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Jaydev put Shruti on the bed and took a glance at her injured knee.
" Why are you so clumsy?"
He heaved a sigh and she glared at him.
" Let me be clumsy and don't behave like this again. I am not a thing which you can always pick up."
She scoffed angrily and crawled back on the bed. He walked toward his suitcase while saying,
" By the way, don't you eat anything? You weigh nothing to me."
She frowned, " I am 55. How can I not weigh anything?"
He shrugged his shoulders and she looked down to her injured knee. It is scratched badly. Blood has stained that part of her trouser as well.
He came back in the next two minutes and she eyed antiseptic cream and cotton in his hand.
" No way! I'll do it myself," she said.
He sat down beside her and handed her both the things. She huffed internally and started pulling her trouser up. She folded it just above her knee.
He looked at her face then injury. As expected she made a face seeing the blood. Perks of knowing her since childhood. She is too afraid of injuries and medicines. Back to her childhood days, she would start crying and bring the whole house over head whenever she tripped or something.
But right now she was adamant not to show her emotions. He studied her expression and a small smile full of amusement appeared on his face when she lifted her gaze and requested,
" Aap kar do na. Jalega bahut."
( Please can you do it. It will hurt a lot.)
And he ended up chuckling.
She's still a baby- he mentally said and took both cotton and cream from her.
Without making any comments, he decided to cure her. Shruti licked her lower lip and tilted her head to watch him.
Her expression changed into pain when he started cleaning the blood.
" Ss! Dheere dheere karo na," she complained.
( Do it slowly.)
He stopped his movement momentarily before beginning the process of cleaning blood again. Slowly.
" Are- you are not doing it properly- sss!"
Jaidev's patience started weakening due to her continuous complaints. Somehow he cleaned the blood according to her wishes.
Shruti blinked her eyes and stared at the antiseptic cream for a longer time than usual. She knew it would burn a lot so she started preparing herself.
He put the cream on a clean cotton and brought it close to her knee.
" Wait wait wait. Do it slowly ha? It burns a lot."
He nodded and cotton was just an inch apart from the injury when she stopped him again.
" You know, let me do this-"
" Chup!"
( Shut Up!)
She startled and he lifted his eyes only to glare at her.
" If you interrupted me once again, I will pour the whole cream on your knee. Don't you dare speak now."
He threatened her and looked down to her knee again. She gulped down her saliva and fisted her hand when he started bringing the cotton close to her injury.
The time it touched her fresh injury, a burning sensation rushed down her spine. Her eyes closed tightly and she refrained herself from creating nuisance.
He dabbed the cotton and lifted his eyelashes only to stare at her reaction. The very next moment, Shruti felt a slight cold sensation along with a burning sensation. She opened her eyes and found him blowing air on her injury while applying medicine.
Her scrunched eyebrows calmed down, expression softened and she couldn't stop herself from staring at the current sight. He looked so caring and maybe it was her illusion..
Whatever it was.
She felt something strange.
Something very very strong.
Slowly the pain went away from her mind and she just kept looking at him. She was trying to understand him and her own feelings. There was only one similarity in these two. Neither she was able to understand her feelings nor him.
After completing his work, he stood up and threw the dirty cotton in a dustbin. He put the medicine back into his suitcase. Her eyes followed his every movement. From turning lights off to climbing up on the bed. She noticed every single movement.
He put the duvet over himself and faced his back at her. She looked behind and finally understood him.
The way he turned his back ironically depicted his intentions towards her. He would never care for someone like her. This was her madness to create false feelings. He will always turn his back on her and she will be left alone. It would be better if she does not allow such feelings to enter her heart.
She lay down and faced her back at him. Just when she chose to forget every silly thought, she felt him turning to her side.
" Agar dard ho to batana," he said and closed his eyes.
( Tell me if it hurts.)
She felt her heart beat instantly accelerating. She clutched her left chest and closed her eyes slowly. A long tear escaped her eyes.
He always puts her at a point where she loses her ability to make a proper decision. Her paths become blurred. She is unable to find her way to him nor the opposite of him.
She sighed softly.
Marrying him undoubtedly turned her life confusing.
...
