Kaira- United we stand

Part 5

Karthik looked at the person standing outside the door and felt the wind to be knocked out of him. He walked up to the person, careful to close the door behind them so that no one could not see or hear anything more. Karthik stood in front of the person and kept a hand on his shoulder

"Shubam"? He mouthed

Shubam looked shaken up and did not respond to Karthik's call

Karthik called him out again, this time louder. Shubam broke out of his trance and looked at Karthik

Shubam looked at him, fumbled for words. "Wo, my check, I came  for collecting my check for my college fees from you" he said

Karthik looked at him  not knowing what to say " Wait for two minutes. I shall bring the check." He said and hurried inside the work floor again

He wrote the check for Shubam's fees and went to the reception again. He placed the check in his brother's hands " Sorry I  forgot to give this in the morning" he said unable to meet his brother's eyes

Shubam was silent and turned to leave. He took a few steps forward and turned to look at hi elder brother " Why is he here and if he is here then why are you working here? How can he treat you like that" Shubam asked, though not looking at Karthik's face

"I know what I am doing. I need this job for all of us. So its better you do not interfere in this" Karthik told sternly

Shubam turned to leave when Karthik called him again. Karthik went up to him and folded his hands

"I am not ordering you, I am not advising you, I am not even requesting you, I am begging you. Please do not speak about what you saw now at home. We already dont have peace of mind, please do not say anything at home." Karthik whispered to him

"Okay, I am getting late for college" Shubam said and was about to leave when Karthik called him again

He took out some money from his wallet " You missed your college bus, its very hot, dont go by local bus, here take a cab and go" He said with genuine concern

Shubam's eyes turned moist beyond his own will " No, its okay. I can go by bus" he said and refused the money.

"Shubam please take it. I do not want you to be late for college" Karthik said and patted his brother's cheeks " Do not worry for anything. I am there" he said smiling

Shubam took the cash from him and left for college. He however did not take a cab but a local bus. Sitting in the local bus, he felt his eyes turn moist as he remembered Karthik with his head down, while Aditya insulted him in front of the whole office. Flashes of Karthik being concerned for him and he insulting Karthik and shouting at him played in front of his eyes. He was not aware when the moist eyes actually started shedding tears. He wiped them off quickly

"Does he really care for me? Was I wrong? But he snatched away my happiness and my childhood from me" Shubam tried to be angry, however when he had seen Karthik at his most vulnerable, something broke inside him.

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It had been a week since Shubam had seen Karthik in office. To everyone's surprise, Shubam started eating dinner at home, which he had never done. However he still remained sullen at did not speak with anyone, though he did not throw tantrums. Everyone except Karthik was surprised at the sudden change in Shubam's behavior.

It was another evening, where Karthik ha managed to come home early. Slumping into a chair, he laid back his head and closed his eyes in tiredness. He felt a soft pair of hands, close over his eyes and massage his head. His face broke into a smile instantly

"Thank you Jaan, you know exactly what I need" he said and held her hand and was about to pull her onto his lap, when he heard someone burst int giggles

"Bhaiya,enough, I am not Bhabhi." Maansi said as she fell to the floor laughing, while he saw Naira holding her stomach and  laughing along with Luv, Kush and his parents.

"Maansi ki bachi, see what I do now" he gasped and ran behind his sister, who took shelter behind Naira. Karthik held her ears and twisted it " And what is this about coming alone? You should have told me. I would have come to the station at least" he chided her lovingly

"If I had done that, I would have missed the fun which I had now when you thought I was Bhabhi." she said and giggled harder while Karthik tried to pull her back again

"Hey, no hitting my sister" Naira said and stepped in between them

"For your information, she was my sister first and then she became your sister in law' Karthik said as he stuck her tongue out at her

"Oh hello, I know about her better than you do" Naira said and stuck her tongue out at Karthik again

" Oh shut up jungli ki billi." Karthik said smiling knowing that it would irk his darling wife even more

"Oh mendak, dont try to act smart" Naira retorted, crossing her hands. " Maa, Papa, in whose team are you in" Naira asked with a cute pout

"I am in my daughter's team" Swarna said and hugged Naira. Manish said "I am in my sons..." only to earn a glare from Swarna and immediately rushed to Naira's side

Karthik was amused at his father. " All wives are the same" he mumbled and looked to Mansi and Luv Kush

"Oy bhabhi ki chamchas, why are you here. Go and take her side" he told them. Laughing, they went and took her side and Naira stuck out her tongue at Karthik again

"I am on my grandson's side always" Dadi said as she walked to Karthik and kissed his forehead

"At least your mind has not been poisoned by my wife Dadi, thank heavens for that" Karthik said, trying to fake tears, sending his siblings into peals of laughter.

"I am on my Papa's side too. Nobody dare trouble him" said a small voice, which belonged to a small girl with her hands on her hips. " I love you my choti sherni" Karthik said, picking up his princess in his arms.

"Vaise Maansi, how come suddenly you are here" Karthik asked her

"Bhaiya in our 4th year, we have to practice medicine along with a senior doctor, in a hospital. I chose Udaipur's City hospital. So now if you trouble anyone, I will give you an injection" she said wagging her fingers at her elder brother

"Oh...  I am very scared" Karthik laughed " I'll have to put up with you now, god save me for that"

Maansi's face fell instantly " I am sorry Bhaiya. I did not want to be a burden to you, which is why I avoided coming home even in the holidays. I missed all of you so much that I wanted t be with all of you for sometime"

Karthik went to his sister " Don't speak like an idiot, or I will give back the same injection to you" he smacked her on his head

"I do not want anyone to think like they are a burden. Family cam never be a burden. They are my biggest strength and the biggest wealth I have. I hope everyone understands this" he said, the last line was picked up by Shubam who had just entered the house, who felt like those words were for him.

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