Swati Sandeep Kawach [book 2 in Raichand brother's duology] A one shot from the book

Sundays were made for lazing, and Andy embraced that wholeheartedly. Sprawled across his bed, he had no intention of waking up anytime soon. Even at 23, the simple miracle of opening his eyes each morning was lost on him. His Bhaiya swore by the wisdom of early risers, something about catching worms, but Andy had no interest in worms. His passion lay in computers, where efficiency ruled. Hard work, he had learned from Bhaiya, was the refuge of the untalented. Smart work, that was where true success lived.

He was content in his own little world, teetering on the edge of sleep, ready to drift back into its comforting haze. But then, his Bhaiya’s voice cut through the silence, booming from downstairs, summoning him for breakfast.

Andy groaned, burying his face deeper into the pillow. Waking up was overrated.

“Adhvaik, do you want me to come up?” Dev yelled again.

Andy reached for his pillow, not caring about the consequences, but a pair of firm hands grabbed the pillow from his hands and awarded him with a hard whack on his back. Andy’s eyes flew open, fearing that the angry lion came up to deliver on his threat, but the moment he realized it was Rudy instead, he grabbed the pillow back and plopped down on the bed.

Rudy grabbed him again and forced him to sit. “What are you doing, Andy? Maar khana hai kya subah subah? (Are you rooting for a punishment so early in the morning?)”

Andy buried his face into Rudy’s midriff. “Sone do na, Bhaiyu. (Let me sleep, Bhaiyu.) Sunday ke din kaun jaldi uthta hai? (Who wakes up so early in the morning on sundays?)”

“Abey 11 bajne wale hai. Bhaiya tera he intezaar kar rahe hai. (It’s almost eleven. Bhaiya is waiting for you.) This is the only day we get to have meals together, bachcha. Wake up now.”

Andy let out a dramatic sigh but opened his eyes. “Hitler ne kuch khaya nahi? (Did the Hitler have anything?)”

Rudy shook his head. “He is waiting for you. Now come down before he transforms into a roaring dragon. Our dragon hunter is not at home today. Let’s avoid trouble.”

Andy rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Bhabhi kahan gaye? (Where did Bahabhi go?)”

“Priya Bhabhi wanted to go shopping. You know how Bhaiya reacts when the women talk about shopping. He gave her his card and literally closed the door on her face. I feel sorry for Bhabhi.”

Andy rolled his eyes. He never understood his Bhabhi’s fascination for shopping. His Bhaiya’s reaction was justified. “Ab kya kharedna hia Bhabhi ko? (What does Bahbhi want to buy now?)”

“Shopping mall?” Rudy dead panned. Andy burst out laughing. His Bhaiyu had the best sense of humor in the world.

“So it’s only the Raichand men today?” Andy asked after recovering from the laughing spree.

Rudy nodded his head. 

“Arthu? Did Bhabhi take him along?”

“Do you think Bhaiya would let him go away on a sunday?” Rudy shook his head. “No chance. Come down, it's only us Raichand men. Let’s have some serious fun!”

Andy quickly hopped down from the bed. It sounded very appealing. He quickly took a shower and raced downstairs, hoping the baby was up. Little Atharva was the light of their life. Andy did not know how much he craved for a younger brother until Atharva came into their lives. Technically the boy was his nephew, but since he was his Bhaiya’s son, he always thought of Atharva as a sibling. The difference in their ages did not matter. All that mattered was the bond that they shared.

He heard the gurgling laughter from the kitchen and rushed to greet their little Prince. Three year old Atharva sat by the kitchen counter, laughing as Dev rolled up the pizza dough.

“Highel (Higher), papa.” Atharva demanded.

With a practiced flick of his wrists, Dev tossed the dough into the air. It soared, stretching into a perfect circle, before he expertly caught it and spun it again.

“Highel!” Atharva demanded again.

“Abey, aur kitna higher? (How much higher, kiddo?)” Andy picked him up from the counter and placed a firm kiss on his cheek.

Atharva’s smile widened as he saw his favourite Uncle. “Chachu icecleam (ice-cream)?)” He whispered so loud that Andy was sure the entire neighborhood heard him. The boy got him into trouble without meaning to. Dev was very strict about certain things. Ice-cream was a big no, since Atharva suffered from frequent colds. Andy did not even dare look at his Bhaiya.

“Does your chachu take you out for ice-cream rides?” Dev asked with a smile, but his eyes flashed with a glint that Athava was too young to understand. As Atharva said yes, Andy looked around for his Bhaiyu. He was in desperate need of a savior.

Dev offered his son a chocolate muffin, which he baked and set him down on the floor. “Aap jao aur Tv dekho. Mughe tere Andy chachu se kuch khas baat karne hai. (Go watch TV. I need to have a word with your Andy chachu.)”

