After the whirlwind of activity, everyone except Kunj gathered in the hall for the final touches on his birthday celebration. The room was adorned with colorful balloons, creating a cheerful atmosphere, and the table was set with all of his favorite dishes. Thanks to Aryan's meticulous efforts, everything was flawlessly arranged, and now they eagerly awaited the arrival of the birthday boy.
"Jao, Sidharth, Kunj ko bula ke le aao," Karan instructed, and Sidharth swiftly rushed off to bring his brother from their room.
He reached their floor and entered the room, where Kunj lay sprawled on his stomach.
"Bhai, aap finally aa gaye! Main kitna bore ho raha tha," Kunj remarked the moment he spotted Sidharth.
"Chal, jaldi kar Kunj, bhai ne mess mein bulaya hai," Sidharth said, quickly grabbing his brother’s hand.
"Par kyu?" Kunj questioned, allowing Sidharth to pull him towards the mess area.
"Wahan jaake khud puch lena," Sidharth responded, and Kunj rolled his eyes in mild exasperation.
As soon as they reached the mess, Sidharth stopped and turned to his brother.
"Chal, ab aankhein band kar aur andar chal," Sidharth said, covering his brother's eyes with his hands.
"Pagal ho gaye ho kya bhai aaj? Kya kar rahe ho?" Kunj protested, trying to wriggle out of his grip.
"Shh, chup chap chal, jaldi," Sidharth insisted, making Kunj sigh as he slowly moved forward.
The moment they stepped into the mess, Sidharth removed his hands, and Kunj slowly opened his eyes. He looked around, surprised to see the entire place beautifully decorated. Suddenly, a party popper went off, showering him, and everyone shouted in unison, "Happy birthday, Kunj!"
After everyone wished Kunj, a shadow of sadness crossed his face. Without saying a word, he turned to leave, heading back toward his room. Just as he was about to step away, Aryan quickly grabbed his hand and stopped him.
Seeing the sorrow in Kunj's eyes, Aryan gently squeezed his hand.
"Kunj, main samajhta hoon ki tumhe apne parents ki yaad aati hai," Aryan said softly, his voice filled with empathy. "Lekin unka accident ek purani baat hai. Jo ho gaya, usse hum badal nahi sakte."
Kunj lowered his gaze, his emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
Aryan placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Tumhare liye unhone ek khaas legacy chhodi hai—tumhare bhai. Hum sab tumhare saath hain, hamesha. Tumhe khush rehna chahiye, unke liye bhi aur hum sab ke liye bhi."
Kunj took a deep breath, Aryan’s words slowly sinking in. He nodded faintly, feeling a flicker of comfort amidst his pain.
Kunj hesitated for a moment before turning towards Karan. Without a word, he walked up to him and wrapped his arms tightly around his elder brother.
Karan held him close, gently running a comforting hand over Kunj's back. In a soft, reassuring tone, he whispered, "Sab theek hoga, Kunj. Tumhare saare dard hum samajhte hain. Hum hamesha tumhare saath hain, chahe kuch bhi ho. Tum akelay nahi ho."
Kunj clung to him, finding solace in Karan’s warmth and gentle words, as the weight on his heart slowly began to ease.
As Karan continued to console Kunj, Sidharth stepped forward and joined the hug, wrapping his arms around both of them. The bond between the brothers felt unbreakable in that moment, a silent promise of always being there for one another.
After a while, Aryan’s playful voice broke the emotional silence. "Arey bas bas, family drama khatam? Cake ka kya? Mujhe bhi toh khaana hai!" he teased, making everyone chuckle.
YOU ARE READING
BROTHERS IN ARMS ✔️
General FictionThis is the story of three brothers, with the eldest serving the nation as a decorated soldier. Inspired by his bravery, the two younger brothers enroll in the Cadets Training Academy (CTA), determined to follow in his footsteps. Together, they str...
