The Silent Bond

✨Chapter 3✨

At London Airport

"Anu....Anu How are you bacha?" Arjun asked to Anu emotionally. He felt his words died the moment his eyes met with Anu's. Anu just stood there with lack of any emotion. Arjun took hesitant step closer, his voice trembling. "Anu... it's me, Arjun. I am your elder brother. You're finally here." Anu's gaze flickered for a brief moment, but he remained silent, his expression cold and distant.

"Say something Anu," Arjun pleaded, his voice breaking. "I know what are you thinking. You must be angry at me. You must be thinking what type of brother am I ; Who doesn't know existence of his little baby brother all over those years. But believe me Anu we were never informed about you. Mom and dad hide this big truth from us. I don't know but there must some reason to do so but still I am sorry Anu." Arjun said in guilty tone.

Aru listened to him patiently and said, "Don't worry Mr. Singhania, I am not angry at you or I don't have any complaints for anyone. It's just I am like this only." Anu said without any emotions. Arjun stared at him and he felt very odd like he is hiding some emotions behind this facade mask. While Anu was barely holding those emotions. It doesn't matter what situation they are in or what is their past but still he has brothers. It is a truth of his life. He knew that they are going to love him but he is not ready for that at least till he accomplished his goals. Until he reaches to his destination, he doesn't want to form any type of bond with anyone. But what about his heart? He never lost his control over his heart but now seeing his elder brother in front of him he was not sure whether he will able to gain that control again. He wants to hug him, tell him about his demons, his miseries, his every suffocation that he felt all those years. He never told his inner turmoil to anyone other than one person. But now just by standing in front of Arjun made him this much vulnerable don't know what future has been stored for him.

"Let's go home Arjun. We will have remaining talk at home." Shivansh said not wanting to get more attention as people already looking at them. Arjun and Anu nodded their head and went towards their car.

Car ride was silent affair. Anu looking outside lost in his thoughts while arjun looking at him thinking when will he able to bridge gap between them. Shivansh knew what Arjun is thinking. By looking at Anu he is sure that boy is hiding something. His intrusions were never wrong as a police officer. But what is he hiding? He thought to dig into this matter. He will go to any length to protect his family and now anu is part of this family.

Finally, after some time they were at the entrance of Rahi. When they were about to enter a voice stopped them. "Wait arjun, bacha pehli baar apne ghar aa raha hain. Aarti to utarne do iski." Said Arohi while coming towards them with Aarti thali. Behind her everyone come towards them. Abhi's eyes went teary by looking at Anu. Boy has same eyes as their mother. Aryan was too much excited to meet his baby brother. "Bhabhi yaar jaldi karo na mujhe bhi milna hain apne baby bro se!!" Aryan said in his hyper excited tone. Jiya immediately whacked him, "Ab to bada hoja yaar Aru!!" She said. Everyone shook their head as its not new for them. Arohi royally ignored everyone, and performed rituals. After that Aryan as usual in his excitement hugged Anurag tightly while Anurag just stood there blankly. He never let anyone hug him other than his nana, Nani and that one person. He doesn't know how to react to this unfamiliar warmth.

Everyone looked at them, the air heavy with anticipation. Aru's exuberant hug seemed to freeze Anurag in place.

A chuckle broke the tension as Ishan said, "Let him breath, Aru!!" He gently pulled Aru away who just huffed in response.

Kabir said to remove awkwardness, "Lets introduce ourself guys!!" and Arjun came forward and introduced everyone. Anurag don't know what to do he just started speaking, "Myself Anurag Malhotra. I am 17 years old"