(That morning, everyone was wrapped up in their own routines.
Vivek stood near the table, flipping through his files with full concentration before leaving for office.
At the dining table, Prince was finishing his breakfast, scrolling through Instagram and giggling at random reels.
Upstairs, Arya was still getting ready for office, while Uncle was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for her.
Prince finished eating, picked up his plate, and walked into the kitchen, placing it in the sink.)
Prince: “Uncle, it was too good… too yummy. Thanks!”
Uncle: “Hmm…” he nodded, then added, “Zara dekhna, Arya kaha hai beta.”
Just then—
Arya: “Yaha hoon, Uncle… aa gayi,” she said while coming downstairs. “Kuch help karu?”
Uncle: “No—oh, I mean yes,” (he corrected himself.) “Maine already sab kapde washing machine mein daal diye hain. Tumhare aur Vivek ke baaki hain… woh daal ke machine on kar do. Tab tak main tumhare liye breakfast bana deta hoon.”
Arya: “Sure!”
(She immediately rushed upstairs to grab the remaining clothes.)
(Meanwhile, Vivek remained completely absorbed in his files.
Beside him, Prince sat casually, still lost in his phone, smiling at something on screen.
A second later, he burst out laughing—loudly—and, out of habit, threw his hand over Vivek’s shoulder just like he did with his friends.
Vivek paused.
Slowly, he turned his head and gave Prince that look.
Prince instantly removed his hand.)
Vivek: “Agar koi aur kaam nahi ho… toh in pages ko number-wise iss file mein set karne mein help karo.”
(Prince immediately straightened up, putting his phone aside.)
Prince: “Of course, laaiye,” he said, now unusually gentle, and started helping him.
(Time passed.
Prince was now properly assisting Vivek, while Arya had come back down and was sitting on the couch, busy with her own work.
Everything seemed calm.
For about thirty minutes.
Suddenly—
Uncle (shouting): “ARYAAAA… come here!”
(The sharpness in his voice cut through the house.All three froze.Vivek and Prince turned toward Arya—her phone slipping from her hand as she looked up, startled.Uncle was already walking toward the living room, his face unusually serious.It was rare.Very rare.
All three stood up instinctively.)
Vivek: “Is everything okay, Uncle? Kya hua?”
Uncle: “Chalo… dikhaata hoon. Aao.”
(Prince quietly placed the file aside, and the three of them followed Uncle.
They reached the laundry area.
The washing machine stood there—silent, but suspicious.)
Prince: “Kya hua? Yaha kyu laaye hame?”
(Without a word, Uncle opened the lid of the machine… and reached inside.
He pulled out a small, broken bottle.
Then, his gaze slowly lifted—directly at Arya.)
Uncle: “Care to explain… yeh kya hai?” (he asked, holding it up.)
(Before anyone could react, he reached in again and pulled out a tiny broken brush.)
Uncle: “Aur yeh…?”
(Arya’s eyes widened in shock.
Realization hit.)
Uncle: “Isse saare kapde black ho gaye hain… see…”
YOU ARE READING
Brotherhood
Non-FictionThis story is about two brothers whose names are Vivek and prince and their brotherhood, As we know Just because their parents lives in different state because of their Father's police duty, Vivek raised his brother, sometimes as a strict elder brot...
