Brotherhood

Home without Uncle

(After a hectic day, it was finally family time. Prince was busy playing with Fluffy, running in the garden while the little furball chased after him. Arya sat nearby, watching them with amusement and occasionally laughing at their antics.

Vivek was casually checking  his plants, making sure everything was in order there. Meanwhile, Uncle sat beside Arya, unusually quiet and lost in his thoughts.)

(After checking all the plants, Vivek finally came back and sat beside Uncle.)

Vivek : Uncle, that plant is not able to take that much sunlight. Tomorrow morning, if possible, we will... umm...

(He paused when he noticed Uncle wasn't listening at all. His gaze was distant, completely absorbed in whatever was on his mind.
Vivek gently placed a hand on Uncle's shoulder. The touch made Uncle flinch slightly before he turned to look at him.)

Uncle : Haan bolo beta... you were saying something...

Vivek : It was not so important. You tell me, are you okay?

(Arya, who had been busy admiring Fluffy, immediately turned her attention toward them. She shifted a little closer, concern appearing on her face.)

Arya : What happened? Uncle, are you having a headache? Fever?

(Before Uncle could answer, Vivek placed his hand on Uncle's forehead and checked his temperature. A moment later, he shook his head.)

Vivek : Nope. There is no fever. Uncle, aap please bataiye... what's bothering you?

Arya : Are you tired?

Uncle : God! You both keep asking me... at least breathe. And I'm totally fine... I just... I just want to ask something to you. Nothing else.

Vivek : Oh! Then ask. What do you want to ask?

Uncle : Um... woh... actually... I want to ask for leave for some days.(then add politely) Please grant it.

(Vivek and Arya exchanged a quick glance, both visibly relieved that it wasn't anything serious.)

Vivek : You scared me, Uncle. And wait! Aren't you being too formal?

Prince : Are you going for a picnic with your friends again or what?

(He asked while continuing to run around with Fluffy.)

Uncle : Nooo... I don't want leave for a day.

Arya : Oh! Then?

Uncle : I want leave for twenty days vivek.

(The garden suddenly fell quiet.Prince stopped running and stared at Uncle. Arya blinked in surprise, while Vivek looked at him for a moment, making sure he had heard correctly.)

Prince : Uncle...

(He walked over and sat beside him.)

Prince : Did you say twenty days?

(Uncle nodded slightly and looked at Vivek.)

Uncle : Gaav jana hai.

Vivek : Is everything okay there? Hmm? Your family?

Uncle : Haan beta. Woh Mera sabse chhota bhai hai na... uski daughter ki shaadi hai.

Arya : Ohhhh! That's a good news. Congratulations, Uncle. But... (She pout sadly) twenty days?

Uncle : Yeah... A year ago, there was a piece of land in our village that belonged to us. Some family members were trying to take it from us. My brother even got into fights because of it. Later, he filed a case against them.