chapter 12

Bhumi reached her home with mixed emotions, She is happy that she could share her pain with someone, Sanjay.At the same time, she is so sad, Three days, She can't see him. It's not that she will be with him all the time but she got connected to him so Sanjay is taking Bhumi in his car to a restaurant, It's 8 in the evening.Sanjay wants to spend some more time with Bhumi alone, She is with him from the morning and how can he let her go like that, he wants to make the evening so special for her.He won't be in the city for the next three days and he is going to miss Bhumi like hell.He halted the car in front of a restaurant.Bhumi wants to go to the home quickly, She doesn't want to leave Kunal alone, he is not in a good state of mind.But Sanjay's pleading eyes do the magic again. She smiled and walked behind him.Sanjay already booked a table for them and ordered all her favorites.Rahul gave him enough information, She suppressed the smile about to creep on her lips.This man is full of surprises she thought, As she says he is dangerous.Both sat in opposite chairs and started eating their dinner.Sanjay's phone started ringing and he answered the call quickly."Sanjay" It's Neeraj on the other side."Neeraj" Sanjay felt something is wrong, He sounds so much worried.He smiled at Bhumi and walked out to the lobby."Have you seen Kunal?" Neeraj asked a bit hastily.Sanjay didn't get why Neeraj is in a hurry."No...no" He stuttered."Ah...Where this Idiot went?" Neeraj is shouting.Sanjay truly knows,how dangerous Neeraj's anger is?Neeraj is angry and so worried."Is everything okay?" Sanjay took a second to ask him."No...not at all, Kunal is missing, I could find this bloody....  anywhere, Where haven't I searched for him, He didn't come to office even." He took a pause and gasped some air."I even called Sukriti, she too doesn't know anything. Where has he gone? Idiot?Stupid?...." Neeraj is literally unstoppable.Sanjay understood the situation well. He stopped talking to Kunal for the past three days, He is upset, he is upset with Kunal's behavior.But Neeraj never left him, his side.He is there taking care of Kunal like a brother, though he scolded him for his behavior, he tried his best to know the reason behind Kunal's pain.Despite Neeraj's severe warnings, Kunal is roaming all over the city like a nomadic. He seldom comes to the office or goes home.This irritated angered Sanjay a lot.How can be Kunal so apathetic?He needs to be safe for his family, friends.But Neeraj asks Sanjay to think from Kunal's perspective too."Wait, I will come..." Sanjay took a second and said, pressing the bridge of his nose."No need, I took the help of Police, We will find him, but I need you to do something," Neeraj asked Sanjay."Yeah, tell me..." Sanjay spoke looking at Bhumi.She is sitting calmly, chewing some food, but her eyes searching for him every corner of the restaurant.A smile crept on his lips, He felt sorry at the same time he left her insanely at the table, she looks so lost in her thoughts."Can you attend a meeting for me? You know it's about the new project" Neeraj asked a bit hesitantly.Sanjay felt bad, from when did his friend started hesitating to ask favor from him.This did hurt Sanjay for a second.Neeraj understood his expression but he is feeling helpless, which made him blurt it.Neeraj thought he will convince his idiot friend tomorrow, but now he has to search Kunal."I will."He said stressing every letter, muttering something.Neeraj chuckled at his mutterings."I am angry with him Neeraj, I don't mean I won't care for him," Sanjay said as soft as he can after a second."No need for any explanation Sanjay, I know you well, I am informing you because he is our friend, you care for him" Neeraj has this habit.He never beats around the bush, He gives all his answers straight on the face without any hesitation, Whoever they may be, Whether it is Sanjay or even his better even Swapna.Sanjay heaved a sigh out of relaxation.They both smiled for a second.The silence on both sides seemed very comfortable."I will call you later," Neeraj is about to cut the call."Update me time to time" Sanjay ordered."Okay..." Neeraj cut the call.Sanjay's face fell, He walked to Bhumi with a heavy heart.What hasn't he imagined?What just happened? He couldn't even have dinner with her properly.Kunal! He muttered some curses under his breath.Bhumi smiled at him broadly soon he came back. He smiled a bit sadly.She understood something is wrong with him.What is it? She sat peeping into his eyes searching for his answers.She has a pair of mesmerizing eyes, He couldn't take his eyes off.For a second he forgot all his worries, He sighed at her dreamily.How good it will be if he could spend some more time with her? He searched for something in his pocket.Maybe its too early to ask her hand, he thought, maybe this is not the perfect time.He tried to convince his heart.What just he bought for her is a ring.He kept a grumpy face and sat there gazing all over."Sanjay!" Bhumi spoke slowly."Huh...?!" He lifted his head and looked at her eyes."Eat..." She said chewing the lost morsel of food.He faked a smile."Finished?" He asked trying to act surprised."Yes!" She nodded."Bhumi, I got a call and I have to attend an urgent work, meeting" He said trying not to meet her eyes.She quickly glanced at her watch and its already late, she has to go home."I will book a cab for you" He asked