Rajwanshi Series By Swati Sandeep, A glimpse into their life.

Maan glared at the boy standing before him with his head lowered. If he had not caught him dishing sass to Roohi, he would have never known that his younger brother had a devilish side. The boy kept it well hidden.

“I asked you a question, Abhimaan?” Maan’s tone hardened. 

Abhi flinched. He could never handle Maan’s anger, or his father’s. Thankfully, Ashok was out of town, but he knew the minute he found out about his behavior, he would get an earful, and to mention the  punishment that followed. Abhi stifled a groan. He was still being grounded for getting into a fight at school. Not that the fight was his fault. It was a kickboxing match gone wrong. Their only fault being it was not an official match, rather a friendly match that went bad. The boy was in equal trouble at home. Abhi wished the elders could be a little more lenient. 

“Abhimaan.”

“I was only joking with Di, Bhaiya.” Abhi dared to mutter. 

“You were not joking. There is a thin line between taking liberties and misbehaving. Roohi treats you like a friend, but she will soon become Arjun’s wife. Your Bhabhi. Have you ever taken the tone with Akshu?”

Abhi looked down feeling guilty. He shared a different relationship with Aakaksha. He had never known his mother's love, but somewhere Akshu became his mother. He was well loved by both his sisters, but it was Aakaksha who stayed with him. Who took care of his needs, corrected his mistakes, shared his worries. Despite being his older brother’s wife, she treated him the same way she treated her son.  Ash and Roohi would always have a special space in his heart, but Akshu was his mother. 

“Abhimaan….”

“Bhaiya, can I have a minute?” Arjun’s voice cut through the silence. Abhi thanked his stars. At the rate Maan was going, Abhi was sure he would spend the better part of the day kneeling in the study. He adored his Bhaiya, but hated those creative punishments. Sometimes he wished Maan used the cane then dish out his punishments. That cane would only hurt physically, but the sting of his Bhaiya’s punishments lasted for days.

“I will be there, Arjun. Let me…”

“Bhaiya, please.” 

Maan’s head shot up at the urgency he heard in Arjun’s voice. Abhi turned around to look at Arjun. He thought his Bhaiyu was trying to save him, but the tone worried him. “Aap theekh ho, Bhaiyu? (Are you fine, Bhaiyu?)”

Arjun forced a smile on his face and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Go take a break. Bhaiya will continue with the lecture later.” He gave him a wink.

Abhi smiled, but he could not shake off his worry and gently reached for Arjun’s hand. “Kuch hua kya? (Did something happen?)”

Arjun shook his head. “Aru wants to go to the park. Why don’t you take him out?”

Abhi nodded his head. If it was related to their work, Abhi knew Arjun would not tell. He quickly hugged him and stepped back. “I have a cultural event on Friday. Will you come?” 

Arjun sighed at the unspoken question. It was Abhi’s way of asking if he would be going on a mission again.

“If dad lets you attend the event after the stunt you pulled, your Bhaiyu will definitely attend.” Maan answered for him. “If I were in your place, I would not keep my hopes high.”

Abhi winced inwardly. His Bhaiya knew how to make his displeasure known. He dared to look at him. “Can I have a small hug?”

“Because you have done something commendable?”

Arjun sighed as Abhi’s face fell. He had been on the receiving end of his Bhaiya’s anger too many times to know what Abhi felt. It was not easy to take the silent rebukes. “Ofcouse you can, bachcha. He can be as mad as he wants, but he will not stop you from taking comfort. He likes to play the meaning card.” Arjun whispered the last part loudly. “We know that right?”

Abhi smiled. That was why he loved his Bahiyu, the man always understood his unspoken emotions. Abhi gathered his courage and hugged. Maan did not give up until Maan wrapped his arms around him. Abhi rested his head on Maan’s shoulders. They were almost the same height, but Abhi always found comfort in the familiar embrace. No matter how old he became, Maan would always be his home. His first family.

“Sorry, I won’t do it again.” He whispered softly, so only Maan could hear.

Maan gave him a gentle pat on his back, in silent acknowledgement and nudged him along. He would deal with the boy later, but he could not ignore Arjun. 

“Kya hua?” Maan asked the moment the study door closed behind Abhi.

Arjun lowered himself on the couch, dropping the act. 

“Where does it hurt?” Maan’s frown deepened. He could read the pain in his brother’s eyes. He was shooting for an album for three days. It involved intense dance sequences and some irrational stunts. Maan never understood the need for such things, but never questioned it. Music was Arjun’s passion. And the career was a good facade to mask his identity. Some things were unavoidable.

“Everywhere.” Arjun answered with a sigh.

Maan shook his head. Arjun rarely ever showed weakness. If he had come to him, it only meant the pain was unmanageable.