A 12 year old girl looked around in search of her family.
" Bhai," she whispered.
Her vision blurred with tears as she felt it difficult to get their sight in a crowded place. She wiped her tears and walked here and there to search for them. They came to the fair and she suddenly lost her family in a crowd.
While walking, she came across a couple. They had their daughter with them who was exactly the same age as her.
She blinked her eyes seeing the girl's parents' affection towards her. Her expression turned blank and suddenly their moment became interesting to her. An empty feeling rushed to her seeing them together. She found out a piece in her life was missing. Mother and father..
Smile formed on her lips which lasted only for a fraction of seconds when a hand covered her mouth and taking advantage of the crowd, she was forcefully taken somewhere she did not know.
Pakhi gasped loudly and sat up. She palmed her forehead and felt her heart beating loudly and her breath running heavy.
She licked her lower lip and wiped the sweat beads from her forehead. She grabbed her mobile from the nightstand and checked the time.
Exactly 4:00 AM.
She put the mobile back and decided not to sleep again. She was about to get down from the bed when a grip grasped around her wrist.
" Kya hua?"
( What happened?)
Aryan asked in a raspy and sleepy voice. She looked behind at him and shook her head.
" Nothing," her tone came out low.
He lifted himself up and repeated his question, " what's wrong?"
She sighed. He sounded desperate to know her situation.
" I said nothing," she replied in irritation and freed her hand from his grip. He frowned and watched her silently getting down from the bed and making her way to the bathroom after collecting her clothes.
He sat up and turned ON the table lamp. She looked troubled but did not want to let him know. Actually he knows everything about her life. Except for the last 5 years. Through his knowledge, he knows her life was never easy.
She was separated from her parents at a very tender age. She had Mama and mami but she was more attached to her brother. Her brother became her parents. That is why it is difficult for her to go against her brother. She can sacrifice her life for him. And why not? Her brother loves her so much. Both of them have gone through a lot.
He never wanted to be separated from Jaydev who could express his wish, childishness only with him.
In the next 30 minutes, she came back all freshen up. He watched her silently as she stood in front of the mirror. Knowing her mood wasn't good so he dropped the intention of talking to her right now.
He went to the bathroom and when he came back, he found her wearing her shoes.
He started getting ready and when he was done, he sat beside her on the couch. Noticing his presence, she turned off her mobile. Before she could utter a word, he grabbed her hand.
She looked at him confusedly while he put her hand in between his both hands and squeezed it tenderly.
" I have known you for so long. I have seen you growing up. I have seen your struggle of doing maths. I have protected you in the playground, confronted your enemies and much more."
She frowned, " when? I never saw you around me? Did you stalk me?"
He chuckled and shook his head.
" I was far away even while being near you. Your brother told me everything about you."
" Why didn't you ever show up then?"
Pakhi asked and he shrugged his shoulders in response, " because you were too young to meet me. I knew our relationship from the beginning but you didn't. Moreover you were too scared to encounter a guy that time. You were only comfortable with your mama and brother, if you remember."
She nodded and stared at her lap, " hm. I do."
He smiled, " Now, If you are ever in trouble, or some memories of the past haunt you, then don't hesitate to tell me. I love you and will never let you feel scared."
She looked back at his face. Her eyes filled with surprise and a slight confusion. She blinked her eyes and wondered if he really knew something she felt scared to even think about. If yes, then how?
He forwarded a smile and cupped one side of her cheek. She fluttered her eyelashes down as he leaned his face close to her and put his lips on her forehead.
She gulped down her saliva. Her heart skipped a beat and for a second, she felt like opening up to him but time and surroundings were not suitable.
She sighed softly and he withdrew his face.
" Uhm," she tucked the loose strands of her hair behind the ear.
" Sorry," she said.
He frowned, " for what?"
" I talked rudely to you," she replied regretfully. He chuckled and flicked her forehead.
" You are so silly. I am not angry."
He stood up and walked toward bed. She stared at him grabbing his jacket then putting it on himself.
" Chalein ab? Tumhara Bhai pagal ho raha hoga tumse milne ko."
( Shall we leave now? Your brother must be getting mad to see you.)
