Swati Sandeep Naam- [One shot- Adi, Ani and Arnav after Adi is discharged from the hospital]

Anirudh stared hard at the clay, trying to figure out what he was doing wrong. The image was in his head, but his hands refused to give it shape. Frustrated, he gave up cursing Adi and his melancholic music. It’s been three days since the boy was discharged from the hospital, and Anirudh was tired of listening to those gut wrenching songs. He wished Ayu would talk some sense into the boy. Now that the boys stopped fighting and became friends, Anirudh hoped he could have some peace.

Anirudh was wanting to take a break when the music stopped. He was surprised, but sighed in relief. Now, he could once again focus on his work. He reached for the clay again, but was annoyed when he heard the knock at the door.

Anirudh looked up ready to yell at the maid for disturbing him when he saw the boy hesitating at the door. Anirudh stiffened. He stayed clear of Aditya and the boy offered him the same courtesy. The sudden change surprised him.

“Do you need anything?” The question came out sharper than he intended. 

Adi stiffened. He had no intention of imposing his presence on Anirudh, but he needed a favor.

“I asked you a question boy.”

“Aditya.” Adi shot back, before he could stop himself. He had an unruly mouth and it often got him into trouble, but he could never control it. He gave himself a mental kick and lowered his eyes. “My name is Aditya.” He said quietly.

“Did you come here to tell me your name?” Anirudh said, trying hard not to look at the boy. As long as he thought of  the kid as ‘boy’, he could stay detached. Aditya Oberoi was a complication he was desperate to avoid.

“No,” Adi’s eyes filled with annoyance. He was trying to be polite for his Big-B’s sake, but the man was a stubborn mule. “Mughe bas janna tha ke Big-B ghar kab tak ayenge. (I only wanted to know when Big-B would be home.”

“How will I know?” Anirudh frowned. He had no idea what time it was, and reached for his phone. It was past noon. “He must be in college now.”

“I know.” Adi muttered under his breath. 

“If you want details, call him.” Anirudh reached for his tools. The best way not to look at the boy was to keep himself busy in his work.

“I don’t have his number.” 

Anirudh looked surprised. For three days both the boys were joined at the hip. How can they not have each other's numbers? Anirudh wiped his hands on a rag and made his way to the boy. The sooner he would get rid of him, the better for him.

“Give me your phone” 

“Did I do something wrong?” Adi looked worried. “I am sorry if I annoyed you. I will not come to disturb you again. Please don’t take my phone.”

Anirudh looked annoyed. “Is ghar me punishment sirf bhaiya detey hai. (Only Bhaiya dishes out punishment in this house.) And unless you did something wrong, no one will punish you, boy. Stop assuming things.” He grabbed the phone from Adi’s hand and keyed in Ayu’s number.

“If your Big-B is free, he will answer, if not he will call back when he is free.” Anirudh handed the phone back to Aditya. “Now, go. I have work to do.”

Adi bobbed his head. Anirudh turned around and made his way back to the clay. Adi wanted to leave but Anirudh helped him. He could not leave like that.

“Thank you….Bhaiyu.” 

Anirudh froze.

Adi sighed when he did not get a reaction and walked away. Anirudh closed his eyes in frustration. Why did the boy have to call him Bhaiyu? Mr. Oberoi was impersonal, he preferred Adi to address him that way, but now that the boy called him Bhaiyu, he realized he was waiting for Adi to say it. He did not want to get attached and his heart was foolishing wanting something else. He was acting like a fool.

He grabbed the clay and worked out his frustration on it. As the sculpture took shape beneath his hands he did not realize how time slipped by. He was working on refining the features when the door opened once again and Arnav walked inside with the food tray.

“Abhi nahi, Bhaiya. (Not now, Bhaiya.)”

Anirudh walked over to the bench and grabbed the tools from his hand. 

“Bhaiya…”

The angry glint in Arnav’s eyes silenced Anirudh. He was no fool. He knew when not to anger his Bhaiya. He saw the rajma chawal and smiled. “Aaj mera favourite kaise? (How did you prepare my favourite dish today?)”

“I did  not.” Arnav shook his head. “It was, Priya.”

He set the tray on the table and grabbed  a stool to sit.