hesitantly.Actually, he is running out of time, he has to be there within fifteen minutes or so.It will take at least half an hour for him to reach the destiny at this peak time.Bhumi got the reason for his hesitation and gave a pleasant smile at him."Don't worry, I will go by cab" She assured.He sat there recklessly, She caught his hand and patted it gently.He looked at her in surpriseShe smiled with a faint blush on her lips.Sanjay looked at her priceless expression and just captured it with his eyes.His face gleamed with pride, don't know what it is? But he is feeling excited.They both walked to his car with heavy hearts.The cab is waiting therefor Bhumi."Bhumi," Sanjay called her.She turned around and stood there looking into his eyes.A moment of silence....."I have some work, I won't be in the city for the next three days..." He said keeping a sullen face.She truly doesn't know how to respond, she can't see him for the next three days.Only three days, her heart tried to console her, still, three days is a big thing, She sighed.She stood there fluttering her eyes."I promise I will be back by...." He tried to say something, but his words stuck soon she he saw her pale face, a lump in his throat make him choke.He cursed himself, He spoiled the beautiful moment, he can he blurt it.Till the last moment, the day went truly beautifully.Why spoil this evening by revealing it.He scowled at himself.But he didn't expect this, he never thought her cute pale face would make him choke.Bhumi faked a smile and got into the cab without a word.His heart clenched looking at her, she is going away from him, and he can't see her for the next three days.He hopes everything will be fine by the time he comes back.They don't know how many surprises are waiting for them both in these three days.To be continued.Tell me how it is, please.Please do vote and comment.Thank youTake care..She has to wait three days to explore new things about him, his friendship.She entered hall absentmindedly. She could see the wide-open door and someone is there inside the house."Kunal" She shouted his name.There is no power and she couldn't see anything clearly."Kunal, is that you?" She got frightened and asked in a worried tone."Who is that?" She lifted her head to see someone holding a candle."Neeraj..." She looked at him in utter disbelief, he is Sanjay's friend, What is he doing here, she is afraid."Bhumi...." He remembers her name, he saw her with Sanjay at the studio.Is she Kunal's StepsisterKunal told him that his stepsister is living with him.So Bhumi is Kunal's sister, he confirmed."Sir...Neer..." She is stammering and looking around to get a hold of something."Bhumi...Stop" He quickly caught her hand, Which is about to grab vase or something."I am Kunal's friend, .....Kunal's friend..." Neeraj said stressing two words.He is controlling his anger, he is really exhausted physically, he has been searching for her brother from the morning and hasn't eaten anything."Kunal's friend" Bhumi slumped her shoulders and threw it away, trying to free her hand from his grip."Sorry...sorry"Both of them blurted at once. Neeraj released her hand and stood there holding the candle."Where is Kunal, sir..sir?" She asked with a pale face, it became a habit for him to come home roaring drunk and mess the things.What should she call him? Sir? she can't call him Neeraj, she looked at him in confusion."He is sleeping....." He pointed at his bedroom"Dead drunk, injured and oblivious about his surroundings" Neeraj is really worried about his friend.And the pain in his tone made her aware of how much Neeraj cares for her brother."Oh my god" Her eyes became moist."Can you get me some water? Please" Neeraj asked her sitting on the couch, He switched on the mobile torchlight.She came back with a water bottle.Finally, the power came.He took it into his hand and sat there with a grumpy face, gulping down the cold water.She went to his room and saw the mess he created.She started cleaning it,Red color sticky fluid!What is it?!Bhumi looked at two-three drops on the floor."Blood...." Bhumi freaked out in fear.Neeraj closed his eyes for a second.He quickly walked into his room."Stay away Bhumi," He said in a composed tone."He got injured while climbing the steps, a nail stuck into his calf muscles" He said pointing at the injury."I changed the bedsheet but forget to clean the mess." Neeraj looks so tired.She gave a pale smile and cleaned it.They both sat there in the hall in the thick silence.Bhumi glanced at Neeraj, he needs some rest. She looked at his face, much exhausted, with puffy red eyes.His phone rang for a second."Swapna" He addressed the other person on the call.Bhumi sat there observing him, hearing his conversation."Where are you Neeraj? It's almost 11" She is worried, Swapna didn't catch a glimpse of him since the morning.He felt bad for her, his children."Ah! I got stuck in the traffic jam, Swapna. I am at Kunal's house" Neeraj said half the truth, rubbing his nape."Oh" She sighed out of disappointment.She knows he can't come home now."Dinner, Did you eat your dinner? or simply skipped it?" She is posing a series of question"N..." Neeraj is a bit taken back by her question.He swallowed the answer and took a second to respond.He said holding his forehead."Dinner, I eat at a restaurant with Kunal.." He lied successfully.Swapna is not convinced with his answer, but she sensed how tired