The Sibling Saga

20) Ignoring

Next Morning

Aarav was still fast asleep in Karan's room. Nobody had woken him up, as Karan had strictly instructed everyone not to. When Aarav finally woke up and glanced at the clock, he sat upright in panic-it was already 11:45! He had completely missed his classes. Why hadn't anyone woken him up?

Hurrying downstairs, he found his mother and Badimummy in the kitchen.

"Mumma, mujhe aaj kisi ne uthaya kyun nahi?" Aarav asked, his voice tinged with frustration and guilt.

His mother turned and glared at him. "Karan ne mana kiya," she said sharply.

"Karan Bhaiya ne mana kiya?" Aarav echoed, his confusion deepening.

HIS mother replied sternly. "Adhi raat ko bacho se sneak out karwana was unsafe. Grow up, Aarav. Tumhe apne bhai-behen ka dhyaan rakhna chahiye, par nahi, tum toh unhe aur bigadna chahte ho"

"Sneak out karwana?" he thought. That meant none of his brothers had told the elders about the smoking. Relief washed over him but The guilt of disappointing his brothers still weighed heavily on him.

He silently thanked God. He didn't want to face college with red marks on his cheeks.

"Jao, baitho. Main khana lagati hoon," his mother said, her tone softening slightly.

"M-mujhe bhook nahi hai, Mumma," Aarav replied hesitantly.

"Tabiyat theek hai na, beta? Main kh..."

"Haan theek hai. Please, Mumma, don't start," Aarav interrupted and quickly left the kitchen.

Whole day he was feeling something off. His mood was not good. Even though Veer forgived him, Karan and Avinash were still angry and he didn't liked it. He was regretting touching the cigarettes. He was feeling uncomfortable as he hasn't smoke the whole day because he had developed a habbit. But he didn't dared to smoke. He completed his assignments and studied as he didn't have his phone with him, thanks to Veer.

Evening,

When Veer, Karan, and Avinash returned home in the evening, Avinash went straight to his Chachi.

"Chachi, Aarav th..." Avinash asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Subah se kuch nahi khaya usne," she replied, shaking her head. "Meri baat sunta hi nahi hai. Tum log hi jakar bolo usko."

Avinash frowned and nodded. "Ji, Chachi. Main dekhta hoon. Aap khana parosiye."

Leaving the kitchen, Avinash found Veer "Aarav ne khana nahi khaya hai. Usko bol do chup chap dining table pe jaake khana kha le."

Veer sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. He knew Aarav could be stubborn, but skipping meals was unacceptable Veer knocked firmly before pushing the door open without waiting for a response.

"Aarav, thappad padega phirse kabhi meal skip Kiya toh" Veer said in a firm yet calm tone, "Get up and come downstairs. Go have your food.

"Mujhe bhook nahi hai bhaiyu" Aarav mumbled, looking away

Veer stepped closer, his voice hardening. "Aarav, I didn't ask. I said come downstairs." Aarav hesitated, then reluctantly stood up.

After the meal, Aarav went to Avinash's room and knocked, after getting the permission he entered, Avinash was sitting on the bed going through his phone

"Bhai" He said but he ignored

"Bhaiii" he said out more desperately but still got ignored

"Kyu mere sath aisa kar rhe ho" he said and sat in front of him