She stood up, " don't call my brother mad."
" Haye! Mere liye kab aise jawab dogi tum," he mumbled.
( When will you take a stand for me like this?)
" What?"
He shook his head, " nothing. Let's go."
She nodded and he grabbed his mobile and wallet then both went out of the room together. As they came out, they found Jaydev literally waiting impatiently outside his room while Shruti was looking here and there.
Jaydev's expression lightened seeing his sister and he walked toward her. Aryan locked his room then four of them started walking away.
Aryan frowned seeing his sister getting difficulty walking.
" Tumhe kya hua? Budhi ho gayi itni jaldi?"
( What happened to you? Have you grown old?)
Shruti passed him a disbelieving loom.
" Shut up, bhai. I hurt my knee."
" What?" Aryan was infuriated.
" Are you okay? How did it happen? Tell me who hurt you?"
Shruti and Pakhi felt embarrassed when people stared at them due to Aryan's quite loud voice.
" Cool down, bhai. I am okay."
" How can I? If someone can't take care of you then you can come back to me."
Jaydev raised his eyebrows and stopped on his track making three of them stop as well.
" Are you taunting me?"
He asked Aryan.
" Ji hn. Shaadi Kari hai na meri behan se? Dhyan nahi de paa rahe ab uska?"
( Oh yes. You have married my sister. Aren't you able to take care of her now?)
Aryan snapped. Pakhi and Shruti slapped their forehead because they successfully grabbed the attention of people. But a few.
" Bachi nahi hai tumhari behan. Use pehle dhang se chalna sikhao."
( Your sister is not a child. First teach her to walk properly.)
Shruti glared at Jaydev but being a sensible girl, she thought to argue over this some other time. Aryan charges toward him while saying,
" What did you say-"
" Bhai, please!"
Shruti quickly grabbed Aryan's arm and tried stopping him.
" I said what I said-"
" Bhai, enough. People are watching."
Pakhi murmured to her brother. Aryan and Jaydev shot a glare at each other for a few mere seconds then again started walking away.
Pakhi and Shruti took a breath of relief.
They went to a restaurant for breakfast. But the moment was still heated there. Jaydev and Aryan were pretty evident that they were bothered by each other's presence.
They were able to eat food in killing silence. After paying bills, they went to roam in the market and buy some things for themselves.
" Do you have a dress for tomorrow's party?" Shruti asked Pakhi who shook her head in denial.
" Shall we buy one?"
Shruti asked with an excited voice. Shopping and Pakhi refuse? Never in a million years.
" Do you guys want something?"
Shruti asked both the men who were walking behind them.
" No," they replied.
" They are so boring," Shruti mumbled to Pakhi.
" Listen, don't waste the whole day shopping, okay?"
Aryan reminded them.
" Okay," both of them replied in unison.
They searched for the best mall here and caught sight of a very splendid shopping centre. The show pieces were so eye captivating that they couldn't stop their feet from going there.
Aryan and Jaydev just followed them silently.
" Something red?"
Pakhi asked Shruti who hummed. Shopping is loving but time consuming. Well, girls were not affected but their men surely were bothered by the amount of time they were spending on a dress.
" It's been 1.5 hours. How much more time?"
Jaydev asked impatiently.
" Just 5 more minutes. We have selected a dress," Pakhi replied.
Jaydev and Aryan tilted their heads to get a view of the dress they were holding. Bodycon gown of red and white colour. The dresses were mesmerizing.
" Okay! It's good. Put it in the cart," Aryan said and hurriedly took the dress from them.
" Bhai-"
Shruti and Pakhi stared at him confusedly as he put the dress in the car and started sliding it away from there. Pakhi and Shruti huffed and followed him. Jaydev took a breath of relief and lifted his foot to walk but stopped on his track when he caught the glimpse of a familiar face.
He frowned and looked behind but found no one recognizable. He shrugged his shoulders and followed his family.
They bought some more things. Pakhi and Shruti forcefully bought for Aryan and Jaydev as well.
Aryan paid the bill before Jaydev could take out his card. Jaydev sighed softly because he wanted to pay this time. Leave it. He will do it some other day.
