HEEDING TO THE SOUL

Chapter 32: Mood swings

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The eerie silence in the Malhotra home seemed to weigh down upon Madhav as he waited for his brother to come back.  Meera's worrisome nature always muddled with her health and so Madhav had to put her to sleep, with an assurance that he would convince Mihir anyhow.

But now as he waited for his Dada, the thought seemed almost impossible. He sighed and rubbed his face, trying to focus on the task at hand. He couldn't falter now, simply because he was scared of Mihir's anger or glares, he couldn't let Mihir put off his mental health. Though the glares were enough reason for a wise man to never address the subject, Madhav was his Dada's Kanha, and that made him throw the wisdom down the drain.

A gentle hand on his shoulder made him smile. Since Anurag was occupied with their blooming business, Maddy didn't like disturbing him much, and so only one other man could be here at 1 in the night.

Madhav sighed and turned, burying his head in his bhaiya's shoulder.

"Dada ko samjhao na?"

"I tried Maddy, but that idiot never listens." He caressed his hair that covered his forehead. "Plus he didn't even listen to me completely and went away without even a bye"

Madhav pulled back, "Did he greet Mishti?".  Jay sighed deeply. "No, and that's why the little imp had taken the house by a storm."

A small smile danced on Madhav's lips and Jay smiled: "Good, now you can deal with Mihir better"

Madhav sighed and shook his head.

"I don't think I can do it"

"Did you try?"

"I can't try when I'm hundred percent sure of getting whacked"

Jay whacked him hard and gave a tight lipped smile.
"There you go, got whacked? Now there's no fear right?"

Madhav glared at him but they both were distracted as the main door lock clicked open and in walked Mihir..

Madhav stood up and handed him a glass of water, Mihir shook his head and would have left if Jay hadn't interfered..

Mihir looked up irritated.

Jay firmed his grip.

"We need to talk Mihir, and first you need to hydrate yourself, sit down"

"I really don't want to talk Bhaiya, I need to sleep"

"And again suffer through silent nightmares, wake up the next morning with a smile that would fool us into believing that you're alright? Really Dada?". Madhav came to them with the glass.

"Have it Dada, we seriously need to talk, and apart from this time I don't really see you home these days"

Mihir opened his mouth to speak but Jay grabbed his shoulders, turned him and made him sit in front of him on the chair.

Madhav thrusted the glass in his hands and both of them folded their hands, towering over a tired Mihir..

Mihir scrunched his brows and gulped the water quickly.

He tried to stand up but was blocked.

"Kya hai?"

"Raat hai/Baat karni hai" spoke Jay and Madhav respectively..

Madhav shot an annoyed glare towards Jay and turned to Mihir:"Pls Dada sirf ek baar socho toh sahi counsellor ke baare mein"

Mihir tried to go but both of them blocked his way again.

"I'm telling you Dada, aap chaho toh background check le Lena counsellor ka, jo investigation karni hai kar Lena usse but sirf ek baar session attend toh karo..just once Dada, pls?"

Mihir closed his eyes in utter impatience.

"Get out of my way before I whack you Madhav, leave me alone"

He turned back and walked in the opposite direction but both of them dragged him back and before he could shout in anger, his shoulder stung as Jay whacked him..

"Why are you being so rude to him?"

"Because I like to"

"Dada yaar pls, sochke toh bolo"

"Tu sochke aaya kar na mere saamne, aa hi mat, I hate everyone, let me go"

Jay pushed him back again and grabbed his shoulder:"Chup, ek thappad khayega tu, har baar kuch galat hota tha, kuch bada hota tha toh tu phone mein mujhse rudely baat karta tha..and now you're hurting Maddy with your words, hosh mein aa Mihir, this isn't you"

Madhav gulped back the hurt, focusing on Jay's words and convincing himself that Mihir was simply frustrated and didn't mean anything he had just said..

Mihir pushed Jay back and tried to go away but both the brothers blocked his paths..

Mihir held his hair, tugging at them and sat on the sofa with a thud.

Madhav and Jay exchanged a concerned look, this wasn't how their Mihir behaved.

Both of them flanked him on sides and Madhav gently cupped his face.

"Kya hua Dada? RAW mein tension hai, isliye irritated ho aap. Accha theek hai, hume nahi bata sakte toh rehne do, but atleast humari advice toh suno..main"

"Kab hai session?"

Madhav paused speaking and looked at him shocked.

"Maan gaye aap?"

"Nahi, apmaan gaya main"

Jay chuckled and side hugged Mihir while Madhav squealed and hugged the two of them tightly...

As Madhav was pulled in between them, his thoughts drifted back to his plan...battle 1 to his Dada's recovery had been won..

With his family by his side, Madhav was ready to engage in Battle 2..

...

As Mihir got dressed up in formals, his phone rung for the 4th time with Sanya's name blazing on the screen..

Mihir sighed and took the call, preparing himself for scoldings for ignoring her calls.

But instead he was greeted with a squeal.

"Tu finally Kanha ki baat maan gaya, I'm so happy Mihir, thank you so much"

He could hear her voice laced with unshed tears and smiled.

"Madhav hai hi aisa, even if I try I can't resist listening to him. And don't cry yaar, varna main mana kar dunga."

She glared at the phone and scolded:"Bhakk"

And the phone was cut with a thud, making Mihir chuckle..

He tucked away the other shirts and took his burner phone to check for updates..

His eyes glinted as he read..

"Hey SP, miss me?"

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(Unedited)