The Rajputs - Journey (Ongoing)

Chapter 27- A solid punch

It was midnight when they reached home.

Aarav was suddenly hugged by Manik.

" Thik hai baccha ??" Manik asked turning him around checking for injuries.

"Aaru, bacche? Sab thik hai na?" Pallavi asked gently, walking up to him with concern etched across her face.

"Sab thik hai, Maa," Abhimanyu replied quickly, noticing Aarav still hadn't spoken a word.

Pallavi bent down, cupping Aarav's cheeks tenderly. "Sab thik hai toh tu lene kyun gaya tha isse? Ye toh driver ke saath gaya tha na?"

Abhimanyu gave a small, composed nod. "Car beech road pe kharab ho gayi thi, Maa. Isliye main lene gaya."

Truth was, Pallavi had already been hospitalized twice due to severe head injuries. Any more tension could push her over the edge-and the last thing they needed was for her to spiral.

Abhimanyu turned to Akshara, his voice firm but calm. "Akshu, Maa ko le ja... unki dawai ka time ho gaya hai."

Akshara hesitated for a second, frowning. She knew very well that wasn't the real reason-but now wasn't the time to argue. Pallavi needed rest, and the truth could wait.

Akshara frowns knowing damn well that it's not what Abhimanyu just said but it's better to get Pallavi rest first, she could talk to them later.

As Manik was about to speak but the main door opens revealing Anay, who stood there huffing with his coat still on. Indicating he directly came from hospital without even worrying to change his clothes first.

Anay ran near Aarav and hugged him tightly. Then turn him around checking for injuries. There were few scratches on his elbows and knees.

The face that had concern written written all over when he walked in from the door, now has anger.

" Aarav Rajput, care to explain why the hell you drove home like a maniac?" Anay asked with pure anger.

Aarav who was looking down till now looked up still not meeting Anay's eyes, shocked. It was the first time Aarav had heard this tone from Anay.

Anay had always been the easygoing brother - the calm in every storm, the cool big bro who stood by him through every mischief, every mistake. He was the one who'd shield him from punishments, bunk classes just to take him to the beach, and laugh it off like it was nothing. When things went wrong, Anay never raised his voice - he'd just sit beside him, talk him through it, explain where he went wrong with that quiet patience only he had. And now... seeing him this angry, this hurt - it was something he'd never imagined, not even in his worst nightmares. It hit harder than any scolding ever could.

" Tujhe kisne permission di thi Aarav bike le jani ki ? " Anay again asked.

Aarav looked down, he knew he was at fault today.

" It's fine tu le bhi Gaya tuh...lekin rash drive kyu ki huh? Aarav you are a grown up mann! I know tu nhi karta aisa kabhi , tuh bata kyu kisa aisa?.." Anay asked.

And still no response...

" Mai batata hu kyu.. kyuki maharaj ji gusaa the, kisbaat pe I don't know lekin itna tuh janta hu tujhe mai Aarav. Ye batne ki kripa karnege ki kis baat pe itna gussa the aap ki aapko aapke jaan tak ki nhi padi huh?.... Aarav maine kabhi ye nhi kaha ki apne emotions dabane chahiye ya chupane chahiye. Lekin a 21 year old should know ki kab kon sa emotion kitna dikha sahi hota hai aur kitna nahi.. I know you got some anger issues but that doesn't mean it would justify your carelessness...." Anay says still angry.

When Anay got the news, it felt like the world had come to a standstill. His breath caught, his heart dropped - because he knew this fear. He had already lost his brothers once... and the mere thought of going through that pain again was unbearable. They weren't just family anymore - they were his world, his reason to keep going. Life without them? He couldn't even imagine it now. Not again. Not ever.