Brotherhood

Part : 2

(Prince sprinted through the familiar lane to Pooja's house, his breath uneven, heart pounding with both anger and worry. He pressed the doorbell repeatedly, impatience clear in the way his finger jabbed the switch. The door opened quickly-Pooja's mom stood there, her face lined with concern, her eyes restless as if she had already sensed something wrong.)

Prince: Aunty, Pooja kaha hai?

Pooja's mom: Usko kya hua? Woh baking soda lene aayi thi waha... aur phir rote rote aayi aur sidha room mein chali gayi. Kisi ne daata kya usko?

(Prince shook his head quickly, almost pleading in his tone.)

Prince: Nahi aunty, she misunderstood me. Let me talk to her. May I?

(Pooja's mom looked at him for a second, as if debating, then sighed and stepped aside.)

Pooja's mom: Haan, jaao.

(Prince didn't waste a second. He rushed upstairs, his footsteps heavy against the wooden steps. Behind him, Pooja's mom muttered under her breath, half to herself.)

Pooja's mom: Pata nahi ye dono bachcho ki tarah ladna kab bandh karege.

(Prince reached her door and knocked firmly, his knuckles sharp against the wood.)

Prince: Open the door.

Pooja (from inside, her voice shaky yet angry): Leave me alone.

Prince: Talk to me.

Pooja: I don't want to.

Prince (his patience thinning): This is not how it works, Pooja.

Pooja (snapping): I don't even want to make it work now... leave.

(Prince dragged a hand down his face in frustration, shutting his eyes for a second to keep his temper in control. Her broken voice on the other side of the door only made him more restless, more helpless. He took a deep breath, then spoke firmly.)

Prince: I'm coming.

(He twisted the knob and entered. The sight froze him for a second-Pooja sat on the edge of her bed, her face buried in her palms, shoulders trembling as sobs wracked her body. The raw vulnerability in her shook him, but his own frustration still burned underneath.)

Prince (soft but edged): Can you please stop crying and listen to me once? What's that reaction, Pooja? Do you even know your reaction made both of us so uncomfortable and embarrassed...?

(Pooja jerked her head up, eyes red and wet, anger flashing through the tears. She got to her feet, voice trembling but sharp.)

Pooja: I made you uncomfortable? Hun? Didn't you feel uncomfortable when you were holding her hand?

(Prince blinked, thrown off by her words, then stepped forward, his tone rising with controlled anger.)

Prince: What do you mean? She was just... Pooja, when she saw that I have a hoverboard she wanted to teach me how to balance on it. So by holding my hands she was just giving me support.

Pooja (mocking, her voice cracking): Oh, so learning to ride hoverboard was now part of your project work? Well, thanks for informing me. I didn't know that.

(Prince's jaw tightened, frustration boiling over.)

Prince: Leave that sarcasm first of all, Pooja. I know what you think about us. Am I fool to you? Mere saath kuchh saman nahi lena hai phir bhi shopping ke liye aana cause you can keep eyes on me, kya main ye sab nahi samajh raha?

(He pointed at her chest in emphasis, his words spilling faster.)

Prince: I was ignoring your jealous expression and that sarcastic tone 'cause I thought we are friends. Aur bhai kehte hai Pooja tumse zyada mature hai. Is this your maturity?