A Heart of Stone with a Coat of Gold

The Forlorn Brother

Author's Note- I'm really sorry for keeping this series on hold for so long. I had been busy and troubled too. My troubles are not important, and that is no excuse for you guys to have been kept waiting. I am sorry and ashamed. Please forgive me.

Regards,

The Author

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When Anu had offered to take care of Aryan, she hadn't realised what actually she was getting into. She had never imagined it would take all of her time and energy just to tend to such a tiny creature. In fact, it took more than that. From morning till evening, it was all about feeding the kid, carrying him, playing with him, and the worst part - changing the diapers. Still, the only silver lining was she hadn't had any time to worry about her results. 

That morning too, Aryan woke up, wailing at the top of his lungs. Neel had left early. So it was all up to a thoroughly sleep deprived Anu to try to pacify the shrieking baby. It was after an hour or so that he went back to sleep. A bit relieved, Anu slumped back on the sofa. Barely had she closed her eyes, the doorbell rang. 

Anu cursed out aloud. She expected it to be a salesman, and with a big frown written all over her face, she opened the door. However, she calmed herself as she saw the man on the door. He was wearing a green army uniform and had a big military rucksack on his back. Though this guy was a bit muscular, the resemblance to Neel was uncanny. 

The man looked a bit tired, still, there was a  smile pasted on his face, something which seemed so out of place, knowing her husband. "Hello Dhruv Bhaiyya",  Anu greeted him courteously and invited him. The man simply nodded and entered. He placed his rucksack carefully on the floor, resting against the wall and took a seat on the sofa. He then turned towards her. "How are you doing Anu?", the man asked warmly.

Anu had only met her brother-in-law twice, once during her marriage and the other time when she had visited Meera. They had exchanged a few pleasantries but barely had a real conversation. Other than knowing that he was in the military, she barely knew anything else.

"I am doing well,", she answered. "You seem a bit tired. Would you like to have some tea?"

The man gave out the heartiest laugh. "I'm not Neel, Anu. I hate tea.  A glass of water would be fine." Anu was surprised. Intrinsically, she had assumed a lot about Dhruv based on her husband. But moment by moment, she could see the apparent difference. 

Anu soon brought some water and cookie. Dhruv hastily gulped them unabashed and then drank the water in one go; he sure was hungry. Anu couldn't help smiling. The man in front of her, lively and warm, was unrestrained in the truest sense. Not like her husband who relished being shackled. One who was content in his own pathos, not even wishing to step into the light.

She saw it now, other than their faces, they were barely alike. Dhruv's aura, it exuded a warmth so much more livable than the coldness which shrouded Neel. His eyes although were also blue, but unlike him, they danced to his words, they shouted to the world that he was alive. 

And the thing that separated both the men the most, was their smiles. Dhruv's smile was bright like he was looking at the sun. On the other hand, Neel rarely smiled, and when he did, it seemed as if he was merely amused by the hopelessness of all things around him.

Dhruv sure was a talkative man. "I came back here straight from my post. I guess it couldn't hurt to take a stop before home would it?" he said, as he stuffed yet another cookie. "So where's my big brother?"