Bonds

23- BACKSTORY

I won't ask for anything. You don't do it either way. 

Enjoy. 

________________

Akshaj Pov

Like any other day, we are on the dining table having breakfast with never-ending twins and Viti's conversation; however, there is this discomfort in me screaming at me, telling me how something awfully bad will happen today. I don't know what it is.

Observing my surroundings, though it is hard to decipher Ethi's mood, I can guarantee an extensively grave decision is coming our way. For good or for worse. Most probably for good, provided it is for us.

Mahadev, please protect my family from evil. And please look after my Nil. He has been ignoring me ever since we had a heated argument.

"Ethi, I will be leaving for America in two hours." Oh yeah, Adik has an assisting mission to be present there. We cannot even deny the American mafia; they have availed their services to us when Ethi barely had a blurred view on how to approach such a situation. Don't go there, Aksh.

Bitter memories will leave you bitter, only.

"Hm."

"How long will this trip be yours? Is it your business trip or mafi... you know what I mean." Worryingly, Kul questions. He has always been wary of mafia-related trips. He is haunted by the very mention of such tours.

"Before you even know."

"Something wrong is going on? Right? That is why one of you three is constantly out on a trip. Is your mafia in danger? Ethi bhaiya? Do Nil, Kul, and I need to go to hideout spots again? This time we have Viti with us too." My heart squeezes hearing the panicky interrogating questions.

"Enough, don't you dare trespass your boundaries, Ojaswat." What the fucking hell? Why the fuck is Ethi growling at him? We are supposed to put rest on his worries. We all know how he observes things keenly. If we don't calm him down, he will start concentrating on us. Ojas might be fourteen; no, he is fifteen now, but he is a dangerous creature due to observations.

Honestly, his skills fetch us some valuable insights as well, such as when he brings out the information from his school students whose fathers have businesses; he would gain insights and then tell me. He does all this because he finds it funny and intriguing, despite me asking him to stop.

Since Viti's arrival, he is not paying much heed, clearly because he is around his doll all day long.

"Twins, you all leave for school. I will resolve your questions once you are back."

"Please, come back safe, Adik bhai." They meekly utter these words to Adik, fearing another scolding from Ethi.

"Rest assured." Giving him a tight hug, they go to school. They couldn't even have their breakfast to satisfy their appetite.

"Ethi." I call him as he also gets up from his chair without finishing his food; he really needs to learn how to control his stress just to be able to digest his food. Every time he gets rough with any of us out of frustration or stress, he can't stomach his food.

"At 11:00 am sharp, we also will leave to meet Viti's Didi."

"Were Didi?"

"Yes, Preciosa. We have found your Didi."
"I meet Didi?"

"Of course, you will meet Didi."

"Ready me, I go didi."

"Yes, finish your breakfast, then I will get you ready."

I take out a black hoodie with various butterflies printed on it and black woolen leggings. These are twin styles of clothes. They like to dress up in hoodies and sweaters. They have bought the same style for her, and on top of that, my princess prefers black over any bright colors kids usually choose. Why? Because she says Ethi bhaiya is the prettiest in the black color, so she apparently believes she is the most enchanted in black as well.