Andy gulped and took a step back but Dev was quick to grab him. He knew his brothers like the back of his hand. He knew how they would react and how to keep them in line.

“Ab bataye Adwaik ji, yeh ice-cream rides ka kya chakkar hai? (Now tell me Andyji. What is this that I hear about the ice-cream rides?)”

Andy huffed and looked down. “Aap aise guess se baat kartey ho aapka bachcha kya he jwawab dega? (How can your child answer when you growl at him?)”

Dev shook his head. “Yahe nautanki tu aab Arthu ko sekha rahan hai na? (Are you teaching this mischief to Aarthu?)”

Andy warped his arms around Dev’s torso and buried his face into his warmth. He knew what worked with his Bhaiya. If Dev was really mad at him he would not have hesitated to make his ears ring. His Bhaiya was not the type to hold back, and Andy did not want it to change. Only after Atharva was born did Andy realize that Dev never showed any difference between him and Atharva. The rules were the same for him and Atharva. Dev was equally protective of them. Andy was blessed to have found a father in his Bhaiya.

Dev could not hold back and wrapped his arms around his little brother. The boy was all grown up, but whenever he looked at Andy all he could remember is the fifteen year old boy who came knocking at his door steps.

“Wow,” Rudy drawled. “Jab main Arthu ko ice-cream khane le jata hoon to aap mughe to itne pyar ke jhappe nahi detey. Upar se chappal se martey ho. (When I take out Arthu for ice-cream, you never give me a hug. Rather you show me your sandals.)”

“That is because you sneak him out in the middle of the night, genius.” Dev shook his head. “I don’t want Arthu learning your tricks so early.”

“Which means he can learn them later?” Rudy’s eyebrows shot up.

Dev did not deny it. Rudy was a smart man. He wanted his child to be like Rudy. Fierce, witty, resourceful and above all loyal.

Rudy gave him a gentle nudge. “Did I hear it right, Hitler Sahab? You want your child to learn my tricks?”

“My child already knows all the tricks. All I am trying to do is stop him from spoiling the other two.” Dev said as he dumped the pizza into the oven. 

Rudy hugged him from behind. Dev rarely ever showed his emotions, and when he did, it was overwhelming. Andy stepped out to give the two of them privacy. Of late he could feel that his Bhaiyu was stressed. He did not know what troubled his Bahiyu, but he really needed the assurances that Dev was giving. Dev turned around and deepened the embrace. He needed to feel the connection as much as Rudy needed it. More so because Rudy was slowly closing himself off. Something that he had never done before.

“Are you in trouble, Rudy?” Dev’s voice filled with gentleness.

Rudy shook his head and then went for his killer smile. “Don’t worry, bro, this time Bhabhi will not have to bail me out.”

“She would not mind bailing you out, Rudra. And I do not mind if you get into trouble. You are my brother, no matter what you do, I will stand with you.” 

Rudy let out a soft chuckle. “And if I murder someone?”

Dev eyes searched Rudy’s eyes for the truth. The devil was a pro at masking his emotions, but his younger brother could not have secrets from him. “Did you?”

Rudy shook his head and gagged. “Killing is for low class goons, Bhaiya. I am far too expensive. The devil, remember?”

Dev could read the truth behind his words. His boy was not in trouble, but he was troubled. That worried him more. 

“Good.” He made sure Rudy looked into his eyes and then said, “because if you have a body to hide, I would like to know. You may be the devil, but I know best how to make things disappear. Don’t forget that.”

Rudy’s eyes flickered in surprise. Dev was saying without saying that he would always have his back.

The timer went off and dev pulled out another batch of muffins from the oven. He broke a muffin and offered it to Rudy. Red velvet was the one flavor that no one ate in their home except him. Dev always prepared them because he could not leave Rudy out.

“The pizza will be ready in ten minutes. Call the boys. Pizza tastes best when it is hot.” 

Dev busied  himself in preparing noodles. Andy’s all time favourite dish. He made sure all of them had what they needed. Never once did Dev differentiate between Andy and Atharva. All the cribbing Rudy did was, only for show. He knew first hand what Dev’s love felt like. He did not remember his father much, but he could not forget the love his Bhaiya gave him. 

It was that love that gave him courage to live life on his terms. It was that love that forced him to take reckless decisions. Now it was once again his Bhaiya’s love that was helping him retain his sanity. He could easily pick up a gun and solve all his problems, but Devin Raichand raised him better. Murder was no solution. He could not taint his Bahiya’s name by giving in to his anger. He was Rudra Desouza Raichand, and he would never do anything to disgrace the man who raised him.