Pakhi was just standing beside Aryan when her eyes landed on his wallet which he opened to put his card.
Her expression softened and smile slowly faded seeing her own picture in his wallet. He put the wallet back into his pocket and she looked away hurriedly.
It was a small loving gesture but felt so much. When did he even click that picture?
" Let's go," Shruti pulled Pakhi out of the mall. Aryan and Jaydev carried the bags. They roamed for a while in the state until evening. They had street food as well. Only Shruti and Pakhi.
Through a stranger, they found out that there's a huge market held every Sunday. So many good things are available at affordable prices. It was enough to grab the girl's attention.
They came to the market and the rush was more than usual today.
" Why so much rush?" Jaydev irked.
" It's Sunday. There had to be a crowd today," Aryan replied absent-mindedly while looking around the people.
" Did I ask you?"
Jaydev raised his eyebrows at him and spatted rudely. Aryan knitted his eyebrows and looked at him,
" Did I answer you?"
" Yes you did," Jaydev snapped.
" Oh really? Did I say your name-"
" Stop being childish guys," Shruti interrupted them.
Aryan looked at her, " you always interrupt me. Am I the one who always argues?"
Shruti frowned, " huh..I meant-"
" Yes you do. That is why your own sister never let you speak," Jaydev mocked him.
" Shut up," Aryan rolled his eyes at him.
All of them failed to notice the current condition of Pakhi. She was feeling more uncomfortable in the crowd than them. She felt like leaving from there but knowing that Shruti wanted to buy some things, she kept quiet.
" Princess?"
" Hn?"
Pakhi looked at him.
" Let's go. Make sure you stick close to us, hmm."
Pakhi nodded. Jaidev's words rang a bell in Aryan's mind and he remembered that Pakhi gets scared in crowds. He grabbed her hand and intertwined his fingers with her.
Pakhi did feel a bit of comfort and protectiveness from him. It's high time that she should let go of her past. It's not like her past will repeat itself? She was a child at that time but now she's grown up.
She nodded at herself and walked with them.
Things were surely affordable here. So many beautiful things like wall painting, wooden utensils, and artificial jewelleries were eye-catching.
But at a particular corner, someone was clicking family pictures.
" Let's click some pictures there."
Shruti volunteered the idea.
" Yes," Pakhi agreed and without listening to Jaydev and Aryan, they walked toward the photographer.
" I am really not photogenic," Jaydev sighed and gritted his teeth at his sister and wife.
Aryan, too, did not want to click pictures but he suddenly wanted to because he wanted to annoy Jaydev.
" Bhai, come fast!"
Shruti called them. They walked toward them and heard Pakhi threatening the photographer.
" Make sure you do not ruin our pictures. My brother is a police officer and my husband is a lawyer."
Aryan and Jaydev's mouth hung open while Shruti laughed proudly at Pakhi. It was quite evident that Shruti was influencing Pakhi.
" Oh..okay," the photographer said nervously and gestured to them to stand in front of him. Photography drove away people who could interfere with its work by coming in front of the camera.
" Now, sir and mam please look at the camera and smile," he said to them.
Jaydev and Aryan cleared their throat. A very difficult work was on its way in which they had to give their best. Shruti-Pakhi were standing in the middle. Aryan was beside Shurti and Jaydev was standing beside Pakhi.
" Uhm.. sir please smile," the photographer said to Jaydev only. Three of them looked at him as he glared at the photographer.
" Just do your damn work," he said.
" Oh no, SP Sahab. If you won't smile then how will he click pictures? A smile doesn't ask for a tax. Please smile," Shruti lectured him.
Jaydev pinched the bridge of his nose, ran his fingers into his hair then nodded and tried smiling.
Pakhi chuckled, " bhai.. smile the same you smile with me. It looks so forceful."
Pakhi said.
" I can't. I am not photogenic, you know right?" Jaydev said irritatedly.
Aryan shook his head in disbelief and the photographer seemed impatient.
I think I have to jump in this matter.
Aryan said mentally and everyone including the photographer looked at Aryan as he walked toward Jaydev.
" What?"
Jaydev asked confusedly and a mischievous smile appeared on his face.
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