The Bond Of Threads

14. Journey

Nakul glanced at his sleeping twin and sighed in exasperation. He so wanted to rake his fingers in Nihaar's hair and push back the unruly tendrils that danced on his forehead. He just did not have a heart to take step.
He was still getting used to the feeling of having not just a brother but a twin. He was aware that he had parents, but he was not aware of other members of the family.

Everything was so overwhelming.

Rishinn appeared unusually quiet and placed her head on his other shoulder and closed her eyes. He lightly pecked the top of her head. Shirom could see the interaction and felt a pang of hurt in his heart. How easy it was for Nihaar to establish his rights over Nakul, and Nakul gave in so easily.
He wondered if he would have same pure relationship with his sister too.
He leaned back and sighed. How he had imagined her to come to him when their mother scolded her. He had imagined sneak her out in late hours of night and enjoy scoops of ice-cream and hot roasted corn cobs along the beaches. He had pictured himself sitting at one place through the nights and helping her study.

But looking at the way Rishinn retested to her shell upon seeing him, he was not sure how his relationship would develop with his sister.

He was brought out of his thoughts when his phone rang and Nihaar groaned in his sleep for being disturbed.
He received the call as he turned back to look at still sleeping Nihaar and said 'okay' and disconnected the phone.

"Follow Rivi Bhai's car." He ordered the driver.

Nakul looked out of the window and realised that the car took a turn and entered a huge parking lot. It was a food court.

"Let's take a halt for lunch." Shirom said, looking back at Nakul and Nakul nodded.

He looked at his twin and then back at Shirom. Shirom just smiled in reply.
"He will not get up until Rivi Bhai calls him."

Nakul nodded and tapped Rishu on her cheek. She was immidiately awake and looked at him with wide eyes. Nakul tried the same with Nihaar and the later made himself more comfortable on Nakul's shoulder. A tap on the window was heard and the driver rolled the glass down on Nihaar's side, making Rivaan peep through the now opened window.

"Nihaar?" Rivaan called out and Nihaar was startled out from deep sleep.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at Rivaan with rapidly blinking eyes.
"We reached home? So early?"

Rivaan opened the door to his side and replied, "we are halting for lunch."

Nihaar looked at his now reteating figure and then back at his twin. Nakul too, was looking at Rivaan, who just chose to walk away. Nihaar smiled.
"Don't think much. He is a softy at heart. He takes time to express himself."

Nakul looked at him and nodded in understanding. Nihaar craned his neck to look at Rishu who was looking at her surroundings with apprehension.
"So Princess?"

Rishinn looked at him startled and she liked the endearment he used for her. A slow blush crept over her cheeks and Shirom, who was observing her from the rear view mirror, smiled at the way she reacted.

"Hungry?" Nihaar asked again and Rishu shook her head in denial, making both Nihaar and Shirom furrow their eyebrows.

They were startled by a tap on Nihaar side. This time it was Vishal.
"Come out, Kids. We have long way to cover. Talk all you want once we are done eating."

Nihaar was quick to jump out of the car, followed by Shirom. Nakul looked at Rishinn who glanced at Shirom's figure that was walking to his father. Nakul raised her hand and placed a quick kiss on her upturned palm.
"Let's go. They are waiting for us."