Anirudh was surprised by the information. “But the boys don’t like Rajma.”

“But you do.” Arnav smiled. “You were holed inside for two days. Priya wanted to know what you liked. She made this for you, but you did not come for dinner.”

Anirudh sighed. “She should not have taken the trouble. In fact, why does she bother with cooking Bhaiya? Ask her to rest. She puts in six hours at work, comes back and cooks. We have maids…”

“Yes, but she likes to cook for her men. Her words, not mine.” Arnav said quickly before Anirudh could chew his head off. “If this makes her happy. I am not going to ask her to stop. And to be honest, I am in love with her cooking.”

“You are in love with your wife.” Anirudh shook his head. “Any idiot could see it.”

Arnav remained silent. Anirudh did not press. He had said it to tease, but he did not want his Bhaiya falling in love so fast. They did not know anything about Priya. The world called her an angel, but no one could be that angelic. She could be putting up pretenses to win Arnav’s trust and the thought unsettled him.

“Khale. (Eat.) You look dehydrated.” Anrav got up to grab a bottle from the fridge and stopped when he saw the sculpture Anirudh was working on. Arnav’s eyes flickered in surprise as he saw Aditya’s face taking shape. He looked back at his brother who was eating quietly. Anirudh’s art never lied. His brother was troubled and it was showing. Aranv grabbed the bottle and went back to Airudh.

“Do you want to talk?” Arnav asked once Anirudh was done with his dinner.

“She is a great cook. Tell her I loved the meal.” Anirudh said with a smile.

“Jo kehna hai khud keh dey. (Tell her yourself.) I am sure the compliment will make her happy.”

Anirudh looked away. He was not trying to please Priya. It was a genuine compliment. Arnav gently reached for Anirudh’s hands. “Priya is nothing like Nisha, Ani. She married me knowing my priorities.”

“She married you for the merger, Bhaiya.” Anirudh shook his head. “I am not saying that is bad. I am not saying she is like Nisha. I am happy that you are happy with her.”

“But you cannot trust her.” Arnav looked into Anirudh’s eyes.

“She is your wife. I will never cross a line with her.”

Arnav shook his head. Anirudh was not getting his point so he did not press. Trust would come with time. No one could force it.

“Take a break.” Arnav changed the topic. “I mean it Ani. You looked dead on your feet. Go and rest. You can finish the sculpture later.”

Anirudh shook his head. “I need to finish it Bhaiya. I need to get it out of my system.”

“Sculpting the boy will not get him out of your system, Ani. The boy is here to stay with us. I know this is difficult for you, but don’t keep your feelings bottled inside you.” Arnav placed a reassuring hand on his shoulders. “I am here to talk, Bachcha, and I won’t judge.”

Anirudh remained silent. Arnav gently lifted his face. “Mughe pata hai tu kya feel kar raha hai. (I know what you are feeling.) You are already compromising a lot, Ani. And I know that. And it’s okay to talk about what you are feeling. If you cannot talk to me, call Rudy. I am sure he will….”

“This is a family issue, Bhaiya.” Anirudh shook his head. “And there is nothing to discuss. We cannot throw the boy out. He is fifteen and scared. He has insecurities a mile wide. Does not talk and does not eat when you or Bhabhi are  not around. And that music…. Sometimes I feel the boy needs therapy. What is wrong with that kid, Bhaiya? He is barely 15. What is melancholic music? He….” Anirudh trailed off as he saw the surprise in Arnav’s eyes.

“You are worried for Adi?” Arnav could not hide his shock.

“I am not! I am just annoyed with his dumb songs. I need a break.” Anirudh got up in a hurry. “You were right, I am exhausted. I will sleep.”

Anirudh rushed out before Arnav could ask him anything. Arnav looked back at the sculpture. Anirudh, like always, had gotten all the details right. The boy’s face was devoid of a smile. Arnav had only once seen the smile on the boy’s face. When the boy had hugged Ayu. It was a sight that he could never forget in life. The smile on Adi’s face was priceless and for the first time he realized that he wanted to see Adi smiling more. The boy who was nothing but a promise to his dying father was slowly making his way into their hearts. Arnav did not know what to do with the realization.