The Unbreakable Bond

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Mirza woke up with his throat as dry as a dessert. He squinted his eyes open, looking around only to come face-to-face with darkness. He glanced at the digital clock that displayed, 01:31.

Climbing off the bed, he peered at Maaz who was sound asleep. Bhaiya to soh rahe hai, koi baat nahi, main khud hi pani pi ata hu!

{Bhaiya is sleeping, it's fine, I'll go and drink water on my own}

He walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Filling up the glass, he gulped down the water quickly, sighing in relief when his throat didn't feel as dry anymore.

He began to make his way back to the room but stopped when his gaze fell on the freezer. Ice cream! I can eat it now, no one's here to stop me!

He opened the freezer and pulled out an ice cream box. Picking up a spoon from the shelf, he dug in devouring the flavors that danced on his tongue.

The seventeen-year-old, ended up finishing the whole container within a few minutes, however, still not feeling satisfied he pulled out another container and finished half of it before putting it back in the freezer.

"That was yummy!", he muttered, licking his lips. Finishing his job in the kitchen, he moved back to Maaz's room. He laid back on the bed and Maaz pulled him in for an embrace.

"Where did you go?" His elder brother croaked out, in his deep raspy voice that was full of sleep.

"I was thirsty" Mirza mumbled.

Maaz nodded and started to pet his hair, "Go to sleep baby, you have to go to college tomorrow!"

...

Murtasim made his way to Maaz's room after he got dressed in a black suit, with a silver watch adorning his wrist. He could hear the shower running, indicating Maaz was in the bathroom as the bed was occupied by his youngest son only, who lay sprawled on the bed.

Murtasim leaned down and shook him gently, "Mirza, mere bache wake up. You don't want to be late for college do you?"

Mirza remained unresponsive and continued to sleep away. Murtasim sighed, "Come on baby! I've set your clothes on the bed, you just need to freshen up and dress up."

Mirza fidgeted slightly before going back to sleep. "Mirza! Last chance, wake up!", Murtasim warned.

Mirza whined and rolled away onto his stomach, bringing the blanket over his head. Murtasim tried to peel the blanket away, "Mirza, get up right now. You don't want to wake up with a sad face in the morning!"

Received no response from the youngest one in their family, Murtasim raised his hand and landed a warning smack on his back and that seemed to do the trick. Mirza instantly rolled on his back, it was quiet for the first few seconds before all the waterwork started.

Murtasim was about to reach for him when Maaz stepped out of the bathroom. Hearing his younger brother cry, he immediately dropped his towel on the stand and rushed towards Mirza, "What's wrong, why are you crying baby?"

Mirza locked himself in Maaz's arms, "B-Bhai-ya!"

"Shh...Why the precious tears in the morning, hmm?", Maaz gently rubbed his back, and the cries gradually decreased.

He glanced at his eldest brother who stood there with his arms crossed, "Bhai, what happened?"

Murtasim shook his head, "He won't wake up so I lightly tapped him and all the waterwork began!"

Mirza whimpered, croaking out, "Hurts!"

Murtasim furrowed his eyebrow and took a seat next to Maaz, "I didn't hit you that hard Mirza. Come on go and freshen up!"