he is? It's not time to bicker with him."Neeraj..." Swapna sweetly and softly.His heart sank for a second.He is lying openly to Swapna and he hates it, but revealing the truth will make her worry more and it doesn't help her at it."Did Eeshu and Sudhan sleep?" He asked trying to divert the topic.But he is truly missing his kids, He knows well Eshe might make things tough for her mother.He felt bad for Swapna, she alone has to take care of his kids and father.But this time he wants to end this for once, forever.He is waiting for Kunal to gain some senses. He will finish this for once."Yes, they kept asking you all the time" She sighed.They talked for a while and cut the call.Bhumi didn't pay much attention to their conversation, but somehow she learned one thing, he didn't eat his dinner.It can be seen through his face, how tired he is?She felt bad for him and prepared something at midnight.She walked to the hall and saw him sleeping on the couch.She doesn't have any idea how to wake him, she stood there with a plate full of food."Sir...Mr.Neeraj..."She is searching for a word to wake him upNeeraj woke up and looked at with a pale face."Sorry, ""Sorry."He stuttered."I will stay here tonight. I will take him to the hospital tomorrow, I think you have no problem....."He shook his head and explained things to her.She smiled with a pale face.She saw him with Sanjay, Sanjay did mention about him twice. Sanjay adores him like a brother, much more than that.She trusts Sanjay, So she can trust Neeraj. She wanted to call Sanjay but thought for a while., its almost midnight.A thick awkward silence filled the room. She forwarded the meal she prepared for him.Neeraj didn't expect it.He didn't take it for a second.She felt bad, her brother rejected her, while his friend rejected the food prepared by her.What can she expect more?So simple, she looked away.He took it into his hand after a second realizing what it is and started eating it slowly, gulp by gulp chewing with a sad face."Thank you" He took a mouth full of food and looked at Bhumi with a plain face.He really needed something to eat, he is physically exhausted, He thanked her again.She smiled a bit."You can call me Bhaiya, Bhumi," Neeraj said taking another gulp, looking at her hesitation.Bhumi's eyes became moist, She smiled at him instantly.Her eyes fell on Kunal, She looked at her brother lying on the bed like a dead corpse, roaring drunk.He hates her and asked her to call him by his name."Bhumi" Neeraj got confused with her reaction.He felt worried, maybe his presence is making her uncomfortable he thought.He took another morsel and stood up to take the food in the balcony.She looked at him crouching her eyebrows."It's so cold out Bhiaya" She mumbled trying to smile awkwardly.He sat back on the couch and kept eating, chewing the food slowly"Bhaiya" Neeraj felt happy."Do you hate him Bhumi?"Neeraj asked out of the blue.She didn't expect this question from him, a random person.Maybe he is his friend, but for her, he is a random person.She didn't answer, she just shook her head in answer."Do you know Bhumi which made this guy like this, heartless?"He questioned.Does she know anything about him?No! She doesn't know a single thing about her brother, Kunal."His mother's death...." He answered his question."He waited for your dad to turn up  almost for two days, keeping his mom's corpse at his home..." Neeraj heaved a heavy sigh.He can feel his pain, he has seen him undergoing it all alone.It's heart-wrenching for him to explain his friend's situation.He felt a lump in his throat.She shed a tear without her notice."Yes, he came to your house, he roamed all over the city for your dad to inform her death..., he has no one to take care of her....."He stopped."No one was there for him, Bhumi...""No one..."She looked at him quickly, Now she knows that incident might have effected him worse, It could be a reason for his hatred towards them."I know, He can't justify his actions with that incident but that incident created a worse impact on him.""He started hating your mom for no reason.....""He thought she didn't send your dad to his mom's funeral.."He closed his eyes tightly."I tried my best to convince him but..." He sat there slumping his shoulders."No one knows about it Bhumi, He shared with me alone."He took another gulp of water, Keeping the empty plate aside."He is cursed Bhumi, He loves Sukriti much but she misunderstood her terribly, so badly.""I don't know what their problem is?""I know I shouldn't talk about it but, I am not allowed but he truly loves Sukriti.""You know, he even spent ten days on death bed for her, Her father almost killed him."Neeraj told a spine chilling fact.Bhumi stood there frozen.She looked at Kunal, roaring drunk, and asking Prajwal all the time."Sukriti went back to her father taking Prajwal with her, he couldn't digest that. He needs answers, answers for his suffering""He doesn't know whom to blame, What to do?""He is cursed""His stringent behavior, his dimwit are making thing even worse for him""He needs a nice lesson Bhumi.." He sighed.Bhumi didn't speak anything but sat there listening to his words.She learned many things about her brother and they are quite shocking.She has decided she needs to work more on this relationship, her brother is really a beast, He is Mr.Rude.To be continued..Please let me know how it isPlease vote and commentThank youTake care