HEART - MANUFACTURED WITH A COCONUT SHELL

*6*

Sanskar reached the room his sister was. She had woken up by now. “Bro...” she looked at him excited but his fallen face made her realize that he is not with the person she wanted to see right now.

“Where is she?” she asked as Sanskar neared her. He did not answer. “Where is Bhabi?” she asked looking behind him.

“She...”

“I am here” he stopped in his steps when he heard her voice. Turning around his eyes met with hers. She avoided his gaze and smiled brightly walking towards Sara who was beyond happy. Her happiness reached a new peak as Ragini embraced her in a warm caring hug.

“I am so glad you are here” Sara moved out of the hug. “I am glad too” Ragini smiled back caressing her cheek lovingly. “You know how much I missed you Bhabi” Sara's eyes sparkled. Ragini's smile faltered and her eyes met with Sanskar who was standing at the other edge of the bed now.

She smiled weakly moving her eyes to Sara.

“I never knew I had such a cute little sister though” they heard a voice and looked at the door. Holding Aniket he walked inside and Ankita was walking beside him. Ragini stood from her place and he stood beside her. Sara narrowed her eyebrows looking at him.

“I'm sorry do I know you?” Sara asked confused. Sanskar stiffened in his position. The man smiled at Sara and then looked at Sanskar. After some seconds his eyes moved to Sara again.

“Just now you called her Bhabi and your Bhabi's husband will be your brother right?” he smiled at her. Sara did not smile back. She still had no idea what was happening.

“I think we need to let her rest now” Sanskar moved near the bed and tried to make her sleep.

“Hi. I am Ayan. I am her husband” he forwarded his hand. Sara was shocked. Ragini closed her fist and controlled all her emotions.

Sanskar closed his eyes fearing his sister's reaction. “Okay thank you for coming. Can you please leave now?” Sanskar spoke coldly. Ayan's smile faded as he drew his hand back. Ragini closed her eyes and her nostrils flared up.

“Bro...” Sara turned to her brother. Ayan walked with Aniket still clinging to his neck and Ankita beside him. “What the hell was he talking” Sara's eyes were struggling to drop tears as Sanskar held her shoulders and tried to make her sleep.

“Sara... you need rest” he calmly spoke though there was a tornado running in his mind. Ragini tried to reach her but her hand felt a grip on her wrist. “Mumma...” Ankita called her who ran back to her mother.

Sara looked at the girl shocked. Ragini closed her eyes letting out some tears. She had no courage to stand in front of Sara. She walked towards the door along with Ankita.

“Bro...” Sara turned to her brother shocked. “You need to rest” he said like not hearing anything. “What the hell is happening? Are you going to tell me or not?” she jerked his hands.

“Sara please listen to me. More than anything you need right now is rest” he looked into her eyes. Sara looked inside his brother's eyes. “Why are you doing this?” she asked him painfully. He did not answer but made her lye down and covered her with the quilt. He sat beside her patting her head. “Bro..” she spoke in a low voice.

“Please Sara.. You know I don't like confronting” he begged her. She first time felt how difficult it was for her brother to hold back the emotions and he was doing it still.

She knew her brother never let flow his emotions ever. All he did was just take a deep breath and bury them deep down his heart and those emotions evaporated and formed a shell around his heart. Like a coconut his heart looked tough outside. But within it was vulnerable, broken. And all he did was cover it with a stiff face.