“Want a massage?”

Arjun was dying for one, his lower back was killing him.

“Let’s go to the terrace. I will get the oil heated.”

Arjun held his hand and stopped him. “Abhi is at home, Bhaiya. If he sees the bruises he will worry.”

“What bruises?" Maan’s eyes widened in shock.

Arjun removed his shirt, and Maan gasped in shock. “Yeh sab kya hai, Aru? (What is this madness, Aru?)”

“Fight sequence, Bhaiya.” Arjun gave a sheepish smile. “I did not want a body double.”

“And you had to play it dumb and take hits?” Maan’s eyes glinted. Arjun played the fool. For the world he was a silly rockstar who liked to splurge on women and alcohol. If only they knew what lay beneath the mask, they would never dare to call him names.

“It’s part of the trade.”

“It’s not, Aru.” Maan shook his head. “I know you have to put on an act, but sometimes you need to put people in their place. The world believes what it believes, but you cannot do this any more. I do not appreciate the bruises on your body, or the alcohol you induce in your system. Both have to stop.”

“Bhaiya….”

“I gave you time, Arjun. I thought with time you will realize that there is no need to go to extreme lengths, but each day this keeps going worse. You are going to get married. Roohi will be the one dealing with your bruises. Do you understand what it does to a woman to see her man in pain?”

Arjun looked away.

“I don’t care what you think about this, Aru. But you will put an end to this madness. There will be no more drinking. You won’t come back home with injuries, unless they are the ones that are truly unavoidable. Do I make myself clear?”

Silence.

“Arjun Ashok Rajwanshi, I asked you a question.”

Arjun winced. The man knew what to say to get his compliance. “I will try.” he looked down and muttered. The Black Phoenix could give his commander sass, but they were at home and it was his Bhaiya who was upset. Arjun knew when to give in.

“Try harder then. Stay put, I will be back.”

Arjun bobbed his head. It was not like he could go running around. He really needed the message. Arjun closed his eyes, hoping his Bhaiya would not stay mad for long. He knew he would get in trouble, but it was only before Maan that he could be himself. Only with his brother could he share his pain. Exhaustion took over and he slowly drifted off to sleep. He did not wake up until he felt a warm towel press against his skin.

Arjun rubbed the sleep from his eyes and saw his Bhaiya attending to his bruises. “So jaa. (Sleep.) I will take care of these.”

Arjun made himself comfortable on the couch. He preferred his bed, but was feeling too lazy to make his way back to the bedroom.

“Did you talk to Roohi today?” Maan asked as he carefully applied the heated towel to the bruises. Epsom salt worked wonders with bruises. Arjun did not have any cuts, so it would not burn. The slight heat would only bring relief. The angry jabs on the skin were turning purple. His brother was a real idiot!

Arjun hummed in response.

“Does she know about this shoot?”

Arjun hummed again. Which meant she did not know. Maan shook his head. Arjun needed someone like Roohi. The girl knew how to make herself heard.

“Call and tell her yourself.”

When Arjun did not respond, Maan pressed the towel harder against the bruise. 

“Ouch.” Arjun winced in pain. “Kya kar rahe ho, yaar. Jali. (What are you doing, Yaar. It hurts.)”

“Good. Now answer.”

“We are not on talking terms.” Arjun huffed as he sat down. His Bhaiya could be mean when he chose to.

“Again?” Maan shook his head. “What did you do now?”

“Are you my Bhaiya or hers?” Arjun’s eyes flashed with annoyance.

Maan smiled. Arjun was always possessive. He did not care how much attention he gave to everyone, but he expected 100% support. Even when he was in the wrong. “Yours.” Maan said softly. “Iseleye keh raha hoon, baat kar le. (That is why I am asking to talk to her.) Women are never wrong. The sooner you realize it, the happier you will be in life.” 

“It was her fault.”

"Doesn't make a difference. Call her and make peace.”

“Why?” Arjun looked annoyed.

“Beacuse you love her.” Maan ruffled his hair. “Is the couch comfortable?”

Arjun nodded his head.

“Would you like sleeping on the couch?”

Arjun shook his head.

“The best way to avoid the couch is to keep our women happy. You are not married yet, but you will be soon. I don’t want my child sleeping on the couch, not even when he deserves it.”

Arjun huffed. He was not the type to humor a woman’s tantrums. When he got married and they fought, his pretty wife would be the one taking the couch. He was not as soft hearted as his Bhaiya. Roohi did not know what was coming for her! Maan read the look of defiance in Arjun’s eyes and smiled to himself. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way. And his child would soon learn a very hard lesson. And for once, Maan was looking forward to it.

Like the Rajwanshi's?

Catch their story in the Rajwanshi Series.

Book 1- Witness Releasing this October.