𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"27. Embers of Pain"

"hazar zakhm seh sakta hu is jism par
Par uski aakhon me aansu nahi
Laakh dard likh de mere hisse me
Par uske hisse ek kharoch tak nahi"

-fictionflare_
(Rudraksh)

A

shvik had just returned from the café and settled into his room, unwinding in a relaxed posture on the edge of his bed. Just then, Rishwik stormed in, his expression tight with frustration. He stood at the doorway, eyes narrowed, clearly upset, and directed a hard glare at Ashvik.

Rishwik: "Ye kya kiya aapne Ashvik bhai??"
(What have you done, Ashvik bhai?)

Ashvik glanced at Rishwik and immediately recognized the look in his eyes. He understood exactly why Rishwik was upset; it was written all over his face. There was no need for words—Ashvik knew the reason behind his brother's anger.

Ashvik: "Rishi, not now yaar please."

Rishwik: "Not now then when?? Kyu kar rahe ho aap aise, meri best friend kitna pyaar karti hai aapse, aap kyu takleef de rahe ho use bhi aur khud ko bhi."
(Not now? Then when? Why are you doing this? My best friend loves you so much. Why are you causing pain to her and yourself too?)

Ashvik: "Mujhe koi takleef nahi hai."
( I'm not in pain.)

Ashvik turned his face away, attempting to hide the emotions flickering across his expression. He didn’t want Rishwik to see the vulnerability he was trying so hard to conceal. Rishwik, however, noticed it all. With a resigned sigh, he moved closer, taking a seat directly in front of Ashvik. Gently, he reached out and held Ashvik’s hand, offering silent support, letting his presence convey the words he couldn’t find.

Rishwik: "Bhai, Akshu ko koi farak nahi padta hai aapke background se aap jante hai ye baat phir kyu inkaar kar rahe hai??"
(Brother, Akshu doesn't care about your background; you know that. Then why are you rejecting her?)

Ashvik: "Jante hu vo kaise bhi apna legi bahaut pyaar karti hai mujhse."
(I know she would accept me no matter what. She loves me a lot.)

Rishwik: "Phir kyu tadpa rahe ho use?"
(Then why are you making her suffer?)

Ashvik: "Zindagi bhar use ek araam ki zindagi bitayi hai, uske baba one of the best industrialist hai, kitna naam hai unka, aur Shavi meri zindagi me aake kya kehlayegi, ek orphan ki biwi?? A person who doesn't have a surname??"
(She’s lived a life of comfort her whole life. Her father is one of the best industrialists, with a respected name. If Shavi comes into my life, what will she be called? The wife of an orphan? A person without a last name?)

After a moment, Rishwik released Ashvik’s hand and slowly rose to his feet.

Rishwik: "Na jaane aapke dimaag se kab ye kachra bahar niklega, shayad humare hi pyaar me koi kami reh gayi hogi tabhi aap hume apna mante hi nahi."
(I don’t know when this rubbish will get out of your head. Maybe it’s our love that’s lacking if you don’t consider us your own.)

Ashvik rose to his feet, but as he did, Rishwik took a step back, creating a small distance between them. The sudden movement caught Ashvik off guard, and a flicker of hurt crossed his face.

Ashvik: "Rishi, tu janta hai ye baat nahi hai"
(Rishi, you know that’s not it.)

Rishwik: "Yahi baat hai bhai, aur ab mujhse baat tabhi karna jab apne dimag se ye kachra nikal doge aur Akshu ko mana loge."
( It is, bhai. And only talk to me once you've cleared this junk from your mind and convinced Akshu.)