Chapter 5: The Test of Brotherhood

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The next day, Arjun was quietly sitting at his study table, focusing on his exam preparation. In the background, Mala was on the phone, speaking loudly with her friend, fully aware that Arjun could hear her.

“Pata hai, mere bete ki shaadi agle hafte 15 October ko hai. Haan, engagement toh cancel ho gayi thi, par mere bete ne meri izzat bacha li. Tum vishwas nahi karogi, kitni ladkiyaan rishta le kar aa rahi hain uske liye! Khair, main baad mein baat karti hoon.”

Vikram, who had been watching this from the corner of the room, couldn’t help but feel concerned. He saw Mala, satisfied with her conversation, walking over to Arjun.

Mala, with a mockingly sweet voice, said, “Arjun beta, mujhe pata hai tumhein dukh hua hoga jab Janaki ne engagement tod di. Par chinta mat karo, koi badi baat nahi. Ab shaadi ki sari zimmedari tum par hai, toh main toh chahti hoon tum Athreya ki tayari karwa do. Theek hai na?”

Arjun, staying calm, responded, “Meri exam hai, isliye main nahi kar paunga.”

Before Mala could reply, Athreya entered the room with a smirk, “Par logon ko kya jawab dunga jab woh puchhenge ki mere bhai shaadi ki tayariyon mein kahan hain?”

Mala agreed, “Theek hai, Arjun. Tum apni exam de lo, par kal haldi ki rasam hai. Tumhein phir Athreya ko tayari karwani padegi. Aur Janaki ke ghar haldi bhejni hai.”

Vikram, unable to control his anger, said, “Aap log jaan bujhkar aise kar rahe ho! Aap log Arjun ko aur dukh dene ki koshish kar rahe ho.”

Arjun ne ek haath se Vikram ko chup rehne ka ishara kiya, shanti banaye rakhte hue.

Athreya, with a smug look, added, “Dukh? Kyun dunga? Arjun toh mera bhai hai. Waise, Arjun, kal haldi rasam mein tum hi Janaki ko wahi ring pehnana jo tumne kal li thi.”

Arjun silently took off the ring and handed it to Athreya. Vikram, who had been watching, was filled with sadness and anger.

Athreya, inspecting the ring, smiled and said, “Nahi Arjun, main yeh ring tumhare haathon se hi Janaki ko pehnaunga. Tumhe yeh ring deni hogi.”

Without saying a word, Arjun left the room.

Vikram, unable to hold back his frustration, turned to Mala and Athreya, “Aap log jaan bujhkar Arjun ko pareshaan kar rahe ho! Pehle uski engagement todi, ab yeh sab?”

Mala, with a sly smile, replied, “Yeh toh shuruaat hai. Main Arjun ko aur dard doongi. Dekhna.”

Athreya added, “Agar tum Arjun ke saath rahoge, toh tumhe bhi takleef hogi. Par agar tum mere saath ho, toh tumhari zindagi aish-o-aaram se guzregi.”

Vikram, disgusted, replied, “Tum jaise ameer doston ke hote huye tumhe mere jaise middle-class dost ki zarurat kyun hai? Tumhare dost Kale (Vijay Sethupathi) jaise log hain. Main apni dosti nahi todunga.”

Athreya, smirking, shrugged and left the room.

Vikram went to find Arjun, who was sitting alone, placing the ring in a small box.

Vikram sat next to him and asked, “Arjun, tum yeh sab kyun jhel rahe ho? Tum yeh ghar kyun nahi chhod dete? Yeh log tumhare saath bohot bura kar rahe hain. Mere saath kyun nahi aa jate?”

Arjun calmly handed the box to Vikram and said, “Yeh ring box hai. Janaki ko yeh ring tum pehnana.”

Vikram, confused, asked, “Par kyun, Arjun? Tum yeh ghar kyun nahi chhod rahe?”

Arjun took a deep breath and explained, “Mere pita ne mujhse kaha tha ki main kabhi yeh ghar nahi chhodunga. Vikram, yeh ghar meri maa aur pita ne milkar banaya tha. Meri maa ne is ghar ke har kone ko apne haathon se sajaaya tha. Mere pita ne kaha tha ki humare paas teen properties hain. Do properties mere aur Athreya ke naam pe hain. Teesri property ka faisla unhone mujhpar chhoda tha ki main yeh usko doon jo isse deserve karta hai.”

Vikram, puzzled, asked, “Par Mala ko is property mein itni dilchaspi kyun hai? Athreya ke paas toh uska hissa hai.”

Arjun replied, “Kyuki teesri property abhi bhi mere naam pe hai. Aur yeh property yeh ghar hai jisme hum reh rahe hain. Mala chahati hai ki yeh ghar bhi uske kabze mein aa jaye. Par maine us insaan ko chun liya hai jo is property ka hakdaar hai.”

Vikram, surprised, asked, “Kaun hai woh?”

Arjun smiled softly and said, “Woh tum ho, Vikram.”

Vikram, shocked, replied, “Par kyun main, Arjun? Mujhe yeh sab nahi chahiye.”

Arjun placed a hand on Vikram’s shoulder, “Vikram, main yeh ghar kisi ko bhi de sakta tha, par koi is ghar ko us tarah se sambhal nahi payega jaisa meri maa karti thi. Main tum par vishwas karta hoon. Tum is ghar ki dekhbhaal waise hi karoge jaise meri maa karti thi.”

Vikram, still hesitant, said, “Par...”

Arjun interrupted, “No Vikram, mana mat karo. Main apni daadi se baat kar chuka hoon. Unhone bhi kaha ki agar tum haan kaho, toh yeh property tumhe de doonga. Mujhe tum par bharosa hai.”

Vikram, overwhelmed, nodded and said, “Theek hai.”

Arjun, feeling grateful, hugged Vikram tightly. Vikram, still emotional, said, “Par jab yeh property mere naam par ho jaaye, tum mere saath rahoge na?”

Arjun smiled warmly, appreciating Vikram’s loyalty.

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