaye aap bolengi...

Vaishali snapped -  Who the hell are you to tell me ??...hote kaun ho mere beech mein bolne wale??...

Atharva - Jo bhi hoon, par aapko koi haq nahi hai Adi par blame dalne ka....

Vaishali - you are just an outsider...